So I couldn't decide which I liked better. I bought both so I could compare. I'm not sure which I'll keep. Perhaps neither, I've got one more knife incoming and I only intended to keep one.
But I wanted to give my thoughts. Some of it is just my preference, so take from it what you will.
Some things are obvious: blade shapes are different. Like the Sebenza, I prefer for use the insingo shale, and I like the blade shape on the 0808 a lot. I also find its a lot easier to sharpen (at least the insingo is; I haven't touched this one). For looks, I like the normal Seb 21 and I like the 0450 better. I also like how it fits into the handle more.
0808 is heavier. It's not noticeably heavier, but it is noticeably thicker in a few ways: first is holding it. It's just a beefier knife to hold (by comparison, not that it's a big knife). The 0450 is super slender. It was not noticeable when clipped inside board shorts. The 0808 was slightly noticeable. In jeans or normal pants it's a not issue.
I like the handles on the 0808. They've got a one more chamfered angle than the 0450 making it feel almost rounded versus the very flat versus the 0450. I like the 0808 better here and wish the 0450 were similar. It might put this over enough to make me prefer the 0450.
I like the looks of the 0808 handles more but both are equally comfortable regarding blade shape, though the 0450 is maybe too flat for me, though the thinness makes a great carry. I wonder like I said, how much better it would be with a little more rounding of the edges like on the 0808
Both flip great. The 0450 though is a better flipper in two ways. The blade is lighter so it flies out noticeably faster, but both excel. The 0450 is easier (though both still rock) to flip because the flipper catches more because, while both have jimping, the angle of the edges catch better on the 0450. Also, look at the flipper tab and how much higher it is on the 0450 to the top. On the 0808 it's lower than the center of the pivot and higher on the 0450. Your finger just hits the 0450 tab better. See the flipper tabs:
The 0808 has no jimping on the blade. I like the jimping on the 0450 more than smooth but seriously it's cosmetic. And notice the jimping added into an area you never touch, just for appearance. It's a nice touch:
Now unfortunately: where your thumb hits the blade jimping, I find the edge/top of the handles poke into your thumb. It's not sharp or anything, but it doesn't feel good. The 0808 is perfect here. See the 0450 right here:
Now I like backspacers, but the 0808 isn't anything impressive. It's fine: but personally doesn't do anything more for or against. The red standoffs on the 0450 are a nice touch, though my 0450 came with a bitchen backspacer:
Now for the bad. I'm sorry to say it, because I don't like being negative, and it almost feels personal because of how much I've really appreciated how stoked I've been with how Thomas interacts with people.
ZT clips, at least on these, just flat out sucks. It's longer than it needs to be, but that's no big deal, but it is so so wide. It's not /that/ bad on the 0450 where my hand sits, but it is ridiculously uncomfortable on the 0808. A better clip would make me favor the 0808 right now but it's so uncomfortable to me.
And does it really need to be this big? These are smaller, classier ZT knives, not the epic and awesome monsters like the 0560. A smaller and classier clip would be more appropriate.
And, as usual, there's just too much billboarding. I love (LOVE) the ZT logo on the handle, especially on the 0808.
It looks awesome. But we don't need the letters on the clip. I'd like to see the amount of type on the blade lessened, too. But the presentation side is clean on both, so it's just a gripe.
They're both great good knives, each being great at a lot and not at others. They're different enough that I could understand someone wanting to own both. I just don't have the budget. The fit and finish is great. The lock bar cutouts could be cleaner, but seriously, at this price point and with the amazing ZT warranty... These are super buys.
The only way to know which is better is by handling them, unless you just disliked one by appearance.
Apologies for any typos. It's hard to type on a phone. And proofread? Ain't nobody got time for that!
Edit: liked the 0808 the best.
