Zero Tolerance 0301 first impressions

Just got my 0300 Last Thursday. Love it. I don't have much of a problem opening with the thumb studs, but it is easier using the thumb studs on my emerson and benchmade. Still not complaining since it requires so little force to make the blade open up with the speed safe.
My only complaints about the knife (and this is only if I really need to focus on complaining about something) are about the blade being a bit dull out of the box, but I have a sharpmaker on the way.... and... well.... nope, just the blade edge.
This is by far my favorite folder. A bit pricey (I got it for $235 at Grey group Training in NC) but well worth it in value.
 
I have no real problems with getting enough traction on the thumbstuds (it's slightly easier with your left hand, since the titanium scale is a little bit thinner than the composite scale+metal liner, but that's not that big a factor). What's more annoying to me is the fact that when you use the thumbstuds to open the knife, the flipper tends to nudge onto your hand, stopping the blade from opening completely. You need to keep your hand clear of the flipper in order to open the knife with the thumb stud.

It doesn't matter much though, since it's so easy to open with the flipper.
 
Nice review. I had one for a short time, but I ended up selling it. Don't like AO and recurves very much and those combined with the heft turned me off about it. But for some reason I do know that if I kept it a little longer, I would've ended up liking it a lot more.
 
You all done it again. I am going to order one next week. What color handles should I get? Kinda like the green. Wish they had a satin finished one.
 
Mine should arrive Weds/Thurs, I am really looking forward to it. If it's not super sharp out of the box, should I just sharpen it to the factory angles?
 
ridgeline said:
Mine should arrive Weds/Thurs, I am really looking forward to it. If it's not super sharp out of the box, should I just sharpen it to the factory angles?
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I re profiled mine to 40 degrees (20 degrees each side).
 
I really am enjoying my 0300 (same knife, only with black G-10 and blade). It's a total workhorse, and I've noticed the same thing as the OP... it's filled the same niche that a Strider would fill, at a quarter of the price (I got a factory blem ZT from Kershawguy).
 
puukkoman said:
I really am enjoying my 0300 (same knife, only with black G-10 and blade). It's a total workhorse, and I've noticed the same thing as the OP... it's filled the same niche that a Strider would fill, at a quarter of the price (I got a factory blem ZT from Kershawguy).
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Strider SNG and AR were both sold after getting my 302.

Quality is just as good as my Striders for less than half the price.


If I need another hard-use folder I'll pick up another 300-series. As a good a knife as the Striders without the shortcomings of their owners and at half the price.
 
robicon said:
Strider SNG and AR were both sold after getting my 302.

Quality is just as good as my Striders for less than half the price.


If I need another hard-use folder I'll pick up another 300-series. As a good a knife as the Striders without the shortcomings of their owners and at half the price.
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Not sure I would go THAT far, but they are great knives.


Strider SmF Rogue Warrior on top and ZT 0301 on bottom.

 
Ankerson, I would have to agree that they feel completely different in the hand, and the Strider is certainly a bit slimmer (and lighter, if I remember correctly...?). But as far as robustness (is that a real word?), construction, quality, materials, and purpose are concerned, I think they're pretty comparable. Both very reliable hard use tools.
The only REAL difference I can see is that the ZT has a liner under the G-10. Or at least mine does.

Edit: Nice comparison photos, by the way. Thanks for posting those! :thumbup:
 
puukkoman said:
Ankerson, I would have to agree that they feel completely different in the hand, and the Strider is certainly a bit slimmer (and lighter, if I remember correctly...?). But as far as robustness (is that a real word?), construction, quality, materials, and purpose are concerned, I think they're pretty comparable. Both very reliable hard use tools.
The only REAL difference I can see is that the ZT has a liner under the G-10. Or at least mine does.

Edit: Nice comparison photos, by the way. Thanks for posting those! :thumbup:
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This one is the same thickness as the 0301, but the balance of the Strider is a lot better and yes it's a lot lighter. The Strider feels like air with the balance and being over 2oz lighter.

My SmF CC SW will be much thinner than the ZT, I will shoot it once it gets here. :)

Yeah the G10 is thinner on the ZT along with the Ti frame lock and the blade is also thinner, the point on the Strider is much more sturdy.
 
Ankerson said:
This one is the same thickness as the 0301, but the balance of the Strider is a lot better and yes it's a lot lighter. The Strider feels like air with the balance and being over 2oz lighter.

My SmF CC SW will be much thinner than the ZT, I will shoot it once it gets here. :)

Yeah the G10 is thinner on the ZT along with the Ti frame lock and the blade is also thinner, the point on the Strider is much more sturdy.
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Cool! Great info, thanks. :)
 
Ankerson said:
Not sure I would go THAT far, but they are great knives.


Strider SmF Rogue Warrior on top and ZT 0301 on bottom.

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If I had to come up with one redeeming performance quality of the Striders over the 302 it would be weight. The SNG was noticeably lighter although I don't know how much exactly.


Otherwise, the 302 has taken a pounding in my hands. Cut heavy wire at my brother in law's place working on his pool house (heavy Romex), pried 2x4 forms away from his concrete pad, and I use it around the yard putting in landscaping for my wife (cutting typar,etc.).

Unlike some, I actually used the SNG. It held up very well in its own defense. But considering you get a ti framelock, S30V steel, excellent heat treat (no chipping yet), and good customer service at half the price...my money is now on the ZT300-series line.
 
robicon said:
If I had to come up with one redeeming performance quality of the Striders over the 302 it would be weight. The SNG was noticeably lighter although I don't know how much exactly.


Otherwise, the 302 has taken a pounding in my hands. Cut heavy wire at my brother in law's place working on his pool house (heavy Romex), pried 2x4 forms away from his concrete pad, and I use it around the yard putting in landscaping for my wife (cutting typar,etc.).

Unlike some, I actually used the SNG. It held up very well in its own defense. But considering you get a ti framelock, S30V steel, excellent heat treat (no chipping yet), and good customer service at half the price...my money is now on the ZT300-series line.
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The SnG is about 3.5 onces lighter than the 0300 series. :)

I never said the ZT wasn't a great knife, I own one and love it, but to me the Strider feels better and it is built sturdier.

But then I am comparing an SmF, not an SnG.
 
See, that's just the thing... After handling both, my impression is that they're on a par with one another as far as sturdy-ness is concerned. They're both well heat treated steel, titanium frame lock, G-10 slab, strong-as-heck hardware, and the ZT has a liner under the G-10. What makes you say that the Strider is sturdier? Just the strong blade tip design?
Not trying to be critical, just chattin'.
 
I can't see these knives that cost 400 and up as being so much better, myself. The ones I've handled just didn't seem worth twice the money, IMO.
 
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