Recommendation: 100-120 dollar max

T

Tjt564

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Aug 8, 2012
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Hi everyone I need some help. I have been saving up to get my 1st $100 dollar knife and I almost have enough. I have been heavily looking into this and my max price range is $120.00 dollars, the two that I have taken a liking to are the para military 2 and the zero tolerance 350. Here is why I am stuck between the two;
1. I like the looks of both a lot. The zt looks very rugged and cool whereas the para 2 appears to be more elegant.
2. I will not be edcing this knife so the weight isn't really relevant.
3. I have heard that the zt is better for tough use and tht the para 2 is an amazing slicer so I am torn between these 2 differences as well.
4. Both are about the same price
So if you could only have one as a collectible and light use knife, which one would you choose?
 
If you aren't planning to really use the knife it basically boils down to what you like the looks of more. Since they are close in your eyes I would suggest the para 2 because I think it's more fun to flick open and closed. Both are popular and I don't think there are plans to discontinue either so I say just use the heck out of whichever one you choose!
 
^^ thanks and yeah I really do like the looks of both, that's why this is so hard lol
 
collectible and light use aren't in my vocab. I use all my blades :D
I'd have to recommend the Para 2. I haven't been too fond of ZT's designs in all honesty. Haven't seen one that caught my eye yet.
 
Id go Spyderco, I had the 350 and traded it away. The 350 is an amazing knife but its thick and heavy, I also had lots of trouble sharpening the recurve. The Para is the best edc in that price range, I also love the Manix 2 XL.
 
You have my two favorite knives listed...in that price range. I've had maybe 15-20 PM2's in various blade-steels, and at least four ZT 0350's in regular, tiger-stripe, compound blade, ZDP-189, etc. I've sold the 0350's to pay some bills, but I love 'em. The same goes for the PM2's, but I do have a couple of the plain-jane variety again, recently from the Exchange (ANIB). They are BOTH great bargains in my book.
Since you said "light use"...I'll go with the PM2. It's a great slicer also, and the compression lock is a wonder.
 
Both awesome, the Para 2 has a completely different handle and that choil provides you with a lot of options, I love it and I love the compression lock. The 350 really fills out your hand it is a stocky feeling knife, more like a manix 2 (which might be another one to consider depending on what you are using the knife for, it melts in your hand and its larger closer in size to the 350).

If there is anyway you can handle both of knives that would be the best but if not and you don't have really large hands I would go with the Para 2 its an amazing knife.
 
I'd say the Para2. It's more useful, and more fun to play with. I say that, though, as someone who hasn't really ever been a fan of assisted opening knives. I don't like the resistance when closing, I don't like worrying that I might bump my knife in the pocket and deploy it, and I don't see the need for a knife to be assisted when flicking a knife takes little to no effort.

If you're not going to really use the knife, a compression lock is more fun to play with. I wish you the best of luck in finding a Para2 for less than $130 - I was lucky to grab a Digicam/Black Blade off the "for sale by individual" part of this forum for $105.
 
I have never owned either, but I've had the "big brothers" of both.
The Military is the knife I've owned the longest, and the ZT 0301 was the knife I had the shortest...
If you're going ZT though, consider the 0200. It's the most comfortable folder I've ever held and blems can be had for $95.
 
I have both, for light use and general fondling I'd recommend the Para 2. They do seem to be hard to come by at the moment though so you might have trouble finding one for a decent price. That's a temporary situation though, if you wait a bit they'll be readily available again. Another option to consider would be the Spyderco Superleaf. It's also a compression lock but the blade is a bit beefier, somewhere in between a Para 2 and a 0350. They're discontinued but still available on closeout from some vendors. The blade is VG10 which is a bit of a downgrade from S30V but still pretty decent. Of the three I'd buy the Superleaf.
 
I just picked up a 350 and have owned PM2's. I prefer the overall looks of the 350 along with the big, beefy blade. The 350 is much heavier than the PM2 so it feels much more substantial in your hand. It's a flipper which is a feature I like. I don't much care for the extremely aggressive, biting jimping. The PM2 has a larger handle which fit my big hands like a glove. It's also really light for it's size and out of the box is extremely sharp. My only knock on the PM2 is the really thin blade tip. Both great knives, can't go wrong with either one.
 
I got the manix 2 XL on sale for $91, you'll find them around $105....took me a week or two to get used to the Ball Lock. Works like the Axis lock but stiffer. You gotta like pinch the handle, now that I got used to the Spyderco...boy I love it. I'll spend literally hours just starting at it and the detail that was put into making such knives.....really awesome SpY!!
 
estate4life said:
I got the manix 2 XL on sale for $91, you'll find them around $105....took me a week or two to get used to the Ball Lock. Works like the Axis lock but stiffer. You gotta like pinch the handle, now that I got used to the Spyderco...boy I love it. I'll spend literally hours just starting at it and the detail that was put into making such knives.....really awesome SpY!!
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Me too and I love it! I want to find a kydex sheath maker who can make me a belt sheath to snap my knife into and attach to a belt via tek lok.
 
I like the ZT-350. It is built like a tank, looks great, is razor sharp and flips open with authority. Try one out you wont be disappointed!
 
If it were me, it would be Spyderco all the way! Nearly all of my EDC's are Spyderco!
 
I'd probably take the 0350. The pivot and lockup feel much more solid than than PM2. That said, you could get an 0550 Gen 1 blem from Kershawguy for $120.
 
Dont own a PM2 but do own the 350 and love it for EDC. These are two very different knives. If you like big beefy knives, you cant go wrong with the ZT. On the other hand, if its just for light use, the PM2 will suit you fine
 
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