ZT0300, Spyderco Szabo, or Adamas?

RemyKaze

RemyKaze

Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Messages
2,177
Hey BF brethren, I'm looking for a heavier, beefier folder that still has decent slicing capability. I've been looking at the 0300, the Adamas, the Szabo, and the Superleaf. I'm a fan of the 0300 and the Szabo, but have no hands on experience with any of these besides holding the 0300.

I carry a PM2 or a Manix 2 XL. They work fine but I am just on the hunt for something thicker and possibly wider. I'm not looking to spend more than $200, as it'll be purely for work.

Any recommendations or input on these knives or alternatives? Help me make up my mind with your valuable knowledge!:D
 
I like the ZT300. Everytime I sell one, I always end up buying another. I have no experience with the szabo. The adamas is a good knife, but I would want to carry it in a sheath on my belt.
 
I like the Szabo personally.
 
I bought a Szabo. Kept it for about three days and then returned it. I wouldn't recommend it for a work knife as it's purpose built as a fighting blade. The blade was also a bit too long for me, although I understand the value of having extra reach for self defense purposes.

I haven't handled an Adamas but I had a Contego for quite some time, both have Axis locks. Great knife. I highly recommend checking it out and at around $135. it's one of the best value knives in my opinion.

I don't know much about the Superleaf, but it seems like it's very similar to the Manix XL. I could be wrong about that though.

ZT 0300 is a tank of a knife. I don't own one but my co-worker does. Every so often I think about getting one but I'm not a fan of assisted openers and generally stay away from recurves.

You may also want to check out the Spyderco Tuff. I don't own one, but I think it meets the criteria of being heavy/beefy and a decent slicer.
 
Very tough call between the Adamas and the ZT30x series. Both are big, tough bruisers. Matter of personal opinion, and whether you like D2 or S30V. I have both and I couldn't pick decisively.

I guess maybe the ZT, just because its darn cool. :-)
 
I handled the Adamas today, as well as handling the 0300 and 0560 again. The Adamas is a bit too fat in the handles. Seems like the 0560 fits my hand better, but I'm unsure about Elmax's edge retention and ease of sharpening compared to say, s30v. Not to mention, the aforementioned Contego has an M4 blade and seems to be a real contender.
 
Slicing ability is inversely proportional to blade thickness. You can't have your cake and slice it too. Was that a mixed metaphor?
 
tiguy7 said:
Slicing ability is inversely proportional to blade thickness. You can't have your cake and slice it too. Was that a mixed metaphor?
Click to expand...

Not with the right grind, my friend.

PropThePolecat, that's some sound logic. At less than $150 with m4, it's hard to beat.
 
You'd probably be surprised the first time you pocket the Adamas at how heavy it is. Don't get me wrong, it is a really good knife, i'm carrying mine in my bag, but when I went from edcing my para 2 and sage 2 to the adamas, it felt like a brick
 
The Contego is a bad ass as it gets...4 inches of M4, grippy G10, stainless backspacer and axis lock. Yu cant go wrong with that combo.
 
I got a zt0300 prototype that I quite like. And a Szabo. You'll need suspenders to hold up your pants with a 0300. BUT, nothing will intimidate your dang inlaws quite like a Szabo...:D
 
I had an Adamas auto knife and sold it...now have 5 of the ZT 30X's. The Adamas was a great knife but not very comfortable to hold for long periods of time. There is kind of a hump in the middle of the handle that forces your middle and ring finger apart and for me that ruined the feel of the knife.
 
kent_michaels said:
I had an Adamas auto knife and sold it...now have 5 of the ZT 30X's. The Adamas was a great knife but not very comfortable to hold for long periods of time. There is kind of a hump in the middle of the handle that forces your middle and ring finger apart and for me that ruined the feel of the knife.
Click to expand...

I felt that way about the 0200 and had to send it back.

I think I'll be getting the Contego and perhaps the Szabo soon after. The Adamas was too thick in the handle, the 0300 didn't feel as good the second time around, and while I like the 0560, I hear much about poor edge retention and there is no steel lock insert yet.

Any alternatives to these are welcome; I enjoy hearing about people's experiences with knives I don't yet own. Thanks.
 
Contego is a remarkable all-week cutting machine and all for under $135!

Szabo is a self-defense folder with very strong detent. The black version just came out and it opens smoother. Definitely stealthier. I like the looks more than my satin blade one which is being discontinued so you may get good deals on it now.

No doubt ZT 0300 and Adamas are beasts and weigh as such.
 
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