6 New Zero Tolerance Folders Announced at the 2016 SHOT Show

[dkblade]

Since we're discussing and criticizing new ZT's, what do you think about this:

This has been bugging me since the first moment I saw this knife. Is it really so freaking hard to plug this hole? Look. they actually know that you can make it pretty:

They use super cool carbon fiber and CTS-204P blade and than fuck up like this? I just don't get it.

I'm with you on this. In fact, they should make it a dedicated RH or LH carry knife at that price! Really like this knife regardless.

 

[Scurvy092]

They look nice. However, if you want thumb studs. Boom...there are none.

True but my guess is if people bought manual thumb stud knives, they would made them. The vast majority of the market was assisted or bearing flippers.

I feel for you because I love a good manual thumb stud/hole/disc opener but I don't know if that's a majority opinion anymore.

Even Benchmade and Spyderco made concerted efforts to expand their bearing flipper offerings and its pretty much settled knowledge that if you want to sell a sub $50 knife in any kind of real volume, it has to be assisted.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

True but my guess is if people bought manual thumb stud knives, they would made them. The vast majority of the market was assisted or bearing flippers.

I feel for you because I love a good manual thumb stud/hole/disc opener but I don't know if that's a majority opinion anymore.

Even Benchmade and Spyderco made concerted efforts to expand their bearing flipper offerings and its pretty much settled knowledge that if you want to sell a sub $50 knife in any kind of real volume, it has to be assisted.

I think the Tenacious, Rat 1, Skyline and Voyager would beg to disagree.

 

[B.F.U]

I think the Tenacious, Rat 1, Skyline and Voyager would beg to disagree.

Plus countless others. I agree that is a big overstatement. But in regard to flippers, it does seem that's the way things are going. I don't mind too much, as I like thumb holes and flippers, but if a knife is a dedicated flipper it better open quick, well, and reliably. I don't think bearings are necessary for that as much as good construction and detent, but they certainly make it easier and more cost efficient for companies.

 

[GCG199]

I was having trouble deciding between the 0095 and the 0452CF.

Since they are offering the 0909, I will get that instead.

 

[50an6xy06r6n]

I don't think I can name a knife in that price range that has a reversible, sculpted clip with a filler tab in the opposite hole. I think this asking a little much considering everyone offering a sculpted clip in this price range has it tapped in only one location. I'm sure it doesn't actually cost very much to include a filler tab, but to expect it is a little unreasonable.

This is not something I really care about, but I was watching the SHOT Show videos and noticed that the new Kershaw Hinderer (Ferrite?) has a filler tab. So if they can put a filler tab in a $60 knife, they should be able to put one in a $200+ knife.

 

[Scurvy092]

I think the Tenacious, Rat 1, Skyline and Voyager would beg to disagree.

I can almost guarantee that the Cryo outsells every one of those knives combined.

The Leek probably does as well.

Hell, the sales from Amazon alone on either of those two probably is enough to do it.

I'm not sure people comprehend the sheer amount of sales involved.

 

[B.F.U]

I wish the Grid had better steel. Wouldn't mind a higher price.

 

[ebar]

Thanks for the post.

I can not wait to make me a Franken 0450! Satin blade with the CF :thumbup:.

Was thinking just the same thing. Have you done something similar before? Are ZT blades really interchangeable between two different lot knives?

 

[Insipid Moniker]

I can almost guarantee that the Cryo outsells every one of those knives combined.

The Leek probably does as well.

Hell, the sales from Amazon alone on either of those two probably is enough to do it.

I'm not sure people comprehend the sheer amount of sales involved.

If you go by sheer volume of sales assisted openers don't even register. Victorinox and Opinel outsell everything else by several orders of magnitude.

 

[M.Perry]

This is not something I really care about, but I was watching the SHOT Show videos and noticed that the new Kershaw Hinderer (Ferrite?) has a filler tab. So if they can put a filler tab in a $60 knife, they should be able to put one in a $200+ knife.

A filler tab should be a given on ZT knives. I'm sure they'll be available from places like MXGGEAR.COM, but they should already come with the knife.

 

[marcus52AR]

I like the shape and size of 456, it looks like it could compete with my domino. Not a fan of the blue accents and pivot style.

 

[footballplayerchris]

Thanks for the post.

I can not wait to make me a Franken 0450! Satin blade with the CF :thumbup:.

Since the 0450 series have steel lockbar inserts, just swap the blade and the lockbar insert. That way the engagement surfaces stay consistent through the swap. On knives without a lockbar insert, you can run across lockup issues trying to swap blades.

 

[flowfaster]

Since the 0450 series have steel lockbar inserts, just swap the blade and the lockbar insert. That way the engagement surfaces stay consistent through the swap. On knives without a lockbar insert, you can run across lockup issues trying to swap blades.

So we have the green light! Yeah I tried to swap blades on a couple of leeks one time and it didn't work out the well.

The new 0450cf looks nice too though on its own. I might need to pick up two and keep one in its original form. The 0450 is a really nice little knife. I love that it packs so much blade in a tiny, lightweight package. I edc the 0450 in an office setting and love it more than all the others in my collection for that purpose of course.

 

[M.Perry]

True but my guess is if people bought manual thumb stud knives, they would made them. The vast majority of the market was assisted or bearing flippers.

I feel for you because I love a good manual thumb stud/hole/disc opener but I don't know if that's a majority opinion anymore.

Even Benchmade and Spyderco made concerted efforts to expand their bearing flipper offerings and its pretty much settled knowledge that if you want to sell a sub $50 knife in any kind of real volume, it has to be assisted.

I hear ya. I have a couple flippers. It's just variety is the spice of life. Maybe, it's the direction knives are going, but it feels a little bit like a fad. Kind of like spinners on cars, or skinny jeans.
P.S. a little birdy told me Hinderer might make some more non-flippers this year, so thumb studs are a little more popular than some might think.

 

[Arviee]

Guys, I wanted to ask you about ZT's 0456 "pointy" sheepsfoot blade. Looking at the blade, what would you say about it's penetration capabilities?

 

[B.F.U]

Guys, I wanted to ask you about ZT's 0456 "pointy" sheepsfoot blade. Looking at the blade, what would you say about it's penetration capabilities?

It depends what you mean by that. It will be able to puncture into boxes, plastic packages, and most other things that you need to puncture into on a day to day basis.

 

[Quiet]

A filler tab should be a given on ZT knives. I'm sure they'll be available from places like MXGGEAR.COM, but they should already come with the knife.

What? Unless you want the price to increase, then no, no they shouldn't.

 

[Quiet]

It depends what you mean by that. It will be able to puncture into boxes, plastic packages, and most other things that you need to puncture into on a day to day basis.

Agreed. The edge isn't too far off from the Insingo's point, and I've been able to open pretty much anything with that tip. I LOVE this blade shape and can't wait to get one.

 

[M.Perry]

What? Unless you want the price to increase, then no, no they shouldn't.

There are much cheaper Kershaw's with them. ZT is supposed to be upscale. Filler tabs are cheap to produce.