Zero Tolerance vs. Benchmade

[Sunyata]

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.

In my experience, liner/frame locks have just been more prone to play (lock rock), getting pocket lint (or other debris) stuck in there causing iffy lock up, the liner rounding and you have to put your fingers in the way of the blade to close it. You're right it's not a race.


I have a 912 and am looking hard at the 0770-CF. I'm just not the biggest liner fan.

 

[RamZar]

With that requirement I def take BM. Nothing ZT offers in that length can top the 586 IMO.
I would take a Volli or Emmisary ahead of them too.

Personally, I'd take the new 484 over the 586. Both use M390 steel but the 484 is thinner, looks much better and is not assisted opening.

 

[Aias]

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".

Perhaps... but in this world, it's best to keep an open mind.

And the Military seems to shrink after a while

Sorry OP--I guess my vote would be for a special edition Griptilian--the Camp Perry one, particularly; it is a little more expensive, but I really like mine (btw, I had a jeweler friend remove the laser mark--for aesthetic, not political, reasons). Nothing wrong with ZT's, but they are a little overbuilt for simple edc... but that might be your thing--not sure.

 

[RamZar]

In my experience, liner/frame locks have just been more prone to play (lock rock), getting pocket lint (or other debris) stuck in there causing iffy lock up, the liner rounding and you have to put your fingers in the way of the blade to close it. You're right it's not a race.


I have a 912 and am looking hard at the 0770-CF. I'm just not the biggest liner fan.

Debris can also get in the Axis mechanism and the spring does fail. Folders don't need much maintenance. An air duster is just as important as wash, dry and lube.

For a liner or frame lock you do not have to put your finger in harm's way. It's about technique and not trying to beat the clock. There's an old apt saying: "Nobody won a gunfight by fast holstering".

 

[Stays Sharp]

If blade replacement, free sharpening and fast turnaround matters to you stick with KAI or Benchmade.

Actually, Spyderco offers free sharpening also and with turnaround they all average out about the same. An extra week from any of these companies when theyre very busy is not enough to recommend one over the other.

Blade replacement is an advantage they clearly have over Spyderco. BM has had it for years, ZT the past year and a half. It is more of a logistical nightmare for Spyderco to do it but it would at least be nice to see them do it for their current bread and butter models. Ive used the blade replacement with BM once...Really a cool feature.

 

[RamZar]

Nothing wrong with ZT's, but they are a little overbuilt for simple edc... but that might be your thing--not sure.

I agree that for many, most ZTs are too heavy and bulky for EDC. That's where the 0770 and 0770CF come in. Thin and light but still tough. I just wish ZT would make more such knives to broaden its horizons.

 

[flarp]

Which Kershaw did you get? What attributes did you like (or not)?

Most of the ZT's are going to be on the upper end of your preferred blade length. The 0770 and 0566 are both excellent EDC knives, but they're a tad over 3.25" blade length. There is a 0770CF coming out soon too (it's a 0770 but with carbon fiber scales and some other aesthetic upgrades to make it look a little more like the 0777).

The Mini-Barrage is the only Benchmade I have experience with that is assisted-opening and between 2.75" and 3.25" blade length.

 

[Aias]

I agree that for many, most ZTs are too heavy and bulky for EDC. That's where the 0770 and 0770CF come in. Thin and light but still tough. I just wish ZT would make more such knives to broaden its horizons.

Fair enough, never played with those models... the 0561 I had was beautiful but impractical for most daily tasks, so it was sold. ZT strikes me as the tactical/ hard use wing of KAI... which is mostly a matter of design, and partly a matter of marketing. Slighter models would expand their horizons, but might make them too much like their KAI kin.

In any case, I find myself carrying BM's and ZT's less and less...

 

[Semper Praesidio]

Wow! I post a question, leave the house for a few hours and SO much feedback waiting for me. Thanks everyone for weighing in.

Which Kershaw did you get? What attributes did you like (or not)?[\QUOTE]

The Scallion (Ken Onion design) - my favorite feature has been the AO. It has the flipper so I typically use that as opposed to the thumb studs.

 

[RamZar]

Fair enough, never played with those models... the 0561 I had was beautiful but impractical for most daily tasks, so it was sold. ZT strikes me as the tactical/ hard use wing of KAI... which is mostly a matter of design, and partly a matter of marketing. Slighter models would expand their horizons, but might make them too much like their KAI kin.

In any case, I find myself carrying BM's and ZT's less and less...

There's a gap in the KAI product line between high-end Kershaws and low-end ZTs.

The only ZTs I carry now are 0777-M390 and 0770 mostly because they're the opposite of a hefty ZT. They weigh 4.15 and 3.72 ounces respectively. Compare that to 0300 and 0200 at about 8 ounces! The 0770CF at just 3 ounces is even lighter and better looking than the 0770. Best of all, there'll apparently be a 0770CF-M390 as well. Who would've thought there'd be a 3 ounce ZT!

 

[northend816]

I thought it was 3.25 inches.....ummm what is it 3.5?? thanks

 

[Aias]

Maybe it's time to take another look at ZTs... thanks for the info RamZar...

OP, this is a great place for endless info... not sure if it makes choosing easier or harder

 

[RamZar]

The 0770 and 0566 are both excellent EDC knives, but they're a tad over 3.25" blade length.

ZT 0350, 0566 and 0770 all have blade lengths of 3.25 inches. I just measured them and they match what ZT and BladeHQ report.

 

[Semper Praesidio]

OP, this is a great place for endless info... not sure if it makes choosing easier or harder

This is a valid point.

Several have suggested Spyderco - it may be an aesthetics thing, but I've just never been drawn to them. I will probably pick up a Spyderco Chicago at some point for my work travel which occasionally takes me to less friendly knife locales.

 

[Semper Praesidio]

I'd definitely suggest you wait for the ZT 0770CF to arrive. Believe me, it will be worth the wait.

This looks great!

 

[NorthernSouthpaw]

Personally, I'd take the new 484 over the 586. Both use M390 steel but the 484 is thinner, looks much better and is not assisted opening.

I'm back & forth on the 484. One day I love the milling in the handle, next I hate it. Also unsure about the thumbstuds and the hump where they're located. To be fair I have yet to hold one, and honestly since I live in MA unless I order one I won't be able to.

 

[NorthernSouthpaw]

This is a valid point.

Several have suggested Spyderco - it may be an aesthetics thing, but I've just never been drawn to them. I will probably pick up a Spyderco Chicago at some point for my work travel which occasionally takes me to less friendly knife locales.

The Chicago Is a nice little knife. I bought it for my father last summer and it has been in his pocket every day since.

 

[NorthernSouthpaw]

Here's one out of the blue. Not ZT or BM not even AO. How about a Brous Bionic? If you love flippers, I hear Brous has some of the best.

 

[RamZar]

I will probably pick up a Spyderco Chicago at some point for my work travel which occasionally takes me to less friendly knife locales.

Also consider the Spyderco Cat with a 2.44" blade versus Chicago with a 2" blade (440C in both cases). Both still under the 2.5" blade limit in Chicago and Boston.

Personally, on my keychain, I carry a Spyderco ManBug with a ZDP-189 blade that's 1.97" long and weighs a scant 0.7 ounces! Very handy. Spyderco DragonFly (2.25"-2.31" blades) is also handy and light (1.2 ounces with FRN scales but heavier with G-10 or SS).

 

[RamZar]

Here's one out of the blue. Not ZT or BM not even AO. How about a Brous Bionic? If you love flippers, I hear Brous has some of the best.

I have the Brous Blades Bionic (3" blade) and it's an uncomfortable iffy flipper although good-looking. It's surprising that it doesn't flip so well. My Brous T4 (4" blade) is one of the smoothest and most assured flippers I have.