Blade Magazine 2012 Overall Knife Of The Year®: ZT 0888 by ZT Knives (added 4 pics).

[jdm61]

Spot on. Kershaw is a production company, therefore they have to provide their distributor and dealer network with product and keep those guys happy so they keep coming back for more. They do not have the "luxury" that a custom maker like me or a mitech company of selling directly to the end user, at least not if they want to keep that line running and pay the bills with a little bit left over to take home at the end of the day.

Kershaw's plan for distribution of the 0888, could not be more fair, in my opinion. They have a great dealer base in place and they have to try and keep everyone as happy as they can. Hopefully the majority of the dealers operate the same way. My preorder lists are first come first served basis and I don't play the game of giving anyone priority, or bumping someone so that Joe or Fred can get a knife. Are you on a list ? At this time you should be on several lists to insure that you will get one, at least that is what I would do. Kershaw is doing their job and I know for a fact , that they are being as fair and equitable as they can and still be able to run a business.

[Coalman]

Stupid question here. Why can't ZT sell directly at MSRP?
I got out of collecting years ago out of frustration chasing the latest sprint run.
I have the income but not the time. I own a small (25 emp.) custom mfg. company and can fully appreciate the "baby steps" process and it's difficult and dangerous decisions. Perhaps ZT could be as inventive with the distribution process as it has been with its wonderful products. Either way, we've all benefitted from their contribution.

[kneedeep]

Not a stupid question, but can you imagine what that would do to Kershaw/ZT's relationship with their distributors/dealers?

"We've got the hottest new knife of the year, but we decided we are going to only sell it direct to end-users."

:P

[locomoconomo]

KneeDeep,
I owe you an apology for Hijacking your thread for what has amounted to little more than a snipe hunt, I misinterpreted it as more of a general discussion thread on the new model. I would like to commend you on the beautiful photos of the 888, they are indeed some beautiful macros. Thank you for contributing them.

Having said that, here is my final post on the subject. Moderators, please feel free to move my/any posts that are off topic to a new thread as you see fit. Thanks.

To Thomas and Dave and others,
I have re-read my posts for clarity and I can see where you might think I was bashing dealer business practices but I assure you that was not my intent. In post #55 I painted a scenario whereby a dealer contacts a customer known for purchasing expensive limited production knives, effectively defining "a well connected knife enthusiast". I am not suggesting that this business practice is in any way unethical, in fact, quite the opposite. My hope, by posting as I did, was to suggest my personal frustration, which I am sure is shared by others, regarding the opportunity to purchase a knife like this and hopefully spark some discussion regarding some options for making the opportunity available to a broader spectrum of the knife buying public.

In post #59 Thomas, you suggest I implied a "conspiracy" exists regarding knife distribution. I can assure you that is not the case. That there is no clear way for those of us who are interested in purchasing this knife to determine which outlets will receive the knives is a fact. The reasons that keep this information from being public knowledge are unknown and irrelevant and certainly do not deserve any ethical valuations one way or the other. This is the "mysterious process" which sometimes separates informed buyers from purchasing opportunities. That too is a fact that has no ethical component.

Dave, your integrity as a dealer is certified by your sterling reputation here on the forum and I can attest to that personally by our recent correspondence regarding a SW Tilt option I was unable to capitalize on. Please do not take anything from my comments in this thread that would suggest I have animosity towards Kershaw dealer network.

Coming full circle, I'll consider the topic of a "lottery" of opportunity moot. As our friend RockSpyder so aptly put it in post #29, "it IS, just a Knife" after all.

-Loco

[sharalds]

Just a thought that the knife plus the pictures are to much for a mere mortal to take and envey in the extreme is the result?

[austonh]

I have seen this knife on BladeHQ (as coming soon) for a while now, but their pictures suck and I didn't even click on the knife to check it out. Your pictures have done a great job of truly revealing this knife and I can see why it won overall knife of the year; well done sir!

As per the limited production and availability, I don't want to spend that kind of money on a knife that will sit on my desk anyway. I see these types of knives akin to Audi's or BMW F1 teams. Aside from the publicity, those teams and cars function as test beds for new technologies that are introduced into production lines.

[kneedeep]

Loco -
No worries, I don't mind the discussion. I am here to hype the knife!

Sharalds -
That is the one of the goals of the photos. I want to make sure that there is enough demand to make sure the knife gets produced. I may be shooting myself in the foot though, if I generate too much demand I may reduce my already slim chances of getting one.

Austonh -
Thank you! Quite a compliment.
I do think you get the point of these knives.
From the feel of the knife and the build, the 0888 would be very difficult to keep on the desk. That is one knife that is begging to be carried (in either steel), despite the price.

[Noctis3880]

Wait, Maxamet? Really? If I'm reading the numbers right, I'm looking at 6% Vanadium, 13% Tungsten, and 10% Cobalt. It's not stainless, but that alloy content seems like it would make me look more fondly at the prospect of sharpening S125V.

[mr_anderson]

Guys, really. Everyone here is on the same knife forum, we are all on the same playing field when it comes to getting one of these knives. Granted, some are friends with dealers, some are not, but that doesn't always guarantee a knife. I've been on the forums for years, and the Tilt got right by me, I happen to get a DLC from a dealer on eBay, and 2 stonewashed from another dealer and street price. It took a lot of emailing and watching my inbox, but I got them. So If you want them, all it takes is a little work.

[spyken]

where can I find a list of the Kershaw dealers I can try and place a pre-order with? Thanks in advance....

[danroot]

so question on the 888, when will microtech be making a copy?

[BLUEGINGER]

Hmm...funny and sad at the same time. Anyway you have a true gift with a camera kneedeep. Wonderful pictures.

[elchris123]

WOW! talk about mixing sexy and a blade into one package. looks good, wish I could get my paws on one. and I like that someone is using titanium appropriately, since it is relatively flexy. Shouldnt be a problem here though (based on me judging from the pictures and description)

[BLUEGINGER]

I just hope they leave it as is and don't mill out the ti. I like the thought of having the substantial weight in the pocket. Seems to just fit the smoothness of the design better.