0400 wet dream

O

Ore_Ele

Joined
Feb 10, 2012
Messages
341
So, I just got to put my hands on an old 0400. Pretty nice, nothing special (unless you really like tanto blades). But it has a cool inlay pattern made out of the same stuff as the 1670 Blur.

Now recently, kershaw has begun putting forward some 1670 Blurs that have this freaking cool Carbon Fiber inlay in there, rather than that rubber stuff (see where I'm going with this?). That CF raised the cost of the Blur by $40 (from $110 to $150 msrp). Couldn't they do the same with the 0400 and have the price raise maybe $60 or $70 (from $150 to $210 or $220)?

I don't care too much for CF as solid handles, but when used as inlays (like in the 1670CFs) they provide an utterly beautiful contrast is shine, texture, and grip. And if it is a ZT that is running around $220 (or even $250) that has that same beauty, with the classic beast like power of the knife, well...

Someone at Kershaw ZT probably already thought to this, but maybe have that thought one more time?
 
I think the 0400 may be discontinued. I don't think it was/is a hot seller, so the added cost probably wouldn't help that at all.
 
Yep it's been discontinued. Nice knife, I just don't think the tanto went over very well. It's not very hard to remove the rubber insert and replace it with whatever you like.

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seems odd that a tanto ZT wouldn't do well, when the tanto blur does pretty darn well. Did the 0400 have issues that were unable to get worked out?
 
Ore_Ele said:
seems odd that a tanto ZT wouldn't do well, when the tanto blur does pretty darn well. Did the 0400 have issues that were unable to get worked out?
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The only issue I can think of is that is wasn't selling as well as it could have.
 
RevDevil said:
The only issue I can think of is that is wasn't selling as well as it could have.
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But it didn't have any other issues than lack of popularity? No inlays that kept falling out, or blades not lining up while closing or anything? Nothing to make me change my mind about wanting one?

Now I'm just curious, why wouldn't people like it? Trying to think of what separates it from other, better liked ZTs, it seems the only two differences that jump out are the Tanto blade and those rubber inlays. If the lack of popularity was from the Tanto blade, why does ZT think that the 0700 would do better (and at a higher price)? What gives that an edge over the 0400? If it is the inlays, that maybe people think rubber inlays (or whatever they are made out of) are not high enough quality for ZT knives, maybe the different material might be just what they need.

Anyway, if ZT doesn't want to do it that is their call. I'll just have to get one and find some other way through a 3rd party (though I love the warranty so much :().
 
I can see it not selling well. whenever i went to droll over blades every store always had it in stock even when they were sold out of the 350s
 
I like tantos very much and, in fact, I'm in the market for one now. The 0400 though, doesn't appeal to me because of the extreme blade grind. I would much prefer a traditional tanto grind or a more conservataive American tanto grind. The 0400 looks like mall ninja stuff to me.
 
0400 is my second favorite Kershaw/ZT. I'd love to see different inlays in it and maybe different colors ;) Only problems I have with mine is how difficult it is to sharpen and it makes a funny noise like that spring is wiggling around. Ergos, looks, quality and size are just what I like in a knife.
 
Regarding the inlays, FWIW, I have seen real wood veneer material that comes in a roll and is self adhesive.
 
Willieboy said:
I like tantos very much and, in fact, I'm in the market for one now. The 0400 though, doesn't appeal to me because of the extreme blade grind. I would much prefer a traditional tanto grind or a more conservataive American tanto grind. The 0400 looks like mall ninja stuff to me.
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That extreme blade grind works very well. The point is great for stabbing and using like an Exact O knife, and the curve of the main part of the blade really works well for staying on the object being cut. Sort of like a mild Hawkbill curve. The only issue is that without something like a Sharpmaker or some talent on some paper wheels it's a PIA to sharpen. That may be what turned people off. Give Kershawguy a holler and pick up one of the Grooves with the tanto blade. He has them pretty cheap and and they are sturdy. It's a great way to try out that style of tanto without dropping a hundred dollar bill.
 
The tanto groove (1730tblk) is what I'm currently using as my EDC and I absolutely love it. I'm really just looking at the 0400 as a display, because it already has the inlay parts to make it easy to change them with something more eye catching.
 
Ore_Ele said:
But it didn't have any other issues than lack of popularity? No inlays that kept falling out, or blades not lining up while closing or anything? Nothing to make me change my mind about wanting one?

Now I'm just curious, why wouldn't people like it? Trying to think of what separates it from other, better liked ZTs, it seems the only two differences that jump out are the Tanto blade and those rubber inlays. If the lack of popularity was from the Tanto blade, why does ZT think that the 0700 would do better (and at a higher price)? What gives that an edge over the 0400? If it is the inlays, that maybe people think rubber inlays (or whatever they are made out of) are not high enough quality for ZT knives, maybe the different material might be just what they need.

Anyway, if ZT doesn't want to do it that is their call. I'll just have to get one and find some other way through a 3rd party (though I love the warranty so much :().
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Well a lack of popularity would be taken to mean not enough sales. Common sense really.
The knives I've seen and I currently own 2 of the 0400s are not wildly defective as you might suggest. The knives are designed for for people that need tough folders, try pulling out an assisted opening, all black tanto blade at work and see how long it takes for HR to get around to speaking with you. ;)
 
I think one thing that hurt it was how the popularity of the ZT0200, and ZT03XX grew from the very beginning. I've seen the 0400 described as an XL Blur. As for the tanto blade, I like it, but I like some of the mall ninja blade's, and that's just how I am, with no excuses for it!:D I don't have the 0400 but it is one of those knives I always consider buying when nothing else get's my interest. Only problem is that has not happened yet. But if discontinued, then I need to go ahead and plan for one while still available.
 
cutter17 said:
I think one thing that hurt it was how the popularity of the ZT0200, and ZT03XX grew from the very beginning. I've seen the 0400 described as an XL Blur. As for the tanto blade, I like it, but I like some of the mall ninja blade's, and that's just how I am, with no excuses for it!:D I don't have the 0400 but it is one of those knives I always consider buying when nothing else get's my interest. Only problem is that has not happened yet. But if discontinued, then I need to go ahead and plan for one while still available.
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Try to find one that was manufactured prior to 2008. I had one from prod year '07, and it was flawless. It also had the old style grip-tape inserts, which I love. I'm not a fan of the black cork inserts on the current production Blur and the later 0400's.
 
I love my 0400 and it rides in my pocket daily, it fits my hand better than the 0350 and my pockets better than the 0300. I have to say that I didn't like the blade shape when I first got it but it grows on you. I think the op's idea about cf inserts would make the knife too slippery, the grippy insert is the only thing that makes the knife feel secure in hand in my opinion
 
erf0400 is a fantastic knife. People are scared of the 'nightmare' grind. Mine is centered, flawless, ergo-perfect. Wish this stupid Toshiba laptop was half as good!
 
I have a question to ZT 0400 owners.

I have a Groove Tanto and the blade has a hollow ground hawkbill and a flat ground tip.

I am wondering if the 0400 has both flat ground edges, but at different angles from each other. Can someone hold a straight edge or piece of paper to the hawkbill grind and tell me if its flat or hollow ground.

Trying to figure out if I really need to get one of these. I like them and have wanted one for a while but never got around to it.
 
I think my 0400 is a fantastic knife,carries well,is very light and the tanto blade is just Kick
A$$ awesome. I rotate my 400 with my 560 and the 200.
 
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