Deciding which ZT to save up for

I've had a lot of ZT's and they were all great knives, but they were all heavier in my pocket...and heavier-duty than I have need for. I have found, through my experience, that I don't want to carry a knife that weighs more than 5 ounces. I was overjoyed when I got the ZT 0770 and it weighs three ounces. It's available both in Elmax and in M390; both are fine steels.
 
They added a new variation with CPM-M4 recently too. It's a dealer exclusive from KnivesShipFree. It features their new carbon fiber. which is more uniform than the original ones.

ZT0770CFM4_0770CF_sn_800x537.jpg
 
ok, so all this fantastic information has been very useful and I feel like I'm getting closer to a decision. thank you Flarp for those photos! The side by sides with the PM2 and Manix 2 tell me a lot. The 0562 seems a smidge longer but actually less fat than the Manix 2. I own the black g10 saber ground manix 2, which I believe also weighs in just over 5 oz. and my Pohl Force Mike One comes in at 5.6 oz. so it looks like even the 0562 would fit in as a heavy EDCer for me.

the 0770 I was initially interested in but at this point in my knife-using life I just find that I don't like assisted knives. I have seen people de-assisting their 0770s but I'm a little wary of that.

I'm leaning toward the 0562 as I've realized that my blade preference is solidly for wider blade (probably due to my familiarity with the Spyderco leaf shape). That doesn't rule out the 0450 entirely as I think there's some value in trying new things.

Someone had thrown out the ZT 0808. That hadn't been on my radar at all and I can't believe I missed it. I really like Rexford's designs (own a Kershaw Injection 3.0) and I like that the handle looks significantly sleeker than the monstrous slabs of the 0801. anyone have thoughts on the 0808 vs the 0562?

Oh yeah, and another thank you to flarp for the 0392 info. While that is an awesome looking piece of gear it's going to be outside of my budget for sure. But man is that thing sick looking. Going to be some very happy ZT fans when that knife drops.

Thanks again everyone!
 
The 562cf and 0454 are in my EDC rotation and I have a 0450 on pre order. The 0562's are great knives, but the Sinkevich design is on a whole different level than Hinderer. The overbuilt thing is a bit overated. I'm going to use my ZT's, but I'm not going to pry with them. Folding Knives are cutting and piercing tools and nothing more. I don't Baton, pry or hammer with folding knives. "Use the right tool for the job" as they say. Sinkevich designs are plenty stout with phenomenal ergos and incredible actions. The 0562 is a good flipper, but downright slow compared to the 0454.
My brother in law has been waiting for his pre-ordered 0562cf since March 2014, so availability is limited and therefore prices are high. Hopefully the S35vn in the new ZT's means they'll be more readily available.
 
Active-Shooter said:
The 562cf and 0454 are in my EDC rotation and I have a 0450 on pre order. The 0562's are great knives, but the Sinkevich design is on a whole different level than Hinderer. The overbuilt thing is a bit overated. I'm going to use my ZT's, but I'm not going to pry with them. Folding Knives are cutting and piercing tools and nothing more. I don't Baton, pry or hammer with folding knives. "Use the right tool for the job" as they say. Sinkevich designs are plenty stout with phenomenal ergos and incredible actions. The 0562 is a good flipper, but downright slow compared to the 0454.
My brother in law has been waiting for his pre-ordered 0562cf since March 2014, so availability is limited and therefore prices are high. Hopefully the S35vn in the new ZT's means they'll be more readily available.
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yeah I'm not concerned about it being "overbuilt". if I'm going to do any real chopping or prying I'll go to my Caldwell 2/5 with its 1/4" thick slab of N690. I want something that I'm going to enjoy carrying, using for EDC tasks, and have it be an enjoyable flipper because it's just downright fun to open and close a great knife all day long.

so the thing that confuses me a little is, aren't all ZT knives riding on the same KVT bearing system? why would one ZT knife flip faster or slower than another ZT knife? does it have to do with blade mass and detent design?
 
kubelik said:
ok, so all this fantastic information has been very useful and I feel like I'm getting closer to a decision. thank you Flarp for those photos! The side by sides with the PM2 and Manix 2 tell me a lot. The 0562 seems a smidge longer but actually less fat than the Manix 2. I own the black g10 saber ground manix 2, which I believe also weighs in just over 5 oz. and my Pohl Force Mike One comes in at 5.6 oz. so it looks like even the 0562 would fit in as a heavy EDCer for me.

the 0770 I was initially interested in but at this point in my knife-using life I just find that I don't like assisted knives. I have seen people de-assisting their 0770s but I'm a little wary of that.

I'm leaning toward the 0562 as I've realized that my blade preference is solidly for wider blade (probably due to my familiarity with the Spyderco leaf shape). That doesn't rule out the 0450 entirely as I think there's some value in trying new things.

Someone had thrown out the ZT 0808. That hadn't been on my radar at all and I can't believe I missed it. I really like Rexford's designs (own a Kershaw Injection 3.0) and I like that the handle looks significantly sleeker than the monstrous slabs of the 0801. anyone have thoughts on the 0808 vs the 0562?

Oh yeah, and another thank you to flarp for the 0392 info. While that is an awesome looking piece of gear it's going to be outside of my budget for sure. But man is that thing sick looking. Going to be some very happy ZT fans when that knife drops.

Thanks again everyone!
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I would be the one who mentioned the 0808. Rexford design, but is kinda like a 0770 but with Ti and KVT instead. I own an 0801 and if it flips anything like that, I will be in heaven.
 
K.O.D. said:
I would be the one who mentioned the 0808. Rexford design, but is kinda like a 0770 but with Ti and KVT instead. I own an 0801 and if it flips anything like that, I will be in heaven.
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K.O.D., thank you for sharing the 0808 with me :) what are your thoughts on the blade shape? I kind of wish it were a little less stylized ... like, the 0801 blade shape on the 0808 handles would be a instant lock for me, but I'm kind of undecided on how little belly the 0808 has. if that doesn't have any real world impact on cutting ability, then it's a non-issue.
 
kubelik said:
yeah I'm not concerned about it being "overbuilt". if I'm going to do any real chopping or prying I'll go to my Caldwell 2/5 with its 1/4" thick slab of N690. I want something that I'm going to enjoy carrying, using for EDC tasks, and have it be an enjoyable flipper because it's just downright fun to open and close a great knife all day long.

so the thing that confuses me a little is, aren't all ZT knives riding on the same KVT bearing system? why would one ZT knife flip faster or slower than another ZT knife? does it have to do with blade mass and detent design?
Click to expand...
You would think that they would, but they don't. 0560's and 0561's supposedly flip like crap. 0801's & 0562's are really good flippers. 0454 is a great flipper. Blade mass, blade length, detent and friction all determine how hard they flip.
 
The ZT0801S110V is a sweet knife also and with the smooth scales and great blade there are a couple that are still available.
 
My two cents: I went over to BladeHQ to buy a 562 today and ended up walking out with an 0801 instead. The flip action was much better in my opinion. A really impressive knife. I'm sure you'll come away with a winner no matter what you choose.
 
bld522 said:
Either will do, but for me it's the 0450 based on your anticipated uses. I'd also suggest you take a look at the 0770CF. I realize it's AO, but it's pretty much the perfect compromise between the 0450 and the 0562 . . . or at least it appears to be based on what I've been able to gather so far.
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Agreed. I've had lots of ZT's. Now, I own only this one. IT's light, economical, great steels available, three ounces, looks nice.:)
 
a final round of thanks to all of you that chipped in with recommendations. I figured I'd give this thread closure by stating that I've solidly decided to save up toward the 0808. of course, I'd love to have the funds to someday also try out the 0450 and the 0562. ZT really works with some awesome designers, lots of attractive options out there.
 
kubelik said:
K.O.D., thank you for sharing the 0808 with me :) what are your thoughts on the blade shape? I kind of wish it were a little less stylized ... like, the 0801 blade shape on the 0808 handles would be a instant lock for me, but I'm kind of undecided on how little belly the 0808 has. if that doesn't have any real world impact on cutting ability, then it's a non-issue.
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kubelik said:
a final round of thanks to all of you that chipped in with recommendations. I figured I'd give this thread closure by stating that I've solidly decided to save up toward the 0808. of course, I'd love to have the funds to someday also try out the 0450 and the 0562. ZT really works with some awesome designers, lots of attractive options out there.
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Personally, I've come to love the modified wharncliffe/insingo blade shape. I find it particularly effective opening packages and mail. I only have two knives with it, a Brous Bionic and the ZT0770CF, but they slice apples just fine. I think its definitely worth a try.
 
I love zt. I own the 0560 and it'd one of my favorite knives of all time. I'm gonna pick up the 450 when it's out. Nice looking blade
 
I prefer the Rexford designs over the hinderers. The 0801 is great. Even better if you can still find the S110V version.
 
I'm waiting on my G10 0562, I have a 0770cf, and I love it. It's assisted, but I deassisted mine and it works even better. I can't wait to get my 0562, I've heard so many things about it and it's got me excited to the max.
 
I don't know how to attach a photo as it has been disabled for me. I am still new to this forum. The knife I referenced is in the caption of this thread. A zero tolerance with a green handle.
 
playsharp said:
I don't know how to attach a photo as it has been disabled for me. I am still new to this forum. The knife I referenced is in the caption of this thread. A zero tolerance with a green handle.
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The only ZT I know of with a green handle is the ZT 0301 (pictured below). If you are referring to photo in post #12 of this thread, the green handles aren't standard. That knife model is the 0562, and it normally comes with a black G10 handle scale (or carbon fiber, if you get the 0562CF version). The handle scale in that picture is custom-made by Rival, who is another member of this forum, and it is made from toxic green Kirinite.

This is the 0301:
ZT0301_20150207_800x430.jpg
 
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