Are ZT's overpriced?

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I thought ZT's were overpriced until I bought one. Now I just keep buying them and am amazed at what a deal they are.
 
terribly overpriced. I deserve a discount for pre ordering every zt that has come out so far..... maybe a damascus 777 for cost?
 
Im on my iphone, has anyone in the four pages claimed that they are overpriced? Well I say they are, but only to be different. :p

...But they are really not.
 
In my personal opinion they are not. While I certainly don't think they are cheap, neither is the quality and fit/finish that they have.

There are a variety of knife owners/users and I think those that understand ZT truly understand that you are getting a well built knife with great materials for a good price. However, there are many out there who could get by with any standard/quality knife and I think for that group they aren't necessarily served by ZT and would view them as overpriced. ZT, at least to me, isn't an entry level company, instead they are a high end production company (or a high end Kershaw if that is more clear to some). I think some find it difficult to understand ZT pricing if they compare it to other companies, like Spyderco (which I also love), where there is not a separate company carrying the higher end productions (you have everything from a Spyderco Bug to a Spyderco Tuff under the same banner).
 
This is a really subjective question. It depends on the individual and the product. If someone likes it, and is willing to pay for it, then whats the problem?

I've owned, and sold off, more knives than I can count. What I'm left with is a very small concentrated collection of knives I really love, and a great understanding of what it is exactly that I like. I just cannot know whether or not I'll like something until I have it in hand, despite all the reviews and videos I see. If I have to buy it, and face the possibility of having to sell it if I don't like it, to get a feel for it... so be it.

Whats the point of telling you all that you ask?
I go to great lengths to find products that score 10s across the board. So regardless of how much a ZT or Kershaw costs, I'd be willing to pay it, if it's truly a perfect product to me.

I'd love to see a return of the Kershaw premiums. But ZT is held in higher esteem by most. It's a mark of quality and material quality. So it makes sense that KAI would rather slap the ZT name on expensive piece rather than Kershaw. Even if that is the case, I don't think KAI is inflating the price to make more money. I think that would have the opposite effect. Ford is a wealthier company than Ferrari. I'd bet that KAI nets more profit selling Skylines and Leeks than 0560s. So inflating prices doesn't seem like a smart business tactic.
 
I don't think they are over priced but i must admit i only own 3 zt knives two 0350's one og and the other orange model then i own the 0700 so i own the cheaper ZTs but i love them
 
Quality made in America products cost more money.

In that light "overpriced"? Naw. You get what you pay for.
 
My only experience is a ZT0350 I bought from Kershawguy. I am happy with the price I paid. Since it was a blem, I guess that means I think they are overpriced.
 
I own a ZT 0560blk and its an amazing knife. Well worth the $215 I paid for it online. IMO, its worth more than that and it's just as much fun to play with as my SMF.
 
Cardiackid said:
My only experience is a ZT0350 I bought from Kershawguy. I am happy with the price I paid. Since it was a blem, I guess that means I think they are overpriced.
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Once you factor in the excellent KAI warranty (something the blems don't have), NIB ZT's are not overpriced.

Blems are a great deal for hard-use/job-site type knives that are as likely to get lost/stolen/destroyed as they are ever need warranty work.

For the quality of materials and construction, ZT's are not overpriced.


That said, looking back at the deals I've gotten on some my USA made Kershaw's, they seem almost under-priced.






Big Mike
 
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I'm a knife newbie, but not a newbie when it comes to adult toys. I'm a gun guy. I have only been collecting knives for 2-3 months, and currently own 5 ZT's. I think they're a great value. I can't really comment on earlier offerings, because things change, sometimes rapidly. From looking at the serial numbers on my knives, KAI sells a lot of ZT product. That wouldn't be true if those products were overpriced.
 
Big Mike said:
Once you factor in the excellent KAI warranty (something the blems don't have), NIB ZT's are not overpriced.

Blems are a great deal for hard-use/job-site type knives that are as likely to get lost/stolen/destroyed as they are ever need warranty work.

For the quality of materials and construction, ZT's are not overpriced.


That said, looking back at the deals I've gotten on some my USA made Kershaw's, they seem almost under-priced.






Big Mike
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Fixed that for you.
 
Older Kershaws ... I still have my original Talon and the matching technology Starkey Ridge. These are solid knives. It took a Microtech SOCOM Elite to rotate with the Talon, and a Sebenza to replace both of them. Can't remember prices but the Talon and Starkey Ridge were not expensive for their time. Kershaw has been putting out reliable knives from the start.

Now ZT came along late for me. Too many knives, no place to put them. I do have a 0200 and 0500 and I am happy with both, especially with the MUDD (which should tell you,no, I don't have small hands!)
 
ZT's overpriced? HE** no!
Expensive? Yes, some of them are. But NOT overpriced. I am astounded by the bang for the buck of every ZT knife I own.

And count me as one of the ones that forever had no idea that ZT and Kershaws were made by the same people.
 
Not overpriced, no.

Happy to see a thread about something so volatile as price being treated with respect, too. Keep it up folks!
 
cricketdave said:
You know a happy person pleased with their purchase will generally tell 5 people. A unhappy person will tell 75.
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Wish I could say I owned a ZT, but sadly I don't have the funds for a ZT 0566 or 0561. But I have to agree with this statement dissatisfied customers yell a LOT louder than happy customers in general.

Rant Time:
Take me for example, I am also a computer geek. I have had the displeasure of working with Dell's customer support numerous times. I use to own one of their laptops and have to send it in close to 10 times if not more for hardware issues, and they never fixed one of those problems most of the time, and flat out told me I shouldn't call them again as I used my warranty too much (sorry but if you repaired it, I wouldn't hassle you). It actually got to the point where the delivery guy recognized me and struck up a conversation on what was going on as he has seen me too many times. Would have been sent in more but I actually gave up on that laptop and 40min phone calls just to get a hold of someone. And since I am a computer geek I frequently have friends and family coming to me to ask what kind of computer to get and I make sure whatever it is it isn't a Dell. So from that and the fact I have steered people away from it on a computer forum several times, I be surprised if I didn't cost them over 20k in sales from people I steered away from them.

Though for computer related goods I usually steer people towards 2 stores, though that doesn't happen as often as I should be doing considering how great their customer service is. But I probably gave them a few lifetime customers over the years. Though it still pales in comparison to how many people I steered from Dell.
 
No.

However, I think your lower cost ZT's could use a makeover to enhance sales. Knives like the 0200 and 0350 are great knives, but some tan or green G10 and tiger striping can make something really stand out in a display case. As much as I love my 0350SW, it wouldn't catch my eye if I was browsing the display case at the local outdoors store. I know you guys offer the aluminum handled versions, but many people feel aluminum handles are a bit cheap, even if they're not.

Make these!

0351 - OD green G10, available with DLC, tiger stripe, or stonewashed blade.
0352 - Tan G10, same blade coatings as above.

0201 - OD green G10, same blade coatings as above.
0202 - Tan G10, same blade coatings as above.

On any of the stonewashed models, make sure to apply the same stonewash finish to the pocket clip and hardware. Also, ditch the G10 spacer for spacer studs. I can't imagine some aluminum studs would be that expensive and with the steel hardware should hold up just fine.

I know I'm just one guy, but I'd gladly pay an extra $20 for a remodeled version like that, and the whole "tactical" market is going crazy over flat dark earth/tan/brown colors right now, including the military. Lots of these guys outright overlook black handled knives with uncoated blades and think they look cheap. I know it's not the case, but a little variety can really go a long ways to avoid people thinking a knife looks bland for the price.
 
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