Are ZT's overpriced?

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Please read the whole post before you hate me...

Too me they seem high some times. That's why I've never bought one.
But the reason for that is mostly frustration that I can't afford one.
Most expensive knife I own is a Spyderco Manix 2 XL and I had to save a
few months and sell a few other things to come up with it.
I guess the point is, I think a lot of people, like myself, love knives
but don't have the disposable income to get a ZT. Thus they whine,
get mad, and tell themselves it was overpriced.
In reality, for what you get, the price seems pretty fair to me.
Maybe if I can find a better job that 560 sure looks sweet...
 
I dont see them being over priced so to say because ive spent the last year learning what im getting for that money. But to the averge person who knows nothing about knives at all its a crazy amount to spend. Our country is doing so well with the job market and alot of people have lost there jobs, cant find work, or are working jobs well below there education level and can hardly pay the bills. I show my knives to these people and they love them but when i answer their question what does it cost they look at me like i should be locked up!!! I even feel bad when they say things like " you know people cant feed their children now days because they cant find work and ur spending that on a knife?" . And its true i was there not long ago when i lost my job of 11 years and couldnt find one. My point is its not to much to thoses who know knives but to the averge person just tryin to make it pay check to pay check its crazy. I cant compare them to the older kershaws because we live in a different time now when things may be harder for some or most. Kai makes all around great products that turn into a drug to some and they have to have it even if its above their means....just something to think on
 
The simple answer is yes... And no. It truly depends on the individual and whether or not they see the value in the product. Just because ZT makes a product for X amount doesn't mean it's going to get that in return (or hopefully more because they need to turn a profit). However, if the value is seen in the product by the individual then it is most assuredly priced correctly (for that person). Every product will have supporters and detractors, I think the answer is very simple.

1. Does the product return a reasonable profit for the company? If yes, it's priced correctly. If no, you may have over produced, over charged, too much labor, etc...

This value question proposed by the OP ;) applies to all companies, not just ZT.

Are there ZT knives I don't see the value in? 0200, Yes. Are there ZT knives I see the value in? 0560, Yes. It has nothing to do with materials or labor, it's simply whether I like the knife or not and put value in it. But you have millions of customers, with varying opinions. Not every knife will be a winner. And for the record, you couldn't pay me to carry a spec bump or tyrade, but I'll carry a ZT 0560 with an ear to ear smile.
 
I just realized I had a spec bump a few years back....... In no way is it in the same league as a ZT IIRC I had to cut one of my pain pills in half (Us army medical discharge) and I broke the blade cutting a pill in two, or chipped it out so bad I just threw it away.
 
I've long been of the impression that ZT knives were well made and worth their street prices. The few I've handled have given me no reason to think otherwise. My problem is that they've always been too big and bulky to suit me. Even so, I bought an 0200 at one point because . . . well . . . I just had to own a ZT knife. I never used it, of course, and I eventually ended up selling it. But I also never thought that I had overpaid for it.

Enter the 0770CF and the entire game changes. Now I can finally buy a ZT that will work for me. Given the way I feel about ZT knives, whether or not the 0770CF is overpriced is the last thing on my mind.
 
I shall await your update with bated breath! Meanwhile, I've already got my pre-order in with Dave. Ain't no way this one's getting by me. :D :D :D
 
Overpriced?
I don't know.
Out of my price range?
yes.

ZT has some phenomenal patterns - and the ones I've handled felt good in hand, locked up well, smooth action, etc....
but - msrp and street price are outside my comfort zone based on my needs and my budget. (wants are a different thing)
at some point, I do not doubt that want will outweigh need, and I hope to find "that perfect pattern" available at that time.
 
I started out getting into knives maybe 7-9 months ago...I have learned a great deal about knives, knife makers, knife companies, blade steels, handle material, and locking systems. It's a lot to take in but I am a fast learner. One of the mid to late things I learned was that Zt and kershaw were owned by the same company.
It came about when I was trying to find a website for Zt and found it so so peculiar that they didn't.

Price...when I first started out and I was into the affordable spyderco knives at $30-70 it was really hard for me to justify the 150-260 price tags. When I learned of the different steels and materials used I began to understand. But when you don't have it in your hand to make the judgements in person for yourself it's very hard to understand why would you pay 2-3xs the price for something that cuts like all other knives.
There is only one place that is within 200 miles of where i live that sells zts and they only sell the 350 and the 200. Also in my state there are different knife laws from city to city and most dont allow the carry of a knife with a blade length over 3 inches. That rules out every zt. Lol. I still ended up buying a 350ts and loved it. It was my first over $100 knife. I didnt pay much for it because i traded some kydex work for it. After a few months I caved and finally bought my first 560. I then realized why and how so many people could justify spending over 200 on a knife. I have 3 560s and I sold all my $50 dollar and under knives.

So if you've never owned or handled or used a Zt then Yes it's easy to say they are overpriced.
If you have used, held, and owned one, then you probably own a few of them. ;)
 
When I compare a ZT 0560CBCF to a Kershaw TiLT (yes sitting here with me right now) I feel the original price of the TiLT around $225 was A. a steal and B. High for the Kershaw line. That being said the ZT 0560CBCF at $340 was a good deal too does this mean that a 0560CBCF is better quality then a TiLT..... NOOOO... So to the OP are ZT's over priced compared to the old higher end Kershaw's? I guess when you put them both in a box and list them out like this. Ti- both, Carbon fiber- Both, KVT-both, Composite Blade- both, Exotic edge Steel-both, Limited Edition Exclusivity- Both, Better Flipper- TiLT, Tougher Knife- 0560CBFCF.... Yes they are, but that's because the market is different now then 2 years ago. All KAI products are amazing and under-priced for the service you get. That being said I would like to see more LE offerings from Kershaw in the $200 price range that remind us of the days of the Volt, Speedform, Tyrade, and Spec Bump.
 
ShepardCC said:
So if you've never owned or handled or used a Zt then Yes it's easy to say they are overpriced.
If you have used, held, and owned one, then you probably own a few of them. ;)
Click to expand...

This is how I feel as well. They aren't overpriced in my opinion for what you get.

It always nice having someone like Kershawguy around to jump in with a cheaper blem which is what I did. I was considering some knife makers I have had before but went with a 350 blem and haven't looked back. Now my small knife collection is almost entirely KAI.
 
"overpriced" i think is usually relative to one's budget...if i want something that i can't or don't want to afford then it's "overpriced"...i'm just not going to moan about it to the world LOLOLOL...and having said that, i got a lot of "overpriced" knives...

as one has said above, "...if they were so overpriced they wouldn't sell, period"
 
Definitely not overpriced considering the build quility. I have bought 5 ZT since January, all NIB and at market prices, and feel I got my money's worth on each and every one. Since I have gotten into Blur collecting I have bought a few that cost more than some of my ZTs and they weren't even considered high end Kershaws when they were produced. Everytime I buy an LE or rare Kershaw I think to myself that I could have added another ZT for that price. Not that I regret the purchase. I am weird that way.
 
Compared to kershaw, YES.

Kershaw for their price is very good bang for the buck.

ZT, I hesitated in buying it because after holding one I just couldn't do it.

Fit and finish is sloppy for the price, I'm sure it's a workhorse, but nothing kershaw can't do.
 
Kai Corp. said:
Are they overpriced, as the OP (err, well, you know what I mean) stated, compared to the older premium Kershaw's?
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I can't speak about Kershaw older stuff, never owned any. I have a zt0560blk. It's a beautiful example of a high end production tactical folder. I love it high quality american made and I got it at a reasonable price from a dealer. Would I be happy if it cost me less? Of course so I could buy two or three more as backup. If I felt the price was excessive I would not have made the purchase and after receiving my knife I feel satisfied I got what I paid for. I don't buy Chinese knives knives from Pakistan or Taiwan so if making them cheaper means a sending them overseas don't do it. I'd rather spend more on a quality american products.
 
HwangJino said:
Compared to kershaw, YES.

Kershaw for their price is very good bang for the buck.

ZT, I hesitated in buying it because after holding one I just couldn't do it.

Fit and finish is sloppy for the price, I'm sure it's a workhorse, but nothing kershaw can't do.
Click to expand...

Care to elaborate?
 
I'd say that depends on who you buy from, as well as the user's expectations. Different dealers set different prices. Some sell at MAP or above, some sell below.

I'd say the 0560CBCF I own is one of the best deals I have made.
 
TOMBSTONE said:
.

I can't speak about Kershaw older stuff, never owned any. I have a zt0560blk. It's a beautiful example of a high end production tactical folder. I love it high quality american made and I got it at a reasonable price from a dealer. Would I be happy if it cost me less? Of course so I could buy two or three more as backup. If I felt the price was excessive I would not have made the purchase and after receiving my knife I feel satisfied I got what I paid for. I don't buy Chinese knives knives from Pakistan or Taiwan so if making them cheaper means a sending them overseas don't do it. I'd rather spend more on a quality american products.
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You're right. You don't buy Chinese knives from Pakistan or Taiwan, you buy them from China. ;).
 
I think ZT is expensive but my complaining would not change anything.
If they are really too expensive for the market to bare, then the lack of sales will loudly inform ZT.

This thread won't change anything. What you are really saying is "ZTs are too expensive for me" and perhaps they are. There's nothing wrong with that. You won't see me complaining on Ferrari's forum. :rolleyes:
 
1066vik said:
Overpriced?
I don't know.
Out of my price range?
yes.

ZT has some phenomenal patterns - and the ones I've handled felt good in hand, locked up well, smooth action, etc....
but - msrp and street price are outside my comfort zone based on my needs and my budget. (wants are a different thing)
at some point, I do not doubt that want will outweigh need, and I hope to find "that perfect pattern" available at that time.
Click to expand...

^^^+1
 
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