ZT 350 or Benchmade for EDC??? Help.

K

Kick74

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May 7, 2010
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I've decided to pull the trigger on a new EDC folder. I've read reviews and watched videos of both the ZT 350 (s30v steel) and Benchmade's Barrage (m 390 steel) and the 890 (154 cm steel). Just can't decide which one to go with.

My main concern is the blade itself. I want quality steel that will not let me down when it counts!

Other deciding factors:
- 3" to 4" blade length
- edge retention
- comfort in carry mode and in use
- assisted opening
- price ($250 max)

Anyone with "hands on" experience with these blades? all advice is welcome. Thanks.
 
None of these are switch blades or automatics.

All three have great steel, but I'd rank s30v and m390 higher than 154cm. m390 is one of the current high end super steels, but s30v is not to be scoffed at.

Personally, I'd go for the 350 because of the flipper.

EDIT: Guess I should give more input on those knives. The 890 felt bad in hand. The grip just did nothing for me. The 350 was my edc for many, many months before I sold that and got a DDR HTM to replace it. I loved everything about the 350 except the pocket clip which was way tooooo tight. I've had no experience with the Barrage.

s30v to me is a great middle ground for ease of sharpening (lol...yea right), edge retention, and wear resistance. With that said, I do have a fixed blade in 154cm which I love.
 
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I've never handled the ZT, but I've handled/owned the Benchmades. I'm not a fan of the Torrent. I always hated the thumbstud, and 154 CM is good not great. I'm a big fan of the Barrage, and was sad when I parted with mine. The new version, with the m390, should be both better looking and grippier than the old one (stupid slippery valox). The assist is wicked too.

Something to consider is that the m390, like a lot of new super steels, will hold an edge longer than S30V, but will be a pain to sharpen. That's saying something, because S30V is stellar with retention and tough to sharpen in the first place.

My 2 cents, anyway.
 
You can also get the ZT 0350 composite blade with the awesome ELMAX.

Just throwing that out there.

I personally wouldn't get the barrage--don't like the two-tone bolster look.
 
ZT0350Glock.jpg
ZT0350totem.jpg
 
Hey, I only have the older valox BM Barrage, but I think it is an awesome knife. I've seen the new M390 version go for 200 or so, and the older Valox handle go for about 110-120 dollars.

It fits all your requirements, and I find it carries really well over the 4 months or so i've had it for. The handles are really comfortable, especially if you have longer fingers and have a harder time gripping smaller knives. It also fits in the pocket pretty well and the clip is tight enough to grip your pocket but not so that the pocket will get ripped up. Even though I have the valox version, it does everything just fine and stands up to use and carry well.

I have the slightly older version with the 154CM blade and I feel like it holds an edge just fine, but I'm not a super sharpener or hard user, so it might be different for you.

The assisted opening in this knife is freaking amazing. It pops out the blade with force and a loud snap. One downside is that I can't open this knife discretely without using two hands to slowly pull the blade out, because of how loud it is. To be honest, the assisted opening on the Barrage makes me feel badass.

Hope this helps you out, have fun with your new knife.
 
taeku4-
about opening "discreetly". Have you tried holding the back of the blade near your leg as you open it? This will be slow but it will allow for a more "controlled" presentation giving you the stealth you desire with the exception of that final click when it locks up. I think if you're trying to be discreet you would be willing to sacrifice a little speed. Of course this will require some manipulation with your wrist. I'll bet with some practice that it can be
done fairly quickly. Just a thought.

Thanks for everyones advice thus far.

Kick
 
K&G-
I have not seen anything about the composite blades or Elmax. Did I overlook that on the ZT website.

Is that the one Maestro has pics of?
 
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Kick74 said:
K&G-
I have not seen anything about the composite blades or Elmax. Did I overlook that on the ZT website.

Is that the one Maestro has pics of?
Click to expand...

It was a limited run.

I think I'd choose the M390 steel option. That's the best steel available IMO, it's got toughness, wear resistance, and stainlessness.
 
Also keep in-mind that the blade shape/profile of the ZT 0350 and the Barrage are vastly different. I don't think that there is enough difference between the 2 blade-steels to make that much of a difference in actual performance. You also need to take into consideration the 2 different locks...Liner-lock VS: Axis-lock.
 
they're all great, but the m390 barrage, I think, would win for me. Great steel, great lock and it looks really nice.

I do love the 350 CB though.
 
Glockman-
I'm more familiar with the liner locks and like that design. The only BM knife I have is a fixed blade. In your opinion is the axis lock better? Easier to use?
 
I agree with Glockman that probably the difference in the steels will be minimally noticeable. I don't have a Barrage but I do have the 350 and it's a great folder. Tough but a little smaller than the 200 and more pocket friendly. Personally I like S30V and G10 so maybe I am biased. Good luck choosing.
 
The ZT 350 is going to be quite a bit stronger than the Barrage as far as build is concerned. A lot of folks are convinced that Benchmade's axis is superior to the liner style lock , I would have to strongly disagree , especially considering that were talking about a ZT.
I do not own either but I do have the privilege of having my good Jarhead buddy Dave working at a local range/gun store/ knife store/ tactical supply etc , and have handled both. There are not too many of Benchmade's offerings I would put in the same strength category as Zero Tolerance folders.

Tostig
 
Well I just purchased me a ZT 0350 from JDieseljoe69 here on blade forums. After all the advice and research I'm wanting the ZT 0301 too! Gonna try this one first though. I want to say thanks to everyone who posted advice here, it really helped.
 
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