Work Knife

M

Matthew Lytle

Joined
Jul 31, 2019
Messages
16
I've been looking for a work knife lately. I came across the ZT 0393GLCF through a general suggestion for Hinderer designed ZT's. Does anyone have any experience with this knife or any general suggestions when it comes to a solid, do it all sort of pocket knife?
 
As far as ZT goes, I found the ZT0350 to be a fine work knife. I de assisted mine.

Now I use Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter , Recon1, or American Lawman for outdoor work. Other good choices are the Benchmade Griptilian and the Spyderco Manix 2. All of these are durable and reasonable in cost. Especially the Cold Steels.
 
Kinda vague. A OHO SAK Trekker was my go to for couple of years. Then aluminum frames Buck 110. What's yer bag?

Zieg
 
Matthew Lytle said:
What do you mean by bag? income?
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Ah . . . uh . . . generational language barrier, man. What do you do for work? What do you do on a daily basis? What are you cutting? What sort of environment is the knife going to be subjected to?

SOOO many knives out there. You gotta get specific.

Zieg
 
The Zieg said:
Ah . . . uh . . . generational language barrier, man. What do you do for work? What do you do on a daily basis? What are you cutting? What sort of environment is the knife going to be subjected to?

SOOO many knives out there. You gotta get specific.

Zieg
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OK, I'm not sure I agree with my statement now. Sometimes you just need a do it all and don't even know what you're going to encounter. And you're 18, so you may not be sure what's out there for you to be doing with a knife. Totally cool! So I'm going to say start with less expensive but high value. Victorinox Swiss Army Knife and Buck 110. Start there. Then pick up a Mora 510.

Zieg
 
The Zieg said:
OK, I'm not sure I agree with my statement now. Sometimes you just need a do it all and don't even know what you're going to encounter. And you're 18, so you may not be sure what's out there for you to be doing with a knife. Totally cool! So I'm going to say start with less expensive but high value. Victorinox Swiss Army Knife and Buck 110. Start there. Then pick up a Mora 510.

Zieg
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I've been working as a temp recently, mostly in a manufacturing environment. Since I'm only a temp right now, I don't have super consistent hours. However, during my time working last week, I cut a variety of things, ranging from a sandwich to tape and plastic, and on one of my shifts I spent a couple hours straight cutting up some cardboard for a specific job. I used my Benchmade 531 Pardue for the cardboard. It worked well and got the job done, but it got almost painful by the end, and the edge seemed to be pretty dull by the time I was done. When I described the situation to an acquaintance in the community, he suggested Zero Tolerance, specifically one designed by Rick Hinderer, as they have impressive ergonomics.

That being said, I'll gladly look into any recommendations! I do already own a Buck 110, but the two handed open and close isn't great for how I expect to be using it and for the specific environment. I've had it for a couple years, and it does still stand as my favorite outdoors/camping knife to this day!
 
The ZT is an ok all around knife. But it lacks in the cutting all day not fatiguing your hand category. If you think you'll do a lot of cutting, then a full flat grind blade will be better suited. Look at Spyderco, for around the same price range as the ZT, the PM2, Military, Manix are good choices. The best choice would be a fixed blade.
If Spyderco isn't your cup of tea, look for a folder with a FFG blade. It's about the blade geometry when it comes to cutting stuff for long periods.
 
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Matthew Lytle said:
I've been working as a temp recently, mostly in a manufacturing environment. Since I'm only a temp right now, I don't have super consistent hours. However, during my time working last week, I cut a variety of things, ranging from a sandwich to tape and plastic, and on one of my shifts I spent a couple hours straight cutting up some cardboard for a specific job. I used my Benchmade 531 Pardue for the cardboard. It worked well and got the job done, but it got almost painful by the end, and the edge seemed to be pretty dull by the time I was done. When I described the situation to an acquaintance in the community, he suggested Zero Tolerance, specifically one designed by Rick Hinderer, as they have impressive ergonomics.

That being said, I'll gladly look into any recommendations! I do already own a Buck 110, but the two handed open and close isn't great for how I expect to be using it and for the specific environment. I've had it for a couple years, and it does still stand as my favorite outdoors/camping knife to this day!
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Hmm, might just be a steel issue on the Benchmade. Don't know what they're using in that blade, but you should be able to do quite a bit for a long time with it before sharpening. Nevertheless, if you have your heart set on a ZT, go for it.

Zieg
 
Ajack60 said:
The ZT is an ok all around knife. But it lacks in the cutting all day not fatiguing your hand category. If you thin you'll do a lot of cutting, then a full flat grind blade will be better suited. Look at Spyderco, for around the same price range as the ZT, the PM2, Military, Manix are good choices. The best choice would be a fixed blade.
If Spyderco isn't your cup of tea, look for a folder with a FFG blade. It's about the blade geometry when it comes cutting stuff for long periods.
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+1 on this. I worked in warehouses and factories most my life. A little bit at a grocery store, and now I'm outside in more of a construction/plumbing environment.

Slicing through wrapped pallets, breaking down cardboard, the occasional strap, it's pretty hard to beat a full flat ground blade. If you think you would be cutting through that much cardboard again, then keep into consideration the thickness of the blade as well. Thinner blades go through the material much easier, especially if you're cutting that 2-3ply stuff(cardboard bins).

My Ontario Rat 2 cuts em up better then my Spyderco Paramilitary 2, but because of the difference in steel, requires sharpening much more often. Also the rat isn't as comfortable in hand as the pm2 for long periods of time.

Zt makes some great all-round knives that are a pleasure to use. But if you are doing more slicing, I personally prefer Spyderco. Same models Ajack mentioned, the Military being the best performer imo.
 
that pardue uses plain 154cm I believe, in which case, yeah, the edge retention isn't going to be great

try a rat 1 or 2 using d2 steel is a sure bet & inexpensive & should last much longer on cardboard etc
great value for over 15 years... I forget what year they first did the rat with d2?
 
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Ajack60 said:
The ZT is an ok all around knife. But it lacks in the cutting all day not fatiguing your hand category. If you thin you'll do a lot of cutting, then a full flat grind blade will be better suited. Look at Spyderco, for around the same price range as the ZT, the PM2, Military, Manix are good choices. The best choice would be a fixed blade.
If Spyderco isn't your cup of tea, look for a folder with a FFG blade. It's about the blade geometry when it comes cutting stuff for long periods.
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I did a bit of research and really like the looks of the Spyderco military. I've heard some good things about REX45 as a steel, but the REX45 military knives are sold out on my site of choice. Is the upgrade in steel worth the time, effort, and cost, or would I be better off just getting one in S30V or S110V?
 
I like my 0393 very much
It is a good edc and can make an acceptable work knife but I don’t think it is the best choice for a work knife

it has very good ergonomics, great material / steel, excellent lateral stability with the blade stops and the grind looks amazing

however it is not the easiest knife for maintenance (overlays are always an additional step in the disassembly re-assembly process ;) ), the clip is not the best on the market if you wear thicker pants and it runs on bearings which, IMO, are not as good as washers for a work knife

my work knives are / have been a PM2, aGayle Bradley 2, a Zt0350 and for construction a cold steel pro lite
 
Matthew Lytle said:
I did a bit of research and really like the looks of the Spyderco military. I've heard some good things about REX45 as a steel, but the REX45 military knives are sold out on my site of choice. Is the upgrade in steel worth the time, effort, and cost, or would I be better off just getting one in S30V or S110V?
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It’s going to be hard to find one at a dealer due to the steels like Rex45 being sprint runs. The military isn’t as popular as the PM2 or Shaman.
There will be a release of Rex45 steel in several sprint runs, you can be on the lookout for one of those. The Native Chief is similar in size to the military. You may like that one also.
You can watch the folder sale forum here. A military Rex45 was up for sale last week. It may still be there. There is a edge retention benefit with the tool steels, but not by much.IMO, Spyderco does an excellent job with S30V. Just remember, if you use your knives, they will get dull no matter the steel. S110V or Maxamet would be my last choice of steel for a work knife. For me, I prefer a work knife in a steel that has good edge retention, not difficult to bring the edge back and somewhat tough.
 
Matthew Lytle said:
I did a bit of research and really like the looks of the Spyderco military. I've heard some good things about REX45 as a steel, but the REX45 military knives are sold out on my site of choice. Is the upgrade in steel worth the time, effort, and cost, or would I be better off just getting one in S30V or S110V?
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Can’t go wrong with a military! Any steel type will get the job done - don’t worry about the latest and greatest. It isn’t necessary.

The military is plenty strong enough and cuts like the dickens. If they are too pricey for you, consider an Endura. I carry one regularly in either V-toku2 or Hap40. You’d be hard pressed to find a finer work knife.

You’re heading in the right direction considering a Spydie IMO.
 
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