- Joined
- Mar 24, 2008
- Messages
- 608
I recently traded for a Zero Tolerance 0650ST Automatic. This is my first and only automatic knife and my second knife in the ZT line. I expected this knife to be solidly built and have fast and easy (and safe) opening.
The action is fast and powerful, you want to have a solid grip on the knife when you deploy the blade. (It turns out you can adjust the spring tension if you want to tame it down a bit). The opening/locking mechanism will be very familiar to those used to the Hawk Lock on the RAM or MUDD. The main difference is that there is an extra, perpendicular, movement built in for safety. The safety is not annoying and "clicks" into place for a feeling of security. I am left-handed so I operate the mechanism with my fore-finger (opening), and middle-finger (closing). It is easy to operate left-handed but even easier right-handed (unlike the RAM and MUDD that I think are easiest for lefties). Blade lock up is very solid as expected for a Zero Tolerance product.
I used this knife in my shop for a variety of tasks and it performed admirably. Opening boxes and slashing foam insulation were easy. I even batoned it through a checked piece of Honduras rosewood and some rotten-heart blackwood, (I wouldn't have even though of doing this with most of my knives). The serrations don't bother me like I feared they might. They actually help a bit with deep, slashing, cuts. I also like how they mirror the shape of the spine jimping.
It was only a matter of time before I took the thing apart to see how it ticks and to see how to make new scales for it. (Minor gripe: The hexagonal pivot recess in the G10 is too large to retain the head properly; it was a pain to disassemble). The lock is very familiar to those with the RAM or MUDD. The geometry has been changed to allow it to retain the blade in the closed position. There is also the added safety mechanism. The spring is on the other side, coiled around the pivot. The washer then goes around the spring. There are a lot of parts, but that's to be expected in an auto.
I planning to re-handle this knife in desert ironwood. It's going to be difficult to get the lock area right, though. As it is, I only have the spring side, and it was pretty half-assed.
Phillip
The action is fast and powerful, you want to have a solid grip on the knife when you deploy the blade. (It turns out you can adjust the spring tension if you want to tame it down a bit). The opening/locking mechanism will be very familiar to those used to the Hawk Lock on the RAM or MUDD. The main difference is that there is an extra, perpendicular, movement built in for safety. The safety is not annoying and "clicks" into place for a feeling of security. I am left-handed so I operate the mechanism with my fore-finger (opening), and middle-finger (closing). It is easy to operate left-handed but even easier right-handed (unlike the RAM and MUDD that I think are easiest for lefties). Blade lock up is very solid as expected for a Zero Tolerance product.
I used this knife in my shop for a variety of tasks and it performed admirably. Opening boxes and slashing foam insulation were easy. I even batoned it through a checked piece of Honduras rosewood and some rotten-heart blackwood, (I wouldn't have even though of doing this with most of my knives). The serrations don't bother me like I feared they might. They actually help a bit with deep, slashing, cuts. I also like how they mirror the shape of the spine jimping.
It was only a matter of time before I took the thing apart to see how it ticks and to see how to make new scales for it. (Minor gripe: The hexagonal pivot recess in the G10 is too large to retain the head properly; it was a pain to disassemble). The lock is very familiar to those with the RAM or MUDD. The geometry has been changed to allow it to retain the blade in the closed position. There is also the added safety mechanism. The spring is on the other side, coiled around the pivot. The washer then goes around the spring. There are a lot of parts, but that's to be expected in an auto.
I planning to re-handle this knife in desert ironwood. It's going to be difficult to get the lock area right, though. As it is, I only have the spring side, and it was pretty half-assed.
Phillip
which would you say is heavier rhe mudd or the 650st? now i want one more then ever! 
