Zero Tolerance 0350...The EDC ZT superstar...

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Aug 26, 2010
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I have been so impressed with the Zero Tolerance line of knives, I decided I would buy their latest superstar. The 0350. This knife was designed as a EDC carry variant of its big brother the 0300 line. As many of you know these knives are a direct collaboration with Strider knives and Ken Onion. One look at the the 0350 and you can see Striders handy work all through the knife. ZT states the 0350 is 10% smaller than the 0300 line. This number is very deceiving in real world carry. If you never were to handle the 0300 line, you would say the 0350 is a full mid size folder. "Over build" rings true across the 0350 as much as it does the 0300 line so again, the 10% smaller is kind of misleading .Its dimensions lend itself to a much more friendly EDC carry than the 0300 or 0200 line. The 0350 is flatter in design with rough G10 handles. The thick SS liners are just as impressive as the 0300. There is more steel used in the liner lock than most companies use as their frame. The blade pivot screw uses a more conventional torx bolt but once again, it is a huge pivot torx bolt. There is a distinctive sound ZT knives make when opened.."shlack!" That is the sound of bank volt lock up. Absolutely no movement in any direction. Its very satisfying and reassuring sound. ZT owners know what I am talking about.;) Carrying the 0350 as a Every Day Carry is pure joy. It works well in jeans, tactical pants or even sweat pants. You just forget you have it unlike its bigger brother the 0300 line. Its flat construction rides close and comfortable with out any flopping around. The ZT pocket clip is the same as the 0200 and 0300 line. It is stiff and excellent. The knife carries much lighter than the 6.2oz weight would have you believe. IMO it feels and carries like a 5oz knife. One thing I notice with the 0350 how it compares to the Strider knives. There isn't any wasted space between the blade and SS liners in the closed position. It is tight and perfectly centered. Jimping could not be any better. Its perfect for and aft of the handle for forward and reverse grips. The assisted speed safe opens the knife wicked fast. The S30V blade came razor scary sharp. It is much sharper than my 0200. The Tungsten DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating is the best I have ever seen on a coated blade. This stuff is tough and completes the over all theme of the Zero Tolerance knives. These knives are built too last generations. These knives do have a special feel about them and using them as a military,survival, or any application you want, they are up for it. The lock-up the feel and fit and finish is going to make ZT a legend in the knife world. These are a $400.00 knife at half price. The 0350 just makes EDC a lot more comfortable with out sacrificing any of the toughness. I recommend.:thumbup:
I called ZT because ZT no longer prints production dates on their blade. (thank you home land security)
My serial number of 4051 was made in 8/24/10.

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I measured the thickness of the knife not counting the pocket clip with my caliper...12.54mm no wonder it carries well.
Specs:
Steel: S30V stainless-steel with Tungsten DLC coating
Handle: Textured black G-10
Blade Length: 3-1/4 in. (8.25 cm)
Closed Length: 4-5/8 in. (11.75 cm)
Overall Length: 7-7/8 in. (20.002 cm)
Weight: 6.2 oz.
Pics were taken after I made tent stakes, and put the knife through some woods testing...notice not a mark on the DLC....:thumbup:
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Great review, but I don't agree with one thing: it's nowhere near the quality of what you can get for $400. It's not a Strider, Sebenza, etc. S30V is nice, but we're talking about plain steel liners, flat G10 scales, and, most importantly, MASS PRODUCTION.

Would I pay $200 for one without knowing the street price? Without a doubt. But for $400 you can get a mid-tech like a JYD, a Sebenza, a Strider, or a completely handmade Ti framelock folder by lesser known makers.

-eth
 
Aren't Striders and Sebenzas mass produced as well? But with a much greater attention to detail and tight tolerances?

That aside, my ZT 0301 killed off any desire for a Strider knife, though I mostly bought it because of its size and the fact that one of those went through Ankerson's videos and ended up with "Zero Blade Play". Good enough for me:thumbup:.

I usually don't fork over the big bucks unless a reputable super steel is in the knife and compliments the ergonomics.
 
What the 0350 did for me was to give me a heavy duty ZT folder that I can comfortably carry in any situation. I love my 0200 but if it's a bit too big/heavy, I may not have it on me unless I was on a planned outing in the woods. A lot of times I don't know if I am going to be in the woods after I leave the house. Now there is a 100% chance I will have a heavy duty ZT folder on me. As far as a Strider comparisons...I don't believe the Strider is any more tough than a ZT. From the abuse test I have seen on YouTube, the ZT is probably tougher.;). The ZT knives come razor sharp, are smooth right out of the box, and lock up with absolutely no play. I forgot, why am I buying a Strider for a field knife????:p:D
 
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Hey, great review! I just picked up my 0350 in the mail today and it is fantastic! I agree in the sense that I feel the ZT knives are superior to Striders, especially when they are sometime less that half the price point. I plan on buying a 0302 next and can't wait to see what that is like!
 
My blade was perfectly centered... Was yours? I am curious because all the ZT knives I have handled had perfect blade centering.
I have always had Kershaw knives with the speed safe so I tend to take that feature for granted. I can open the knife easily with my left hand with 3 fingers. Its a huge asset I forgot to mention in my review.
 
My blade was perfectly centered... Was yours? I am curious because all the ZT knives I have handled had perfect blade centering.
I have always had Kershaw knives with the speed safe so I tend to take that feature for granted. I can open the knife easily with my left hand with 3 fingers. Its a huge asset I forgot to mention in my review.

My blade is perfectly centered as well. Fit and finish is really top notch. This is also the best assisted knife I've owned. I like it much better than both the SOG and Benchmade systems. I especially like how when you close the blade, there isn't a huge ridge of resistance and it's more like a manual blade that closes with ease. And not to mention the sound it makes when you open it.
 
Mine (Ser# 2517) was bought for $145.00 and is my weekend workhorse knife. I am very pleased with the quality and workability of this knife.
 
I have an love my 302, so i dont know if I would drop the coin on a 350 as its kind of a downgrade as far as lock and materials is concerned(not blade both are S30v). However if I got the chance to hold one it might be nice to have the little brother of the 300 series.

Being a strider/sebenza/hinder/blah blah owner I really do love the ZT line. I carry my 302 all the time now and its the grooves on TI slab that really finish the knife off. I dont see the 302 lacking at all compared to the Striders.
 
I come late to this thread; Morales, can you tell us what had you cut with your 350 before it had such scratches? Thanks.
 
It was good ol' plain cardboard, in which my new kitchen was delivered. Some of it was kinda double-layered cardboard, so it was tough fpr the coating in a certain way. I have to add that the blade itself came into contact with WD40 one day and the coating really didn't seem to like that. After all, I don't mind as it is a user blade which should show some 'scars'. I love it just the way it is.
 
I have an love my 302, so i dont know if I would drop the coin on a 350 as its kind of a downgrade as far as lock and materials is concerned(not blade both are S30v). However if I got the chance to hold one it might be nice to have the little brother of the 300 series.

Being a strider/sebenza/hinder/blah blah owner I really do love the ZT line. I carry my 302 all the time now and its the grooves on TI slab that really finish the knife off. I dont see the 302 lacking at all compared to the Striders.

Glad you're liking the ZT! Do yourself a favor and don't pick a 0350 up unless you want to spend a little money. They're nice, very!
 
My blade was perfectly centered... Was yours? I am curious because all the ZT knives I have handled had perfect blade centering.
I have always had Kershaw knives with the speed safe so I tend to take that feature for granted. I can open the knife easily with my left hand with 3 fingers. Its a huge asset I forgot to mention in my review.

For those of us who live in a manual world, would you kindly explain a big about the speed safe feature.

If I want a manual knife, how easy is it to use the thumb tabs?

Thanks.
 
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Um, WD-40 is great for cleaning blades. The pics make that blade just look kinda dirty...

Just an FYI, cardboard is made cheap and really has a ton of abrasives (read: dirt) in the heavy duty packaging variety. It will abuse most any finish or coating.
 
Got mine at a gun show and noticed one side of the blade completely flat but the other had a slight bump on it. You can hardly notice it unless you pass your finger over it. Is this normal ?

Thanks
 
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