Cold Steel VS Zero Tolerance

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The Lone Gunmen

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I was browsing Cold Steels website and I saw that Andrew Demko and the gang did a little competition with a med Espada VS ZT 0350, and wow the ZT lock up totally failed after what I would say is light force and it didn't take very long. Its strange cause everyone seems to think of ZT folders as "TANKS" and "BEASTS" lol... Thanks again Cold Steel for reminding me why I buy your products!!:thumbup:
 
The Lone Gunmen said:
I was browsing Cold Steels website and I saw that Andrew Demko and the gang did a little competition with a med Espada VS ZT 0350, and wow the ZT lock up totally failed after what I would say is light force and it didn't take very long. Its strange cause everyone seems to think of ZT folders as "TANKS" and "BEASTS" lol... Thanks again Cold Steel for reminding me why I buy your products!!:thumbup:
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There are plenty of reasons why people buy both, so come on now, let's not turn this into a which is better discussion. Cold Steel knives make great beaters, and the Triad lock IS tough. But Zero Tolerance knives have a LOT going for them.
 
I have never used either of these knives so I can't speak for the quality of either, but when a manufacturer tests it's own knife against a competitors, take it with a grain of salt.
 
There's also the issue of customer support.

Cold Steel has failed to respond to numerous e-mails, with the result that my Cold Steel Master Tanto sits unused in a drawer, since the Kraton handle turned to goo after a couple of decades (I would have bought a replacement handle even...I mention that in the e-mail).

Contrast that to Zero Tolerance who sent out a whole new set of bearings, body screws, standoffs, and clips when all I'd asked for was some screws.
AND they sent it all by Fed Ex...and gave it to me for FREE.

Hmmm...company that ignores me when I want to buy a replacement handle for my $300 knife, or a company that goes above and beyond in customer support...hard choice to decide which one I like better. ;)
 
You guys kill me. Hands down the tri-ad lock is the BEST and strongest, and easiest to use locking folder out there. They have upgraded the steel to CTS XHP which is superb imho. Everyone touts this knife and that knife, and I used to be a strong proponent of the frame lock folder. Well since I have the Ultimate Hunter I've not touched another folder for a month. NADA. This U-H is that good. Matter of fact I can see where I wouldn't buy another locking folder at all of any ilk unless it is the triad lock with the up graded steel. The U-H is superbly ergonomic, looks good and feels great in the hand too. Does not scream tactical or have any recurved fancy ass useless type of compound grind etc.etc. It says Ultimate Hunter which everyone understands is a basically shaped kick ass hunting folder. Say what you want and harp on CS etc.etc. but they tell it like it is and the triad lock is a beast. Not to beat a dead horse either but when a liner lock or a frame lock fails it should fail into the locking side of the blade so it doesn't close on your hand. keepem sharp

PS have another manufacture'r or maker test there locking strength against the CS triad lock. What no one has done that? Geez I wonder why not? I think someone did a test with a TM and a BUSSE bowie and the BUSSE won but not by much.
 
Its not a "which is better" discussion. I just stated what happened on video. I understand people have reasons for buying both brands. I buy CS for the lock up. The liner lock on that ZT was garbage.
 
longbow said:
You guys kill me. Hands down the tri-ad lock is the BEST and strongest, and easiest to use locking folder out there.
Click to expand...

AXIS lock is easier to disengage.
Liner and frame-lock is easier to close one handed.

Each lock has advantages and disadvantages.

But I get it; you found the Tri-Ad lock and it was a whirlwind romance.
I got the Tri-Ad lock and said "Oh look, another lock. Okay."
 
The U-H disengages extremely easy for me. I've only dealt with CS customer service one time and I called them and it was simple. Sent the knife back and they sent me a new one, no questions. The whole post from the o.m. started with the test Demko did concerning the ZT folder vs. a very inexpensive triad locking folder. You called CS out on customer service issues which basically has nothing to do with the triad test vs the ZT frame lock test. The first triad locks I had were pretty much the same as you, yep another lock. You know why that was, for me it was the blade steel used. AUS8a, which CS has done very well. Now that they have upgraded the steel and from the looks of my U-H refined it somewhat as in a better finished knife, well they have my attention and frankly as I've stated the U-H just might be the folder I've been looking for. It might not be for you. keepem sharp
 
Comparing a triad lock to any frame lock would be like comparing that same zt against a slip joint. Its simply not apples to apples. Hell its two different food groups. The triad lock is a strong lock. No one disputes this as truth. But they designed it to be tough. Its their claim to fame. Framelocks are, and always have been a compromise. The anly way i eould even care about the comparison is if cold steel stuffs a flipper and assisted opening mech in one of their triad lock knives as then the knives would have similar features. But since we all know its not ever going to happen seeing its what they call impossible im not going to worry about it. The only lesson to be learned is that the triad lock is a stronger lock than a framelock.
 
longbow said:
Now that they have upgraded the steel and from the looks of my U-H refined it somewhat as in a better finished knife, well they have my attention and frankly as I've stated the U-H just might be the folder I've been looking for. It might not be for you. keepem sharp
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For huge chopping knives, I like the Tri-AD (although Cold Steel said that using the XL Espada the way I was is not recommended...).
I wouldn't want a liner lock on my Rajah 2, for instance.

For mid-sized knives, I tend to find the specific lock less important than the overall design. Type of steel used is one thing, but the overall knife is more important.
Other than the Tuff Lite, Cold Steel hasn't produced a small to mid sized knife that I'm interested in for a number of years.
 
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They are going to be marketing a SWIFT 1 I believe it is called with the triad and assisted opening. keepem sharp
 
The Lone Gunmen said:
Its not a "which is better" discussion. I just stated what happened on video. I understand people have reasons for buying both brands. I buy CS for the lock up. The liner lock on that ZT was garbage.
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Really? That's a bold statement. Got anything to back it up other than a video made by Cold Steel, a ZT competitor?
 
Cold Steel has a far tougher lock and is far cheaper even with CTS XHP.

Zero Tolerance is more fancy materials, fine craftsmanship and pride of ownership.

Also, these days it seems like ZT is getting away from their "hard use tactical folders" and concentrating a lot on the high-end fancy collector runs. Witness the discontinued 0200, 0300, 0550, 0560, etc... in the past few years it seems like the ZT division has somewhat shifted its focus.

If I had to bet on a knife winning some kind of strength or toughness contest it would be the Cold Steels. And not just that but also Axis locks, ball locks, etc.

Sorry, but framelocks simply aren't very strong. IIRC they're not much (if any) better than a well-made liner lock. "My ZT lock failed" is usually met by "there's no reason to spine whack a knife" or "you must have been abusing it". Yet for some reason ZT does not make a slip joint.

I think this does irritate some folks. ;)
 
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This is how I hold a knife when I'm doing anything serious with it. Whether I'm cutting wood, making long cuts in cardboard, or any real work, I use a strong hammer grip. When I do this, I am exerting pressure on the framelock's lockbar. I'm also locked into the bottom of the flipper, exerting upward force on it. My finger is shielded.

This is the real world. It's why I can acknowledge that the TriAd lock is the clear standard in locks, while also noting that it's irrelevant for practical purposes. I am intrigued by the Ultimate Hunter in CTS XHP, but I believe that it's most truly relevant selling point is value for the dollar, not lock strength. With the steel upgrade, I believe it's an equal tool to my ZTs, for far less money. Does that mean I'll choose CS over ZT? Not at all. It does mean that I'd now add a CS. In all likelihood, my most commonly carried knife will probably be a ZT 0562 for quite awhile.
 
longbow said:
You guys kill me. Hands down the tri-ad lock is the BEST and strongest, and easiest to use locking folder out there. They have upgraded the steel to CTS XHP which is superb imho. Everyone touts this knife and that knife, and I used to be a strong proponent of the frame lock folder. Well since I have the Ultimate Hunter I've not touched another folder for a month. NADA. This U-H is that good. Matter of fact I can see where I wouldn't buy another locking folder at all of any ilk unless it is the triad lock with the up graded steel. The U-H is superbly ergonomic, looks good and feels great in the hand too. Does not scream tactical or have any recurved fancy ass useless type of compound grind etc.etc. It says Ultimate Hunter which everyone understands is a basically shaped kick ass hunting folder. Say what you want and harp on CS etc.etc. but they tell it like it is and the triad lock is a beast. Not to beat a dead horse either but when a liner lock or a frame lock fails it should fail into the locking side of the blade so it doesn't close on your hand. keepem sharp

PS have another manufacture'r or maker test there locking strength against the CS triad lock. What no one has done that? Geez I wonder why not? I think someone did a test with a TM and a BUSSE bowie and the BUSSE won but not by much.
Click to expand...

You know what's more important than lock strength? Correct use of a knife. You act like Zero Tolerance knives are somehow folding closed on people left and right. Also, CTS XHP "superb"? LOLOLOL

Good times, whew. I thought you were serious for a second there.
 
longbow said:
If I had to bet on a knife winning some kind of strength or toughness contest it would be the Cold Steels. And not just that but also Axis locks, ball locks, etc.
Click to expand...

Except for the blade...
I've had the edge warp (well more than the edge, actually) on my XL Espada doing tasks that didn't affect the ZT 0561 at all.

Cold Steel is winning the lock strength battle, sure, so it seems.
They are not winning the blade toughness battle, although that 4-Max knife might up the game, depending on what sort of blade grind they give it.
 
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Goosey said:
Cold Steel has a far tougher lock and is far cheaper even with CTS XHP.

Zero Tolerance is more fancy materials, fine craftsmanship and pride of ownership.

Also, these days it seems like ZT is getting away from their "hard use tactical folders" and concentrating a lot on the high-end fancy collector runs. Witness the discontinued 0200, 0300, 0550, 0560, etc... in the past few years it seems like the ZT division has somewhat shifted its focus.

If I had to bet on a knife winning some kind of strength or toughness contest it would be the Cold Steels. And not just that but also Axis locks, ball locks, etc.

Sorry, but framelocks simply aren't very strong. IIRC they're not much (if any) better than a well-made liner lock. "My ZT lock failed" is usually met by "there's no reason to spine whack a knife" or "you must have been abusing it". Yet for some reason ZT does not make a slip joint.

I think this does irritate some folks. ;)
Click to expand...

I believe some variants of those knives are still in production. And the 0562 is kinda the next generation of the 056x series. I think they are just broadening their horizons. I dont feel they have given up on the overbuilt knives.
 
Reminds me of this...:D

[video=youtube;Oh_WAY_4xqU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh_WAY_4xqU[/video]
 
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