ZT 0350 Questions.

J

JackAColeman

Joined
Jul 7, 2012
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48
I'm looking at getting a ZT 0350 for edc and i had some questions that i'm hoping you guys can answer...

Should i get it new or as a blem from kershaw guy? what does "blem" usually pertain to on a knife like this?

Hows the coating on this Knife, and is it possible to get it without?

Is the partially serrated version of this knife (0350ST i think) any good? or should i just get plain edge?

I've heard the torsion bar rattles when open, is this true, and can i fix it?

The thumb studs look different on each side? do they work well? i'm a righty.

Thanks.
 
I would get the blem, the blem is usually a chip in the blade coating or a slightly uneven bevel on the edge. The coating is great from what ive heard, it supposively lasts for a long time and wear very nicely. You can get a stonewashed version from knife works. All of them I handled have been rock solid and have had to rattling, the torsion bar will wear out eventually but it is pretty simple to replace, or you can send it back to zt and they will do it for you. To me the thumb studs are pretty nice, the detent is fairly strong so you either have to push really hard on the thumb stud, or use the flipper which seems to require less force. Hope this helps.
 
Oh and as far as serrations go kershaw/zt's serrations are probably the best serrations on a production knife IMO, but I prefer plaine edge, it really comes down to personal preference.
 
Okay, from the top:

Should i get it new or as a blem from kershaw guy? what does "blem" usually pertain to on a knife like this? - Blem has no warranty so go new if you want warranty and the blems vary from grind to coating to just about anything.

Hows the coating on this Knife, and is it possible to get it without? - Tough as nails (or DLC) and yes. Reference pic below

Is the partially serrated version of this knife (0350ST i think) any good? or should i just get plain edge? Yes it's great and depending on what your using it for, get whichever makes you happiest

I've heard the torsion bar rattles when open, is this true, and can i fix it? - Not all of them do and yes, with disassembly and grease

The thumb studs look different on each side? do they work well? i'm a righty. - It's really a flipper with assisted opening and the studs are stoppers for the blade against the handle. All mine are equal on both sides (as far as I can tell)
Hope this helps!

IMG_4018.jpg
 
Welcome to the forum bud. Depends on if you want the warranty such as if something breaks on it or if it gets off centered or something that would require you to send it in for service. A blem is 90% of the time a tiny cosmetic issue like a nick in the coating or a slightly uneven blade grind. Nothing that detracts from it being fully functional. You still can send it in for free sharpening and still get tortion bars sent to you and clips and stuff like that. You just have to fix it yourself. If you don't care about that stuff get a blem if you DO care, you can find a good price if you look around.

The dlc coating is tuff stuff usually you can wipe whatever you cut off or it'll buff right off. Including aluminum and copper, I know I have done this! You can get a satin if you buy the 350 kW version or the composite blade version. You will pay more for these though.

I have the 350st I love it. The scallop serrations from kershaw are the best in the industry. Depends on what you need/ want. The serrations save you from sharpening the recurve.

The speed safe can rattle if the Reese thins out. You can remedy this with your own greese or vasoline. I couldn't tell you if mine does as I don't pay any attention to it.

The thumb studs are more for stopping the blade than deployment. It can be used but I don't recommend it. It was meant to be a flipper.
 
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So if i were to get the knife in satin, would i actually be sacrificing durability due to not having the coating? also, how easy are the serrations to sharpen and get stuff out of? im thinking about serrated because i cant imagine cutting thick rope or a branch with a plain edge, could this be done if it was reeeeaaaallllly sharp?

Also @jimw451, what make you like that satin one on the bottom left the most? (or least?)
 
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I'm a lefty and the knife is near impossible to open with the stud on the left side. Easier form the right. Overall, it's a flipper from either side. The knife will outlive me but is slightly heavy --- compared to Benchmade and Spyderco, say.

I'd get new and tiger stripe finish. I've heard it's possibly the best choice and it certainly looks good! My gf loves the tiger stripes, too!

Good for a bout 10,000 flips before the spring goes they say. No noise in mine. Is sharp but not incredibly sharp out of the box.
 
Jack,
While the blems are a great deal, the peace of mind brought by the fully warranted knives is worth it.

I have the 0350CB, I generally use the flipper, but have no trouble using the thumb studs.

kestrel57 said:
I'm a lefty and the knife is near impossible to open with the stud on the left side.
Click to expand...

I just tried opening my 0350 via the thumb stud with my left thumb and have no issues, works just as easily as right handed.
I think it may be technique, instead of pushing the thumb stud away from the handle, try sliding your thumb forward on the edge of the handle and keep pushing forward through the stud. The blade should open with considerably less effort.


Terrible video I made a while back showing the technique.
[video=vimeo;26745964]http://vimeo.com/26745964[/video]
 
The problem with the thumbstud opening is on the basic s30v version only. Possibly only early batches. I do own one and it does have it, but I've handled two of the composite runs it was a piece of cake to thumb it open. If I remember correctly Thomas said they've made changes at some point.
 
JackAColeman said:
So if i were to get the knife in satin, would i actually be sacrificing durability due to not having the coating? also, how easy are the serrations to sharpen and get stuff out of? im thinking about serrated because i cant imagine cutting thick rope or a branch with a plain edge, could this be done if it was reeeeaaaallllly sharp?
Click to expand...

Not really with the coating, just depends on personal preference. It just makes it easier to take care of as in not having to oil as much or clean it all the time right after use. But then if cosmetics are an issue the coating will retain marks more so than the satin, or make them show more apparentally. The serrations are very easy to clean out, as they are not very deep. I usually just use a cloth to wipe them. And as i said before the serrations are the best in the industry and it saves you from having to sharpen the recurve!

Just get one already! You'll love it!
 
Years ago (pre-ZT probably) I noticed Spyderco serrations were aggressive and heavily marketed. Some said Cold Steel serrations were best but near impossible to sharpen.

Of course, probabnly just opinions. Moreover, the steels have changed. ATS-34 and GIN-2 were big Spydie steels back then.

I do like the idea of serrations over the recurve :-).

I would use two knives I think --- a serrated one for thick rope and such and a plain one for most things. One-two inches of serrations probably wouldn't be long enough to not be a chore. Of course, those in the know say that a well sharpened knife (beyond my current capabilities) can do anything serrations can do.

Best.
 
JackAColeman said:
Also @jimw451, what make you like that satin one on the bottom left the most? (or least?)
Click to expand...

At the time, a ZT0350KW was an exclusive and the only non-composite blade available as uncoated. I got it for the rarity, but they've since made more. I like both the stealth black/black as well as contrasting black/satin and being an uninhibited collector of all things ZT, I just had to have it. Thank goodness the person I got the KW version from didn't rake me over the coals for it back then, and I really appreciated that. You know who you are and thanks again, sincerely (if you happen to read this). :thumbup:

There's another satin blade exclusive that just came out and I'll get that one as well, just because it's a new ZT haha. The 0350SW is next on the list to get. Here's a link to BladeHQs announcement: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ce-0350SW-Stonewash-Blade-in-stock-at-BladeHQ
 
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