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Zero Tolerance 0350 or Spyderco Paramilitary 2
- Thread starter PirateBlaster
- Start date
kzooglock23
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2007
- Messages
- 1,500
First off, you will not go wrong with either of these knives. They both are great knives that are solidly built. I prefer the PM2 solely based on how the blade performs for my use. Different profile, different grind and shape. Better get both. You can find out which one you like better and if you don't want to keep both you got a knife that will sell quickly.
The tip on the para 2 is finer though and the ZT's will stand more abuse. My favorite folder is the Para 2 and I let my 350 go recently- it's a great knife, just wasn't getting any carry time. The clip on mine was very tight and made it hard to clip on my pocket.
Also, I'm not bad mouthing the tip on the para- it's done all I've needed. Gonna bag a digi-camo one soon and will be the only knife I'll have a duplicate for...which says a lot about how much i like the para!
Can't lose with either I think.
With a couple others...
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2005
- Messages
- 4,271
Other than the weight, the only drawback to the 350 for me was the flat scale sides. The handle is so wide that the flat scales made it a good bit less comfortable to me than my Para. If it had been sculpted like the 301 I might still have it. No complaint here with the toughness of the knife, it's F&F, or the A/O (except that I don't like A/Os in general), just wasn't comfortable and it was too heavy for me to EDC.
I'm going to try to ck both of these out today. A lot of good information in this thread, but I have to handle them. I will probably end up with both, but I haven't had good luck with any of the Kershaws that I've bought. Spyderco will probably be the winner unless the ZT just "Wow's" me.
DBAR
DBAR
- Joined
- May 23, 2004
- Messages
- 1,496
Has any one here with the 0350 gave it a few spine-whacks to see if it will close?
Paramilitary is pretty close to perfect, wish it had a handle butt more like the 0350, Recon 1, Voyager, etc. better for your palm and thumb - no real reason to have it shaped the way it is with the spine side longer unless it's a hawkbill or chopper. That and I wish the tip was slightly thicker and more in-line with the pivot instead of down in wharncliffe/peanut territory.
Paramilitary is pretty close to perfect, wish it had a handle butt more like the 0350, Recon 1, Voyager, etc. better for your palm and thumb - no real reason to have it shaped the way it is with the spine side longer unless it's a hawkbill or chopper. That and I wish the tip was slightly thicker and more in-line with the pivot instead of down in wharncliffe/peanut territory.
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2010
- Messages
- 707
I have both and the lock up on the 0350 is simply perfect. Rock solid. As is the lock up on my Para 2. Neither has any blade play whatsoever.
As others have pointed out the blade thickness stats are a bit of a red herring as the tip tapers so much more on the Para 2.
I love them both but have to admit that I carry the Para 2 more. It is lighter, takes less pocket space and does all that I need a folder to do. The ZT definitely has more presence. If I wanted a tactical blade for self defense the ZT would nudge ahead of the Para 2 but this is way, way down on my list of uses for a folder. So the Para 2 slices better, is easier to sharpen (due to the lack of recurve) and fits my EDC needs better. If I had to pick just one it'd be the Para2.
I'd add that once you get the hang of them both fly open. That enlarged Spydie hole makes it really easy to flick open. The assisted flipper on the ZT wins out on overall speed of deployment but it makes itself known when it is opened (this could be a good or a bad thing depending on your intended use).
Either way you won't be disappointed....
Ben
As others have pointed out the blade thickness stats are a bit of a red herring as the tip tapers so much more on the Para 2.
I love them both but have to admit that I carry the Para 2 more. It is lighter, takes less pocket space and does all that I need a folder to do. The ZT definitely has more presence. If I wanted a tactical blade for self defense the ZT would nudge ahead of the Para 2 but this is way, way down on my list of uses for a folder. So the Para 2 slices better, is easier to sharpen (due to the lack of recurve) and fits my EDC needs better. If I had to pick just one it'd be the Para2.
I'd add that once you get the hang of them both fly open. That enlarged Spydie hole makes it really easy to flick open. The assisted flipper on the ZT wins out on overall speed of deployment but it makes itself known when it is opened (this could be a good or a bad thing depending on your intended use).
Either way you won't be disappointed....
Ben
Stryker..assisted opening. I liked it, but went the same way as the ZT. Just wasn't getting carried- it's all para 2 and my ritter grip...