Strider SMF vs ZT 0301...

B

Biginboca

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Mar 17, 1999
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ZT 0301 is incoming in a few days, but I am also looking at the Strider SMF as possible next purchase.

I haven't handled either knife yet, but I am wondering how do these compare in handling and (pocket) carry?

Also I am wondering how their blade geometries compare as far as tip strength and blade thickness.

If anyone has pics of these knives side by side it would be very helpful in my decision making process. I searched google images for an hour last night and couldn't find any pics of the knives together.

Thanks,
Alphonse
 
The 0300 is awesome..

The 0300 series could be considered the tougher knife.. Plus it has a steel scale under the g-10..
I have the O300 and it is amazing.. The weight is not an issue for me.. But if it was. I would recommend the SMF. The 0300 has no issues with slices veggies or anything else with a razor sharp 40 degree micro bevel.. And will still chop down small trees very easily... In about the same leangth as the JYD II you get a whole lotta knife. The recurve gives it amazing cutting power. And the big belly chops with ease. It fires open with little pressure on the studs or flipper. And even with hard use.. not abuse.. the lock up will not move more than a little to the right.. It never sticks and is rock solid.
The pocket carry is also wider than an SMF.. So while this model is slightly less pocket friendly.. It does make up for it in a very well thought out, nearly indestructible design.. I find the black to be much more handsome than the tiger stripes.. But either way. It is the same knife.
Enjoy it

SMF - Lighter.. more narrow in the pocket And I think the blade is near .20
0300 - A power house.. Its heavier.. and wider with the handle profile.
Totally different design.. honestly It would not hurt to own both..

I hope this helped a little

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Both are very good knives and the motto on this site is Get Both! In my case I've only got to handle one SnG (smaller SmF) when I was at a show once. But from that I much preferred the ergos on the ZT and I'd rather not have the big finger choil that the SmF has.

If I had a SmF I would post some side by side pics for ya, I just haven't been able to bring myself to ditch out that much money for a knife yet.
 
I have handled the ZT at SHOT. I carry my SMF about half the time. As big as it is it is very east to carry where as the consenus on the ZT seems to be on the big side. The lock up on my SMF would put a bank vault to shame. As for the choil, I like it.
I have not had the chance to use a ZT but the SMF is a great cutter.

Bottom line, both were designed by the same man and both are solid knives.
 
Have a SMF. It is a great knife. I carry it about half the time. That is when I'm not carrying my SNG. The knife trimcut has used to be mine and it is a bad a$$ knife. It was just too heavy for me. I carry a lot in slacks for work so the 300 felt like it was beating my leg up all day. If I wore jeans to work every day that knife would still be with me. The ZT is every bit of knife the SMF is. The SMF just caries better for my needs.
 
I'll see if I can get some pic's comparing mine.

Personally, I prefer the SMF. Carries lighter in the pocket, more solid, thicker blade and framelock. Course it was also double the price I got my ZT302 for. :p

The ZT is really thick in the hand, and while that's good for some things, general edc carry is not one of them.
 
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Thanks for all the info. Still now decided on the SMF though. I'm wondering if the 2oz weight difference amounts to much, but from what's posted here it seems to be a noticable difference.

Also how does the thickness of the handles compare? I read the SMF is just over 1/2" thick, is the 0300 thicker?
 
2oz in knife speak is a TON when carried for long periods.

Anything over 4oz is on the heavy side. Strider is 6 the ZT is 8.60 or almost 3 oz heavier.
 
I don't notice a 2 or 3 ounce difference, but then again I mostly wear jeans and a belt. If I was wearing slacks or thin material shorts I could see how maybe weight like that would be a difference. As much as I like the design of Striders I just don't find enough there to justify the price, but that is just my opinion. I'd much rather wait for the ZT 350 if I want to get a smaller heavy use knife.
 
with jeans i dont have any problems with up to ~ 7 oz or so, to me the weight doesnt matter as much as thickness, up to a point anyway.

imho the ZT is too big for edc because of ther bulk more than the weight, imho a SnG is close to perfect for edc while a SmF is not as pocket friendly, and anything much bigger i dont like to edc it, not in a pocket anyway,
 
I've owned both and can say right now that the SMF is awesome :)

Nothing beats having a true strider. The ZT0300 series is an excellent knife, but the Strider SMF is a beast and is very light for it's size.

I'd also agree that you should just get both and if you don't like one they usually re-sale for about the same amount that you paid for them.

Good luck shopping, J.
 
SMF CC if you want lighter and thinner and a beast of a blade. Carries smaller than my full size SnG.

Matador-
 
Matador said:
SMF CC if you want lighter and thinner and a beast of a blade. Carries smaller than my full size SnG.

Matador-
Click to expand...

Ok, I'm sold.... Placed an order tonight for a CC SMF! Should be here within a week or so.

Thanks for the replies everyone.
 
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