Requirements for my next folder

I have ZT 350. It's the biggest disappointment of the year.

Pros:

+ Fat liner lock. Atleast it locked up good.
+ Ergos were good...

Cons:

- ...but a stout grip and working with it starts to hurt hands a lot
- S30V was nowhere near the "supersteel" it acclaimed itself to be
- When it gets dull (and if you don't have sharpener handy), the recurve starts to get stuck
- When closed, the blade wasn't even near centered
- When I used it, the blade started to scratch the liner (moved further from center)
- Blade is too thick and clumsy to cut. It's more like a pocket shovel
 
A.L. said:
I have ZT 350. It's the biggest disappointment of the year.

Pros:

+ Fat liner lock. Atleast it locked up good.
+ Ergos were good...

Cons:

- ...but a stout grip and working with it starts to hurt hands a lot
- S30V was nowhere near the "supersteel" it acclaimed itself to be
- When it gets dull (and if you don't have sharpener handy), the recurve starts to get stuck
- When closed, the blade wasn't even near centered
- When I used it, the blade started to scratch the liner (moved further from center)
- Blade is too thick and clumsy to cut. It's more like a pocket shovel
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Thanks A.L. this is what i've been looking for. So it's not a good user? What about the 0300? This makes me wonder if a spyderco or the ritter is a better route...
 
SuzukiGS750EZ said:
Thanks A.L. this is what i've been looking for. So it's not a good user? What about the 0300? This makes me wonder if a spyderco or the ritter is a better route...
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I have no experience on other ZT's. I propably had a bad individual, but I find it no excuse for faulty design.

Many surely disagree with me, but Im always honest with my opinions on knives. It's my take on the knife.
 
A.L. said:
I have no experience on other ZT's. I propably had a bad individual, but I find it no excuse for faulty design.

Many surely disagree with me, but Im always honest with my opinions on knives. It's my take on the knife.
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Well it sounds like you've really used the knife by the sharpening comment. Maybe more can chime in.
 
SuzukiGS750EZ said:
I've narrowed my search of a 250$ or less folder down to a ZT 0350 or the Doug Ritter Griptilian. Glad I got it down to two. If anybody wants to try and weigh in on the benefits of one over the other please do so. I do a lot of outdoor activities such as camping, hunting, fishing and hiking. I do mechanical stuff and need a folder for around the house/to cut things for family. Size doesn't matter nor does sheeple friendly. S30V or better please.
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The Ritter is by far the superior knife in my mind. The grip, the blade, the feel and its one solid knife. To each his own tho.
 
This makes me wonder if a spyderco or the ritter is a better route...
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I was actually surprised that you dropped the Military or Paramilitary from your list. Perfect and reliable cutting tools, surprisingly light as well. I don't see a weak point problem - it's a cutting tool, not a prying tool.

I actually had read a few other disappointmented reactions to the ZT next to A.L.'s.
 
Dagon said:
I was actually surprised that you dropped the Military or Paramilitary from your list. Perfect and reliable cutting tools, surprisingly light as well. I don't see a weak point problem - it's a cutting tool, not a prying tool.

I actually had read a few other disappointmented reactions to the ZT next to A.L.'s.
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I dunno. I just want to make sure the thing lasts lol. This is my one time splurge on a knife over 200. I love collecting knives but i want to have a go to knife not the which one do i feel like using today knife lol. Used to have one but it's beyond repair(go to knife).
 
Can you linky? I'd be interested to read.
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I think I read them here in the general folder some time ago, or perhaps it was on britishblades. I can't remember the specifics - and I must say that when I examined one in the shop it looked kinda allright.

I dunno. I just want to make sure the thing lasts lol.
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The Military and Paramilitary are known to be very long lasting knives with both a good (but different) lock, and because of the intelligent design they are still easy to carry (thin an light). They are not designed for chopping wood, but when used as a cutting tool, even for heavy use they should give a very long service. My ZT 200 is heavier and probably even sturdier than the Military, but a lot heavier and a big bulge in your trousers, well I mean... :) and in practical terms I don"t expect it to be real difference, both will last for a really long time.
 
I feel so undecided ahhh. Benchmade 710... Ritter grip... Spyderco para and military... Zt0350 or 0300 i should give em up!
 
I feel so undecided ahhh. Benchmade 710... Ritter grip... Spyderco para and military... Zt0350 or 0300 i should give em up!
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I think that you should try to get to a well-stocked shop so you can hold them yourself!
 
I think a Military would really give you service for years. It is has the most ergonomic handle of any knife I own- I can get a very solid and secure grip on it with room to spare. To top it off, it is very lightweight at 4.2 ounces, close to half of the weight as some of the ZT's out there. Even though it is 4 mm's at the spine, its full flat grind makes it an amazing cutter, as well as its generous belly and downward angle. Spyderco IMO uses very good CPM S30V as well and its liner lock is very well designed. The radiused tang means that there is no blade play even with wear. The nested liners on the thick G-10 slabs with an open construction just seems to be simply all I could possibly need. While it is likely not quite as heavy duty and strong as a ZT is for example, I would bet money that it can outcut it all day long. Like you mentioned, its tip is a little bit acute, but I happen to really like it- if you need to do something very fine and delicate, you can grab the blade between your fingers and use it like you would a razor blade or a scalpel. For any kind of reasonable usage I do not think that the tip would be an issue. But if you just happen to prefer something that goes beyond what you would need and like the idea of an overbuilt design, that is a completely reasonable sentiment to have. Finally, as far as carry goes, the Military is fantastic. It really feels like a smaller knife in the pocket and is actually surprisingly suited to everyday carry. I cannot feel it in my pocket when I have it on me. Anyways, my gushing is over. I am sure that whatever you end up choosing you will really like it!
 
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