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?

I think i paid 200 for it a few years ago, but have been very impressed with the Emerson Commander SBT with 'wave' feature.

The blade stayed sharp for quite a while under daily abuse at the auto shop.

But you have to keep the hinge very well oiled, the bronze bushing started wearing (what i would consider) prematurely from repeated opening and closing several times a day. I didnt think i would have to oil it so often. And i would have to snug the hinge screw to take up the slack from the worn bushing.

Plus its just a tad big and heavy for pocket edc, so after a few months i sent it to the BOB figuring it would be a great backup to a fixed.

Just judging from the pics of course the only thing that bugs me about the hest is that stinking square notch in the spine of the blade. I mean why? What purpose does it REALLY serve, none that I can think of. if you need to open a bottle, there are other ways. Just, to me to seem to give the steel somewhere to build up stress points for a failure.

I don't know, maybe I just need to stop looking and go with something I already have.

Spoken like the frugal man I know you to be LOL! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I sure hope frugal means CHEAP! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I will just about fret myself to death over something and then once I make the decision, I'm fine. I Like the looks of the zt550 but the 0200 is getting a lot of good words said about it. But a 4 inch folder blade! Don't know if I really want one that long. That's why I said something earlier (I think) about the Rake. Man that thing is purty! But I don't know how sturdy it really is.

Only downside of the ZT0200 that I can see is the weight. I THINK it's about 7-8 ounces. It would be bad to lose your pants while running because of your knife in your pocket.

Not that, you know, either of us will be doing very much running any time soon....

Running to the dinner table MAYBE, but in my case actually more of a waddle!

Depends on what's on the table, I could get there pretty quick if Susan is on her game! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />