Zero Tolerance 160 vs ESEE 4

J

jtowdogs

Joined
Nov 6, 2011
Messages
14
Would be used mainly on my backpack when deer hunting. Could be pressed into service for cutting a small sapling quietly to clear a shooting lane. In emergency survival type situation if it should arise.
Thanks for your opinions.

I looked through 51 pages of reviews could not find anything on either
 
I don't have any experience with the ZT, but I love my ESEE-4. Hasn't let me down yet.
 
I haven't seen a lot of reviews on the ZT fixed blades. I would say the ESEE 4 is tried and true. Having nothing to go on but other peoples' reviews I would opt for the ESEE.
 
Just off the top of my head; ZT has an inch more in length in Sandvik steel. The ESEE is 1095 carbon steel. The ESEE has a bit more belly offering more utility (read deer hunting like in your original post). The ZT has G-10 scales versus the ESEE having Micarta scales. Both have a black coating on the blade but I think the the ZT has the DLC coating. I think it's a bit nicer than the duracoat type coating (I think?) on the ESEE but just my opinion. Both come with nice sheaths.

I bought the ESEE 4 about a week ago to take with my as my utility blade for deployment that I leave for this coming weekend. It's thick, tough, sharp as hell, MOLLE compatible and not too heavy. I've played around with it around the yard just to get used to it. It's just an outstanding knife. It just does everything I need it to do; chops well for a 4" blade, batons very well, fits well in my hand and really holds an edge. I like the 1095 steel too for re-sharpening. Gets razor sharp rather easily. It's well balanced and I like the finger choil. I think I covered everything.

All this said, I haven't personally handled the ZT. I love their line but I had to go with ESEE. These are just my opinions and observations. Get what you like and enjoy it.
 
xjzhx said:
JThe ZT has G-10 scales versus the ESEE having Micarta scales. Both have a black coating on the blade
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You can get G10 on the ESEE-4. Also, you can get them in OD and Tan blade colors. :thumbup:
 
I just got my ESEE-4 and wondering why I waited so long. It's not as beefy as a Bravo1 but plenty for backpacking. Actually I prefer the lighter weight. I have no experience with ZT fixed blades but their folders are tank tough. Go with the specs that meet your needs.
 
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I have a 4, might just "need" a ZT 0160.

The Gerber Yari is another great choice that about the same size. They are out of production for 2011 and can be had for as low as $50 on ebay. Made in the USA S30V goodness.
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i had a esse 4 and though i no longer have it i still think its a great knife. That said i replaced it with a brkt Gunny and think its quite nicer than the esse but cost reflects some of that difference. one of the things that really didnt work well for me and the esse4 was the overly thick blade. like many i suppose, i liked the idea of the thicker blade, more robust and bad a$$ , but in reality it doesnt help it cut any better. The handle on the esse4 is even a bigger miss than the extra thick blade. way too short for average hands imo.
 
EK20 said:
I have average-sized hands and the ESEE-4 handle is perfect.
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I agree, but for anyone with slightly larger hands the handle could be a little small. For me with avg-hands it really does fit perfect, with NO extra room :)
 
I have the ZT. It is quite a beast, styling reminds of a tactical variant of the scandinavian design school. It is relatively big and heavy. I am not the typical buyer of this kind of knife, in fact I may well resell it even while it is perfectly ok, even so i think that something shorter is largely good enough for outdoor use.
 
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