ZT0350 vs. - whatever else?

alwaysthenewbie · Feb 28, 2015

Hi Guys,
I'm new to posting, but I've been on these forums a ton and I appreciate all the information and help that is here. I am looking for a new knife, and I've had mostly sub-$60 knives. I have a Ka-Bar Mule, an Ontario Rat-1, an S&W M&P assisted opening knife, a Sanrenmu, and my gf just got me a Byrd Cara Cara 2 for Christmas.

I have to say, I was never drawn to the look of a Spyderco but kept seeing how much people loved them. I looked a couple and always went with something else based on the look. Since I got the Byrd (secondary Spyderco line), I am changing my tune. The Byrd is small and fits in my pocket so nicely it has become my favorite EDC. The build quality and feel of the Byrd is unbelievable to me, and it makes me want some Spyderco's - so I've gained much more respect. I've looked at the Paramilitary and Paramilitary 2, but they just aren't doing it for me right now...I may be more geared toward a sub $100 knife from Spyderco with a better steel.

So my dilemma now is, I have been eyeing the ZT350 for quite a while. I finally have the money to do it, and have some concerns. I like that it is a higher end steel (my knives are in the AUS 8 quality range - good but nothing special), I like the looks, and while I don't like the size for EDC, I do like the size for occasional carry. It is good to have some bigger knives once in a while.

I also like the assisted opening, although, this isn't a huge factor for me. I like my S&W M&P because the assisted opening is so quick and there is a cool factor to it, but the fact of the matter is my RAT-1 is fast with just a thumb flick, and my Byrd is pretty much a controlled manual open and I still fell in love with it.

On the downside, I've seen some mixed reviews on the 350 - some people love it, others seem to be pretty unimpressed. I haven't held one, and there is no place to buy knives where I am, so I have to order online. I'm a little nervous I won't like it. The second downside is the recurve. I have a Wicked Edge sharpener, and it is awesome, but I'm not sure if I can do the recurve on it without buying the special stones, which are limited in their grits. Part of me says the recurve is so slight I won't need anything special and the Wicked Edge will handle it just fine...I'm not sure if anyone has any experience with this?

So - finally, after all that (sorry), my questions are:

1. Has anyone done a recurve like the one on the 0350 on a WEPS sharpener? Should this work with the regular stones?

2. Under $150, what knives would you look at INSTEAD of the ZT350? I would like some higher end steel, at least a smooth opening style and AO is "cool" but not necessary, and something well built and sturdy.

hhmoore · Feb 28, 2015

You might like the ZT 0770 with the aluminum handle & Elmax blade. (assisted opening flipper)
Comparison pics with the 0350.

As you can see, they are comparably sized, but the 0770 is slightly smaller all the way around. When looking at the numbers on paper, the easiest way to tell that is the weight difference...the 0770 is fully half the weight of the 0350.

Hertz33 · Feb 28, 2015

I had a ZT0350. Didn't like it that much and sold it. Sure it's nice to play with assisted flipper at first but as utility blade - not that useful(to me anyway). If you took a shine for spyderco's I sugest you consider a Paramilitary 2. Now that knife is a user. I like you never understood the admiration towards Spyderco. I had an Ambitious, used it for a few months and sold it. Moved on to Kershaw's and Benchmade's. But two months ago the orange Dragonfly2 cought my eye. So I got it. Let me tell you, if you pleased with Chinese quality, youll be amazed with their higher production lines. The ergos on that little knife are amazing, it just melts into your hands. So before two weeks I bought paramilitary 2 and was amazed again. So I strongly suggest that you consider the PM2. You wont be disappointed.

A-MAC · Feb 28, 2015

I have had a ZT350,550 and 566 in the last month. I can't say enough good things about the 566. I sold the 350 and 550. Both were too big, thick for me.

savage99 · Feb 28, 2015

If you have really big hands the 350s handles will be a little small. It's also pretty heavy in the pocket but it's a fantastic heavy use utility blade. And you can find them for under $100 on the exchange all the time

JSutter · Feb 28, 2015

Another option to the ZT 350 is the Kershaw Rake. Basically the same size, a few different features, both modern designs. The cutting edge of the Rake is D2. I like both.

rje58 · Feb 28, 2015

I have both the 0350 and the 0550. If you want a larger knife, as your post seems to indicate you will choose something smaller for an EDC, you can get the 0550 these days for just a little more than the 0350, and in my opinion the difference in the cost is well worth it. When I want to carry a larger knife than my usual EDC, I always reach for the 0550 and never the 0350. Just my opinion, YMMV.

flipe8 · Feb 28, 2015

I've got one I keep in my bunker pants at work. I find it to be a good combination of size and strength for what it gets used for. I personally find it to be larger than I prefer to carry on a daily basis and have removed the spring assist, but am pleased with how it has performed. It's got a couple rust stains from getting a bit wet and not being properly dried off, but nothing of concern. I have medium large hands and find it fits my hand well.

JSutter · Feb 28, 2015

Before 9/11, Spyderco made/makes some knives that worked well for airline travel and affordable to everyone. If I remember, they were the first or one of the first to use thumbholes for one handed opening.

Sonnydaze · Feb 28, 2015

For your money, I would get the Spyderco Sage 2, a wonderful titanium-bladed knife with S30V blade-steel.
The "big river" has it for close to your max price. I support your wanting to try Spyderco. You would also enjoy one of their other Sage series knives, like the Sage 1, or the Caly 3...also easily in your range....and found at any of our BF supporting knife-vendors.
The Gayle Bradley is a much heavier-duty folder, an excellent rep, and an outstanding CPM M4 blade-steel that you would love.
Could also look at Spyderco's assisted folders...such as the Domino. The Chaparral is an outstanding smaller folder...a great slicer and wonderful for office-carry.

sabre cat · Feb 28, 2015

alwaysthenewbie said:
Hi Guys,
I'm new to posting, but I've been on these forums a ton and I appreciate all the information and help that is here. I am looking for a new knife, and I've had mostly sub-$60 knives. I have a Ka-Bar Mule, an Ontario Rat-1, an S&W M&P assisted opening knife, a Sanrenmu, and my gf just got me a Byrd Cara Cara 2 for Christmas.

I have to say, I was never drawn to the look of a Spyderco but kept seeing how much people loved them. I looked a couple and always went with something else based on the look. Since I got the Byrd (secondary Spyderco line), I am changing my tune. The Byrd is small and fits in my pocket so nicely it has become my favorite EDC. The build quality and feel of the Byrd is unbelievable to me, and it makes me want some Spyderco's - so I've gained much more respect. I've looked at the Paramilitary and Paramilitary 2, but they just aren't doing it for me right now...I may be more geared toward a sub $100 knife from Spyderco with a better steel.

So my dilemma now is, I have been eyeing the ZT350 for quite a while. I finally have the money to do it, and have some concerns. I like that it is a higher end steel (my knives are in the AUS 8 quality range - good but nothing special), I like the looks, and while I don't like the size for EDC, I do like the size for occasional carry. It is good to have some bigger knives once in a while.

I also like the assisted opening, although, this isn't a huge factor for me. I like my S&W M&P because the assisted opening is so quick and there is a cool factor to it, but the fact of the matter is my RAT-1 is fast with just a thumb flick, and my Byrd is pretty much a controlled manual open and I still fell in love with it.

On the downside, I've seen some mixed reviews on the 350 - some people love it, others seem to be pretty unimpressed. I haven't held one, and there is no place to buy knives where I am, so I have to order online. I'm a little nervous I won't like it. The second downside is the recurve. I have a Wicked Edge sharpener, and it is awesome, but I'm not sure if I can do the recurve on it without buying the special stones, which are limited in their grits. Part of me says the recurve is so slight I won't need anything special and the Wicked Edge will handle it just fine...I'm not sure if anyone has any experience with this?

So - finally, after all that (sorry), my questions are:

1. Has anyone done a recurve like the one on the 0350 on a WEPS sharpener? Should this work with the regular stones?

2. Under $150, what knives would you look at INSTEAD of the ZT350? I would like some higher end steel, at least a smooth opening style and AO is "cool" but not necessary, and something well built and sturdy.

If you want to stick with Spyderco, how about the Manix series?

toker · Feb 28, 2015

I never warmed up to the ZT0350. My brother has one and I like it's build quality, but I just never clicked with it. If you're looking for some other slim, EDC choices, take a look at the upcoming ZT0450. KVT bearing system and 2.9 oz!

Another really comfortable carry knife is the Benchmade 531.

The ZT's MAP is only $10 more than your budget and the Benchmade will come in lower.

Bludgeon · Feb 28, 2015

The new ZT0562 is the new hotness, highly recommended by many here and worth saving a little more!

sarge1967 · Feb 28, 2015

Bludgeon said:
The new ZT0562 is the new hotness, highly recommended by many here and worth saving a little more!

What he says!

I just got mine this week and it is a SWEET KNIFE!
I do have a 0350 on the way though. Should be here Thursday. Like you I could not make up my mind. So I got both.

Jasonsdman · Feb 28, 2015

You can find the BM581 every once in a while on the exchange for under $150. I picked one up a while back for $125. Some people like the AO on it, but I'm not a fan of AO so I de-assisted it. It is now one of the smoothest knives that I own. Also the M390 blade is about as premium as you can get around this price. The handle is nice and round rather than flat so it fits well in the hand. I did some extra contouring on my handle and replaced the pocket clip with a deep carry one.

watanabe · Feb 28, 2015

How about the Spyderco Manix II?

alwaysthenewbie · Feb 28, 2015

Guys! Thanks for all the responses, this is awesomeness.

So, what I seem to be hearing is what kind of had me worried. Everyone who has a ZT350 does not seem to be overly impressed with it in their collection. The 566 seems to be a better choice. The Sage2 that was suggested also was on my radar as a better choice. The ZT450 also looks like a sweet knife.

It is tough making any decisions...haha

Sonnydaze · Mar 1, 2015

In my opinion, the only thing better than a titanium-slabbed Sage 2....is four of them...

You can quite often find one as-new-in-box for about $125 on the Exchange in this forum.

Jeru · Mar 1, 2015

Funny, you think the 0350 might be too big. I've been eyeballing this knife for years and my concerns are that it is way too small--in blade length. I'm EDC'ing a Spyderco Military for about eight years now. Sold my 0300, didn't like the assisted opening. So for under 150 USD "whatever else?" I would honestly answer "a Millie of course!", which is thinner and much lighter than a 0350 by the way. But I am guessing that I could never convince you to buy a Millie instead, so then I tend to answer a PM2, although I personally never held one. Also I prefer the motoric of a liner-lock.

flarp · Mar 1, 2015

alwaysthenewbie said:
1. Has anyone done a recurve like the one on the 0350 on a WEPS sharpener? Should this work with the regular stones?

2. Under $150, what knives would you look at INSTEAD of the ZT350? I would like some higher end steel, at least a smooth opening style and AO is "cool" but not necessary, and something well built and sturdy.

I've sharpened my 0350 on my DMT Aligner set. While different from the WEPS, it also uses a clamp on the blade and has the honing stones attached to a guide rod. It has worked fine for me.

The 0350 is a great knife. It is very sturdy and comfortable to handle, even when doing a lot of cutting work. The wider handle, however, does make it not carry quite as well as slimmer knives. If you want something a bit easier to carry, the 0566 may be a good choice. Length-wise, it is very similar to the 0350, but the body and blade aren't quite as wide, so it actually carries more comfortably and discretely.

Here's a shot that has a 0350 next to a 0566:

Here are some various ones that include some others I've taken before that have a RAT-1, to give you some idea of size: