Both the ZT and DPx HEST are touted as rugged "hard use" folders. I love ZT knives. I have 3 of them, 0200, 0301, & 0350. All of them have superb fit and finish. All of them are fast opening and rugged. The HEST folders have had spotty quality control. When you get a good one, they are great, but some of them are terrible. The warranty is good and I have a good one now. Hopefully, they will get the problems sorted out with the next few batches. As rugged as the ZTs are, the HEST is even more beastly. The blade on the HEST is nearly twice as thick as the one on the ZT0350. It is D2 tool steel. It's even thicker than the ZT0300 or the Benchmade Skirmish.



I prefer both the blade shape and the handle shape of the HEST to the ZT. But I still like the ZT, and love the flipper assisted opening feature.



The HEST is surely tough, but for the money, I'd still say go with ZT. How rugged does a folder need to be?