ZT 0200 Owner's impressions please

M

MTHall53

Joined
Nov 30, 2009
Messages
214
I am seriously considering getting the 0200 if I can get one for around $120.00 which is easy enough to do right at the moment.
I want a heavy duty, decent quality knife. What I usually carry and use are CRKT, Kershaw (other than ZT), CS, and a Couple of light BMs.
What do owners think? Good deal for the bucks? If BM 710 had a beefier feel, or if I really Spydie Mil or Manix I would consider them, but just not for me (personal preference).:confused:
 
For the money its hard to beat the 0200. I have an all black one. It has excellent ergos, good steel and it is strong. The liner is super thick. Probably one of the thickest liners I've seen. If it has one downside, its just a tad heavy in the pocket. Some would say the recurve blade is a drawback but I have no problems sharpening on a Sharpmaker. I'd give it 9/10 overall. I seriously doubt you will regret getting one.
 
It's very good, but it's also a heavy, bulky thing. If you carry it, then your girlfriend might ask "is that a ZT200 in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?".
 
WOW One serious folder. I was wondering about the pants dragging sagging potential. You think the next size down would be a bit lighter? I mean the one with the blade just a touch over 3 inches, yet still have a beefy feel to it, as well as strength?
 
The ZT 0200 is an excellent knife. I no longer have mine, not because it wasnt worth the money, but for me it was too big to edc. Its well constructed and you would be hard pressed to find a task that it wouldnt handle.
 
WOW One serious folder. I was wondering about the pants dragging sagging potential. You think the next size down would be a bit lighter? I mean the one with the blade just a touch over 3 inches, yet still have a beefy feel to it, as well as strength?
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I don't have experience with the ZT350 (only with the 200 and I one examined a 30x), but I can at least point to an interesting alternative at the blade length you qoute: the Spyderco Paramilitary. Sturdy with incredible lockup, yet still light and slender....
 
It is my night and weekend carry and it is bombproof.

It is a heavy duty folder, and the 154CM blade holds an edge very well.

Ergos are great, and the 3d textured G10 scales are the stuff!

I've said it before - if you're looking for a gentlemans folder then stay away from this one. If you want a beefy strong rockin folder that will stand up to a lot of abuse then this is the one for you.

For the price, it has the fit and finish of knives 2x it's price.
 
The 0200 is a fantastic knife, I easily carry EDC wearing shorts or jeans. I find the knife carries so well I don't even notice it in my pocket. I am also a fan of the 0301 or 0300 series, the flipper to assist is incredible when it fires and locks up. Both knives have an extremely solid lockup.:thumbup:

To bad you don't like the Spyderco Military and Manix.:confused: The original Manix is also a tank, extremely capable knife. The spydie hole makes opening extremely swift and easy. The Military is a legend, I think everyone should at least hold one and try one, possibly on a passaround.
 
boatsman said:
The 0200 is a fantastic knife, I easily carry EDC wearing shorts or jeans. I find the knife carries so well I don't even notice it in my pocket. I am also a fan of the 0301 or 0300 series, the flipper to assist is incredible when it fires and locks up. Both knives have an extremely solid lockup.:thumbup:

To bad you don't like the Spyderco Military and Manix.:confused: The original Manix is also a tank, extremely capable knife. The spydie hole makes opening extremely swift and easy. The Military is a legend, I think everyone should at least hold one and try one, possibly on a passaround.
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I did have a Sypderco for a little bit, but never could seem to get used to the hole for fast one handed opening. I like the looks better on the ZT However, I saw a pic of the axis lock Manix online tonight and it suprised me. Does the Mili have a new "look" and axis lock too?
 
If your ok with a large, heavy folder, the ZT 200 is hard to beat imho. I EDCed mine (partially serrated) for a couple years and loved it. I've switched to a Beggs cMIGG, and often consider switching back (to a non-serrated version).

Pros: It's stood up great to some light digging, chopping and hammering, as well as the usual non-abusive cutting and poking. I am totally confident in the durability of this knife (of note, I did develop a LITTLE play in the lockup after the aforementioned chopping combined with spine-whack testing - Kershaw replaced the entire handle without any protest". I think the ergonomics of the handle are unbeatable both for comfort and indexing. The scale texture is perfect (and doesnt wear out like finer textures). The blade shape is awesome. The tip is in line, and pointy enough for good stabs. The different edges created by the recurve, cut and scrape well. The DLC coating is super durable and looks great. The flipper + thumb stud combo rock.

Cons: The draw from the pocket is a little slow on the ZT, due to the super-low carry and smallish butt (a small lanyard remedies this). It does not have a very sharp edge geometry, but its more than sharp enough for me (I would not re-profile the edge). It is a little obtrusive in my pocket due to the size/bulk. I would prefer a different fastener for the pivot - it is made for a standard wrench; I find it to be more of a pain than a hex/star head, and would prefer a fastener that accepted a flat head screwdriver (the current design is supposed to utilize "common" tools.
 
JohnQ summarized the pros and cons very well. I'll try to add a few of my own observations.

  • my favorite ZT handle, very comfortable and the palm swell makes it fill my hand almost perfectly,
  • it carries well tip up in my left front pocket,
  • having 4 options for clip placement is great,
  • the flipper works well, but I miss AO,
  • very stout liner lock,

I need to use it more to see how the blade performs and the steel holds up.

Another choice for a smaller version might be the Kershaw Spec Bump. 3d machined G-10, 3.5" recurved S30V blade, AO flipper.

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The design of the ZT 0200 is one of my all time favorites. That handle feels amazing, and the only downside to the blade is the re-curve.
I've beat the crap out of the 0200's smaller sibling the JYD 2. It held up great, I have no doubts about the strength of the 0200.
 
Things I liked about the 0200:
Very well made for the price
No assist
Great eronomics

Things I didn’t like:
Too heavy and bulky (for me)
Recurves are harder to sharpen
That’s about it.
 
bearcut said:
Things I liked about the 0200:
Very well made for the price
No assist
Great eronomics

Things I didn’t like:
Too heavy and bulky (for me)
Recurves are harder to sharpen
That’s about it.
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Glad you said that. I think I was mistaken then. I thought the ZT was an assisted opener. Is it still really easy to flick open? My CRKT knives are all very easy to open one handed without the assist
 
i dont think zt will ever come out with another knife as good as the 0200 for the price....
 
MTHall53 said:
Glad you said that. I think I was mistaken then. I thought the ZT was an assisted opener. Is it still really easy to flick open? My CRKT knives are all very easy to open one handed without the assist
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The 0200 is not an assisted opener - but it is very easy to open and I prefer it to my 0301 as there are no springs to break and replace.

The blade weight allows you to flick open the blade quickly and with authority.
 
MTHall53 said:
Glad you said that. I think I was mistaken then. I thought the ZT was an assisted opener. Is it still really easy to flick open? My CRKT knives are all very easy to open one handed without the assist
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Yes, it is easy to open, and very fast.

The main reason I don't like AO's is the fact that they are hard, and slow, to close.
 
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