Questions about the ZT300...??

A

abchopper

Joined
Jan 15, 2008
Messages
152
I saw the Kershaw ZT300 a few days ago on line and I love the design. Very solid design and a great s30v blade. Expensive but very nice. I currently have a CRKT M21-04. I love that design as well but it bugs me that it's only has a AUS8 steel blade which isn't as wear resistant as the s30v. Also, the pivot doesn't feel as solid.

I would love to get a ZT300 but have a few questions to anyone that have this or have handled this folder.

Does any know if the Speedsafe Assisted Opening on the ZT300 is legal in Australia and New Zealand??
(no point in ordering one if I can't get it into the country, unless they're already here)

At over 8oz it sounds kinda heavy. The M21-04 is about 5.5oz which feel just nice. Does anyone find the ZT300 a bit too heavy for an EDC??

Do you think you could do batoning and light chopping with this one??

Thanks in advance.
 
Ive got 2 ZT0300's I love them. They are a tad on the heavy side, but i perdonally have carried a heavy tactical folder for most of my adult life, so it doesnt bother me. In addition, I want some fehtiness to something that my life might depend on. You ask if its good for chopping and batoning, I would think if you were going to ask a folder to do this you would want a heavy knife. (Mechanical advantage) Sorry, I cant tell you if its illeagal in Austrailia, I live in Ohio....we encourage weapons:D
 
I don't own a ZT300, but I have handled one on several occasions. It is an extremely tough, well-built custom folder. It is not light, but it is certainly not too heavy to serve as great EDC.

I don't think that it's recommended that you baton any folder, but if any folder could stand up to it, I would think this one can. I'm sure that light chopping wouldn't be too much of a problem, I've done light chopping with lighter folders than the ZT 300.

One thing I will say about the ZT 300 is that if you have small hands, make sure you handle it before you buy it. The knife is pretty wide near the pivot, so if you have small hands, closing the knife one-handed can be quite difficult.

Sorry, I don't know Australia or New Zealand's knife carry laws either.
 
abchopper said:
Does any know if the Speedsafe Assisted Opening on the ZT300 is legal in Australia and New Zealand??
Click to expand...

I have read some posts from other guys from "Down Under" say that AO's
are legal once in Australia, but It's illegal to have them shipped there.

If you really want one and have the means, you could have the knife and
torsion bar sent separately. Once you have both, slap it together and you're
legal. I would recommend getting a definite answer as to the legality of AO's
before doing this however.
 
I'd ask gajinoz. He lives in Oz, too. Nice guy, he'll help you out! But I'd suggest contacting by PM or email instead of leaving a visitor message. Click on "Contact Info" in his profile, and you'll find links to his PM and email.
 
AOs are illegal in OZ and you will need a prohibited weapons permit to import. This is a Federal Customs form. To get a permit you also have to have a Police confirmation form from your state police which is virtually a permit to posses. Some states are better than others when it comes to issuing permits, NSW sucks. You can buy the 0200 here as they ar not AO.Try Cutting edge Knives in QLD.If you find a source for the 300 in OZ please let me know. Best of luck
 
In NZ any knife is illegal to carry...unless you have a "reason", SD is not a reason, " I cut rope at work is" but you better be going to, or coming back from work or its a no go.
AO counts as a flick knife i think, which is illegal no matter what, however the AO if shipped broken apart in two parcels and then reassembled may get it in...
 
People could harm sheep with knives. We just cant have that.

The sheep actually created sheeple!!!
 
Thanks guys. Great info.

I might try to contact a supplier to get them to remove the AO torsion bar for me.
 
Have you had any luck?

I originally wrote this one off the list due to the AO however the laws appear to be grey in this area.



I borrowed the following from a U.S. website that will send AO's apparently with great success to Australia, unfortunately the ZT isn't listed on their site however Kershaws are. I might need to contact them.

WEAPONS PROHIBITION ACT 1998 - SCHEDULE 1
SCHEDULE 1 – Prohibited weapons

(Section 4 (1))
1 Knives

(1) A flick knife (or other similar device) that has a blade which opens automatically by gravity or centrifugal force or by any pressure applied to a button, spring or device in or attached to the handle of the knife .

(2) A ballistic knife that propels a knife -like blade of any material by any means other than an explosive.

(3) A sheath knife that has a sheath which withdraws into its handle by gravity or centrifugal force or if pressure is applied to a button, spring or device attached to or forming part of the sheath, handle or blade of the knife .

(4) An Urban Skinner push dagger or any other device that consists of a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike that has a handle fitted transversely to the blade or spike and allows the blade or spike to be supported by the palm of the hand so that stabbing blows or slashes can be inflicted by a punching or pushing action.

(5) A trench knife or any other device that consists of a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike that is fitted with a handle made of any hard substance that can be fitted over the knuckles of the hand of the user to protect the knuckles and increase the effect of a punch or blow, or that is adapted for such use.

(6) A butterfly knife or “balisong” or any other device that consists of a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike that fits within 2 handles attached to the blade or spike by transverse pivot pins and is capable of being opened by gravity or centrifugal force.

(7) A star knife or any other device that consists of a number of angular points, blades or spikes disposed outwardly about a central axis point and that are designed to spin around the central axis point in flight when thrown at a target.

SPRING ASSIST ARE NOT GRAVITY OR CENTRIFUGAL FORCE, AND HAVE NO BUTTON ON THE HANDLE, WHICH MAKES THEM PERFECTLY LEGAL TO OWN, USE, AND CARRY. "In the Handle" it is in plain and clear English with no amendments stating otherwise.


I still think its a grey area, a strict interpretation of the above clause would mean that the Arc Lock lever on a SOG for instance, being in the handle and allowing the blade to freely open under gravity when moved would be illegal ???

I work for an international express shipping company and I'm trying to find out more from there. Even if it technically is not an illegal weapon I still don't want to risk it being held in Customs due to a disagreement in the interpretation of the Law.

I had my mind set on one from TADgear either the green or the black, both have plain not reflective blades but I'm yet to contact them to find out if they would oblige re the torsion bar removal. I know there are other sources however they seem to be the only ones I can find that are selling anything other than the coyote brown or green. Doesnt really bother me that much anyway just not a big fan of the tiger striping.

As far as I'm aware the knife still funtions 100% with out the bar anyway. I'm interested in this knife for its size, shape and construction, the AO would just be a small bonus.
 
I can't speak to the law, but I own a ZT300 and love it. Remember, the key is to not get caught with it. For example, my wife has no idea how many Kershaws I actually own (or the Randall I ordered)- my goal is to just not let her find out!
 
Just an FYI.


Spoke to the guys at Tadgear. They suggested that there is another way to disable the 0300 as far as the AO is concerned. They can tighten up the pivot bolt a tad (pardon the pun) making it so that the only way to open it is via the thumb studs.'

If they opened the package and inspected it to see whether it was some kind of auto opener or AO I think they'd assume its just a standard folder. Unless they have some kind of database... but I highly doubt that.

I work for one of the largest internation express freight companies in the world. We are located on the tarmac. Freight handlers drop the cans from the planes of directly at our back door. These are unloaded and only 10% of shipments, yes only 10% (same as all the other freight companies) are rerouted via the Customs conveyor where customs workers stand around and chat while shipments pass through the x-ray machine behind them, mostly unnoticed..... As for drugs and explosives inbound well the dogs can pick that up anyway. I think its highly doubtful that it will even get noticed. The customs dec' with the package when data entered at origin may flag the parcel for inspection but it it says folding knife will probably get ignored.


As for removing the torsion bar, a little research has shown this only sort of works. As the torsion bar serves to hold the blade closed, the ball that runs in an arc around the pivot bolt and keeps the frame an blade from grinding against each other doesn't drop into a divot as with a non AO folder. This divot on a non AO is what keeps the blade shut. Short story is if you remove the bar the blade may not stay shut - but can be fixed by drilling a tiny divot at the end of the arc the ball travels around.
 
rupes said:
Have you had any luck?

I originally wrote this one off the list due to the AO however the laws appear to be grey in this area.



I borrowed the following from a U.S. website that will send AO's apparently with great success to Australia, unfortunately the ZT isn't listed on their site however Kershaws are. I might need to contact them.

WEAPONS PROHIBITION ACT 1998 - SCHEDULE 1
SCHEDULE 1 – Prohibited weapons

(Section 4 (1))
1 Knives

(1) A flick knife (or other similar device) that has a blade which opens automatically by gravity or centrifugal force or by any pressure applied to a button, spring or device in or attached to the handle of the knife .

(2) A ballistic knife that propels a knife -like blade of any material by any means other than an explosive.

(3) A sheath knife that has a sheath which withdraws into its handle by gravity or centrifugal force or if pressure is applied to a button, spring or device attached to or forming part of the sheath, handle or blade of the knife .

(4) An Urban Skinner push dagger or any other device that consists of a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike that has a handle fitted transversely to the blade or spike and allows the blade or spike to be supported by the palm of the hand so that stabbing blows or slashes can be inflicted by a punching or pushing action.

(5) A trench knife or any other device that consists of a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike that is fitted with a handle made of any hard substance that can be fitted over the knuckles of the hand of the user to protect the knuckles and increase the effect of a punch or blow, or that is adapted for such use.

(6) A butterfly knife or “balisong” or any other device that consists of a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike that fits within 2 handles attached to the blade or spike by transverse pivot pins and is capable of being opened by gravity or centrifugal force.

(7) A star knife or any other device that consists of a number of angular points, blades or spikes disposed outwardly about a central axis point and that are designed to spin around the central axis point in flight when thrown at a target.

SPRING ASSIST ARE NOT GRAVITY OR CENTRIFUGAL FORCE, AND HAVE NO BUTTON ON THE HANDLE, WHICH MAKES THEM PERFECTLY LEGAL TO OWN, USE, AND CARRY. "In the Handle" it is in plain and clear English with no amendments stating otherwise.


I still think its a grey area, a strict interpretation of the above clause would mean that the Arc Lock lever on a SOG for instance, being in the handle and allowing the blade to freely open under gravity when moved would be illegal ???

I work for an international express shipping company and I'm trying to find out more from there. Even if it technically is not an illegal weapon I still don't want to risk it being held in Customs due to a disagreement in the interpretation of the Law.

I had my mind set on one from TADgear either the green or the black, both have plain not reflective blades but I'm yet to contact them to find out if they would oblige re the torsion bar removal. I know there are other sources however they seem to be the only ones I can find that are selling anything other than the coyote brown or green. Doesnt really bother me that much anyway just not a big fan of the tiger striping.

As far as I'm aware the knife still funtions 100% with out the bar anyway. I'm interested in this knife for its size, shape and construction, the AO would just be a small bonus.
Click to expand...

What is the web site? I would be interested to see what they have.
 
I don't have PM's available. I company owner with the same user name as his company name posted the link but it was deleted due to not being a supporting member or something, I worked out his website name pretty easily though. Not sure if it was this forum or not.

Just to avoid that send me an email at rupes76 @ bigpond.com (remove the spaces) and I'll send you the details, and some others re the ZT0300. Also found someone who sharpens and repairs knifes who would be happy to receive a knife, modify if necessary and then forward it to Australia.
 
I'd like to ask - have my long awaiting ZT0300 knife USN edition on the way :)
But his previous owner replaced original black G-10 scale for green one.
Where can I buy original black scale?
Thanks to all :)
 
Can anyone tell me what the thickness of the knife is? Pictures of the thickness with an object for point of reference would be great! Thanks!
 
I've been carrying a 0300 for about a year. It's not as heavy as it's chunky looks would imply due to it's use of lightweight materials. I pocket carry it and never really think about it being heavy. Get one, you won't be dissapointed.
 
Thanks guys again for all the new info. I'm still looking into it but it's been on the back burner since the economy went pear shaped.
 
laurin said:
I'd like to ask - have my long awaiting ZT0300 knife USN edition on the way :)
But his previous owner replaced original black G-10 scale for green one.
Where can I buy original black scale?
Thanks to all :)
Click to expand...


Send it back to Kershaw customer service and explain your situation - I bet they'd swap the scale out for you.

They swapped mine out for a different color when I sent the knife in (although my original scal had stripped clip screw holes). Heck, they offered to replace the whole knife!! Now THAT's customer service!!
 
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