Refined Tanks

I believe that the ZT350 is a very well refined tank compared
to the ZT550 brick.

That's why I kept the 350.
 
Brous Division (CF), Fox Citadel Deimos (ziricote wood), Viper Rhino (cocobolo wood), Viper Start (cocobolo wood) and Spyderco Vallotton (polished G-10).

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I kind of take RamZar's post and use it to generalize. I think that ANY folder that carries a blade that exceeds about 5/32" (0.156"), regardless of blade-length, can be looked as a tank. Yes, the SMF is certainly a tank, as is the Grayman Satu. OTOH, I think the Sng and the DUA, the TSF Beast, ZT 0550 (and higher) and the Benchmade 275 Adamas are nice knives, even though they are right "on the verge" of being over-built. And yes, the Benchmade 755 MPR, regardless of its great M390 steel, is the most horrible brick I've ever had the pleasure of owning...but not carrying.
You have to realize, that based on my idea, that the Techno also fits in as a tank...certainly for its diminutive length of blade and grip. But yes, I have or had all of these knives, other than the Satu, and they're great and they serve a purpose. However, I've carried a blade-width of 0.125" or perhaps a 0.140" every day for many yrs and have never felt that I was "under-knived."
Perhaps if I worked in construction or the equivalent, the tank might be advisable. But I am quite well fitted for casual-carry with my approximate 0.125" blade-width...Sebenza (other than model 25), a host of Spyderco models (Gayle Bradley, Calys, Natives, Sage series, Benchmade 710) and they slice more easily and fill the bill, for me, just fine.
Of course, your mileage may vary. Some folks carry a .25 Auto for protection; some prefer a .45 ACP, but it weighs more.
 
Comeuppance said:
Zero Tolerance:
- 0888
- 0801CF
- 0600
Click to expand...

Curious on why you didn't include the ZT 0777 series? I think it's a classy tough hombre. Some think that because the handle is pure CF with no support structure it's not strong. I disagree. CF is extremely strong.

I would even include the ZT 0560CBCF as a classy tank.

Of course, eventually ZT 0454 and 0801CF but they're not out yet.
 
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Benchmade 275 Adamas

Super strong tank of a knife yet great ergonomics and easily EDCd.

5FA81658-D49F-4E41-AFD6-A03B6DC5198E-2208-00000311469E16C3_zps36a7dc25.jpg
 
I'm big on specs for the knives I buy, always have been, but in the last decade manufacturers seems to be building more and more knives that fit my version of a tank, some refined, some ...maybe not.

Mine include;

Lionsteel SR-1D Raindrop Damascus
ZT0600
ZT0801
ZT0200KW
Spyderco Szabo
Spyderco Vallotton
Boker Arctos XL
Fox Deimos
Benchmade 275 Adamas
Kizer Klecker
Kizer Gingrich

As far as specs go I like my blades to have at least .157"/4mm thick blade stock as all but the 0600 and SR-1 have. Those two are .187"/5mm thick. Another thing I like to see on linerlocks, which 6 of mine are, is for them to have thick liner's. The Spyderco, ZT0200, and both Kizers have .080" thick liner's, while the Boker's are .100" thick. The Deimos is the only exception as it has liner's .060" thick, but I still love it! I have actually not measured the 3 framelocks, but the thickness of their locks is what I like to see, and to have. The Adamas is an Axis Lock that has been presented as a heavy duty knife. I think most Axis Locks have .050" thick liner's, but the Adamas has thick liner's at .080", and is a heavy duty piece. Knives that don't have these exact measurements are not automatically dismissed, if they were I would not have the Deimos, but I do take a hard look at it. I also like to see a knife that has a little weight/heft to it, but if a knife has what I have mentioned above, then heftiness is going to be present. The ZT0801 @ 5.8 ounces is my lightest, while the ZT0200 @ 7.8 ounces is the heaviest.

Specs may not mean a lot to most, but it is one thing I like to see. More and more this seems to be something that makers are also looking at.


Ever sit around thinking you forgot something, and all a sudden you see something that jogs the memory? Well it happened to me. Just now.

I forgot a knife in my list above; Spyderco Szabo. It fits the blade thickness at .157", and the liner's are around .060", but the Compression Lock is awesome.
 
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BladeScout said:
Didnt we just have a thread about this subject! (rhetorical question alert).

The ones you mention are solidly well made knives.

Its all relative of course (and up to the individual to form his/hers own opinion), but when I hear/read 'overbuilt,' I think of knives like this;









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Sorry if this is a stupid question but what are those two knives you have posted the pics of? I like the way the both look like a super tank built but the first knife has my liking a tad bit more than the second.
 
the silent soldier flipper! very refined finish and size. but usage can match any tanks out there!
 
SURVIVAL&WEAPONS said:
Sorry if this is a stupid question but what are those two knives you have posted the pics of? I like the way the both look like a super tank built but the first knife has my liking a tad bit more than the second.
Click to expand...
Dont be sorry. Not a stupid question.
There are three knives pictured. From the top:
-Carson
-Medford Praetorian
-Extrema Ratio
 
I really like my zt 350 as an overbuilt knife that is rather compact for easy carry.
 
Sonnydaze said:
I kind of take RamZar's post and use it to generalize. I think that ANY folder that carries a blade that exceeds about 5/32" (0.156"), regardless of blade-length, can be looked as a tank. Yes, the SMF is certainly a tank, as is the Grayman Satu. OTOH, I think the Sng and the DUA, the TSF Beast, ZT 0550 (and higher) and the Benchmade 275 Adamas are nice knives, even though they are right "on the verge" of being over-built. And yes, the Benchmade 755 MPR, regardless of its great M390 steel, is the most horrible brick I've ever had the pleasure of owning...but not carrying.
You have to realize, that based on my idea, that the Techno also fits in as a tank...certainly for its diminutive length of blade and grip. But yes, I have or had all of these knives, other than the Satu, and they're great and they serve a purpose. However, I've carried a blade-width of 0.125" or perhaps a 0.140" every day for many yrs and have never felt that I was "under-knived."
Perhaps if I worked in construction or the equivalent, the tank might be advisable. But I am quite well fitted for casual-carry with my approximate 0.125" blade-width...Sebenza (other than model 25), a host of Spyderco models (Gayle Bradley, Calys, Natives, Sage series, Benchmade 710) and they slice more easily and fill the bill, for me, just fine.
Of course, your mileage may vary. Some folks carry a .25 Auto for protection; some prefer a .45 ACP, but it weighs more.
Click to expand...

Did you mean thickness, and not "width" or the wideness of the blade?

Most blades that exceed the regular thickness tends to also have thicker liners or frames as well, or just an all around more thicker construction (To scale up with the weight of the blade, etc.), so, indeed, thicker than 0.156 or thereabouts can usually be considered "tanks" or tank like. But some folders with 0.156 thickness, or less, could also be considered tanks, of course.
 
The 500 series are too much brick, not enough tank for ya, eh?
The 0801 weighs the exact same as 550 according to amazon and ZT
 
BladeScout said:
Dont be sorry. Not a stupid question.
There are three knives pictured. From the top:
-Carson
-Medford Praetorian
-Extrema Ratio
Click to expand...

Is the carson a really rare blade? I cant find it online. What i did find was crkt knives and other kit carson knives some near $1000. I guess this would be a dream knife for me :/
 
SURVIVAL&WEAPONS said:
Is the carson a really rare blade? I cant find it online. What i did find was crkt knives and other kit carson knives some near $1000. I guess this would be a dream knife for me :/
Click to expand...

It is a Chinese company that currently distributes through a Russian dealer. Carson Tech Labs is the company and that model is the EVO. I have one of their Granite integral models and love it. Still saving for an EVO, they are a bit pricey.
 
ceptor781 said:
It is a Chinese company that currently distributes through a Russian dealer. Carson Tech Labs is the company and that model is the EVO. I have one of their Granite integral models and love it. Still saving for an EVO, they are a bit pricey.
Click to expand...

They are apparently going to release some new models in feb/march, for <400$. The models, or some of the models, are on their Facebook page, and on Youtube I believe.
 
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Their contact info says California but you say they are a Chinese company? Do they make the knives in the US or China? Not arguing, just asking.

ceptor781 said:
It is a Chinese company that currently distributes through a Russian dealer. Carson Tech Labs is the company and that model is the EVO. I have one of their Granite integral models and love it. Still saving for an EVO, they are a bit pricey.
Click to expand...
 
jac_solar said:
Did you mean thickness, and not "width" or the wideness of the blade?

Most blades that exceed the regular thickness tends to also have thicker liners or frames as well, or just an all around more thicker construction (To scale up with the weight of the blade, etc.), so, indeed, thicker than 0.156 or thereabouts can usually be considered "tanks" or tank like. But some folders with 0.156 thickness, or less, could also be considered tanks, of course.
Click to expand...

Thank you, sir. Yes, my brain slipped a link. I meant blade-stock thickness, or spine thickness. Best regards.
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And, for uxo2..."I believe that the ZT350 is a very well refined tank compared
to the ZT550 brick."

If you are impressed with refinement, then check out the Zero Tolerance 0360.SKD Knife, Folder w/ SpeedSafe, Carbide Tip. I have two NIB and they are as refined as can be...IMO.
 
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