Zero Tolerance 0302 vs. Strider SNG

I use to have a SnG & it was a good knife, just too many other knives I prefer in that size range. Went up in size to a GB, though I did consider getting a ZT 0302. Only thing that keeps me from getting one is that I do not like Recurved blades & I'm not to big on AO. Still I think it's a great knife & I'm always tempted to get one, disable the AO, and send it to Dan Koster to reprofile like one he did.
 
I'd easily take the SNG for EDC. I can't imagine trying lug around an almost 8 1/2 oz folder in my pocket all day long.
 
I have both. The SNG is easier to carry. The 310 is not really thick but it fills a pocket, its a bulky knife. I love it though.
 
I have a couple of ZT’s, (not the 0300 series), and I like really them. ZT is at the top of their game right now, making some really nice stuff. But I passed on the 0300 series for two reasons.

First is the Speedsafe system. On some knives I don’t mind it, but on a hard use / survival type folder, I don’t want or need an assisted opening mechanism. Had Kershaw seen fit to offer that knife without the Speedsafe, I probably would have bought one. If you like the Speedsafe system, then this will not be an issue for you.

Second is the weight. The 0300’s are really big and heavy. 8oz is a lot of weight for a folder. Heck, my Rukus weighs less than that, and that’s a huge knife.

I have an SNG GG and I really prefer it to the ZT. Like one person already said, the ergo’s are superb, and the overall design is really more professional. It is just a better thought out knife. It should be for the price.

You know Strider isn’t going to help design a knife that is superior to their own. The Strider influence is evident in the ZT design though.

If this is your first high end knife, i.e. over $200-250, I might suggest getting the ZT simply because you will really be impressed with the level of quality you get at that price point, especially ZT’s. The Strider may leave you wondering what the heck you paid so much for. There are nuances in many really high end knives that get lost on people who have only dealt with less expensive knives.

BTW, someone mentioned the ZT350 as being a smaller version of the 0300. I don’t think this is accurate. I believe the ZT350 is a linerlock, not a framelock.
 
I wouldn't say it would be fair to compare the ZT0300 series to the SnG, the SMF is more along the same size with the 0300.

I've owned all three, 0301, SnG, and SMF. Out of the three I preferred the SMF. The SnG's cutting edge was just a little short for what I wanted and the 0301 was heavy - a beast of a knife, but for carrying half a pound I sold it off.

I'd say if the opportunity comes, try for an SMF, there's been a lot of them here in the exchange. I recently traded mine off for a micarta inlay sebenza, personal choice for a more "useable" blade shape :)
 
bearcut said:
First is the Speedsafe system. On some knives I don’t mind it, but on a hard use / survival type folder, I don’t want or need an assisted opening mechanism. Had Kershaw seen fit to offer that knife without the Speedsafe, I probably would have bought one. If you like the Speedsafe system, then this will not be an issue for you.
Click to expand...

If you don't like the AO then you can just remove the torsion bar.

I have an SNG GG and I really prefer it to the ZT. Like one person already said, the ergo’s are superb, and the overall design is really more professional. It is just a better thought out knife. It should be for the price.
Click to expand...

Are you saying a renowned design like Ken Onion would not have a well thought out knife? That's hard to believe. Although I did get a bit of a chuckle when you used the term "professional", but we won't go there. ;)

You know Strider isn’t going to help design a knife that is superior to their own. The Strider influence is evident in the ZT design though.
Click to expand...

I doubt Strider did any designing, the ZT is a Ken Onion work where they got permission to use Strider characteristics.
 
I would say ZT based on the prices/quality. My ZT had some blade play issues which were resolved by Kershaw. Great warranty.
 
tjsulli790 said:
If you don't like the AO then you can just remove the torsion bar.

The blade will not stay closed if you do that.


Are you saying a renowned design like Ken Onion would not have a well thought out knife? That's hard to believe. Although I did get a bit of a chuckle when you used the term "professional", but we won't go there. ;)

Ken is one of the best in the world, but for EDC the 300 is way too wide IMHO. Professional??? Srsly? Why are you trying to spin the thread off course?



I doubt Strider did any designing, the ZT is a Ken Onion work where they got permission to use Strider characteristics.

Thomas himself said they helped a bunch. I can find the link if you like?
Click to expand...

Nobody said the 300 is crap, in fact if your in the market for a "hard use" folder the 300 should be on your short list ;) Its well worth what they go for! Now if you want "hard use" folder that you will/can carry and use everday the SNG/SMF wins. (IMO)
 
The SNG has a sub 3" cutting edge?If that's the case,I won't be getting one.

Thanks for the info :)
 
Go with the SNG.
I carry a 301 it is a chunk, but if I where to pick between the two I would go with the Sng it is more pocket friendly and I don't really care for the speed safe / AO. If you remove the torsion bar on a 301, the blade will not stay closed the torsion bar is acts as the detent when closed.
You may want to wait, I think Kershaw is going to release a smaller version called the 350.
-Eric
 
So-Lo said:
The blade will not stay closed if you do that.

True it will not have the full detent that most frame locks have due to the absence of a detent hole on the blade. But it will have some detent due to the frame lock pressure it self. If one was so compelled they could send their ZT 300 to a reputable knife maker and a detent hole could be added. Or if they were feeling adventurous they could attempt it themselves.


Ken is one of the best in the world, but for EDC the 300 is way too wide IMHO. Professional??? Srsly? Why are you trying to spin the thread off course?

The ZT is a large knife and brings more to the table then the SnG, and as many people here have expressed, probably too much to the table. The ZT 300 would probably make a better comparison to the SmF or the AR which are knives a little more its size.

Also I was just pointing out that I got a chuckle from it, most people won't understand what I was referencing too anyway.


Thomas himself said they helped a bunch. I can find the link if you like?

That's okay I can take your word for it. So under the assumption that they did help in the design, would they purposely under design it in the fears of helping to release a superior product?
Click to expand...

Had to type something outside the quote in order to post.
 
Originally Posted by bearcut

First is the Speedsafe system. On some knives I don’t mind it, but on a hard use / survival type folder, I don’t want or need an assisted opening mechanism. Had Kershaw seen fit to offer that knife without the Speedsafe, I probably would have bought one. If you like the Speedsafe system, then this will not be an issue for you.
Click to expand...

I agree 100% :thumbup:

tjsulli790 said:
If you don't like the AO then you can just remove the torsion bar.



Are you saying a renowned design like Ken Onion would not have a well thought out knife? That's hard to believe. Although I did get a bit of a chuckle when you used the term "professional", but we won't go there. ;)
Click to expand...


You can remove the Speedsafe (& it is easy:thumbup: ), but in this case the 0301 will have an extremely low blade retention, because it has not a detent in the blade.
Check this topic to see for yourself, what I' m talking about:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=616055

As you can see in this link:http://www.kenonionknives.com/past_knives.htm
the 0301 it is a design of Ken Onion:cool:

I think that the 0301 is an awesome knife, almost perfect (...damm detent) and it is amazing how the frame-lock is consistent in this knife, it is by far the best frame-lock I ever seen, fit & finish are superb for a factory knife (take a look at the titanium liner) & the price is right for the quality (especially here in Italy, where the prices are a lot higher than USA prices:(, so we have to choose wisely).
The ZT 0301 is an example of extremely high quality folder and it is a knife that you will use to judge any other fullsize frame-lock.
The ergonomics of the knife are also outstanding :thumbup:


...but if you want to have a folder for "heavy duty" work I will suggest you a Manix (the ZT 0301 or other well build frame-locks are OK for general-medium use IMO), only for the fact that I consider the front-lock (with choil) more reliable than frame-locks (any frame-lock), an other interesting lock is the Tri-ad lock of Cold Steel, it is a sort of front-lock with a stop pin, sounds interesting to me.
Liner-locks IMO are not compatible with the "heavy duty" concept, I not trust liner-lock even for light duty works, I prefer a slipjoint at that point (no locks or strong & reliable locks, nothing between).
 
tjsulli790 said:
Had to type something outside the quote in order to post.
Click to expand...

The ZT 300 is more equal to a Strider RC than any SMF/SNG ;)

I have a pic in my take down review of the ZT300. And to the OP.... if it helps at all I have about a 25min review on YouTube on the SNG. Also have a "take down" review of the 300. I would link them all, but my iPhone will not copy and paste :grumpy:

Both are great knives, but handle a Strider first before you buy :cool:
 
I love the SnG's. Own 2 and soon to buy a 3rd. The concealed carry profile, carbon fiber handled ones are very light. I have handled a few ZTs. I havn't bought one yet but they are on my wanted list.
 
So-Lo said:
The ZT 300 is more equal to a Strider RC than any SMF/SNG ;)

I have a pic in my take down review of the ZT300. And to the OP.... if it helps at all I have about a 25min review on YouTube on the SNG. Also have a "take down" review of the 300. I would link them all, but my iPhone will not copy and paste :grumpy:

Both are great knives, but handle a Strider first before you buy :cool:
Click to expand...

Yea you're right the RC and the 300 are very similar, I was just talking about a comparison to a knife of similar size yet different design.

Here is your take down, excellent review btw.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=570556
 
I've had the ZT0302 for about 6 months now. Way cheaper, and a lot to love. Yeah, so it's a little bit heavier than the usual EDC. What, are you going into battle tomorrow and you have to cut weight? I've carried this blade almost every day, and the weight is fine. I think it's the problem de jour with the ZT0302. Some guy new to knives hears this and propagates what he heard to make himself sound educated. I love the 0302. You can not go wrong with this folder.
 
I have a 0301. Do note that the texture of the scales/titanium side is really rough and it will chew up your pockets. In addition, the OEM clip is fairly tight and it doesn't ride discreetly - you will have a little more than half a square inch of handle sticking out of your pocket. If you do go the ZT route, consider getting a secondary clip or modifying the scales.
 
If the 300 were a regular drop point and manual, that would be one of the best knife deals out there IMO. But it's not and I give the nod to the SnG. I like the ergos and the ti liner on the non-locking side better on the 300 but everything else (weight, blade profile, space in the pocket, opening method, warranty, etc) goes to the SnG.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top