Does ZT 0452 flipper enable left hand carry?

M

maximus83

Joined
Nov 7, 2011
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I'm interested in the ZT 0452cf flipper, shown here, but cannot find one in a local shop to inspect it and answer my question:
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Zero-Tolerance-0452CF-Flipper-Knife--27354

Everywhere that I see descriptions of this knife, including BladeHQ, I see that it says "Right hand carry." But....if you inspect the pictures carefully here or on other retail knife sites, it definitely shows 2 screw holes where the clip would presumably fit on the carbon fiber side of the knife (where a leftie would mount the clip).

So the question: Does the ZT 0452cf let you mount the clip on the carbon fiber side, for left hand carry?
 
Yep thanks, it took more searching, but I finally found a PDF on their site, they added this blurb about the 0452:
https://zt.kaiusaltd.com/pdfs/catalogs/ZT_2016.pdf

"REVERSIBLE, DEEP-CARRY CLIP, TIP-UP."

So while we're at it, also curious if anyone has owned a ZT 0452cf, and what has your experience been compared to your other regularly carried folders?
 
I had one and gifted it to a friend, loved the 0452cf. Slim, light, long blade. All win in my book.

My main carry folders are a 804cf and a 4max both modded. I never got around to modding the 0452cf so I gifted it.
 
The carbon fiber side has metal threaded tubes for the pocket clip. The threads are not tapped into the carbon fiber, if that's what you were wondering.

I really don't know what draws me to the 452, I despise the pocket clip. It looks out of place on this knife. I'm not really into 4" blades. I think because it's such a slim knife with a 4" blade, flips really well and doesn't take up much pocket space is why I like it. I carry my wallet in my right front pocket and with the 452 clipped there, I have no issues getting to my wallet. It's the only long blade I have and the only ZT I've replaced. I've got one hiding from me and don't know where it's at. I haven't lost it, I just don't know where I put it.
 
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Ajack60 said:
The carbon fiber side has metal threaded tubes for the pocket clip. The threads are not tapped into the carbon fiber, if that's what you were wondering.
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What does that mean? Are you saying that I'd have to get (from ZT) longer screws that would work to mount the clip on the CF side? For comparison purposes, I had to do exactly that recently with a Kershaw Cryo, contacted them, had to get longer screws to mount the clip on the G10 side of the knife.
 
No you don't need longer screws. It means that there are little metal tubes in the carbon fiber for the screws to thread into.

I have owned a 452cf and it is a terrific knife, in some ways ZT's best in my eyes. Unlike most other ZTs it is very light and svelte while still being tough and solid. I really like how the side opposite the lockbar has no steel liner under the carbon fiber. (Most ZTs do) Amazing flipping action too.
 
Lapedog said:
I have owned a 452cf and it is a terrific knife, in some ways ZT's best in my eyes. Unlike most other ZTs it is very light and svelte while still being tough and solid. I really like how the side opposite the lockbar has no steel liner under the carbon fiber. (Most ZTs do) Amazing flipping action too.
Click to expand...

Looks like you were pretty happy with it. Why did you decide to give it away?
 
I'm a lefty too. No issues with switching the clip on my 0452. Works out well with the black clip against the cf too, very discreet in pocket. The knife is good overall, strong detent which I like but be warned, it is a very strong detent, at least on mine. The cf side has enough flex that the lockbar can travel over to touch the other side and make the lock stick a bit if using for demanding tasks. Next flip and it locks up normally again. I don't carry mine often as it is a bit of a pocket sword, although it carries well. Just a big "scary" knife that imo has to skinny of a handle for the length of blade if you intend on using it often. I have found for me, 3 1/4 to 3 1/2" is just right.
 
User17 said:
Looks like you were pretty happy with it. Why did you decide to give it away?
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Oh sorry you're right the language does make it seem like I gave it away. No, infact I still have the 0452cf and love it. The thing is like a flipping sabre. If they put an Emerson wave on this thing it would be uncontested best ZT ever in my eyes.
 
So, I received it already via same day delivery. Love the blade contour, the ergos of the handle, the light weight, the elegant look. Strong lockup, perfectly centered blade, no blade play at all. But, oh man, I HATE the detent to get it open. Makes this knife so extremely hard to open one-handed (I guess for safety reasons?) it is IMO almost unusable unless you always just assume it's 2-handed opening. Debating about whether to return it.

Question for the forum: Look at the last pic below, showing the frame lock engaged at about 40% overlap. Is that about right, is that a strong lockup?


Showing the blade profile from two angles, with the narrowed swedge and slightly wider at the tip:
y4mty_NDL0Fhgu4-zFSAd1gY7B0hSUIoEbnKCoVfaoRcFn7lR3Y_fZs283e6KxdccZFBtX4KVkKc31-fGYSujNmEXW2a1js_UDxo5AqbABdv_rBp7yML1Lc7SYQl10DXlZJ0fu77s1h8Y03Qb6XJrxcKGIQhgdaBquY0BHqoPOdyLYCYB2iQytH9ybwXaiqArWqgwF8YLUPA04MnnpV22TmYg

y4m0D3klDjiI_CB9kCTgepZeLTfO6FIHmO_yAfO_FlcA0XmhHo6S4I1zT6lnpMA44RJT5gGbo45jzpKwEU9RY9hRyZrk7GjBmPgn5qFSm7eqxIuvhUw3U5SPZQL4Qeh2VvMh37q3enmCi2_X7uJQ4EJaXAmQfpOCw_TACZirS3w8EMevtVQV5G2DfA3-MD2NlctMzG1qOvRtN0KpLZf5oojxQ


Titanium side:
y4mld_EJuVKS_2uHOzB2FE5kLos5nwmUxQU1JZ-gNf-NXQwpfqlQgFh0vpYrG3mi3gu80vyiianTN-iyzVMJDsFzdvqECnsnjBiTSG6tuydhi_h8AINZ4lBCYm8SLWeaLrfus9d9jMa_ZaZmfeEkfNMQeJTeNudok3EyT21L8pb7vJUDplVTf8zd9giFIVhbhcW7BJvwP4IN54mT2kEJn6p7g


Carbon fiber side:
y4mJ3m0XMnKx2lsIqyRn4xH2HFT5cMakJ_P4FiExrPmi2OcLinVFD244GInbtQuAObmTUtrYPIhSrKoKCH-gys8JUtgBNE27nJCfCy4M5dWxQ3Ijw7zggJ3EEirflVlr-0wjvpRIzBX4FL__erQa4SXDoqTlfPZ57nPYzmhN9MiN9_r9ArPS9HN3pOUu0Dpl3IVQBNNYv0K4_YSNmSuXGx96g


Showing the blade nicely centered in the frame:
y4msRmGij_cvllvR4YiWMUWK4MnbNzGE03UrpvNovrJIZHWrB793hB1C3KSGLxUKzseK_d8XOBALJXLy0zz4xkInyy8ijR7RyU2SEd_LAEjPR1lHg_qHQA_9j--sFveaIwxcj-6vOkw5OO0muRUeTyKSr4kHSFJBaSqmMdVViPDmvcOjOfi7x0GyGgw3zEsrhBKX-oTIwVKYJIdpHRKPGbDaA


And finally, showing the frame lock engaged at about 40%:
y4mZlP8FyugW-fb8RckzkDS8O29tQhpQfJs7mZiYhAscZoKQz5Cqz0pRhN1wKKisSa_kIzuFPIYSbyQf6dBny1B1Hq-ocTLczWCrOs3_ZLt8Vs-dQWa0JYojQgm9lUCD_QyhwW1q8dLGFcbkYStCdVHelGshki2W6gGVzB9dHAgKz44F28TAS2ijfuyR9tKKlyQ1cnKYtzMNYdqOZDNw60zsQ
 
Lock up is fine, mine is about the same. I don't find mine to be difficult to open at all. Is there any way for you to explain how you're using the flipper?
I don't use the tip of the flipper tab, but rather let my index finger rest on the frame and pull down since the ZT's have a strong detent. Now, with the 456, I had to give it some time to break in before it got better at flipping open.
 
I am a left handed user and I believe something about the controls are right-handed biased and it clearly affecting the detent. It is far easier to open right handed than it is left handed. This seems like a terrible opening experience for a left handed user, though it seems ok for RH users.

Just added a drop of oil to pivot and slightly adjusted pivot. I'll give it a few days of flipping to see if it improves. If not, it'll be going back.
 
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I got my first 0452cf a few weeks ago and the bearings were shot. Returned and got a new one this one has the ridiculous detent. I sent it back to ZT to get it adjusted. They said they will check if is within there parameters. I explained to the guy at ZT that I presently own close to 100 knives and have bought and sold another hundred and not one of them had a detent that was that hard. He basically repeated what he says before. Opening a flipper should not cause pain when using it. I did experience it once when I bought a cheap Chinese to use as a letter opener and box cutter. It took me 10 minutes to fix. I am hoping for the best and if they don't want or can't adjust it I will sell it. I don't want to own a knife I can't use and enjoy. There are too many great knives in this price range + or - that I can get instead (new Spyderco Shaman is coming out soon)
If I was you I would get it and feel it out, Make sure you order from someone with a return policy and no restocking fee. I occasionally do that because I live in N.Y.C. and the knife laws here are ridiculous, basically have made it almost illegal to carry a Victorinox multi-tool. .
 
Yep, it is ridiculously hard to open. Way beyond any folder I have ever had. I literally have to reach up in a weird way and hook the first joint in my index finger over the top of the flipper and pull down on it that way to get it to flip open quickly and smoothly. If I use the tip of my index finger, the way you would be default with every other flipper I've ever had, I literally cannot get it to open unless I push down so hard there's literally pain in my fingers.

Totally disappointed in this knife out of the box. However, I'll try to give it a few days to loosen up. I read reviews of it over on BladeHQ (http://www.bladehq.com/item--Zero-Tolerance-0452CF-Flipper-Knife--27354), they are overwhelmingly positive and some reviewers stated it was very hard to open but loosened up after a few days. I'll give it a chance and keep an open mind.
 
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The biggest obstacle for me when opening right handed knives with my left hand is to make sure I'm not gripping the lock bar in any way. It makes for an awkward grip, but it makes the knife easier to open. Because the 452 is so slim, I find myself quite often pressing on the lock bar. But I still love the knife for some strange reason :eek:
 
Yes, to the OP, you are probably putting lressure on the lockbar which is preventing the flipping action.
 
Ajack60 said:
The biggest obstacle for me when opening right handed knives with my left hand is to make sure I'm not gripping the lock bar in any way. It makes for an awkward grip, but it makes the knife easier to open. Because the 452 is so slim, I find myself quite often pressing on the lock bar. But I still love the knife for some strange reason :eek:
Click to expand...

You are right. Once the knife is open, the comfort of the grip and that beautiful blade almost make you forget how hard it was to open it. :D
 
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