Are ZT knives worth it?

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Kai Corp. said:
Ah, sorry my post caused you to respond like you did. No offense intended.
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That's very kind of you. Admittedly, I get a bit sensitive when company rep/moderators start declaring whether opinions about their products are fair or not. Particularly outside their dedicated subforums.

I'm sure that you intended no "intent."

Bottom line, I'm a slicer guy and slicers are what I feel are worthy of spending money on. De gustibus, and the OP did ask.
 
marcinek said:
That's very kind of you. Admittedly, I get a bit sensitive when company rep/moderators start declaring whether opinions about their products are fair or not. Particularly outside their dedicated subforums.

I'm sure that you intended no "intent."

Bottom line, I'm a slicer guy and slicers are what I feel are worthy of spending money on. De gustibus, and the OP did ask.
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I'm the same, though I do get swayed by some of the heavier designs. I just think back to my Blur, which I loved and still loved, and my original hunt for something that would slice better than that, and start to feel foolish about overbuilt folders. That is what fixed blades are for.
 
marcinek said:
That's very kind of you. Admittedly, I get a bit sensitive when company rep/moderators start declaring whether opinions about their products are fair or not. Particularly outside their dedicated subforums.

I'm sure that you intended no "intent."

Bottom line, I'm a slicer guy and slicers are what I feel are worthy of spending money on. De gustibus, and the OP did ask.
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Sure I understand.

ZT's aren't for everyone, but I think to say they are over-hyped or not worth the money needs qualifying. I mean if you can't qualify your statements, why make a post? Worse yet, when you get called to qualify it, one shouldn't get sensitive IMO. We're just talking here, it's what we do here on the forum.

Thanks for qualifying. Slicer guy, got it.
 
For what they are most certainly. Are they my favorite cutters? No. If SHTF and I needed a folder Id bet my life on which would I choose? Probably a ZT :thumbup:
 
Kai Corp. said:
Sure I understand.

ZT's aren't for everyone, but I think to say they are over-hyped or not worth the money needs qualifying. I mean if you can't qualify your statements, why make a post? Worse yet, when you get called to qualify it, one shouldn't get sensitive IMO. We're just talking here, it's what we do here on the forum.

Thanks for qualifying. Slicer guy, got it.
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I think they probably fill a niche that the main branch of Kershaw doesn't, and as such form a good complement. However people often focus on ZT for their better materials, which correct me if I am wrong started you guys on using better steels for knives like the Kershaw Blur?

It would be really great to see a flat ground or hollow ground ZT in the 3"-4" range, low key but with ZT's flair for design. The 801 comes close for me, but the handles aren't suitable for slippery work, which I deal with every day. I cannot attest to cutting ability, however. I know my Zing tanto is pretty amazing; only wish I had something slightly larger with better steel by RJM. Ergos are perfect though.
 
"Are ZT knives worth it?" is kinda like asking "Are Fords worth it?" There are a whole lot of variables to consider.
In my experience, I would say definitely YES.
I bought a sprint run 0551 which had some initial QC issues which the company addressed promptly and effectively. I gave the knife to my son for a graduation gift from USMC Officer training, which he accidently lost during his training and which ZT REPLACED FOR FREE as a courtesy to a serviceman. So, YES I believe the company has shown themselves to be WORTHY in multiple respects.
Plus they make some REALLY COOL knives. :-)
 
Not sure if this question is worth a thread, so I'll ask here.

I may be interested in buying a ZT, as I have never tried one before. I'd like one with a 3.5-4" blade, a drop, spear or clip point with no recurve, a slip-resistant and comfortable handle, a strong lock, and general good ergonomics.

Anyone got any recommendations for me?
 
Kwon Kwang said:
Not sure if this question is worth a thread, so I'll ask here.

I may be interested in buying a ZT, as I have never tried one before. I'd like one with a 3.5-4" blade, a drop, spear or clip point with no recurve, a slip-resistant and comfortable handle, a strong lock, and general good ergonomics.

Anyone got any recommendations for me?
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0560/1.
 
evilgreg said:
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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The CF handle on the 0777/0777-M390 is not only very light but strong, great-looking and excellent grip. However, it jacks up the price quite a bit for a production folder. However, there are ways around that like they did with the 0770CF.

I think they could've made the 0801 with less weight even with two slabs of titanium. My Wilson Combat Eagle (titanium scales/frame lock) with a slightly longer blade (3.6" vs. 3.5") weighs only 4.8 ounces compared to the 0801's 5.8 ounces. Of course, the Eagle is a custom and for its price I can buy almost 3 ZT 0801s! The 0801 compares favorably with the Eagle in many ways!

As an aside, your pimped Southard has CF instead of G10? Any other changes? I've seen several Southards with CF instead of G10 and other than the weight savings it looks classy...
 
Kwon Kwang said:
Not sure if this question is worth a thread, so I'll ask here.

I may be interested in buying a ZT, as I have never tried one before. I'd like one with a 3.5-4" blade, a drop, spear or clip point with no recurve, a slip-resistant and comfortable handle, a strong lock, and general good ergonomics.

Anyone got any recommendations for me?
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I have both ZT 0560 and ZT 0550 and the 0550 just clicks the best for me. When they said it's a "tank" over the 0560, they weren't kidding. And by "tank", I'm referring to the very solid feeling that it will both stand up to heavy hard work and still look pretty while blending into your hand while you use it.

20130807_174725_zps74e3e69a.jpg


Aw, I don't know why photobucket is making the picture do that instead of knives being sideways. :confused:
 
RamZar said:
The CF handle on the 0777/0777-M390 is not only very light but strong, great-looking and excellent grip. However, it jacks up the price quite a bit for a production folder. However, there are ways around that like they did with the 0770CF.

I think they could've made the 0801 with less weight even with two slabs of titanium. My Wilson Combat Eagle (titanium scales/frame lock) with a slightly longer blade (3.6" vs. 3.5") weighs only 4.8 ounces compared to the 0801's 5.8 ounces. Of course, the Eagle is a custom and for its price I can buy almost 3 ZT 0801s! The 0801 compares favorably with the Eagle in many ways!

As an aside, your pimped Southard has CF instead of G10? Any other changes? I've seen several Southards with CF instead of G10 and other than the weight savings it looks classy...
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In my case LSCF, yes:

q4oQzxK.jpg
 
when i couldnt afford ZT knives, I complained about nthem being too pricey. Once I actually got one, i found it to bw worth twice what i paid. get one and find out for yourself...you can always flip it on the forum if you dont like it, they retain their value quite well.
 
I own smaller, lighter knives that cut just as good, I don't like walking around with a brick in my pocket, and my tools don't need to be made out of the flavor of the month materials in order for me to trust them so no, they are not worth the money to me and I own 4 ZT knives.
 
Kwon Kwang said:
Not sure if this question is worth a thread, so I'll ask here.

I may be interested in buying a ZT, as I have never tried one before. I'd like one with a 3.5-4" blade, a drop, spear or clip point with no recurve, a slip-resistant and comfortable handle, a strong lock, and general good ergonomics.

Anyone got any recommendations for me?
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Based on my personal order of preference:

Code: 
[SIZE=4][U][B]
Model   Steel   Blade  Weight  Handle  Action[/B][/U]
0801    Elmax   3.5"   5.8 oz  Ti      Flipper
0550    S35VN   3.5"   5.8 oz  Ti/G10  Manual
0560/1  Elmax   3.75"  5.8 oz  Ti/G10  Flipper
[/SIZE]

Personally, the flipper action on the 0801 is superior to the 0560/1.
 
Never felt like they were bricks in my pockets. But again, I wear cargo pants full of various kinds of tools including tool belt, backpacks so I guess I'm more used to it being in the outdoors.
 
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