Questions regarding the ZT 300

KLJTech

KLJTech

Joined
Aug 26, 2005
Messages
1,180
I’m considering buying a Zero Tolerance 0300 folder, I know that it's a collaboration between ZT and Strider and was wondering if it was a nice alternative to a Strider for about half the price? I know the blade of the 300 series may not be as thick as a Strider but I’ll only be using this knife to cut with and never use my knives as pry bars. I guess what I’d like to know is if this ZT is 80% as tough as a Strider but for half the cost? Cost is a factor for me so I’d like to know that the ZT is going to last me a very long time and hold up well before I buy one. The blade of the 300 appears to be a bit stubby but I’m a big fan of recurved blades as the full size BM Skirmish is one of my all time favorite users.

How’s the factory edge on the 300 series? Does it cut well out of the box or do most need to be touched up a bit on something like a Sharpmaker before they’re really sharp? It’s my understanding that ZT knives has a good warranty and will take care of any problems as long as I’m not taking a steel sledge to the blade to test its ruggedness. :D

If anyone has had any problems with this knife I’d love to hear them before I make the purchase and thanks in advance for any information any of you can give.
 
I'd say the ZT 030x is every bit as tough as a Strider. The factory sharpness is more than adequate. It will shave hair out of the box.
 
harkamus said:
I'd say the ZT 030x is every bit as tough as a Strider. The factory sharpness is more than adequate. It will shave hair out of the box.
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This.

My 0301 (ranger green) is ~.158 and my Sng is ~.163. The 0301 has more blade than the Sng even though it's thinner and the 0301 has some type of metal liner under the G-10 side along with the titanium on the other. The Sng doesn't have a liner under the G-10 side.

I saw this last night from a fellow forumite. While YMMV, it's nice to see they are very durable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyl2CGb2N38

Sorry, couldn't get it to imbed
 
I had the same questions, and I have a smf cc, I have a 0301 my 0302 just arrived this morning. The are every bit as well made and tough as the striders. That video says it all I've shown all my friends my ZT, and they are amazed at the price diff between the striders and ZT for what you get. They really are in the same vein. Sharp enough out of the box too.
 
What type of edge does the 300 series come with? I've never seen it listed.
Thanks you.
 
Go for it. I got the 0200 and the 0500 and I've owned fixed and folding Striders. The ZT line is easily worth as much as a Strider, and I don't say that to put Strider down. Strider does make a lot of prybars, but nothing that outcuts the ZT line.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Go for it. I got the 0200 and the 0500 and I've owned fixed and folding Striders. The ZT line is easily worth as much as a Strider, and I don't say that to put Strider down. Strider does make a lot of prybars, but nothing that outcuts the ZT line.
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Sounds good, I believe I will go ahead and purchase one, I see that they have one with the plain black blade which I prefer to the tiger stripe.

The Benchmade Skirmish has been one of my favorite EDC's for a few years now but I wish that the handle on the Skirmish was a tad wider/thicker (to fill my hand a bit better) and the ZT 300's look like they'd be very comfortable in the hand. That recurve blade of the Skirmish as worked very well for me and I'm hoping that even though the 300's have a shorter blade that I'll like it just as much. That's the one thing I'm concerned about is the blade seems a bit short and stubby BUT I hear nothing but good things about them so I'm pretty sure I'll be very happy with my purchase.

Thanks so much for all the helpful information and input.
-Kevin
 
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I also think the the ZTs are just as tough as Striders, only they come way cheaper, which is a great feature if you ask me.
 
I have had 2 strider sng's and I feel the ZT 301 I have is alot better knife for the money. I bought a blem from keryshawguy and its awsome. The blem was so minor, I cant believe they would reject it. But YES, definately go for the ZT 300 series. I like mine so much, I am looking at others in the ZT lineup. You get a strider tough knife for less than half the price. Factory edge is great also. Mine easily shaved hair right out of the package.
 
Both knives are equally tough. The difference is weight and size. With ZTs you get the toughness but you also get a lot of weight. Striders bring toughness to the table but also do it in a lightweight easy to carry package. Btw, I've owned both knives and they both cut just fine. ;)
 
The ZT is a good knife. If the weight doesn't bother you. It's heavy as hell though. My SMF feels like it weights half as much and is more comfortable in the hand. The 300 series is a great knife, but it's no Strider and doesn't have the Strider warranty.
 
zt knives are built like tanks.. there are also videos of some1 batoning them through bolts etc and they still hold up.

only advantage striders have over the 300 is the blade shape.. i wish zt would come out with a 300 model without a recurve blade.
 
ar0maticdecay said:
zt knives are built like tanks.. there are also videos of some1 batoning them through bolts etc and they still hold up.

only advantage striders have over the 300 is the blade shape.. i wish zt would come out with a 300 model without a recurve blade.
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Since the BM Skirmish 630BK has been my favorite EDC for years I'm very use to using and like recurve blades. Obviously we all like what "we" like but the recurve is actually a plus to me. My main concern is possible lack of blade length on the 30x series as it appears a bit stubby but all I see are very good reviews so it must not be an issue.

Anyone have an issue with the blade on the 30X series when in hand? Unfortunately there is no store close n which i can hold one before buying.

My next knife purchase will be either the ZT 300 (plain black blade) or the Spyderco Titanium Military. They're very close to the same price but very different folders, I have several Spyderco's but no ZT's. I may end up flipping a coin to determine which will be the one I buy next.

Thanks so much for all the input, usually when I ask for feedback on these forums before buying a certain knife I end up being very happy with my purchase or it allows me to avoid a knife that I probably would have never used.
 
KLJTech said:
My next knife purchase will be either the ZT 300 (plain black blade) or the Spyderco Titanium Military. They're very close to the same price but very different folders, I have several Spyderco's but no ZT's. I may end up flipping a coin to determine which will be the one I buy next.
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I would go with the Millie. Just my .02
 
Socom Elite said:
I would go with the Millie. Just my .02
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Do you own both and prefer the Millie?
They're very different knives so I'm not comparing one against the other, really just trying to decide which will be my next purchase. I own several Spyderco's and love them all but I don't own any ZT's. I wish there was a place local in which I could handle the ZT 300. I'm concerned about the blade being/feeling a bit short and stubby but that's only going by photos and may not be an issue at all.
Thanks guys.
 
The blade may look stubby, but it has tons of belly especially because of the recurve.
 
Don't own any Striders, but own an 0300 and 0301. Both shaving sharp out of the box. The blade looks deceptively short in pictures. The knife is solid and "tank-like" as others have already said. As you saw in the youtube video, it can cut, stab, and pry very well.

I own an Orange Millie, too. Entirely different category of knife, although the blade length is about the same. It is more strictly a cutting tool.

Here are some pics for comparison:

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4532619612_a584c10081_o.jpg


If you're looking for something like a Strider, then the Millie isn't the knife to choose. The ZT is what you're looking for.
 
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