ZT-0200 vs BM630

KFLEISIG

KFLEISIG

Joined
Dec 27, 2004
Messages
233
I have been wanting a Skirmish for awhile now, but recently the ZT-0200 caught my eye and I realized they can be had for about the same price. The more I looked at the ZT, the more I realised what a good comparison they are. Comparable price, size, quality and blade steel. So the question is, which would you choose? (If it was between the ZT-300 and the BM630, the choice would be easy, but unfortunately, the ZT-300 is significantly more expensive.) Thanks.
 
I have both the ZT301 and the ZT200 and much prefer the 200. It is by far and away the most impressive tactical folder I've ever handled and I've handled practically every popular production folder being made including the one you are also thinking about. I get to see and get intimate with a lot of the production and custom folders out there from the type work I do for forum members and other knife owners as well as referal work I get from several big companies that make knives. Get the Kershaw ZT200. It would be my hands down pic compared to anything I've seen in that same size range.

For one the clip mount positions are ideal on the 200 for pocket carry in sheeple country. For another the .080 thick lock and liner on this 200 ZT folder are both made of hardened stainless steel not titanium like you will see in most of the other knives being offered in this size range in the tactical knife dept. including the assisted opening 300 series knives.

I love titanium as much as anyone and it may in fact have distinct advantages to a military knife but when I've tested my own folders nothing made of titanium will be as strong or wear as well at the interface where it contacts the blade on a liner or frame lock folder as hardened stainless steel. Ti is softer, and strong yes but ti has a higher strength to weight ratio than stainless and thats all. Titanium is not as strong in the same thickness as steel. In other words because titanium is 42% lighter than steel you would basically have to increase the thickness of the titanium to come up to close to the same weight as steel to equal it in strength.

So, based on that equation you would have to add approximately another .053 thickness to a .080 titanium lock to equal the same weight as the stainless in .080 before you surpassed the strength of this .080 stainless one which means that even the .125 lock on that assisted opening 300 series ZT knife or any other equal thickness competitive knife is most likely still not quite as strong as this 200 model is sporting the stainless liners. It doesn't mean the ti one won't hold up. They will take a tremendous amout of abuse either way obviously and in some harsher environments outside of the urban uses or for more than occasional heavy outdoor, marine or other such uses titanium is the obvious better choice. But the bottom line is this 200 model is the real beefcake in strength and particularly wear resistance between the knives it competes with in titanium.

I'm finding I like the handle and overall size of the 200 better also.

STR
 
Uh Oh. I stand corrected on the strength of this 300 series ZT knife lock with the titanium. This thing is decieving because its tapered and finished down to thinner on the edges. It only appears to be thinner stock. The ti slab on this thing that was used to make the lock is hard to get an accurate measurement on. The slab of titanium used to make this lock appears to have started out life as something between .175 and .200 thickness which makes it the most awesome frame lock I've ever handled and sets it ahead in stregth and wear resistance at the lock interface of any competitor knife of the same material out there.

Have any of you guys ever seen a knife with that much slab for a frame lock? I sure haven't. Not even in the middle of this slab above the spacer in the back of the folder in one of the few spots that I can get a rough guesstimate of the original thickness, even after the grooving and tapering it still measures .160/166. At the lock contact area it is .160 plus. I've never seen its equal from even custom makers in these measurements.

Another big WOW! from the backyard knife mechanic about these knives.

STR
 
Im thinking of getting one 0200st
it just looks and sounds great

how does it compare to a benchmade rukus 610??
or also had in mind a emerson knife??
 
I have the ZT0200 partly serated blade. I think it's one of the best buys in todays market.
 
hey
id also like to ask cause im kinda new in all of this....
if you would get something smaller... whats your recomendation
thanks
 
STR - how would you compare the ZT 200 to the JYD2? I have the latter but really like the looks of the former. But I've never seen a ZT 200 in person or held one, to be able to compare their ergos. I know you are a fan of the JYD2, so what are your thoughts on these 2? Thanks!
 
yoyo2, welcome to Bladeforums!

Check out the post after yours, by fishface5. The JYD2 he's referring to is the JunkYard Dog2, a liner lock with G-10 handle slabs. The original JunkYard Dog is a slightly smaller knife with a 3" blade, and is a titanium framelock.

I think they might be worth your attention, and they are considerably less expensive than the Benchmade and Zero Tolerance knives mentioned here.
 
STR,
as someone who rebuilds righthand linerlock folders converting them into lefthand linerlocks,what's your take concerning the lefty friendlyness of this two sexy folders,the ZT0200 and ZT0300?

Alex
 
im glad i ran across this thread. i bought a skirmish about 3 weeks ago and im gonna buy a ZT 0200 tmr i think. im excited to compare them, and for what its worth, my emerson cqc7 is in the mail now:)
i owe a JYD2 composite too and its a great knife but not in the same category as a skimish!
my benchmade MINIrukus is still fanstastic IMHO, all of these knives are top notch.
 
I have two 0200's (Black and blasted) and a BM 630.


First off, the BM will typically run you about $40-$50 more than the ZT.

The ZT 0200 series of knives is one of the best duty ready values in knives today. Period.
 
The JYD II and ZT 0200 basically don't compare. Different playing fields altogether ZT 0200 is a much more robust knife. I have both.
 
I can't complain about any of the knives mentioned. I had a choice between the Kershaw-Emerson auto Commander, Emerson Horseman, ZT 0200, and the ZT 0301. I choose the ZT 0200. I watched the videos and read the reports. Too much bang for the buck to pass up. I've only cut bottles with it so far. I'll take it up in the mountains this week and run it through the paces.
 
I edc a ZT0200st and use it for everything.Bang for buck,i dont think you can beat it.I have an 0300 as well but prefer the former.....get one
 
The ZT200 and the BM630 are pretty similar, but my vote goes to BM 630. It beats the the ZT300&ZT200 IMHO. I had the opportunity to compare my BM630 to a BM610 and ZT300/200 at the local knife shop a couple years ago. These 4 knives are probably 1-4 on the list of, top hard use EDC knives. The thing that sets the BM630 apart is the blade to handle ratio. It is well known that the skirmish is smaller and lighter than the ZT knives when closed, but has a bigger thicker blade when open. If you can get a skirmish for a good price you need to get it because it's discontinued, but the ZT200 is a great knife.

Just to throw a curve-ball, the CS Spartan is another strong, recurve, over-sized folder. Its tough as nails and less than 1/2 to price of the ZT200.
 
HotSwat said:
The ZT200 and the BM630 are pretty similar, but my vote goes to BM 630. It beats the the ZT300&ZT200 IMHO. I had the opportunity to compare my BM630 to a BM610 and ZT300/200 at the local knife shop a couple years ago. These 4 knives are probably 1-4 on the list of, top hard use EDC knives. The thing that sets the BM630 apart is the blade to handle ratio. It is well known that the skirmish is smaller and lighter than the ZT knives when closed, but has a bigger thicker blade when open. If you can get a skirmish for a good price you need to get it because it's discontinued, but the ZT200 is a great knife.
Click to expand...

+1

The BM 630 & 635 blow away the ZT's. The F&F on my 630 and my 2 635's were a lot nicer then my 0301. Blade coatings like on the 0301 really kill the cutting performance compared to BM's fine satin finish.

When it comes to carry options though, the ZT wins hands down with tip up/down left and right carry
 
Get the ZT0200 if your looking for a big heavy duty knife. It's a real work horse. The ZT300 series is very good also.

The Skirmish is a pretty knife that happens to be big and whose main purpose is for flashing about to impress. IMHO. :) I sold mine.
 
I would like to throw in that I have a JYD II and it is a beast. :cool: When it opens, everyone looks, and it just looks mean. next to my blur, it just dwarfs it and makes it look cute. it is also much lower priced. If you get the composite edged one, then you get a D-2 Cutting edge. that thing is major pain in the butt to sharpen, but it is awesome.
steven
 
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