ZT 121 or Surefire Echo?

M

Moving Target

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Feb 8, 2000
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Anyone own both of these who could compare/contrast both knives?

I currently own a ZT 300, which is the best knife I've handled since the old REKAT Carnivore or CRKT Kasper. So I know ZT makes a good, tough knife with excellent "gripiness" or "handle ergonomics", or whatever the accepted term is.

So now I want a medium fixed blade for EDC and light bushcraft and the two that seem to fit the bill for me are the Surefire Echo and the ZT 121.

They are both pretty pricey ($200-$300) for production knives and they are both about the same size, from what I can tell from specs and pics.

I was wondering how they compare in other ways. Any ideas or experiences would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks!

(I know it's a Kershaw/ZT forum so I expect a little bias :D )
 
Moving Target said:
(I know it's a Kershaw/ZT forum so I expect a little bias :D )
Click to expand...

I wasn't going to respond, until I read that line. :)

I like SureFire. They make some kick-butt flashlights and silencers. They make some interesting knives. However, they were slow to get on the high-power LED bandwagon, and it cost them some customers and hurt their reputation among hard-core flashlightheads. Also, while their quality is (for the most part) right up there with Kershaw's, one thing SureFire have never been accused of is being a bargain. Based on that, and not having handled an Echo, I would suspect that you'll get more knife for your buck with the 0121.


I'll even pay the SureFire Echo a compliment: at least it's not as ugly as their folders. :D
 
I have 3 ZT's but all are folders, so I can't give an opinion based on actual use. I can certainly say the 3 I do have are bomb-proof.
Some things to consider though: you are comparing 2 different steels with these knives (CPM 3V with the SF, S30V with the ZT). The ZT 0100 is made with CPM 3V, so it is more of a direct comparison from a steel point of view, but it also is a little larger than the other 2.
I also looked up what information I could, but I couldn't find out who actually makes the Echo. Not many manufacturers I know of work with 3V, so I'm sure quality shouldn't be an issue, but would Surefire's warranty/service on their knives be as good as ZT's?
Part of the description of the echo is "An injection-molded sheath with integrated DMT diamond sharpener". Does that mean it has to pass over it every time you sheath the knife? I looked at all the pictures I could find, and I couldn't see it anywhere, so I wondered if "integrated" meant inside the sheath. Also, the tang on the Echo seems to be a "skeletonized" one by the description I read.

I'm sure it's a decent knife, but I sure would lean towards the ZT, if only for the simple reason that it's what they're known for. I probably wouldn't buy a Kershaw flashlight for the same reasons. I wouldn't let Denny's do my taxes, and I wouldn't let my accountant make me a Grand Slam breakfast either :D
Hope this helps in some way.

Rik
 
Not many manufacturers I know of work with 3V, so I'm sure quality shouldn't be an issue, but would Surefire's warranty/service on their knives be as good as ZT's?


Good point, service after the sale weighs heavy on my initial purchase. Good question though, hope this helps....BUY THE ZT:D
 
I recently sold my ZT0121 (not because I wanted to), and I can unequivocably say it's one of the finest fixed blades I've ever handled...:thumbup:

Here's a short review of the ZT0121 I did awhile back:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5686627&postcount=6

The Surefire Echo looks just fine and has CPM 3V going for it, but the street price on the ZT0121 is considerably less...I'd definitely say the ZT0121 is the better value, and to my mind the better knife.

If it's that CPM 3V steel that's tempting you, take a look at the ZT0100...even more knife, and still less than the Surefire...:D

Ray :)
 
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For the price of the Surefire I'd strongly recommend you get the ZT0100. They are comparable in price but the ZT beats out the Surefire in every way IMHO. Balance, grip, texture of the G-10. All I can say is hold the two side by side as I have, the ZT is just a better feeling knife and you get a little more blade for the money with a very fine fit and finish including the DLC finish.
I've never handled the 121 but at 9oz for a 4 1/2" fixed blade seems a little heavy plus sheath. However I thought that of the 0100, 0200, and 300 until I handled them, love them all.

I doubt surefire would sell an inferior product be it flash lights , clothing or knives, my question is: Who manufactures their knives for them ?

Kershaw? Benchmade? Spyderco? Gerber? Ontario? ....................hmmm I wonder
 
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Good points all, thanks!

I am kind of leaning toward the Z121 anyways, but just comparison shopping since I don't have the opportunity to handle them before I buy.

If the Z121 is built and handles anything like my Z300 folder, I know I won't be disappointed. Thanks!
 
What about the sheath for the Z121? It looks like the knife is held in by a strap/snap and not by form/friction like most molded sheaths. Is this because it's a heavy knife for it's size? Is it a belt knife only? Or can it be carried other ways (In-Waist-Band or MercHarness, etc)? I'm not a fan of that bulky kind of clip attachment so I hope it can be removed.
 
the clip attachment comes with it but not on it, so you don't need to put it on. however the knife is nearly 9 ounces so im not sure about the other ways of carry.
 
I got to handle both in a gun shop the other week. I was showing one of the guys in the shop, my ZT autos. He mentioned that he had just received the SF Echo and brought it out for me to see. His co-worker turned up with an 0121 (which he EDC's attached to the back of a Maxpedition bag). He hadn't seen the Echo either. The ZT was much more impressive. The 0121 was much beefier, the difference in blade thickness was immediately noticeable (ZT much thicker). The fit and finish of the ZT also struck me as much better (finish of the handle slabs in particular).

The sheath system for the ZT also seemed to be of much higher quality. The Surefire's plastic had that shiny, waxy look of cheap plastic. The guy who owned the ZT couldn't stop saying good things about it's sheath system.

The Surefire definitely seemed like a good, solid knife, but the 0121 just seemed better.
 
Moving Target said:
What about the sheath for the Z121? It looks like the knife is held in by a strap/snap and not by form/friction like most molded sheaths. Is this because it's a heavy knife for it's size? Is it a belt knife only? Or can it be carried other ways (In-Waist-Band or MercHarness, etc)? I'm not a fan of that bulky kind of clip attachment so I hope it can be removed.
Click to expand...

It's still held in place by form/friction like any other molded sheath, but as you say it's a heavy knife so the strap makes sure it stays there...;)

The clip attachment is also removeable...

Did you check the pictures in the review link I posted previously in this thread? They answer many of your questions...

Ray :)
 
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You would also be helping other people as well if you got the ZT, as KAI/Kershaw donates a portion of each knife sold to the Paralyzed Veterans of America Heritage Fund.
Don't know if that helps sway you or not, but I thought I'd mention it.
Let us know what you choose, and post pics when you get it!

Rik
 
Kershaw knows knives, Surefire knows flashlights... Go with the Kershaw :D

The 121 just feels great in the hand and would be my go to between the two :thumbup:
 
I have a ZT 0121 #813 of May 08 and as a hint for everybody to consider - you can increase the knife's fuctionality by attaching a lanyard to loop around your pinky. With that you'll be able to add length to the knife and slash with it by moving your hand only. Also, I removed the original belt attachement from the sheath and replaced it with a TEK-LOK. As to the sheath it leaves out all the lefties. Wouldn't smth. like Spyderco Bill Moran's be better?
 
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