Paramilitary 2 or ZT 0550: Best Camp Knife?

C

CDStewart

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Sep 8, 2013
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Hi everyone. Thanks for all the great posts. I have done a fair bit of research on this site and the advice is invaluable.

I just purchased a ZT 0550. Unreal knife. However, I am thinking this may be too much knife for me.

I would like a great, sturdy, all round knife exclusive for camping (one that will not double as my EDC - I have a small EDC knife I carry). Tasks I will perform range from cutting my kids hotdogs to hacking down branches with them to make marshmellow and hiking sticks. I have a desk job so my EDC will remain a small 2.5" blade.

Anyway, I know I compromise things with the ZT 0550 over the P2 and v.v. but I just really want to find one knife that is the best balance for my camping needs. I want it to be tough, but given that a lot of camping uses will be "cutting hotdogs" do I really need the ZT 0550? Also note, weight is not an issue. I am okay carrying around the ZT 0550.

Your help is greatly appreciated. I am an old knife collector and am just getting back into it. The internet has resulted in a bit of "analysis paralysis" because there is so much great info out there. I know in the end I will end up with a great knife, whether it is the P2 or the ZT 0550.

Thanks again.

Christian
 
I would go with the para 2, its a fantastic knife for outdoors imo. I saw a video on youtube where it was used for a variety of bushcraft tasks and it worked great.
 
Keep the zt. I've had 2 paramilitary2's before and they are incredible......for edc tasks that is. The zt wil be great for really anything you need to do. The spyderco I can't see being a outdoors knife.


Mayhemflipper
 
If you want a dedicated camping knife why not get a fixed blade? Maybe a BK-11 or a custom.
 
I think that the 0550 would serve you well. I've heard around that it's actually based off of what Rick Hinderer called the "camp knife" which seems to indicate its desired market. OTOH, I have seen the video with the PM2 being used in the outdoors. I think it was put out by BladeHQ in conjunction with Youtube personality The Late Boy Scout. I believe that they'd both get the job done: the PM2 can cut sticks fine and in my experience the 0550 doesn't make food prep that much more difficult (concern with the thicker blade stock).

The way I see it, I'd go with the 0550. The idea behind the ZT/Hinderer overbuilt philosophy is the "just-in-case" mindset. Most of the time, you won't need to ask it to do things a folding knife doesn't usually do. But there may be that time. It seems to happen in the outdoors more than in the city. So, I don't know if you ascribe to that way of thinking, but I think those who believe in "overbuilding" knives would take the 0550.
 
My 0550 slices excellently; the high grind allows for a thin edge, while the blade stock makes for a thick tip. I vote 0550, it can handle abuse better.

I would second the motion for a dedicated fixed blade on your hip as well, kabar, bk, esee, or even a Mora.
 
Thanks to everyone. Love the humor. I'm not an experienced hacker obviously! LOL. Ya, maybe a fixed blade is a good option with a 3 or 3.5" folder for the more delicate stuff (e.g. P2 or Griptilian). Not like I have to carry the fixed blade around all day.
 
Come to think of it, I have a 20 year old original Buckmaster I should bring along for the hacking. Haven't used it in 18 years but as I recall it did a pretty good job. It is heavy, but a fun knife around the campsite.
 
annasoH323 said:
The way I see it, I'd go with the 0550. The idea behind the ZT/Hinderer overbuilt philosophy is the "just-in-case" mindset. Most of the time, you won't need to ask it to do things a folding knife doesn't usually do. But there may be that time. It seems to happen in the outdoors more than in the city. So, I don't know if you ascribe to that way of thinking, but I think those who believe in "overbuilding" knives would take the 0550.
Click to expand...

^^^ This says it well. Both the 0550 and Para2 are great and very capable knives. Personally, I like the 0550 a bit more, even just for urban EDC, and not because it's "overbuilt". It's just a more comfortable handling knife (at least for me) if I'm going to be doing a lot of cutting.

A couple other good camp folders would be the Ontario RAT-1 (robust, yet inexpensive enough to where it wouldn't be a great loss should it get damaged/lost) or Victorinox One-Handed Trekker (also not too pricey, and has some other implements that can be useful in the outdoors). Pair those up with a decent fixed blade (maybe a BK16 or a Mora), and you should be well-knifed for recreational camping.
 
Did you say you have a Griptilian? Seems the perfect answer to me. (I do like the large fixed blade to have in camp, too)
 
I agree with the small FB recommendations. A BK14 would do most things around the campsite that don't involve serious clearing of brush or wood processing. They're lighter than most folders and easy to carry. A "fancier" choice for the same tasks would be BRKT's Northstar EDC. It's a really fine smaller FB in a very tough steel. Blind Horse also makes some very useful smaller FBs like the Brumby Lite.

If you're still set on a P2, just know that I've used them for years outdoors with no damage and no failures. My Paras, P2s, and Militaries are the folders we usually carry outdoors or doing occasional home remodeling.
 
Get you an ESEE3 or the 4 and cut and hack till your arm gets tired as the knife sure won't.!** {the Para2 is also a great Camp
Knife ~~ just try not to whack anything bigger than your middle finger and you will be okay.!**}
 
Ive got both the Para-2 and the 0550. As a allround camp knife, i'd go with the Para 2, no questions.

No to add to your analysis paralysis, but another nice folder in the same league as the two you mentioned, is the DPX HEST 2.0. Its a titanium framelock like the ZT 0550 and the it has a nice and thick D2 blade. Its much lighter than 0550, but feels just as stout and robust.

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go with the ZT550. The blade tends to feel like it can hold up to more heavy tasks while the PM2 is more of a fine cutter / city knife.
 
Many smaller fixed blades (<4") will do all your tasks without breaking a sweat, including slicing. Moras, ESEE Izula/ESEE 3, Becker Necker and Eskabar, Blackjack 155, and many others fit this role, while remaining lightweight and reliable. A folder IMHO is the worst thing to be hacking/beating at something with no matter how overbuilt.

A great folder for the woods would be a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife of whatever size you want, a multitool like Leatherman or Gerber, or something with a similarly sized blade meant for slicing, like an Opinel. This coming from someone who carries a PM2 every single day, which by the way is also an awesome slicer.
 
I have had both and still have the ZT 0550. They are booth great knives, but the 0550 just feels more secure in my hand.

 
If you're open to fixed blades, buy a Mora for 15 bucks and call it a day. It's easier to sharpen, lighter weight, you wont have to worry about a lock to fail and it will do everything you've mentioned much better then all of the other knives mentioned in this thread.
 
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