I don't figure he will Adam. And thanks. Was just wondering. I have a couple of "look alike" (sorta) benchmades and they don't have liners.

Gary, check out the Kizer4416 knives (compares to the big ZT you got with the tiger striped blade). I have one and IT IS NICE.

The Spyderco Pacific Salt I had had frn handles without liners. I liked that knife, but it grew legs and left me.

Interesting Spidy. It probably got to lusting for saltier waters and headed back to the Pacific. I've heard they are good knives. It is the one that won't rust, right?

I am one click away from ordering the Kizer 3416A2.

Most of the ZT knives are nice for sure, but most of them just don't do all that much for me, at least the ones I've actually seen.

Adam, no worries at all - saves me from typing out answers on my iPhone!

Randy, I currently have 4 Soydercos and they all have stainless liners nested into the resin handles.

Randy, I like the look of the Kizer and the price seems reasonable.

Quick review of the ZTs:

301 = beast! This feels GREAT and as if it'll take any abuse you'd give it. It is, however, a BIG knife. It's also heavy. I'm worried sharpening a recurve edge will be difficult. LOVE the assisted opening.

350 = my least favorite for "feel". It is lighter and smaller than the 301, but not enough to justify the weight. Feels "cheaper" too. Recurve and assisted opening same as the 301.

550 = HARD TO OPEN! It's tight and no flipper. I opened it about 100 times and it's smoothing out to feel like it's on bearings. Super quality knife. If it had a flipper I'd rate this very highly.

561 = Surprisingly light for its size. Feels great in the hand. A little hard to open (will it smooth out / wear in)? Nice blade size and profile, but this is a BIG pocket knife.

At this time all I've done is handle them. Based upon initial impressions, my order of preference (favorite to least favorite):

301
561
350
550

I'm going to handle them more, and figure out where they fit into my life. I've never been a folder person, and still feel a fixed blade is better...but these are so brutally stout I have confidence they'd not let me down. It's now a matter of deciding what I need out of a folder and which two best fill the role.

I know one of these will end up in my wife's purse. She carries a few survival essentials (lighter, water purification tablets, flashlight and knife). One of these ZT will be much better in this role than the Spyderco Endura 4 she currently has. She's already approved the extra weight.

Another will end up being my "causal wear" knife. I already have a gentlemen's folder for work so the ZT will be my "other times" carry knife. My work life is tame and doesn't necessarily need a stout folder (have a small survival kit in my briefcase that MIGHT get a ZT instead of a Swamp Warden). The rest of the time I feel under equipped with a light duty knife. This is where I think a ZT excels - as long as I can stand carrying a 7 ounce folder!

Gary. Kizer also makes a Mini version, called the KI3416 with a 2.5 inch blade that is .120 inch thick. Here it is


Kizer Cutlery, 3416A2, 2.5 in S35VN Drop Point Blade, Linerlock, Green Handle Folder

This knife is one of the smaller folders made by Kizer, which makes it perfect for your everyday carry.
The satin finished S35VN blade is a drop point style that measures 2.5 inches.
The nicely green textured G-10 handle scales are curved and have a finger groove so that it fits perfect in your hand.
The end of the handle has a lanyard hole and a tip-up titanium pocket clip so you can change up the way you carry it.
The lock mechanism on this mini Kizer is a liner lock that is made
of Rainbow anodized 64I4V Titanium to insure that when opened it is secure in even the toughest jobs.
The blade opens smoothly using the ambidextrous thumb studs.

Specifications:
Overall: 6.125"
Blade Length: 2.50"
Blade Thickness: .12"
Blade Material: CPM-S35VN
Blade Finish: Satin
Blade Type: Plain Edge
Blade Style: Drop Point
Handle Length: 3.625"
Handle Material: Green Textured G-10
Open: Thumb Stud - ambidextrous
Lock Mechanism: Linerlock
Pocket Clip: Titanium Tip up
Weight: 2.9 oz.

Country of Origin : China
IF you are interested I can PM you a link to the cheapest price I've found for it.

I have carried the full size version for a few weeks and although it is a large knife, I think that it carries nicely. And when it opens up, that 3/16 inch thick blade combined with the liner lock gives you a great sense that it will handle anything.