Well for me in cali, you can conceal a folder, but not a fixed blade. So that's a big reason why I want the ZT300, its the closes thing to a fixed, but I don't like the AO.

I've seen people carry the ZT300 around and it didn't look that bad, but that was in BDUs. Anyone have a shot with it wearing jeans or something?

For me, and right now, I consider a folder as a just a slicer (after abusing too many of them). I really don't see the point of having an extreme thick stock on a folder, but a nice long blade is definitely nice. With a folder, I can get a much longer edge than on a small fix blade. Plus, I don't need a sheath with a folder.

Let me take the Rukus as an example when compared to an AD. The Rukus has a much longer blade than a AD, .75 in longer. The cutting edge of the Rukus is probably even longer due to Busse's oversized choil. From what I see, the Rukus cutting length is at least an inch longer than the AD's. The Rukus folded is also almost two inches shorter than an AD when folded.

Which would I use more frequently?

The Rukus. It would definitely make a better cutter than an AD. It's also easier to carry, has a longer more utilitarian blade and I don't need a sheath. Of course the AD is much stronger than a Rukus, but if I needed to destroy something, I'd probably reach for my FBM. EDCing a folder is much more practical than EDCing a small fixed blade with a blade length of 3.5" or shorter. I mean, unless your fine carrying a RMD work, by all means do it.

Also, the Rukus, as long as it is folded fits in my pocket fine. In fact, the high clip really just makes the knife disappear in my pocket until I need it. I can even carry inside my the waist of my pants comfortably. In fact, when it's on my waist, it feels so natural because of how low it rides.

That's just me.

Also, for me, overbuilt folding knives are just too dang cool....... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

But to be fair, I still really want a Fat Warden, an Off Duty, and a Meaner Street. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/paperbag.gif" alt="" />

I like my large folders (Manix in particular) for heavy cutting chores that are not "hard use" situations - like breaking down 20 cardboard boxes to take to recycling. I could use a smaller knife, but that large folder has plenty of blade and is quite sharp - it takes up a good portion of my jean pockets, but isn't too large to carry (and its a very large folder).

I don't like large folders for their toughness - more for the amount of usable cutting edge.

I rarely carry only a large folder - I'll usually carry a small folder for most tasks, and add a large folder if I'm going to be doing a lot of cutting.

+1 to sharps comment. Believe me, I would love to have a small, EDC fixed that i could carry. It would be both stronger and more comfortable. However, when you look at the role that a small fixed blade plays in more people's tool array (light work like slicing), it typically is used for tasks that require neither strength nor absolute comfort. Furthermore, folders are less scary to people unused to knives (like all of Sharp and my friends). The people i spend time with, sadly, would FREAK if I suddenly whipped out a fixed blade to slice an apple or cut a box, whereas pulling out may griptillian only generates quizzical glances. I carry a folder because i believe that it can accomplish all of the light task that one might throw at a knife that size, its more compact, and because it just plain freaks people out less.

That said, if you're in an area of the country where the culture finds it permissible to EDC a straight knife, go right ahead!

tested out the tenacious with a little firestarting today. did quite well, but not great with the ferro rod.

if you don't care for the manix's toughness but do like all the blade it packs, the tenacious is an easy choice.

then again, so's the rat1, 110, endura, adventurer...

the zt0302 is huge and impractical. just like all our favorite busse knives. frickin' awesome.

i've said it before: anyone trying to find logic in our knife collecting is kidding themselves. if you've got more than one busse, scrapper, or swamp rat, you've already gone way beyond 'practicality.' to be honest, even one breaks that barrier most of the time. if you wanna be practical, get a swisstool, a mora, and a machete.

true that. i don't need a ZT0200, but then again, I don;t need half the @#$% i own. But I've never heard someone describe our situation so succinctly and perfect as you did Mag22.

"Anyone trying to find logic in our knife collecting is kidding themselves"

same thing applies to the "no safe queens" mentality.

i have two FBMs. one will withstand anything i will ever put it through for longer than i will live. why do i have to use the other one? if i want a change, i have the dfle (like new), dfcg (sitting in the post office), rtak2(like new), and a bunch of khuks(chopper of choice, main users). all those poor, abused knives...shivering in my knife drawer.