ZT 0200 or Spyderco D'Allara?

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pepper

Joined
Nov 8, 2003
Messages
75
hello all,

i am close to purchasing one of these two, both seem to be pretty tough knives.

is the spyderco anywhere near as durable (overall) as the zt?

i will be carrying it when day hiking as a fixed blade backup and possibly even as an edc.

is the zt worth nearly twice the price? i'm inclined to go w/ the zt at this time since this will be a knife that i plan to carry/use for years to come.

thanks!
 
I have to say ZT0200. I have one, but have never owned the Spyderco, only seen pictures of the knife. What I can say about the ZT is that it would still be a great knife at double it's price. The fit/finish is excellent for a big harduse folder. The hardened steel liners are .075" thick and give you very secure lockup. The blade steel is 154CM and sharpens well and holds the edge well. I just think the ZT0200 is a heck of a deal!
 
ZT all the way. 10 times the folder. Only thing you're gonna get from the D'allara is the smaller size. I'm not taking anything away from the Spyderco, but the 0200 is in a class of it's own compared to the D'Allara. The 0200 was also awarded the best knife under $200 from Tactical Knives (I think that's the right magazine). You probably won't be dissapointed in either one, but I wouldn't hesitate to spend the extra money.
 
The ZT would fare better for prying, but the lock on the D'Allara will last much longer. It will also be a little more difficult to manipulate (unlock), but if you are looking for longevity of the lock you can't get much better than the Ball lock.
The D'Allara will be easier to sharpen as well (due to the lack of a recurve).

I also have a lot of respect for the ZT 0200. I plan of getting one sometime, but haven't got to it yet. If you treat the lock nicely it should do well for years, but any hard impacts will wear the lock fast.
 
They're both excellent blades. As an almost-a-fixed blade, the ZT0200 would be the pick. As a pocket-scalpel that can stand up to some abuse, the D'Allara is awesome.

If you don't mind the "I'm Batman" pocketclip, the Junkyard Dog II is a blend of both types of blades and costs less than either.
 
i own a zt0200 and love the knife its durable and havent had a problem yet its aknife you can really trust that itll do the job
 
ZT is the better knife. Handled both. They don't compare. Hell, I found the Manix to look a little small next to the 0200.
 
the zt200 may be the beefier knife but i would still give the edge to the d allara as obviously the better all around knife......
 
Man, these two knives are so entirely dissimilar I am surprised that the choice has come down to these two...they are so different in every way.

I admire both designs. Both are well crafted, but I use the D'Allara way more as an actual working knife, and prefer it's ergonomics and handling qualities in this role. The handle design is more grip neutral than the ZT in my medium large hands. The ZT is very comfy in a straight overhand (sabre) grip. Both knives feel very secure in the hands. The ZT is noticeably heftier by 2.5oz or slightly more, and physically larger and thicker. It definitely handles "bigger". I don't really mind carrying a big knife, but the ZT was a bit too much even for me. If you have to squat down with a ZT in your pocket you may find it putting a bit too much pressure on the 'ol boys. That said, the D'Allara is by no means small. It's just not as big.

For my purposes, the D'Allara blade shape/profile is more versatile, and it's hollow grind takes a *very* fine edge, so for straight cutting ability I find it superior. The ZT has more weight, and will chop more effectively, but that does not make it a machete. I am not a big fan of it's recurve blade for push/draw cutting wood. The "bump" in the blade disrupts the length of the cutting edge, so even though the ZT has a longer overall blade length I find the effective cutting length is actually less than the D'Allara. For this reason I'm not too keen on the ZT for general practical bush craft tasks. Also, that recurve blade will be a bit more of a trick to sharpen, so you will need some round stones on hand.

Locks...I like the D'Allara ball lock, real solid, strong and wear resistant. Not that the ZT liner isn't...never had it fail, nice and thick. It's just that a liner lock likely has a greater possibility of letting you down...especially if you treat it like a fixed blade or some such thing. That's more of a user responsibility issue, though.

But yeah, different design profiles for sure. The ZT seems more of a butch "defensive" knife. The D'Allara is definitely a working knife design, an efficient, versatile cutter. I'd go for the D'Allara if overall utility is the primary call of duty. The ZT is a first class knife, no mistake. If you want something that has that rugged tactical mojo, the ZT will probably give you goose bumps.

I would take a look at Spyderco's large Manix or maybe the Chinook...big tough knives. Both cut better than my ZT, and they are closer in terms of heft and beef...and price.
 
headroom said:
Man, these two knives are so entirely dissimilar I am surprised that the choice has come down to these two...they are so different in every way.

I admire both designs. Both are well crafted, but I use the D'Allara way more as an actual working knife, and prefer it's ergonomics and handling qualities in this role. The handle design is more grip neutral than the ZT in my medium large hands. The ZT is very comfy in a straight overhand (sabre) grip. Both knives feel very secure in the hands. The ZT is noticeably heftier by 2.5oz or slightly more, and physically larger and thicker. It definitely handles "bigger". I don't really mind carrying a big knife, but the ZT was a bit too much even for me. If you have to squat down with a ZT in your pocket you may find it putting a bit too much pressure on the 'ol boys. That said, the D'Allara is by no means small. It's just not as big.

For my purposes, the D'Allara blade shape/profile is more versatile, and it's hollow grind takes a *very* fine edge, so for straight cutting ability I find it superior. The ZT has more weight, and will chop more effectively, but that does not make it a machete. I am not a big fan of it's recurve blade for push/draw cutting wood. The "bump" in the blade disrupts the length of the cutting edge, so even though the ZT has a longer overall blade length I find the effective cutting length is actually less than the D'Allara. For this reason I'm not too keen on the ZT for general practical bush craft tasks. Also, that recurve blade will be a bit more of a trick to sharpen, so you will need some round stones on hand.

Locks...I like the D'Allara ball lock, real solid, strong and wear resistant. Not that the ZT liner isn't...never had it fail, nice and thick. It's just that a liner lock likely has a greater possibility of letting you down...especially if you treat it like a fixed blade or some such thing. That's more of a user responsibility issue, though.

But yeah, different design profiles for sure. The ZT seems more of a butch "defensive" knife. The D'Allara is definitely a working knife design, an efficient, versatile cutter. I'd go for the D'Allara if overall utility is the primary call of duty. The ZT is a first class knife, no mistake. If you want something that has that rugged tactical mojo, the ZT will probably give you goose bumps.

I would take a look at Spyderco's large Manix or maybe the Chinook...big tough knives. Both cut better than my ZT, and they are closer in terms of heft and beef...and price.
Click to expand...

Why did you ever buy the ZT in the first place?
It's obvious that you can't find anything you really like about it.

--------------------
pepper, go for the ZT0200. You won't be disappointed.

mike
 
Owned both. Got rid of both. ZT was too thick in the pocket, D'Allara was too wide. Preferred the edge of the Spydie and it was a real smooth opener.

ZT is good value for the money especially if you can find a pre-owned one on the forums. Both are good stout blades.

If I had to keep one, it would be the D'allara. On a side note, I'd save an extra "C" note and look around for a used Strider.
 
2brothers said:
Why did you ever buy the ZT in the first place?
Click to expand...

Didn't...gift from a lady friend.


It's obvious that you can't find anything you really like about it.
Click to expand...

It's obvious you missed these accolades...


headroom said:
I admire both designs. Both are well crafted...
Click to expand...

Hard to admire something and not like anything about it, no?


The ZT is very comfy in a straight overhand (sabre) grip.
Click to expand...

Didn't that sound complimentary?


Both knives feel very secure in the hands.
Click to expand...

Why would I say this if I didn't like the feel of the ZT in my hand?


Concerning the ZT liner lock...

...never had it fail, nice and thick.
Click to expand...

Positive statement...the kind you make when you like something.


The ZT is a first class knife, no mistake.
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I dunno...kinda sounds as if I found something to like about the ZT.
 
I have a pair of the ZT 0200...You really do need to treat yourself to a ZT 0220. It's a very stout folder that'll take whatever you toss at it. I carry one as my EDC, along with a Kershaw Groove.
 
Joshua J. said:
If you treat the lock nicely it should do well for years, but any hard impacts will wear the lock fast.
Click to expand...


Actually the liner lock on the ZT shouldn't wear at a fast rate. The ZT uses a hardened steel liner setup , not titanium. That steel liner won't wear nearly as fast as the titanium would.
 
cutter17 said:
Actually the liner lock on the ZT shouldn't wear at a fast rate. The ZT uses a hardened steel liner setup , not titanium. That steel liner won't wear nearly as fast as the titanium would.
Click to expand...

Materials play a part, yes, but the design of this type of lock (frame lock or liner lock) is not going to last as long as the Ball lock.
It's inherent in the design.
When a liner lock fails it tends to slip off the tang, letting the knife close. The Ball lock is more likely to just develop play.

I should reiterate that I prefer the way Kershaw does liner locks to just about any other company, they grind the liner for maximum metal on metal contact, thus good longevity.
There is only one liner lock which I consider more reliable, on the Spyderco Military. The downside is that the liner only has a small contact point, and probably won't last as long under stress.

One of the reasons I like the ZT 0200 (regardless of lock type) is that the flipper acts as a safety, so even if the lock does fail you would only have your finger pinched by the flipper, rather than cut off by the blade.

I have to agree with headroom though, the D'Allara would probably make a more practical bushcraft knife.
 
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