Benchmade or Zero Tolerance

E

Ericz

Joined
Apr 21, 2016
Messages
390
Both Benchmade and ZT are around the same price range i am mainly a collector but i use my knives and prefer top quality. Which company uses better steel and materials is the basic question. i want my knives to long out live me and possibly the company's that made them.
 
ZT. I love my BMs but my ZTs will outlast them by a far shot. They also have better materials.

Sent from my Z987 using Tapatalk
 
I've had better luck with ZT in the last few years quality wise, Benchmade also tends to put on less than idea bevels at the factory. They're both quite close but I think you get more for you dollar with ZT/Kershaw.
 
They are both excellent manufacturers.

They both make a wide range of knives in a wide range of materials.

Asking which is "better" is kind of like asking if pies are better than cakes.
 
Old ZT models are great, the new ones do nothing for me. But hey, that may be different for you. They've evolved from hard use tools to man jewelry fairly quickly in my eyes - again, which is great if that's what you want.

If you want a tool, get a Benchmade. They are made to work for life and the locking mechanism is superior to the typical titanium framelock with or without lock bar insert on your ZT models.

If you want something to put in the safe, fondle and flip occasionally, a ZT will likely make you happier.
 
marcinek said:
They are both excellent manufacturers.

They both make a wide range of knives in a wide range of materials.

Asking which is "better" is kind of like asking if pies are better than cakes.
Click to expand...

I know both are great but if you take a two that are the same price give or take 20 dollars whats a better bang for your buck. eventually i will have both but where to start
 
Ericz said:
I know both are great but if you take a two that are the same price give or take 20 dollars whats a better bang for your buck. eventually i will have both but where to start
Click to expand...

Impossible to answer for the reasons I just stated.

Maybe if you had a specific model from each maker you were interested in AND you told us what qualities you are looking for we could help.

But you cannot say a $150 Benchmade is better/worse than a $150 ZT.

Its no where near specific enough.

Honestly, if you cant be more specific...which is fine....then either will be great for you. Flip a coin or something.
 
The only Benchmade that interests me is the 940 series. The Sinkevich (450, 456, 452) and George (0900,0909) are currently my favorite ZTs.
 
NYOutdoors said:
Old ZT models are great, the new ones do nothing for me. But hey, that may be different for you. They've evolved from hard use tools to man jewelry fairly quickly in my eyes - again, which is great if that's what you want.
Click to expand...

Yep, nothing screams man jewelry like the 0909, 0562, 0620.

The old style ZT stuff is alive and well. They've just expanded to knives for people who don't need hard use tools. Nothing wrong with that.
 
Scurvy092 said:
Yep, nothing screams man jewelry like the 0909, 0562, 0620.

The old style ZT stuff is alive and well. They've just expanded to knives for people who don't need hard use tools. Nothing wrong with that.
Click to expand...

?

Okay?

I'm entitled to my opinion and you to yours. It gets tiresome seeing you chime in every time anyone so much as hints that they might be recommending against ZT.
 
I think this really comes down to if you prefer Axis Lock to frame lock. Both companies make great knives and have awesome warranties so this is a matter of preference.

As for suggestions of ZT models. I actually really like the 2016 releases. The 456, 909, 220 and 804CF are my favorites in no particular order. I have used the heck out of all 4 of these and been very impressed.
 
I love (certain) ZT knives.

The 350 series is every single thing that Emerson has ever done--only better.

The 300 series may just be the best large folding knife ever made (in my opinion, of course!)
 
Overall quality to ZT. Both have great CS & warranty.

If you want a nice light and capable EDC for under $200 I can recommend one from each company with a blade length of 3.25": ZT 0450CF and Benchmade 698 Foray.
 
NYOutdoors said:
?

Okay?

I'm entitled to my opinion and you to yours. It gets tiresome seeing you chime in every time anyone so much as hints that they might be recommending against ZT.
Click to expand...

I mean I know you stated it was your opinion on whether you liked them or not but claiming they've evolved from hard use tools to pocket jewelry is not an opinion, that's you stating something as a fact. A fact which is incorrect.

All I was doing was pointing out that ZT still has 'hard use' models in the lineup.
 
Scurvy092 said:
I mean I know you stated it was your opinion on whether you liked them or not but claiming they've evolved from hard use tools to pocket jewelry is not an opinion, that's you stating something as a fact. A fact which is incorrect.

All I was doing was pointing out that ZT still has 'hard use' models in the lineup.
Click to expand...

I think you may need to re-check the definition of opinion, and kindly express yours without negating someone else's.
 
In my experience ZT's quality has been far more consistent than BM, which seems to be hit or miss lately. I think KIA is really trying hard right now to be at the top of it's game, BM not so much. I'm really not the biggest flipper fan (or bearings for that matter), but the 0562cf, 0452cf, and 0801 are all different flavors of perfection IMO.

I have had more than a few Benchmades, and most of them had an issue of some kind, even if it is a small one. I took delivery of two 555-1's recently, one had above average axis lock blade play, the other was quite off center. Still enjoy carrying a 555, 940, or 484 quite a bit though.

Both ZT and BM have been unbelievable when it comes to great customer service.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top