Are ZT knives worth it?

[cncpro11]

Agenda's, axes to grind? I think so, but it's all cool, because at the end of the day, the knives are strong, the tolerances are tight, we back them up, and the majority (here) have spoken as such.

No ax here.
The reason I have 4 ZT's is because I really do want to like them so I kept trying different models and they just don't do it for me.

Someone asked for opinions in the General knife discussion and I gave mine in the General knife discussion but have respectfully stayed out of your house. Why you feel the need to go out of your house and accuse people is beyond me.

 

[Ridgeback08]

To summarize I think the best way to approach it is this:

If you are interested in knives that ZT has to offer, then yes they are most certainly worth it.

If you are not interested in knives that ZT has to offer, then don't buy one but instead something you do have interest in.

 

[Ichop]

ZT has been great to me so far;

I've owned both the 0550 and 0560, great knives, solid build, and great value. (Little stick on the 0560 honestly, but nothing too crazy)

Their customer service is informative for people new to pricier knives (me) and replacement parts are shipped out very quickly.

Only thing I could ask from them is that they make more models to choose from

 

[LadyEarth]

Why you feel the need to go out of your house and accuse people is beyond me.

Once someone opens their internet mouth it is then, for all intents and purposes, an open house.

With that in mind, it's not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Kai Corp.]

Someone asked for opinions in the General knife discussion and I gave mine in the General knife discussion but have respectfully stayed out of your house. Why you feel the need to go out of your house and accuse people is beyond me.

You are welcome in my house.

Guess I'm confused, this is a ZT thread, we're ZT, we're communicating. That's what we do on this site. I'll be around, not just in the Kai sub-forum. If that is beyond you, I'm not sure how to respond.

We're just talking here. It's all ok. This is a pretty easy read for most everyone here.

 

[cncpro11]

You are welcome in my house.

Guess I'm confused, this is a ZT thread, we're ZT, we're communicating. That's what we do on this site. I'll be around, not just in the Kai sub-forum. If that is beyond you, I'm not sure how to respond.

We're just talking here. It's all ok. This is a pretty easy read for most everyone here.

Fair enough, respect.
Eta: ya know, if the question had been "are Kershaw knives worth the money?" My opinion would be completely opposite. I own about 16 Kershaws and use and enjoy all of them, except for the brawler, I truly hate that knife.

 

[MrBlademan2012]

I love my 0550!!! I'M currently waiting on a pimped 0561, should get it Saturday, and I am stoked!!! So I would say to me they are worth it. In the end, buy whatever you think is going to make you happy!!!

 

[Kai Corp.]

Fair enough, respect.
Eta: ya know, if the question had been "are Kershaw knives worth the money?" My opinion would be completely opposite. I own about 16 Kershaws and use and enjoy all of them, except for the brawler, I truly hate that knife.

Respect.

You know it's funny, we can't keep that dang Brawler in stock.

 

[fetzer85]

Such a broad question was bound to get the 'us vs. them' attitude going...oh well.

Is any knife 'worth it'? The average person would probably gag if they heard talk of pocket knives for $400. Does that mean they aren't worth it? To them yes, but to one of us probably no. It's all relative.

 

[RamZar]

zt designs regularly check all the boxes that I find undesirable in modern folders.

Since its inception in 2006, Zero Tolerance has aggressively pursued the overbuilt, hard-use and according to their own ZT catalog (page 1) knives that are “built like a tank” or even “a real beast.” This by and large meant big, bad, heavy black folders. Only the past few years have they started making something lighter and less black. From the very beginning they have used premium materials, machining, craftsmanship, build quality, design and customer service.

ZT has a perception / identity dilemma in that it wants to diversify while also catering to the "real beast" loyal customer/fan base. It's catering to more designers, limited editions, variations (17 on the 0350 alone) and I think most importantly pursuing new markets with more new models of wider variety. This is evident with the recent 0801, 0600 and two upcoming smaller (3.25" blade) folders: 0770CF and 0566.

Still, the perception persists and even their catalog perpetuates it on the last page:

ZERO TOLERANCE KNIVES

Zero Tolerance builds the kind of premium-quality, professional knives that you can depend on every single day.

The brand made its first appearance in 2006 when Kai USA, the makers of Zero Tol- erance, saw a place in the market for a made-in-the-USA line of hard-use knives that would meet the needs of professionals, such as the military, law enforcement, as well as other first responders, including fire fighters and emergency medical personnel.

The initial products were combat knives, but since that time, the line has expanded to include a variety of general-use and premium knives. Although Zero Tolerance knives are larger, heavier knives, many customers won’t have anything else as an everyday carrying knife.

Zero Tolerance incorporates the most advanced materials and technologies in a tool that has been with us from the beginning. And they’re still evolving...
​

Personally, up until the past year I also thought of them mostly as a premium builder of 8 ounce bricks (0300 & 0200)! Little by little I've been convinced otherwise. The 0550 did a lot for me and with the 0801, released last month, as a high-value premium flipper, I've been seduced by the dark side which now comes in colors other than black.

 

[JuJu-]

Such a broad question was bound to get the 'us vs. them' attitude going...oh well.

Is any knife 'worth it'? The average person would probably gag if they heard talk of pocket knives for $400. Does that mean they aren't worth it? To them yes, but to one of us probably no. It's all relative.

Just for clarification, are you talking about L.E. ZT's? Because all the regular production models are well, well below $400. Even some of the L.E.'s are below that mark.

 

[northend816]

yes worth every single dime.....

 

[scotchleaf]

Not when compared to other brands, no.

For example, helle or mcusta, or even Spyderco

 

[GronK]

You are welcome in my house.

Guess I'm confused, this is a ZT thread, we're ZT, we're communicating. That's what we do on this site. I'll be around, not just in the Kai sub-forum. If that is beyond you, I'm not sure how to respond.

We're just talking here. It's all ok. This is a pretty easy read for most everyone here.

Sorry, but claiming "agendas" and "axes to grind" is not compatible with "just talking here". I understand you want to defend the honor of your employer but you can overdo it and come off as a bit too defensive.

 

[marcinek]

Agenda's, axes to grind? I think so, but it's all cool, because at the end of the day, the knives are strong, the tolerances are tight, we back them up, and the majority (here) have spoken as such.

I'm glad to hear, as you said in a later post, that you will continue to participate in the General Forum. Will you be doing it as a manufacturer rep/member or a manufacturer rep/moderator?

Since you have asked for further justification of my opinion that ZTs are not worth the money....oddly enough you have given me another justification that I did not have previously.

I assign a negative worth to the "us vs. them", "anyone who has a negative opinion of our knives must be hater/have an ax to grind/have never used our knives" marketing style. I assign a much greater worth to brands that are willing to market their products on their merits alone.

I recently saw another thread asking, specifically, for reasons why a model of knife is not liked. And at no point did the manufacturer rep/moderator come into the thread asking for qualifications, deeming opinions "fine," or accusing anyone of having an ax to grind.

That's a brand that's confident of their build. That, to me, is worth buying.

 

[Ken44]

Agenda's, axes to grind? I think so, but it's all cool, because at the end of the day, the knives are strong, the tolerances are tight, we back them up, and the majority (here) have spoken as such.

Do you really feel people in this thread have agenda's, axes to grind ? Thats a pretty serious claim to make.

I just looked through the thread and didn't see one person with an axe to grind, much less more than one.
I've seen people here get upset at a brand and have an agenda against them before, but no one in this thread has an agenda against ZT.

People can give there opinion. You may not like it, but it doesn't mean they have an axe to grind or agenda.
The knives are not worth the price for me and others. As I said, they are well worth the price if thats the type of knife you want.

I've heard many good things about ZT, and feel they are a great knives made by a great company. I've recommended them before for people looking for a tough, heavy, and well made knife at a good price.

 

[Kai Corp.]

Sorry, but claiming "agendas" and "axes to grind" is not compatible with "just talking here". I understand you want to defend the honor of your employer but you can overdo it and come off as a bit too defensive.

Do you really feel people in this thread have agenda's, axes to grind ? Thats a pretty serious claim to make.

I just looked through the thread and didn't see one person with an axe to grind, much less more than one.
I've seen people here get upset at a brand and have an agenda against them before, but no one in this thread has an agenda against ZT.

People can give there opinion. You may not like it, but it doesn't mean they have an axe to grind or agenda.
The knives are not worth the price for me and others. As I said, they are well worth the price if thats the type of knife you want.

I've heard many good things about ZT, and feel they are a great knives made by a great company. I've recommended them before for people looking for a tough, heavy, and well made knife at a good price.

Understand.

Those weren't my words, I just agreed with them. That is my opinion (think I get one of those ) I'll continue to stand by my opinion (of which you didn't like, hopefully there is a 2 way street here?), as a few comments were a bit transparent in my eyes, and apparently a with few others as well.

 

[Kai Corp.]

I'm glad to hear, as you said in a later post, that you will continue to participate in the General Forum. Will you be doing it as a manufacturer rep/member or a manufacturer rep/moderator?

I'm unsure I understand your question? I'm also unsure I asked you for further justification of your opinion.

Now you an Ken haven't been talking, have you?

 

[ericzhao517]

Made in the usa, quality build and materials, plus an outstanding warranty and customer service?!? Worth every penny. I carried my 560 to a wedding/reception the other week. Carried great in my express dress pants.

 

[Kai Corp.]

Made in the usa, quality build and materials, plus an outstanding warranty and customer service?!? Worth every penny. I carried my 560 to a wedding/reception the other week. Carried great in my express dress pants.

Thanks for getting back on topic.