Need help deciding on a knife

replicant_argent · 03-20-2011, 09:05 AM

Could you have picked two more vastly different knives?
I carry a ZT0350, and it most certainly is carry-able in a pocket, however the width of the blade and handle and the edges may preclude use of that pocket without taking a scratch or gouge out of the back of your hand. A dedicated pocket such as in tac-lites work well, or for me, a knife like that rides in the corner of a cargo pocket. The bearing surface of the ZT vs. the piranha is larger (wider) and would probably be better in a torsional sense. It is MUCH heavier, but some things are acceptable for size and weight constraints and the weight may be one of the lesser important qualities. Steel choice? 154CM vs. S30V. Tough. I would also look at the pocket edge shredibility factor. That G10 will likely treat a pair of regular khakis like a squeaky toy at a dogpound. Factor in a couple extra pairs a year to look sharp if you want to carry an aggressive G10 handled knife for heavy work edc use. Love the DLC coatings on the ZT knives, and the pearlescent nature of it pleases me, especially in bright light. The aluminum treatment on the Piranha is also highly attractive however. The slight compound curve on the ZT will be slightly more difficult to sharpen, but has a great belly. The Piranha is a load lighter, would be more pocketable, has no real belly and will be easy to sharpen, but during hard edc work, you will be using that point quite a bit more, not only putting wear on the slimmer profile of the point of it, but subjecting it to much more stresses than a knife with a deeper belly. Deep, safe finger choil on the ZT, none on the Piranha, How sweaty are your hands, and do you like them not slipping forward on a piece of surgically sharp steel?

Pick 2 more similar knives, repost a poll, and then I will vote.

Bill86 · 03-20-2011, 01:00 PM

Pete makes some good points but considering that it is just cardboard boxes I don't see that giving any sharp knife of good quality much trouble. I will say the ZTs do come scary sharp not sure on the Piranha.

Or you could always sell off 4-5 of those knives you collect and get a Rick Hinderer XM-18 3.5 inch. There isn't a better knife on the planet. They carry well, not too heavy, great slicing blade and are built like slim profile tanks. I only wish I could afford one.

longknocker · 03-22-2011, 02:53 PM

I Voted Zero Tolerance Just Because I Like The Look & Heft, Better, Mark. Never Had One, Though. Either Choice Would Work For Cutting Cardboard, Though. My Boss At Work Uses A Small Automatic Benchmade Everyday For Cutting Just About Everything. Very Nice Action, It's Not Too Large To Carry In Your Pocket & Doesn't Scare People.

longknocker · 03-22-2011, 02:56 PM

What About This One?
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Benchmade-Impel--4802

captain53 · 03-23-2011, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longknocker

What About This One?
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Benchmade-Impel--4802

If I had the luxury of living in an auto-knife legal State I would for sure be owning one of these. Really nice pocket piece.

Old Saying - The longer the knife the greener the hunter!

View Poll Results: Which knife??
Zero Tolerance 0200	10	58.82%
Piranha Mini Bodyguard	7	41.18%
Voters: 17. You may not vote on this poll

03-20-2011, 09:05 AM	#1
replicant_argent Gravy Boat Winnah. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: my attorney has advised against giving this information to insane people Posts: 5,326 Trading: (22)	Re: Need help deciding on a knife Could you have picked two more vastly different knives? I carry a ZT0350, and it most certainly is carry-able in a pocket, however the width of the blade and handle and the edges may preclude use of that pocket without taking a scratch or gouge out of the back of your hand. A dedicated pocket such as in tac-lites work well, or for me, a knife like that rides in the corner of a cargo pocket. The bearing surface of the ZT vs. the piranha is larger (wider) and would probably be better in a torsional sense. It is MUCH heavier, but some things are acceptable for size and weight constraints and the weight may be one of the lesser important qualities. Steel choice? 154CM vs. S30V. Tough. I would also look at the pocket edge shredibility factor. That G10 will likely treat a pair of regular khakis like a squeaky toy at a dogpound. Factor in a couple extra pairs a year to look sharp if you want to carry an aggressive G10 handled knife for heavy work edc use. Love the DLC coatings on the ZT knives, and the pearlescent nature of it pleases me, especially in bright light. The aluminum treatment on the Piranha is also highly attractive however. The slight compound curve on the ZT will be slightly more difficult to sharpen, but has a great belly. The Piranha is a load lighter, would be more pocketable, has no real belly and will be easy to sharpen, but during hard edc work, you will be using that point quite a bit more, not only putting wear on the slimmer profile of the point of it, but subjecting it to much more stresses than a knife with a deeper belly. Deep, safe finger choil on the ZT, none on the Piranha, How sweaty are your hands, and do you like them not slipping forward on a piece of surgically sharp steel? Pick 2 more similar knives, repost a poll, and then I will vote. __________________ www.stogietorch.com Some days call for a stiff Pomade. Last edited by replicant_argent; 03-20-2011 at 09:13 AM.

03-20-2011, 01:00 PM	#2
Bill86 Snob Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Bill Posts: 6,704 Trading: (67)	Re: Need help deciding on a knife Pete makes some good points but considering that it is just cardboard boxes I don't see that giving any sharp knife of good quality much trouble. I will say the ZTs do come scary sharp not sure on the Piranha. Or you could always sell off 4-5 of those knives you collect and get a Rick Hinderer XM-18 3.5 inch. There isn't a better knife on the planet. They carry well, not too heavy, great slicing blade and are built like slim profile tanks. I only wish I could afford one. Last edited by Bill86; 03-20-2011 at 01:05 PM.

03-22-2011, 02:53 PM	#3
longknocker Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 11,245 Trading: (82)	Re: Need help deciding on a knife I Voted Zero Tolerance Just Because I Like The Look & Heft, Better, Mark. Never Had One, Though. Either Choice Would Work For Cutting Cardboard, Though. My Boss At Work Uses A Small Automatic Benchmade Everyday For Cutting Just About Everything. Very Nice Action, It's Not Too Large To Carry In Your Pocket & Doesn't Scare People.

03-22-2011, 02:56 PM	#4
longknocker Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 11,245 Trading: (82)	Re: Need help deciding on a knife What About This One? http://www.bladehq.com/item--Benchmade-Impel--4802