Today and my brand new ZT350CB

[NaOH]

I'm a knife noob but I assume it's so you can increase the length of the cutting edge without increasing the length of the blade. It's like having a bigger knife but without any extra length.

Why are recurve blades so common in thier patterns? I'm not complaining, just wondering.

 

[Flatlander1963]

+1. Photos of your knife can cast away the jinx and near mishaps of newly acquired knives. Or at least you always have a before and after shots.

The ZT350 composite blade:

LOL, OK here is the ZT350CB which is my latest along with my other two most recent (top) Bradley Alias I, (middle) Military Ti

 

[Flatlander1963]

I'm a knife noob but I assume it's so you can increase the length of the cutting edge without increasing the length of the blade. It's like having a bigger knife but without any extra length.

Sounds reasonable but some many people do not favor the recurve over a strait edge. I wonder if there is more to it. Spyderco Triangle rods take all the anxiety about sharpening away or should. I personally like the look and the extra cutting is a plus I guess.

Thanks for your input. I hadn't thought of that.

 

[Flatlander1963]

The ZT350 composite blade:

I keep looking at the design/shape of the composite line on the blade. Did ZT/Kershaw do this for a functional reason or is it asthetics only? I does look cool to me!

Edit: Suppose to leave you with an impression of a shark??

 

[Flatlander1963]

I keep looking at the design/shape of the composite line on the blade. Did ZT/Kershaw do this for a functional reason or is it asthetics only? I does look cool to me!

Edit: Suppose to leave you with an impression of a shark??

I was positive that someone knew why the composite line is in the design of a shark fin! Maybe not?

 

[Flatlander1963]

Another question: I've become comfortable with the size of my ZT350CB. I tend to like knives with blades in the 3.25in - 3.5in range particularily if they are beefy like the ZT350. Other than additional size and a framelock does the ZT300 do anything better than the ZT350? My 350's linerlock seems rock solid. Just asking because I'm toying with the idea I need a ZT300 too.

 

[UpChUcK]

I have the ZT300, FlatLander, and I really want the ZT0350CB. The 300 adds 1/2" more length, more width and thickness at the blade. The handle has the titanium side and G-10 side with steel liner, framelock and the Hinderer Lockbar Stabiliser. The G-10 side has a macro-texture on it not like the micro-texture on the 350 and although it is kinda smooth, the larger texture grips well. Also, the 300 has a larger pivot screw that socket/open-ended wrench, not Torx/Hex.

The assisted opening action is not quick at all but it shakes your whole arm when it clicks locked with a solid "CLACK" (not a "click" like other AO's) . A very cool opening IMHO. You know how the hero in some movies get the slow motion intro with the bad-ass pose at the end, the AO on the 300 is like that .

So it does adds a some things but functionally speaking, the difference is just size, different steel and framelock. I would definitely recommend the ZT300 though. It is my favorite knife of all the knives I have or have had. :thumbup:

 

[Flatlander1963]

I have the ZT300, FlatLander, and I really want the ZT0350CB. The 300 adds 1/2" more length, more width and thickness at the blade. The handle has the titanium side and G-10 side with steel liner, framelock and the Hinderer Lockbar Stabiliser. The G-10 side has a macro-texture on it not like the micro-texture on the 350 and although it is kinda smooth, the larger texture grips well. Also, the 300 has a larger pivot screw that socket/open-ended wrench, not Torx/Hex.

The assisted opening action is not quick at all but it shakes your whole arm when it clicks locked with a solid "CLACK" (not a "click" like other AO's) . A very cool opening IMHO. You know how the hero in some movies get the slow motion intro with the bad-ass pose at the end, the AO on the 300 is like that .

So it does adds a some things but functionally speaking, the difference is just size, different steel and framelock. I would definitely recommend the ZT300 though. It is my favorite knife of all the knives I have or have had. :thumbup:

Yea, I'm feeling weak...I think I gotta do it. At the moment, I'm enamored with this pattern. And the 300 has some nice higher-end features.

 

[Flatlander1963]

Picture Request:

Does anyone have a side by side of a ZT300 and ZT350? Thanks g

 

[Flatlander1963]

I was out looking at video of the ZT300 series and this guy says a portion of all sales for these knives goes to the Paralyzed Veterans Heritage Fund. To me, that's just awsome!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MlNz4muajY&feature=fvw

The mind is made up, I'm emailing my new favorite Knife Retailer and ordering a 301!!

 

[2brothers]

Picture Request:

Does anyone have a side by side of a ZT300 and ZT350? Thanks g

Yes.

 

[Flatlander1963]

I got it and Baby is it fine!!!

First Impression:
a. Big and Brutish
b. Extremely Well Built
c. Good Value for your Money
d. Extremely Good Ergos...just fits my hand perfectly
e. Very Sharp
f. Did I say Big and Brutish

My new Military Ti and Alias I are fine even great knives but just got bumped by this Bad Boy!!

 

[futz]

I received my new ZT0350CB today. Very nice. But not very sharp. I go to touch it up on the Sharpmaker and can't get anywhere with it. I painted the edge with Sharpie and checked it out. One side is a perfect 15 degrees - no complaint there. The other side is visibly different even before the Sharpie. A couple passes on the Sharpmaker and I can see that it starts out around 20 degrees and at about 1/3 of the way from the handle it gradually goes to maybe 25 degrees or more. Sigh... Yet another blade that needs re-profiling fresh out of the box. Happens too often. :grumpy:

 

[Flatlander1963]

I received my new ZT0350CB today. Very nice. But not very sharp. Yet another blade that needs re-profiling fresh out of the box. Happens too often. :grumpy:

Mine was very sharp out the box. No complaints with mine.
However, I wasn't able to get anyone to speculate on the shark fin pattern on the composite blade.

I would be interested to hear your thoughts on the Elmax's performance after you reprofile and use it a bit. Thanks gw

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

All the various composite blades have a pattern designed into the blade. They probably don't want them all to look the same so they come up with different designs to join the two pieces of metal together. The shark fin pattern is just that, a pattern. The shape of the bonding line probably doesn't do all that much but a more complex design could possibly lock the pieces of metal together better.

I don't think there is any reason for the shark fin pattern other than the designer came up with a pattern that had not been done before.

 

[futz]

I would be interested to hear your thoughts on the Elmax's performance after you reprofile and use it a bit.

Did the re-profile tonight. Phew! What a job! Not absolutely perfect yet, but very good. I got it fairly wickedly sharp. If I spent more time at it I could easily get it even sharper.

Any idea of the HRC hardness KAI is treating this stuff to? It took some serious work with my Gatco diamond hones to get it into shape.

I'll put it in my pocket for a few weeks (bumping out the Spyderco Military) and compare its edge holding to CPM S30V and VG-10 (Delica in other pocket).