Which ZT would be best?

N

newknife

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Jul 6, 2008
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I like the ZT's. They all look like tough knives. I've read the reviews of the mudd and it seems like a great outdoors folder. The only thing is I think it's ugly. But, if the quality is that much superior than the others it wouldn't stop me from buying it. My question is how does the 205 (knifeworks) and the 300 compare to the Mudd (besides the fact that you can throw the Mudd is sand and mudd without damamge)? Can anyone help?

and I like the looks of both of these:

Here's the 205

http://www.knifeworks.com/zerotoler...4cmbeadblastbladeplainedgeserialnumbered.aspx

Here's the 300

http://www.knifeworks.com/zerotolerancefoldings30vwtdlccoating3dblackhandleblackplainedge.aspx
 
in all honesty, the only diference really is what you already mentioned, that the 0500 can be tossed in all sorts of crap and still work. The lock is diferent, but all three locks (the hawk lock for the 0500, Titanium frame lock for the 0300, and liner lock for the 0205) are solid. the 0205 is a diferent blade coating than the 0200 (which is the version i have), so trust me, the liner is THICK and strong.

all are brutes and will handle whatever you have to toss at it.
 
I have all 3 and you can't go wrong with any of them. The 0500 Mudd is as solid a folder as i have ever had. It is a rock and though I agree it is a bit ugly it sure is solid.
 
Ahh, but ugly is in the eye of the beholder, and I see nutin' but plum PURTY when I look at my ZT0500 MUDD!:eek::D Have to admit it looked a little.......um.......ah.......odd? at first. But the minute I took it out of the box and held it in my hand I was sold! I think it is almost a knife you have to handle to really appreciate it. The others you mention are in the same league when it comes to toughness. The ZT0200, or ZT0205 will be my next ZT purchase.

You ain't going to go wrong on whichever one you pick!!:thumbup::thumbup::D


ugly he says...............why I ought to come up there and slap the @#&^)*$#%@!+)&*$^out of you, ugly!?!?:eek:;):D
 
cutter17 said:
[...] ugly he says...............why I ought to come up there and slap the @#&^)*$#%@!+)&*$^out of you, ugly!?!?:eek:;):D
Click to expand...

I don't know that I'd call it "ugly," but I do find the blade length, when open, to appear disproportionately short compared to the handle. I realize that this is due to the large diameter of the pivot hub, but the fact remains...aesthetically, the blade looks too short. A trade-off for the weather seal on a folder.
 
Ok... let me ask another question. Excluding the ZT0500's ability to be used in any condition, if you could only have one of the three to trust as a work horse, which one would you chose and why?
 
0300 hands down. I have a 0300 that I have used pretty hard for about a year. I don't plan on buying another folder unless I lose this one. It's tougher than my Spyderco Manix and has a better handle shape. It's the tightest locking folder I've ever seen but the blade still swings freely. It's not that heavy for it's size because of the titanium/ G-10 handle. You can rinse it out if you clean an animal with it because the back of the handle has an opening. My other knoves feel toylike after using the 0300.

Let me put it this way. I get a new toy every few months or so and besides my 1911 and my Yarborough the ZT 0300 is the only one that I still admire even though I'm used to carrying it all the time. It's been one of the few expensive things I have that's definitely been worth the price.
 
Of the 3 mentioned, the Mudd's listed as the lightest & it's ambidextrous. None of the others are ambi. Personally, if I was back in the Military, I'd use the Mudd, but my favorite of the ZT folders is the 0400. That's because it "feels" like the lightest & is the thinnest of the 4 main folders. I've never tried or handled the auto version, so I can't comment on those.
 
newknife said:
Ok... let me ask another question. Excluding the ZT0500's ability to be used in any condition, if you could only have one of the three to trust as a work horse, which one would you chose and why?
Click to expand...

It would still be the 0500. I beat the living crap out of one in a passaround. You can read my review here and here. In fact, that entire thread has great reviews of the MUDD.

The MUDD is the strongest folding knife I've ever had the pleasure to use. Rock solid and comfortable when working with it (no hot spots). It's lighter and has a smaller footprint that a 020x or 030x. It will take all you care to throw at it. IMHO, there isn't a better all-around work folder on the market today.

MY Holy Grail! Someday...
 
Can someone post a picture of the ZT0200 next ot a ZT0300 with the knives open laying on their spines?

I want to see how much thicker the 0200 is than the 0300 - the only thing keeping me from buying an 0200 is that I can't find out how thick the handle is (if it's too thick I might not carry it).

If someone has an 0200 and a set of calipers or a micrometer, a measurement would be even better!

Thanks - Jim
 
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ZT0300 is simply awesome! I have one clipped to my pocket right now in fact! Actually it's a 0302 but you get the idea.... The MUDD does look ugly as sin but I'm sure it's a good knife. It's lighter than the 0300 so if weight is a consideration that might be the way to go.
 
newknife said:
I like the ZT's. They all look like tough knives.
Click to expand...
I have the solution to your problem. Buy one of each.

It occurs to me that the number of distinct ZT models is seven. The number of distinct days in the week? Seven. Coincidence? I don't think so.

Code: 
0100  Monday
0121  Tuesday
0150  Wednesday
0200  Thursday
03xx  Friday
0400  Saturday
0500  Sunday

There. No problem. :thumbup:

:D
 
Grapeshot said:
0300 hands down. I have a 0300 that I have used pretty hard for about a year. I don't plan on buying another folder unless I lose this one. It's tougher than my Spyderco Manix and has a better handle shape. It's the tightest locking folder I've ever seen but the blade still swings freely. It's not that heavy for it's size because of the titanium/ G-10 handle. You can rinse it out if you clean an animal with it because the back of the handle has an opening. My other knoves feel toylike after using the 0300.

Let me put it this way. I get a new toy every few months or so and besides my 1911 and my Yarborough the ZT 0300 is the only one that I still admire even though I'm used to carrying it all the time. It's been one of the few expensive things I have that's definitely been worth the price.
Click to expand...


I couldnt agree more, this fella seems just about like my clone. The only thing I would change is...Springfield XD-.45 and my Savage LRPV .22-250:D
Get the 0300 it is a tank, Ive recently bought 3 of them, slightly addicted:D
 
OK I have none iof the above but have been an avid fan for quite some time and I think it works like this-the 030x has what many consider to be the best knife blade steel, better than the older stell in the 020x series, it also has a framelock which is considered to be tougher than the liner lock in the 200 series, however is is heavier than the 200.
IMHO based purely on reviews and ignoring the price between the 200 and the 300 i would go for the 300-I think it looks better, it has a better quality steel (altough i personally like D2), a better lock. Just seems better in my opinion.

Now the MUDD seems different, I agree with thlooks-but when held in the hand who cares the looks, it seems like a tough knife. If you are going into a swamp then it seems perfect. It also seesm less tacticool than the others, more sheeple friendly, mabe slower to employ, damn tough lock...however I like recurves so...
 
Well, the 0300 is the best of them, that's why it is the most expensive. If you have the money, buy it. The 0200 is considerably cheaper though and has a pointier tip, but cheaper materials and no frame-lock or AO.

The MUDD may look a little ugly to some people, but as said, all the elements that make it look like that are there for a reason.
 
jimmer_5 said:
Can someone post a picture of the ZT0200 next ot a ZT0300 with the knives open laying on their spines?

I want to see how much thicker the 0200 is than the 0300 - the only thing keeping me from buying an 0200 is that I can't find out how thick the handle is (if it's too thick I might not carry it).

If someone has an 0200 and a set of calipers or a micrometer, a measurement would be even better!

Thanks - Jim
Click to expand...

I answered the thickness of the 0200 in another thread. Now I've forgotten which one it was...:confused:
 
Life is full of stress as it is. Choosing which ZT to carry should not be another source of it.

zts.jpg


zts2.jpg
 
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