Zero Tolerance: My first Kershaw...uh...whoa...

H

heekma

Joined
Jul 2, 2010
Messages
226
Howdy folks,

I've been on a Benchmade tear as of late, found some discontinued items locally, but I've also been jonesing for heavier duty folders than Benchmade generally offers.

Enter the ZT 300.

I can't say anything more than more knowledgeable folks already have, but if you've been curious about the 300 series, didn't know if they were all they're claimed to be, etc., rest assured, they are everything folks have claimed and then some.

In fact, the ZT has caused a seismic shift in my collecting interests-thicker, heavier...more Kershaws, Striders, etc...

I still enjoy my Benchmades, and will add more in the future, but for now I'm headed in a new direction.

Nice goin' Kershaw!:thumbup:

Best,
heekma
 
Congrats on your new 300. It's an excellent knife, close to custom quality, but with production price tag. I love mine, but I don't EDC it since I'm not too fond of carrying an AO. Enjoy your new 300, and use it well. :thumbup:
 
I hear ya!! I love my BM710, D2 Grip, and HK14205 but Zero Tolerance & Kershaw have got my attention right now. I've picked these four up this past few weeks. Two recomendations: a G10 Tyrade and the new ZT0550 (see thread).

Have Fun with your new Knife direction:
DSC_2255.jpg

200.jpg
 
Great knife the 301. Gets the call when my Striders aren't practical to carry.

Matador-
 
I bought a ZT 0301 a few weeks back but can't bring myself to ding up the pretty tiger stripes. I have two many old users laying around so I pick it up and look at it and put it back down.
 
I like the ZT0300 series more than any Striders or Emersons for that matter, but for my money the ZT0200st is the cats meow baby! The framelock is hard for me to work as a lefty, so the preference is the 0200.

Great catch man, the ZT's are all well sorted.
 
The ZT's are fine - but, there exists a 'steal' - right here - in the 'For Sale - Dealers - Production' forum. Kershawguy sells the blemished Kershaw 1725SG2, a JYDII in Ti & SG2, for a song - delivered - check him out there. Mine is the top-most knife below, for comparison with my recent ZT-301, etc.

IMG_4422.jpg


The blemish on these knives is an uneven lamination line - not a functional problem. Mine came as sharp as the regular production version I have and at half it's price. They have been gone for a year or more from production versions, so the blem is the only way to get one. Pretty good bargain, too!

Stainz
 
I have a ZT-302 coming in, and I already own a Strider SMF, the thicker beefier knives RULE. Also yeah I got my ZT-302 which is on the way from Kershawguy and it really didn't cost much. About HALF the price of my Strider SMF.
 
I love all my BM's but there's only one that can even stand close to my ZT0300 as far as ruggedness is concerned, and that's the 755.
The ZT is one of the toughest folders I know of, and certainly one of the top 5 I own.
 
Flatlander1963 said:
I hear ya!! I love my BM710, D2 Grip, and HK14205 but Zero Tolerance & Kershaw have got my attention right now. I've picked these four up this past few weeks. Two recomendations: a G10 Tyrade and the new ZT0550 (see thread).

Have Fun with your new Knife direction:
DSC_2255.jpg

200.jpg
Click to expand...



I'm right there with you. I love my big fat folders. My Tyrade used to dominate my pocket but since I got an 0300 I am alternating a bit more. For a cheaper Tyrade-like knife I have been looking at a Boker Plus Mini Resurection because it looks beefy and similar to a Tyrade or an 0300. I believe member philwar made a thread about this knife and gave it positive marks.

3483i1j.jpg
 
Stainz said:
...The blemish on these knives is an uneven lamination line - not a functional problem. Mine came as sharp as the regular production version I have and at half it's price. They have been gone for a year or more from production versions, so the blem is the only way to get one. Pretty good bargain, too!

Stainz
Click to expand...

...the "uneven lamination line" IS NOT the blem; that's how it's suppose to be when they make that blade...people have traded away their Ti JYD's because they thought that "wavy line" was a defect...fools...the knife is great...
 
pilote said:
...the "uneven lamination line" IS NOT the blem; that's how it's suppose to be when they make that blade...people have traded away their Ti JYD's because they thought that "wavy line" was a defect...fools...the knife is great...
Click to expand...

I believe Stainz is referring to one side of the wavy lamination being much higher than the other. I've had one and seen others and they all have that.

I don't know if it's laminated at an angle going "through" the blade or not but it's quite easy to spot when looking at one side of the blade and then the other. :)

BTW not nice to call people "fools." ;)
 
The Chef said:
I like the ZT0300 series more than any Striders or Emersons for that matter, but for my money the ZT0200st is the cats meow baby! The framelock is hard for me to work as a lefty, so the preference is the 0200.

Great catch man, the ZT's are all well sorted.
Click to expand...
I'm also a lefty, but I have no problem with the framelock in my ZT0301, nor do I expect problems with the liner-lock of the ZT0350 that I'm waitin' delivery on. At 56 years old, I've learned to adapt to this right-handed world pretty well.
 
Yeah I'm still on the fince about getting a strider (RC) after getting my 300. I kinda dont see the need. (But when has that ever stopped me?) I just hope Kershaw doesnt do anything stupid like kill the production of the 0300 series.
 
They would most likely keep it in the line up for a while, it is just too good a bang for the buck.
 
I picked up an 0300 several months ago and it has been in my pocket every since.

Fantastic knife they did indeed knock it out of the park with this design.
 
I got one of the blem ZT0301's from kershawguy here on the forum and his service was absolutely Perfect as was the knife I received. Still looking for the blem !!! The 301 as an awsome knife. Big, Tough, Comfortable, with a small price tag for what your getting..........S30V Blade, Titanium Framelock, G10 Handle .....I thought these features Only Existed on $500 knives ??? In their price range, I can think of NO Knives that could compete and they easily blow away some of the knives made my other makers costing twice as much.
 
Thanks, cziv, you are correct. Perhaps 'inconsistent lamination lines' would have been a better choice of words. Anyone who has a 1725SG2 'blem' knows about the thick on one side/thin on the other side SG2 lamination. As I said earlier, it is the only blemish I have actually noticed on a Kershaw bearing the 'X X X X' mark - the others have no indication of their 'fault'. Of course some, like my grey G10 JYDII CB with fuselage rivet detail, were just 'low runs' that didn't make it into production.

The vendor I mentioned also carries first line ZT's (... and Kershaws!) - complete with papers, bags, boxes, etc - and at a quite fair price. My ZT 301 was purchased from him recently - fine fellow. I love the 301 - great knife - but that 1725SG2 is a keeper, too. The BM 755 MPR is as well... so is the BM 790 Subrosa... I am fickle...

Stainz
 
heekma said:
Nice goin' Kershaw!:thumbup:

Best,
heekma
Click to expand...


You mean, "Nice goin' Kai!" :thumbup:

Thanking Kershaw for the ZT 0300 is like thanking Chevy for the Cadilllac STS...


I think the ZT 0300 series is the best buy in heavy-duty folders out there! I have the ZT 0301 and it's a half-pound of beautiful design and production work.

Enjoy your ZT,
desmobob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top