What to get?

stabman

stabman

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Sep 17, 2007
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Trying to decide between the ZT 0302 and the Emerson HD-12. Both are tough looking knives, and should be neat to own, but I can only get one of them(this year at least).
So, which one do you guys recommend? How thick is the frame-lock on the ZT? Is it 0.125" thick like the Emerson? For the ZT owners, is the pivot as tough as it looks in the pics? Does anyone own both and have a preference?
 
I've played with both and prefer the 302. The CQC-12 that I was playing with had an extremely thin cut out in the lock bar. But after speaking to one of the other members here, I understand that that is not common.

302:
pros:
~I like the ti/g-10 combo on the non-lock side
~Thumbstuds also act as as a blade stop because it adds extra lateral support
~Flipper gives an extra opening option and adds as a finger guard
~Seems like a better slicer with the higher grind
~Blade ground on both sides for slightly better even cutting motions
~Seems overall tougher, but both are tough enough
~Not that it matters much, but it has the Hinderer lock bar stabilizer
~better ergos for me
~I understand that some of the ZT purchases go toward disabled veterans

Cons:
~I don't like recurves
~I can do without AOs
~Heavier/takes up more space in the pocket


CQC-12:
Pros:
~I prefer this blade shape slightly
~Wave option
~Lighter/easier to carry
~Easier to sell on the secondary market (No matter how much I like certain knives, many of them get sold after some time) due to limited quanities.

Cons:
~Not that it matters much, but I don't like only G-10 on the non-lock side
~Chisel ground (this has never bothered me personally, but it seems to bother many people)
 
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All things equal, I would say get the CQC-12. My main reason is that it is discontinued and you may not be able to get it at the next time that you buy a knife....the ZT302 looks sweet, but didn't it just come out? Won't it be around the next time you buy a knife for yourself?

Just my .02.

PS: The CQC-12 is the nicest folder I have personally handled. The ergos are incredible. It's got a large pivot, excellent framelock, carries nice and small, and the blade shape just caught my eye from day 1. Though, I haven't handled the ZT302.
 
gamma_nyc said:
All things equal, I would say get the CQC-12. PS: The CQC-12 is the nicest folder I have personally handled. The ergos are incredible. It's got a large pivot, excellent framelock, carries nice and small, and the blade shape just caught my eye from day 1.
Click to expand...

Do you have a measurement of the cut-out section's thickness?
 
Kaizen1 said:
pros:
~I like the ti/g-10 combo on the non-lock side
~Thumbstuds also act as as a blade stop because it adds extra lateral support
Cons:
~Not that it matters much, but I don't like only G-10 on the non-lock side
Click to expand...

Those are EXACTLY the things I find to be the main pros and cons.
 
gamma_nyc said:
I'm confused about what you are asking. What is the "cutout section"?

Let me know so I can measure the correct part.
Click to expand...

I'm talking about the section on the lock side where the cut is made to allow the bend for the lock.
 
I believe the titanium s9de of the ZT3XX start out with a .175" thick slab of titanium. It is rounded a little, but I think you wind up with a thicker than .125" framelock.
 
stabman said:
I'm talking about the section on the lock side where the cut is made to allow the bend for the lock.
Click to expand...

The whole frame is titanium 1/8" stock except for a cutout to allow the lockbar to move. This cutout is 1/32" wide x 1/2" long. The frame lock-bar is almost 1/2" deep into the handle. While thin at the cutout, the frame lock-bar is plenty deep (1/2") to be strong.


As you know, Titanium is very resistant to fatigue - more so than aluminum and even steel. I wouldn't worry about it, but just in case - the lockbar is one of 3 points on the knife that keep the blade in the "open" position:

1. oversized pivot
2. fixed crossbar on top of blade (in a cutting or slashing motion this would be the stressed component)
3. 1/8" framelock with 1/32" cutout at the bottom.

Hope this helps, and I'm sure you will enjoy whichever you buy.
 
Think I'll go Emerson(my favourite retailer only had one left!:eek:).
Thanks for the info guys.:)
 
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