ZT Mudd 500 versus ZT 200

L

lyonta

Joined
Jan 26, 2009
Messages
24
Hi, I am interested in both the zt 200 and the zt 500 however, I can not buy both. Are there any past comparisons on here that anybody knows of. If not which one is tougher (lock, handle, blade, etc.). Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Both have 154CM blades, both have G10 on the handles, both are large, both are nearly bomb proof. The 0500 carries kinda fat, I think the 0200 carries a little better. The 0500 has the Hawk Lock with the slider on the handle and is immensely flippable. If I understand correctly it is also very lefty friendly. The 0200 has a freakishly thick liner lock that locks up early and tight. The 0200 has the best hand feel and the smoothest action of any production knife I have owned (and yes i have owned a Sebenza :eek: That is what makes it all that much better).

If I had to pick one I would go 0200 it is just so much knife for the money I couldn't pass on it. :thumbup:

Here are a couple of pics of the knives in everyday scenarios for size comparison. Sorry, I don't have a side by side.

(0500 on PopSci mag)
100_0562.jpg


(0500 with 0300)
100_0895.jpg


(my "at home" EDC including 0200:cool::D)
000_0076.jpg
 
I have both as well and I prefer the 0500. Both very strong knives and i think personal preference is key as both knives will serve you well.
 
They're both great knives. Big, and tough as hell.

I own the 0500 and love it. The lock is solid and easy to use (I'm a lefty), the blade is tough and it's very easy to operate with gloves. The biggest advantage to the MUDD is its sealed mechanism and open construction. This makes the knife easy to clean.

The 0200 has a very comfortable handle. The swell fits great, making it a great choice for extended cutting. My only complaint is that the edge of the flipper is sharp when the blade is deployed making it uncomfortable to choke up (this is an easy fix). The blade on the 0200 is longer and more proportional to the handle.

The pivot action on both is very smooth. I would give the edge to the 0500, though. After disassembly (not as bad as it looks), polish, and lube, my 0500 is the smoothest folder I've handled. I attribute this to the fact that the lock doesn't interfere with the motion, and the stacked PB washers. It also stays smooth in the dirtiest conditions.

The handle on the 0200 may be more comfortable, but I think I prefer the 0500 for a work-knife. For some reason, the grip feels more solid, especially with gloves. I feel better throwing my MUDD around because it seems tougher (it probably isn't really).

The 0200 is a work of art that works. The MUDD's beauty lies in its function.

Phillip
 
firebert said:
They're both great knives. Big, and tough as hell.
The 0200 is a work of art that works. The MUDD's beauty lies in its function.
Phillip
Click to expand...

That's probably the best comparison I've read. And I agree 100%. :thumbup:

Forgot I had these pics:

IMG_0068.jpg


IMG_0069.jpg


IMG_0043.jpg
 
They grow wild around here. All ya gotta do is get you one of them ZT sniffing pigs. Then ya just dig em up! I've got a basement full of them.
 
i found the 0200 kind of heavy & noticable in certain pants i wear, the mudd,too. the mudd being flatter, as said earlier,seems to carry a bit better for me. i like the pocket clip,too, which buries the knife as deep as it can go. both are great,tough choice. i also like different locks, so another nod for the mudd for me.
 
i love the mudd as well but the clip on the mudd is low like i like it but there is space between the knife handle and the top of the clip and my pants get caught between the top of the clip and the top handle of the knife. then itd tough to get out. other than that they are both awesome
 
Bfusmc03117 said:
i love the mudd as well but the clip on the mudd is low like i like it but there is space between the knife handle and the top of the clip and my pants get caught between the top of the clip and the top handle of the knife. then itd tough to get out. other than that they are both awesome
Click to expand...

Some people have lowered the clip. I can't remember who, but, maybe they will chime in.:thumbup:
 
firebert said:
After disassembly (not as bad as it looks), polish, and lube, my 0500 is the smoothest folder I've handled. I attribute this to the fact that the lock doesn't interfere with the motion, and the stacked PB washers. It also stays smooth in the dirtiest conditions.
Click to expand...

Does the MUDD lock work differently than the one in the RAM? When deploying the MUDD via thumbstud, does it feel the same as opening the RAM via thumbstud (overcome lock pressure, no resistance, overcome lock pressure)?
 
Fixed the Clip, you can see the original hole below the screw and how much it had to be dropped
Its very easy to do if that is a concern.. I know it was impossible to get out of my work jeans... which pissed me off.. But this helped...
PICT1137.jpg
 
i've had both.....i still have the 0200....i found the 0200 to be more comfortable to hold.....the mudd is like a brick....it's wide and fat.....i would say you can't go wrong with either though....if i was outside all day and worried about dirt and debris i'd get the mudd....i was just lookin for a nice edc so the 0200 won out.....hope that helps some.....ryan
 
Dekz said:
Does the MUDD lock work differently than the one in the RAM? When deploying the MUDD via thumbstud, does it feel the same as opening the RAM via thumbstud (overcome lock pressure, no resistance, overcome lock pressure)?
Click to expand...

The lock geometry is a little different. The detent is not as strong because there is no flipper to load.

The thumb-studs are huge, making opening easier.

The pivot seals add some resistance. I liken it to fully sealed ball bearings. Smooth, but not frictionless. (For the nerd, coeffiecients of static and kinetic friction are almost the same.) Removing the seals really speeds things up.

Phillip
 
I'm sorry to say it, but blade retention is a little more of an issue than I had originally anticipated. I've actually stopped carrying the 0500 because of it. The knife would open as I pull it out of my pocket. If the knife were waved and designed to do this, fine, but as is it's only a one in a hundred chance that it'll happen. The tip of the blade also is pretty close to the edge of the handle, and the lock retention strength wasn't enough to keep it firmly shut. It's really a bummer because I do like the design, but for now the knife is more something that I'd carry in a pouch on a backpacking trip than EDC.
I might try snugging up the clip like Trimcut did. Difficulty drawing the knife may have something to do with it opening accidentally.

Regardless, I like the design of the 0200 a lot more. It puts everything in the right places for me. My only complaint is I wish it weren't re-curved.
 
firebert said:
The lock geometry is a little different. The detent is not as strong because there is no flipper to load.

The thumb-studs are huge, making opening easier.

The pivot seals add some resistance. I liken it to fully sealed ball bearings. Smooth, but not frictionless. (For the nerd, coeffiecients of static and kinetic friction are almost the same.) Removing the seals really speeds things up.

Phillip
Click to expand...

Gotcha, thanks for the info.
 
trimcut123 said:
Fixed the Clip, you can see the original hole below the screw and how much it had to be dropped
Its very easy to do if that is a concern.. I know it was impossible to get out of my work jeans... which pissed me off.. But this helped...
PICT1137.jpg
Click to expand...

so did you basicly just drill a hole higher up on the clip. how far up did you have to drill and did you have to cut any excess off
 
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