Are ZT knives worth it?

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marcinek said:
Thanks. As I said before, I feel they are clunky and not worth it. I haven't spent the money on one, and don't intend to. Hey. The OP asked.
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So it sounds as though it's more of a genre issue with you, as opposed to build, quality, etc. If that is the case, I would say that would be fair.
 
Kai Corp. said:
So it sounds as though it's more of a genre issue with you, as opposed to build, quality, etc. If that is the case, I would say that would be fair.
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Thanks for telling me my opinion is acceptable. :thumbup:

If you would like to call my opinion a "genre issue" you are certainly free to! I guess the folding prybar genre doesn't hold worth to me. To me, the worth of knives is in cutting ability.

But, like I said, people seem to like them for some reason, and whatever reason that would be would be "fair" also, I suppose.
 
In response to the $100-$200 question the Benchmade 940 is a boss. I carried it nearly every day this summer. The 943 is another good option if you dont like the reverse tanto tip on the 940, but I love the blade shape.
as to the zero tolerance question, it just depends on what you are gonna use it for. If you need a big 'ol beefy knife and cant carry a small fixed blade for some reason, go ZT. But id take my 940 over any ZT for edc just because I dont have a need for something that big and bulky. But thats just my personal preference.
 
Some real fine, upstanding and polite people in this thread. I'm now browsing my favorite vendors and giving serious consideration to making my first ZT purchase as a result of reading here.
 
Their line hasn't really appealed to me until the just-released 801. It will be my first ZT knife.
From what I've read and seen, they are nice knives with a big following. People always have style and brand preferences. When I hear that someone doesn't like Spyderco I'm surprised but that's just the way it is.
 
marcinek said:
I feel they are clunky and not worth it.
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marcinek said:
I guess the folding prybar genre doesn't hold worth to me. To me, the worth of knives is in cutting ability.
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Generally speaking up until recently Zero Tolerance (ZT) knives "could be" categorized loosely as above. I think when most people hear about ZT knives they remember the big bad 0300 series (8.6" open - 8 ounces) or 0200 (8.75" open - 7.8 ounces). Remember those are the early ZT knives from 2006! ZT seems to be going back to its original mission of being a truly diversified producer of knives. This is evident with the 0801 and it will be further carried out with the upcoming 0566 (7.7" open - 5.3 ounces) and 0770CF (7.5" open - 3 ounces). These three folders will do more to appeal to a wider audience than anything said here.
 
I could tell you of all the stories I have had with my ZT 0200 (Blem) and ZT 0550 out on the trail and they're all good stories.

Needless to say, they are well build and can survive a lot of abuse (had a tree fall on my ZT 0550 and it's still around kicking. Even used the blade edge as a flat head screw driver to help repair a tool and barely dented the edge [the guys forgot their tool box...tsk]). I've used the 0200 to tear apart things that snapped my old Cold Steel American Lawman in half and the 0200 is still with me.

The upside also is you can customize the scales any way you wish and already have several scale makers on forum that I've seen.

Like many said, it's all subjective and depends on what you plan on using a Zero Tolerance for. For me, it's for heavy labor. No safe queens in my house.
 
In my experience, they're nice knives as long as you don't mind the weight. As an example, the 0801 is a great looking knife, that feels great, and works great, all for a reasonable price for what you get--but my similarly sized Spyderco Southard flipper weighs about two ounces less.
 
marcinek said:
Thanks for telling me my opinion is acceptable. :thumbup:

If you would like to call my opinion a "genre issue" you are certainly free to! I guess the folding prybar genre doesn't hold worth to me. To me, the worth of knives is in cutting ability.

But, like I said, people seem to like them for some reason, and whatever reason that would be would be "fair" also, I suppose.
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Ah, sorry my post caused you to respond like you did. No offense intended.

As to ZT's cutting abilities, I feel we do a decent job both with balance on our heavy field use pieces, and our city carries. Never had many complaints that our blades wouldn't cut. :confused:

We've used a lot of different premium steels over the years. We work with a lot of top designers. We're very recognized, with three straight Blade Show Overall Knives of the Year in a row (oh man do we have something planned for next year). The majority seem quite happy with our quality. We utilize a lot of Titanium, 3-D machining. Hopefully I'm not overhyping here. :D

As you say, I suppose it would indeed be fair to state that there is a strong following, and they are quite happy with their purchases. That usually doesn't happen randomly. We're just not that lucky I'm afraid. :)

The ZT line-up has a ways to go, and we've talked many times recently about how the line is evolving from those "clunky" patterns, to those that are more, "civilized" in their existence. Perhaps if you take some time to look over some of our new pieces, who knows maybe one might surprise you. :eek: :)
 
Count me a life time follower of the ZT brand (as long as they're continued to be made in America ;) )
 
Kai Corp. said:
Ah, sorry my post caused you to respond like you did. No offense intended.

As to ZT's cutting abilities, I feel we do a decent job both with balance on our heavy field use pieces, and our city carries. Never had many complaints that our blades wouldn't cut. :confused:

We've used a lot of different premium steels over the years. We work with a lot of top designers. We're very recognized, with three straight Blade Show Overall Knives of the Year in a row (oh man do we have something planned for next year). The majority seem quite happy with our quality. We utilize a lot of Titanium, 3-D machining. Hopefully I'm not overhyping here. :D

As you say, I suppose it would indeed be fair to state that there is a strong following, and they are quite happy with their purchases. That usually doesn't happen randomly. We're just not that lucky I'm afraid. :)

The ZT line-up has a ways to go, and we've talked many times recently about how the line is evolving from those "clunky" patterns, to those that are more, "civilized" in their existence. Perhaps if you take some time to look over some of our new pieces, who knows maybe one might surprise you. :eek: :)
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I do not, and have never owned a single ZT knife.

After reading this, I wanna buy this person a drink and throw an 801 in my pocket.

Great post, Kai.
 
evanPGH said:
I do not, and have never owned a single ZT knife.

After reading this, I wanna buy this person a drink and throw an 801 in my pocket.

Great post, Kai.
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Agreed, posts like this make me want to buy more ZTs. Same goes for the public communications from Spyderco. Companies that behave badly (e.g. CRK, Strider, etc.) can do without my money.
 
evilgreg said:
In my experience, they're nice knives as long as you don't mind the weight. As an example, the 0801 is a great looking knife, that feels great, and works great, all for a reasonable price for what you get--but my similarly sized Spyderco Southard flipper weighs about two ounces less.
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You just mentioned my favorite Zero Tolerance production folder (0801) and Spyderco production folder (Southard)! Outstanding flipper action on both. Southard due to its weight and slimmer profile is definitely easier to carry.

Part of the reason for the Southard (4.1 ounces) being lighter is because overall it's not as wide (including blade) plus one side of the handle is G10 whereas the ZT 0801 (5.8 ounces) is wider and carries two slabs of titanium. Look at the difference between the Spyderco Miltary (G10 on both sides) at 4.2 ounces and the Military with titanium (5.8 ounces) on both sides.

Would I like to see a ZT 0801 with full carbon fiber handles? Absolutely! I don't mean the Limited Edition 0801CF but something akin to the light handle of the 0777/0777M390. That should bring the ZT 0801 down from 5.8 ounces to under 4.5 ounces!
 
I am not a huge fan of hard use folders, but I have liked all the ZTs I've seen. I own a ZT200 and have beat the snot out of it. I would like to own a ZT300 or a ZT560, but they are going to have to wait for a while.
 
RamZar said:
You just mentioned my favorite Zero Tolerance production folder (0801) and Spyderco production folder (Southard)! Outstanding flipper action on both. Southard due to its weight and slimmer profile is definitely easier to carry.

Part of the reason for the Southard (4.1 ounces) being lighter is because overall it's not as wide (including blade) plus one side of the handle is G10 whereas the ZT 0801 (5.8 ounces) is wider and carries two slabs of titanium. Look at the difference between the Spyderco Miltary (G10 on both sides) at 4.2 ounces and the Military with titanium (5.8 ounces) on both sides.

Would I like to see a ZT 0801 with full carbon fiber handles? Absolutely! I don't mean the Limited Edition 0801CF but something akin to the light handle of the 0777/0777M390. That should bring the ZT 0801 down from 5.8 ounces to under 4.5 ounces!
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Great minds think alike--when I heard there was an 0801CF coming out I assumed full CF scales and was all "where do I send my money". Discovering it was just CF insets ruined my fantasy. I love the way the 0801 handles, and I realize it's a bigger knife in ways beyond blade length--but that two ounces (my pimped Southard weighs ~3.8oz) is the difference between "can I carry it in office environments" and not. In jeans, those two ounces mean nothing. In shorts or dress pants, though, my pimped Southard can still come along for the ride where an 0560 or 0801 would be awfully boat-anchor-ey.
 
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