ZT may not have started out to be purely a producer of hard-use and over-built knives (being “built like a tank” or even “a real beast”
but by default it has earned that reputation, for better or worse, from 2006 to the end of last year (even the current
ZT catalog is a testament to that - page 3).
The original cutting tool was the sharp tooth of the predator. Next came the blade. Then, after thousands of years of evolution, Zero Tolerance Knives was born.
Designed and manufactured to stand up to hard use, Zero Tolerance knives are built of premium materials such as S30V, ELMAX, or 154CM blade steel and 3-D machined G-10 and titanium handles. These proudly overbuilt knives have earned a reputation among their devoted fans for being “built like a tank” or even “a real beast.”
Which is as it should be.
The excitement generated and realized with the 0777 and 0560CBCF plus the announcements of other departures like 0801, 0770 and more exotics like 0454 and 0801CF have all excited many current and potential customers whilst confusing the hard-core fans that ZT should only build hard-use "tools". It's understandable but it's also all very subjective with a heavy dose of personal bias and not really understanding ZT's march forward: "The initial products were combat knives, but since that time, the line has expanded to include a variety of general-use and premium knives." (ZT catalog page 23). Even the ZT mission statement seems to be fluid: "Although Zero Tolerance knives are larger, heavier knives, many customers won’t have anything else as an everyday carrying knife.". With knives like the 0770CF/0770AL they're getting lighter...
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 Tolerance, 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…
Realistically and practically-speaking, I don't see how or why ZT's expansion of product lines both vertically and horizontally should "offend" some within the customer and/or potential customer base. Some want more hard-use, some more exotics (LE), some smaller/lighter folders, etc. Why shouldn't ZT cater to all
in good time.
The descendents of the Kershaw exotics like Tilt, Speedform, Volt, Tyrade, etc. now have a home in ZT. Perhaps a third entity should cater to these and the other exotics.
There have been "questions" about certain blade or scale materials not being for real-world applications. The use of composite, carbon fiber and titanium material may seem as not for real-world hard-use knives but I'll cite an example from another industry. Look at the greatest technological commercial aircraft right now, the Boeing 787, where such material are used for things like weight-saving, strength, corrosion-ressistance, ease of maintenance, etc. (
Boeing 787: From the Ground Up -- Composites in the Airframe and Primary Structure).
Personally, I look forward to the continued expansion of the ZT line in all areas with top-notch design, quality and materials. I just wish the message from ZT was more clear, coherent, forthcoming and consistent across the various marketing channels and direct to customers & aficionados on such forums. I see a lot of such frank and informative communications in this thread and others the past few days from both Jimmer_5 and KAI Corp. and that's enlightening as well as heartening...
