ZT 0350 or Spydie Para 2?

H

Hadji Flip Me Over

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Mar 1, 2010
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I'm looking for a higher-end folder to replace my SOG Vulcan for EDC, mainly because the Vulcan has not held up well in the two years I've had it. I have it down to these two because they both have blades made out of S30V and both look good.

I'm leaning more towards the ZT because it's somewhat conventional (and assisted :foot:), whereas I have no experience with any Spydies and don't want to take a hit on something I may not like. I'll probably have one some time in the next year or two, but they're a little bit further down the laundry-list of blades I want dearly.
 
I wouldn't worry about the Spydie being unconventional; lots of people here have them and they have pretty good resale value. It depends more on what you're going to use it for. The Para 2 is a better slicer, but the 0350 is stronger. You might also want to take a look at the ZT 0200 and Benchmade 710. The 154CM steel on the 0200 is almost as good as S30V, but the overall build of the knife is ridiculously robust. It's not assisted, though. The 710 isn't assisted, either, but the axis lock makes opening just as fast an easy as if it was.
 
Para 2 over the ZT for me, no question. I have 5 Para 2's (in case I lose one) and I sold my lone 0350 recently. Compression lock trumps any liner lock, and the Para just feels much better in hand.

I wouldn't let the assist sway me...I bought my 0350 thinking it would be a good left handed knife to deploy for weapon retention when carrying a gun on the right side. I was disappointed that the flipper takes a LOT of pressure to engage the AO as compared to the Shallot or Chive I'm used to. I wish the Shallot was drilled for LH clip, but sadly it's not, and it's too hard to drill with a conventional bit. I know because I tried. My point being that the Para will be just as easy to open with the round hole as the ZT will be with AO.

Just my $0.02.
 
I carry these so I don't need to chose. I just chose which one I need for a specific task.

zt310andcamopara21.jpg
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It really depends on what you want to do. The ZT is extremely strong, like all of their folders, but the Para will slice better. it all depends on what you want done. I would lean toward the ZT becuase of kershaw's bulletproof CS, but that is just my opinion.
 
I'd say go with the Para 2 on this one, but if you do go with the ZT 0350, you will not be disappointed. Zero Tolerance is going to come out with some bad-a$$ models later this year and early 2012.
 
elkins45 said:
Compression lock trumps any liner lock
Click to expand...

Not , it's absolutely not , at least not the liner locks on the ZT 350 , and definitely not on the 200

After all being said , compression lock is just a glorified liner lock in reverse
Exactly like with liner locks , how strong the actual lock may be will depends on the execution and the strength and size of the components which are the stop pin , lock bar and in case of the Paramilitary - the handle scales used , as it is made without a steel liners

Compression lock can suffer from pretty much the same failures and vulnerabilities that any liner locks and frame locks can suffer
 
HayabusaP226 said:
Not , it's absolutely not , at least not the liner locks on the ZT 350 , and definitely not on the 200

After all being said , compression lock is just a glorified liner lock in reverse
Exactly like with liner locks , how strong the actual lock may be will depends on the execution and the strength and size of the components which are the stop pin , lock bar and in case of the Paramilitary - the handle scales used , as it is made without a steel liners

Compression lock can suffer from pretty much the same failures and vulnerabilities that any liner locks and frame locks can suffer
Click to expand...

The Para 2 has steel liners. For the lock to fail, it would take mechanical force greater than humans can generate alone. The stop pin would have to crush, scales and liners buckle or the lock tab to crush. It is strong, but most lock designs are more than strong enough for most people would ever need.

Edit: on this particular one, I'd pick the Para 2 strictly on weight alone. But if weight is not an issue, handle both if you can and pick whichever you like best.
 
Orion's Belt said:
For the lock to fail, it would take mechanical force greater than humans can generate alone. The stop pin would have to crush, scales and liners buckle or the lock tab to crush. It is strong, but most lock designs are more than strong enough for most people would ever need.
Click to expand...

Everything you wrote above basically can be said about any high quality liner \ frame lock out there .

Yes , there are definitely flukes here and there even with the most solid liner \ frame locks , but it can , and does happen with almost any type of locks out there , including the compression lock.

Thats why I love flippers
Even in the extremley unlikely case of failure , the flipper will save me ass \ my hand
 
thegeek574 said:
It really depends on what you want to do. The ZT is extremely strong, like all of their folders, but the Para will slice better. it all depends on what you want done.
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Pretty much sums it up.
Both are excellent knives.
Guess the normal answer would be get both. :D
I have both, but my the one I carry most is the ZT.
 
HayabusaP226 said:
Everything you wrote above basically can be said about any high quality liner \ frame lock out there .

Yes , there are definitely flukes here and there even with the most solid liner \ frame locks , but it can , and does happen with almost any type of locks out there , including the compression lock.

Thats why I love flippers
Even in the extremley unlikely case of failure , the flipper will save me ass \ my hand
Click to expand...

Literally everything you have written in this thread is misinformed, from your opinion on the compression lock being just an upside down liner lock (although it looks similar, the function is completely different), to your belief in the construction of the Paramilitary, to your ideas about the failure methods of liner locks in general. The Paramilitary has a finger choil that would save the same purpose as the flipper in terms of protecting your hand from failure.

OP, the 0350 likely has a stronger blade if you need to pry with your knife, I like ZT's ergonomics, and the assisted opening is cool although it makes closing the knife one-handed a little more difficult. It's also intimidating if that's a concern for you one way or the other. The Paramilitary has a better blade grind for cutting/slicing and will carry smaller in your pocket. For an EDC I think I would prefer the Paramilitary. The pointier tip is useful for things like slicing threads or opening boxes and the fact that it carries much smaller is nice as well. Reverse preference for a duty knife or a camping knife.
 
tough call. i have both, like both, carry both.

as others said it boils down to what you are doing. hard use? ZT. slicing? para2.
 
I love my Para. It carries well, is the perfect weight for me, and takes a keen edge. I actually like the compression lock. Very neat. From what I have heard, ZT makes excellent blades, so it all depends on you.
I'd try to handle them at a gun show or knife shop, because the feel/weight could be a deciding factor, and you cannot handle a knife over the internet.
 
Burke said:
Literally everything you have written in this thread is misinformed, from your opinion on the compression lock being just an upside down liner lock (although it looks similar, the function is completely different), to your belief in the construction of the Paramilitary, to your ideas about the failure methods of liner locks in general. The Paramilitary has a finger choil that would save the same purpose as the flipper in terms of protecting your hand from failure.
.
Click to expand...

Whether you like it or not , everything I wrote in this thread regarding those specific locks is spot on

I know a lot of people are high on the compression lock kool aid , and act like the lock is the greatest thing since the sliced bread , but in my opinion , it is really isn't

First , I did not called the compression lock a "upside down liner lock"

Second , the compression lock doesn't just "looks similar" to the liner \ frame locks , it is , in fact very similar in terms of vulnerabilities and if not executed properly and made with strong components , It isn't any safer then a typical liner\frame lock , period .

Third , It wasn't actually my intention to compare between the two when I wrote my post , but damn , you gotta be kidding me about comparing the protection the giant flippers on the ZT give you , to just gripping on the finger choil on the Para
 
That's a difficult choice.

I pair my ZT's with my spydercos so I have 2 knives on me at all times. One for strength, and one for slicability.

The ZT is a very strong, but thick blade. Spyderco has a very sharp, but thin blade. The job at hand dictates what knife I'll be using.
 
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