I was shopping around for a new combat folder and came across the ZT0200and the ZT0300-TAD. There is almost a $140 price difference between the two, aside from the blade shape and black edition, what is the key difference between the two, and which would you recommend? I understand they are made out of different materials and the ZT0300 has assisted opening, but I don't have much knowledge in the steel catagory. Is the steel what makes it so much more expensive, and why?
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ZT0300 vs ZT0200
- Thread starter nianni
- Start date
CPM 154 and S30V are both excellent steels. S30V supposed to be marginally better, but the difference is practically negligible. The ZT300 is an assisted opener which means it has a lot of precision made little components. It is also a framelock with lots and lots of titanium and this also raises it's price.
Personally I'd go with the ZT200. YMMV.
Personally I'd go with the ZT200. YMMV.
nozh2002
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- Jun 9, 2003
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One half of ZT300 handle is titanium - it should be expensive. In my case finish and production quality was berrer on ZT300. For ZT200, I had to fix liner lock with sanpaper - it cuts my finger otherwise. Plus it looks better - I guess it is much more sexy. Blade is wider for ZT300 amd longer for ZT200.
BTW the sizes of the blade is ZT200 - 4" and ZT300 - 3 3/4" (on TAD Gear it is still lister as 4 1/4" for both, as well as steel on ZT200 is good old 154CM not CPM154 as you may think readin TAD Gear site)
ZT300
ZT200
Thanks, Vassili.
BTW the sizes of the blade is ZT200 - 4" and ZT300 - 3 3/4" (on TAD Gear it is still lister as 4 1/4" for both, as well as steel on ZT200 is good old 154CM not CPM154 as you may think readin TAD Gear site)
ZT300
ZT200
Thanks, Vassili.
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2004
- Messages
- 12,957
They are both great folders as I've said many times. I go back and forth as to which one I like the best. I have been carrying the 0200 more but like the thinner 301 I have to be honest. I also like the blade steel better in the 301 because I've had a lot of bad luck with burr problems forming on the edges on the 154CM and ATS34 blades I've owned in the past. Have not seen any problems with either of these steels from Kershaw though. My S30V Leek has held up very well to a ton of use and testing with no chipping problems like I've seen in other manufacturers knives using this steel. I've not had any issues with the 301 yet but I can't really say its been used for much at all at this point. I've just had too many others to play with I guess.
I do love both though and think they are two of the best built folders in this class that money can buy. Personally I like frame locks better than liner locks for the added benefit of being able to get your hand behind the lock but this 200 is so sexy how can you resist carrying it? Ken did a super job designing it and Kershaw/ZT did a super job building it. I also prefer the 0200 because if you look at the fixed blade model 0100 you can see immediately that these two knives are companions to each other. The handle is virtually identical which means no having to adjust to a different grip when going from one to the other. Also, the 0200 is designed to fit into the pocket built into the sheath for the 0100. Actually all three folders currently being made at this writing fit into that pocket quite well. You can also find a sharpening stone to fit in there as well though. Its probably the better deal and value. I don't know that the assisted opener feature is worth the huge differenec in price, especially when you take into account that the 0200 blade can basically be flipped out just as easy as it is without the assisted opening spring to worry about breaking. I have not heard of any of these breaking yet, but have had my Scallion and BlackOut both snap on me on more than one occasion. Of course they are both a few years old too and have seen lots of use. My son actually has the BlackOut now, but he told me the other night he just went through another spring on it. Good thing Kershaw sent me five torsion springs when I asked for one. :thumbup:
STR
I do love both though and think they are two of the best built folders in this class that money can buy. Personally I like frame locks better than liner locks for the added benefit of being able to get your hand behind the lock but this 200 is so sexy how can you resist carrying it? Ken did a super job designing it and Kershaw/ZT did a super job building it. I also prefer the 0200 because if you look at the fixed blade model 0100 you can see immediately that these two knives are companions to each other. The handle is virtually identical which means no having to adjust to a different grip when going from one to the other. Also, the 0200 is designed to fit into the pocket built into the sheath for the 0100. Actually all three folders currently being made at this writing fit into that pocket quite well. You can also find a sharpening stone to fit in there as well though. Its probably the better deal and value. I don't know that the assisted opener feature is worth the huge differenec in price, especially when you take into account that the 0200 blade can basically be flipped out just as easy as it is without the assisted opening spring to worry about breaking. I have not heard of any of these breaking yet, but have had my Scallion and BlackOut both snap on me on more than one occasion. Of course they are both a few years old too and have seen lots of use. My son actually has the BlackOut now, but he told me the other night he just went through another spring on it. Good thing Kershaw sent me five torsion springs when I asked for one. :thumbup:
STR