Which one's for me? Millie or ZT0200

Warp

Warp

Joined
Jul 18, 2009
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I want both a Zero Tolerance 0200 and a Spyderco Military, but I can only afford one for the time being and simply cannot make up my mind. I have not had the opportunity to handle the ZT or the Millie. I have read an awful lot on here. I own an Emerson CQC-8 (SF PE with wave) if that helps to use as a reference.

I understand the ZT is a TANK that weighs close to double the military, which (the millie) is also rather thin/sleek in pocket and carries easily for it's size. The ZT is for people who want a folder that dreams of being a fixed blade and will handle anything you can throw at it, within reason. The Millie, potential for breaking the tip noted, is tough but not the level of the ZT. It's flat ground blade appeale to me, it seems as though it would be a great slicer, and it comes in more colors. Orange, anybody? The tip down only might be annoying, though. What's up with that?

Blade steels: Both are good, I do not have enough information to formulate an opinion on which is better for me. I would like to note that I am sharpening challenged, and the current extent of my sharpening equipmet is my new Sharpmaker.

I don't have many knives. A couple fixed blades (a kabar and an old Ontario pilot survival knife), the CQC-8, Tenacious, Delica 3 SE and that's really it. I will EDC either one, the bulk of the ZT will not bother me. Currently I EDC the '8 and the Tenacious and with my carpenter jeans I could very easily EDC the '8 and either the the millie or ZT. In fact, I probably would, I like carrying stuff with me. :)

Which one, being as objective as possible, do you guess I would get the most use out of?

I am sure I would enjoy either one.


I just can't make up my mind!
 
I would take the Millie over the ZT200. Slimmer, cuts better for me, no recurve, excellent ergonomics.
 
Since I am a ZT fan I say the 0200. It is a heavy knife and the handle is sculpted G-10 and is thicker than the Military. I have no problem with the weight as it gives it a very solid feel in the hand. But if it is a pure slicer you want, then the Military is your knife.
 
I'd take the Millie as well, slimmer, lighter, a pleasure to use and behold:)
 
You pretty much have the main ideas of each knife, the ZT's only advantage would be that you could do light prying with it. The S30V and thin grind of the millie will also make it easier to sharpen than the thicker harder to sharpen recurve of the zt. If you like how you CQC8 carries than you will love the millie and don't worrie about the tip down its VERY natural, LOTS of thought was put into this one.

The ZT is a must have if you need a beast folder for your collection but it really doesen't do anything well. The military IMO is the better knife but that does not mean you shouldn't own a ZT or 2 :D
 
If you like larger knives, I'd take the 0200. The recurve won't be any problem to sharpen since you have a sharpmaker, and I find a recurve cuts better than a straight edge. The ergos of the 0200 to me are better, and I just don't like the hole opening system. I like the flipper better.

If you want a tank, get the 0200. If you want a jeep, get the Millie.
 
Another vote for ZT. The Millie is a fine knife, but, the 0200 fills the hand in a very satisfying way. The flipper on the 0200 is very well designed and it should be a crime for $130 knives to open as smooth as an 0200 with about 100 open/close break-in cycles (which you will accomplish in about the first hour of ownership ;):D)

Ultimately, you can probably get more use out of the 0200 just b/c you won't be afraid the tip will break. I can't speak to how strong the Millie tip is, but, you will always have that mental block just b/c you know it can happen. I know this is funny logic, but, you know it is true. I've been there too :o

When using a sharpmaker it doesn't matter if it has a recurve or is thicker at the edge. Keep practicing on junkers until you are comfortable with it and you could sharpen just about any blade style as easily as the next.

Either way, it is your dime, you got a tough decision ahead of you. The funny thing is that, no matter how much you love which ever you buy first, everyone here knows that you will get both eventually. We all do it :thumbup::)
 
They really aren't in the same class.

The ZT0200 is the folding version of the ZT0100, and the Military is a bunch more svelt design.

The 0200 is just way beastlier in every aspect. No it doesnt have a super thin grind, but some sharpening fixes that quickly.

I can't chop with a Military, but I sure can with an 0200.
 
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I've got both. The 0200 is a great knife. I carry the Military.

It's lighter, cuts as well as any folder on the market, the blade is not fragile, it's easily sharpened.
 
the zt is different from what you already have...give yourself another choice...get a zt200
 
I have a 200, they rock.

The mill is obviated until you decide if tip down carry is ok for you so go with the zt or wait until you get a better understanding of each knife like at least handling them first.
 
The Military is sort of similar to the cqc8, though it is lighter. If you want some variety I would get the ZT200 first since it's more of a tank knife. Get the Military later.
 
Military. I handled a couple ZT and found them to be bulky and I HATE recurves for sharpening. If your sharpening challenged you will not like this guy imo.

As for the military, it has a great bladeshape and is an excellent cutter. I found the handle to be too large so I opted for the para. Hope this helps

Mark
 
He will be able to sharpen reecurves just fine with a Sharpmaker. It's cake.
 
I have all 3 (ZT200, CQC8, Mili). Both great choices.. that is a hard one. The ZT is bigger than you think, and the Military is going to be lighter than you think. So the question is do you want light and thin or wide and heavy. The CQC8 falls right in between.
 
Hawk45 said:
I have all 3 (ZT200, CQC8, Mili). Both great choices.. that is a hard one. The ZT is bigger than you think, and the Military is going to be lighter than you think. So the question is do you want light and thin or wide and heavy. The CQC8 falls right in between.
Click to expand...


Thanks. Input from somebody with all three is definately beneficial.
 
I say go for the ZT, if you are shopping for a big knife, and want your moneys worth, it's hard to beat the ZT. You can use it like a tank without fear of busting off your tip or anything like that, since it's built to be hard use, plus you get tip up, which is always a bonus, since it's safer and preferred by most prople.
Let us know what you pick.
 
I would vote for the Millie, just based on ergos. I recently bought a ZT0200 and returned it. While it is big, the handle still felt cramped. The finger groove/choil area (the part where the flipper lands when opened) kind of slants back a bit, eating up handle real estate. The hump on the top of the handle felt very uncomfortable. When I wanted to use the thumb ramp by putting the knuckle of my thumb at the front of it on the blade spine, it felt like a very long reach and caused my hand to pop off the handle a bit, causing me to lose some grip.

Also I think the Millie is a tad safer in a way. If you use your right thumb to push the liner to close the knife, part of the choil on the tang will hit your thumb if you fail to move it out of the way rather than the blade edge catching you. I assume this was an intentional safety design consideration. The ZT0200 blade edge will catch you if you fail to move your thumb. Please don't blast me for bringing up this point...I know it is not supposed to happen "if you close it right", but we all know it can happen, and to many of us (myself included) it has.

I would agree that the ZT0200 is more tank-like, but the Millie feels much better in-hand. If you're absolutely going to kick the crap out of the knife, the ZT0200 will probably last longer, but the Millie won't give up on you for a long, long time.
 
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