Zero Tolerance vs. Benchmade

Of their current models ZT has several folders with blade lengths of 3.25": 0350, 0566, 0770. All with assisted opening. 0350 and 0566 weigh 5.6 and 5.3 ounces respectively so not so light. 0770 with Aluminum scales is 3.75 ounces and if you can wait a few weeks the 0770CF weighs just 3 ounces. However, 0770CF costs quite a bit more than the others but still under $200.

With Benchmade you can have several folders that are light and narrow but all have Axis lock and generally cost more. If you want something under 3.25" go with Benchmade like 707, 586 and 484.
 
It used to be BM for me but they have slowly slipped over the years. A case of resting on your laurels. What BM had was value, but not anymore after the MAP fiasco. I still like BM of course but ZT as a company is hungrier these days... It shows with their new products and competitive pricing. Gotta give them the nod.

YMMV, dont catch feelings.
 
It doesn't always have to be a versus thing. Buy what appeals to you and what best suits your needs.
 
amen74 said:
It doesn't always have to be a versus thing. Buy what appeals to you and what best suits your needs.
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This is very true. If I was pressed to choose, see my post above yours and I explain why but yeah...Both make great knives and I buy what I like from them without ranking them necessarily.
 
wazu013 said:
I go with ZT over BM every time. My reasons are specific to customer service. KAI has been nothing short of excellent while BM has been a little less than that to me. I usually get attacked by the loyal BM customers when I mention this so I'm sure they are better to some others.
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BM's customer service is better in a lot of ways. You can get blade replacements, have blades laser etched, etc from their warranty service. KAI USA's service is great, but BM is just a little better by way of how much they offer with their warranty services. Also a model the OP could look at would be the BM HK Nitrious Blitz. Great deal for the money too given what you get. 154cm, titanium liners, and G10 for only $100.
 
fzla226 said:
BM's customer service is better in a lot of ways. You can get blade replacements, have blades laser etched, etc from their warranty service. KAI USA's service is great, but BM is just a little better by way of how much they offer with their warranty services. Also a model the OP could look at would be the BM HK Nitrious Blitz. Great deal for the money too given what you get. 154cm, titanium liners, and G10 for only $100.
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I wouldn't characterize the current Benchmade customer service as better than KAI. Both ZT and Benchmade offer blade replacements for a fee as well as free sharpening. You just pay one-way shipping.

The H&K Nitrous Blitz assisted opening folder has a blade length of 3.4 inches which is more than what the OP desired. Regardless, I agree that at under $100 you get a lot of value plus it's US-made like ZT.
 
ZT all day!!!!! 0566 if u want speedsafe/Flipper and 0550 if u want super smooth thumb stud knife
 
BM's AO is better. and for 3.5" or under I would go BM. ZT is definitely the way to go if you want something beefier. The 2 I would look at would be a 586 Barrage and the 0801. Don't let these guys arguing about who has the better customer service deter you BM, Kai and Spyderco all have fantastic CS with a few isolated incidents from each.
 
NorthernSouthpaw said:
BM's AO is better. and for 3.5" or under I would go BM. ZT is definitely the way to go if you want something beefier. The 2 I would look at would be a 586 Barrage and the 0801. Don't let these guys arguing about who has the better customer service deter you BM, Kai and Spyderco all have fantastic CS with a few isolated incidents from each.
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The 581, 586,470 and 477 all fit and have an axis lock rather than a scary liner lock
 
NorthernSouthpaw said:
BM's AO is better.
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Better is very subjective. Personally, I prefer ZT's assisted opening because you use a flipper instead of the thumbstud and thus safer.

NorthernSouthpaw said:
The 2 I would look at would be a 586 Barrage and the 0801.
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The OP is looking for a blade length of 2.75"-3.25" and thus the 0801 is eliminated.

NorthernSouthpaw said:
Don't let these guys arguing about who has the better customer service deter you BM, Kai and Spyderco all have fantastic CS with a few isolated incidents from each.
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If blade replacement, free sharpening and fast turnaround matters to you stick with KAI or Benchmade.
 
Sunyata said:
The 581, 586,470 and 477 all fit and have an axis lock rather than a scary liner lock
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Why is the liner lock scary? Is it on closing or due to lock failure. If it's on closing remember there's no rush in closing. If it's lock failure, they can all fail but rarely do.
 
Right now BM's turnaround is at a snails pace. Took about a month and a half to get mine done. They are royally swamped right now. I was talking about CS in general all 3 companies will try to do whats right by their customers.
Does Kai do blade replacements?
 
JDunn709 said:
Zt over Bm.

Spyderco over both.
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stevekolt said:
Yep, gotta agree with this...
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Sonnydaze said:
I'll second this vote.
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Munchy said:
Smart man right here.
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Aias said:
Agreed... I may be the third or fourth one echoing this, but it seems right to me as well. The Military is just about perfect in my estimation.
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OP only asked for ZT vs. Benchmade. Perhaps he dislikes something about the Spyderco.

Military has a 4" blade and the OP asked for a blade length of 2.75"-3.25".
 
NorthernSouthpaw said:
Right now BM's turnaround is at a snails pace. Took about a month and a half to get mine done. They are royally swamped right now. I was talking about CS in general all 3 companies will try to do whats right by their customers.
Does Kai do blade replacements?
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Personally, fastest turnaround lately has been KAI.

Kershaw replaces blades for $10 and ZT $30 and that includes shipping it back. You pay for shipping to KAI in Oregon.

Benchmade replaces blades for $25 (satin) or $35 (black) and that includes shipping it back. You pay for shipping to Benchmade in Oregon.
 
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