Hissatsu or Zero Tolerance 0400ST?

F

Folderguy

Joined
Jun 26, 2010
Messages
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A question for the knife enthusiasts: Although I already possess a Zero Tolerance 0400ST (see below), I'm tempted to also acquire a CRKT Hissatsu folder...

What do you recommend? Will the Hissatsu be worth the $60 or so it goes for and what will I get with it that I don't already have with the ZT?

Thanks,

Folderguy

ZT 0400 ST
Kershaw0400st.jpg



Hissatsu folder
Hissatsu.jpg
 
There's a newer model of the Hissatu out now.

I hung on as long as I could to CRKT , and now have to admit that yes , they do suck. ( after my last ridiculous experience with them) If the folder you choose to get is anything like my M-16 Ti , you have my sympathies.

Nothing CRKT puts out is going to compare to a ZT , or Kershaw for that matter.

Tostig
 
Tostig said:
There's a newer model of the Hissatu out now.

I hung on as long as I could to CRKT , and now have to admit that yes , they do suck. ( after my last ridiculous experience with them) If the folder you choose to get is anything like my M-16 Ti , you have my sympathies.

Nothing CRKT puts out is going to compare to a ZT , or Kershaw for that matter.

Tostig
Click to expand...


That's what I thought, thanks for the advice.
 
I have the ZT 400 and I think it's ZT's most elegant and dangerous looking knife. However the side of the handle opposite to the side shown in the photo above scratchs ridiculously easily. I was carrying the knife in the front pocket of a pair of old track pants with a plastic zipper, and when I pulled the knife out, it left a very obvious and permanent scratch about an inch and a half long. That strikes me as very odd for a knife brand that is supposedly ment for serious duty.
I don't have the Hissatsu but I really like the look of it.
 
Hi Larry-
I also own the 0400, it is without a doubt one of the best tanto folders around. I cant say enough good things about the knife overall. Are you certain that the scratch on your knife is the coating that has come off the handle? The reason I ask is because I would guess that the plastic didnt scratch the coating off. Rather the zipper rubbed off on the coating. It happened to me when I was cutting into drywall with a 0350 (black blade), what appered to be scratches were actually the drywall that rubbed off on my blade. Also, how does a knife handle coating affect the knives ability to perform "serious duty"?

Edit: @ Folderguy : In terms of quality, CRKT is not close at all to ZT (IMO & experience). As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. In this particular comparison, ZT has a great design and solid materials, the CRKT not so much. YMMV.
 
Last edited:
RevDevil said:
Hi Larry-
I also own the 0400, it is without a doubt one of the best tanto folders around. I cant say enough good things about the knife overall. Are you certain that the scratch on your knife is the coating that has come off the handle? The reason I ask is because I would guess that the plastic didnt scratch the coating off. Rather the zipper rubbed off on the coating. It happened to me when I was cutting into drywall with a 0350 (black blade), what appered to be scratches were actually the drywall that rubbed off on my blade. Also, how does a knife handle coating affect the knives ability to perform "serious duty"?

Edit: @ Folderguy : In terms of quality, CRKT is not close at all to ZT (IMO & experience). As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. In this particular comparison, ZT has a great design and solid materials, the CRKT not so much. YMMV.
Click to expand...

Oh, yeah, I know all about ZT!! I have two of them, the 0400 ST and the 0300, solid, dependable knives. It's just that a friend really strongly suggested the Hissatsu was a really good knife, and he said they flew out the store where he works. I don't doubt that in the least, but you know how it is, if I could see the knife first, that would be a different thing. I saw some videos of it on youtube, and it looks good, but that 0400 is one great knife.

I have at least 4 CRKTs, and they're all good knives, although they aren't the sort for hard use, with one exception (the Stubby Razel framelock folder, that is one pretty tough knife, razor sharp and also plenty good for prying, although I've yet to do any serious prying with it. Can tell you though that it is an awesome ice-breaker, using the butt of the handle that is. One friend said the knife feels like a good 'ole .38 special revolver. Have to agree with him.)

I didn't really expect the Hissatsu to be the equal of the ZT, but I just wanted to hear from y'all about that. Thanks much!
 
RevDevil said:
Hi Larry-
I also own the 0400, it is without a doubt one of the best tanto folders around. I cant say enough good things about the knife overall. Are you certain that the scratch on your knife is the coating that has come off the handle? The reason I ask is because I would guess that the plastic didnt scratch the coating off. Rather the zipper rubbed off on the coating. It happened to me when I was cutting into drywall with a 0350 (black blade), what appered to be scratches were actually the drywall that rubbed off on my blade. Also, how does a knife handle coating affect the knives ability to perform "serious duty"?

Edit: @ Folderguy : In terms of quality, CRKT is not close at all to ZT (IMO & experience). As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. In this particular comparison, ZT has a great design and solid materials, the CRKT not so much. YMMV.
Click to expand...

The handle on the back side of the ZT 0400 is smooth and coated with something. It's smooth and works well with the clip so it won't tear your trousers up. It will definitely scratch if you scratch it with something, like a nail, or maybe concrete, but plastic I really doubt... The handle material under the black coating is aluminum, if memory serves.
 
Tostig said:
There's a newer model of the Hissatu out now.

I hung on as long as I could to CRKT , and now have to admit that yes , they do suck. ( after my last ridiculous experience with them) If the folder you choose to get is anything like my M-16 Ti , you have my sympathies.

Nothing CRKT puts out is going to compare to a ZT , or Kershaw for that matter.

Tostig
Click to expand...


What was the last ridiculous experience you had with the CRKT?
 
Folderguy said:
What was the last ridiculous experience you had with the CRKT?
Click to expand...

My girlfriend got me a M-16 EDC the one with titanium handle. Decent enough knife for light chores after I spent a couple hours working on it. It came in a box saying For Those Who Serve or something along those lines , as if it was ready to go out of the box for our LEO's and Soldiers.
Screws were loose , the pivot screw was so loose it was near falling off , blade play.... There is no excuse IMO when you buy a folder and this is what you get.
You should not have to work on a knife just to get it to function the way it should.


Tostig
 
The full size Hissatsu folder is actually pretty decent for the small price you pay. I know a couple of guys who have put theirs through some tough work and it performed very well. The new smaller Hissatsu 2 folder is not that impressive to me overall. The quality is not as good as the larger version. I don't generally purchase cheaper folders but I have the non-assisted Hissatsu folder and I have no complaints about it for the price.
 
RevDevil said:
Hi Larry-
I also own the 0400, it is without a doubt one of the best tanto folders around. I cant say enough good things about the knife overall. Are you certain that the scratch on your knife is the coating that has come off the handle? The reason I ask is because I would guess that the plastic didnt scratch the coating off. Rather the zipper rubbed off on the coating. It happened to me when I was cutting into drywall with a 0350 (black blade), what appered to be scratches were actually the drywall that rubbed off on my blade. Also, how does a knife handle coating affect the knives ability to perform "serious duty"?

Edit: @ Folderguy : In terms of quality, CRKT is not close at all to ZT (IMO & experience). As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. In this particular comparison, ZT has a great design and solid materials, the CRKT not so much. YMMV.
Click to expand...



I've had all of the ZT folders to date, except for the ZT0400. I have never pulled the trigger on it, but have thought often about getting one. Guess I'm going to have to break down and pick up one!:D
 
I like the Hissatsu blade shape, but when I compare it to the 0400...there is no way I would go back. I've been spoiled! ;)

Edit to add:
If ZT ever decided to venture into the Hissatsu area, wow! That knife would probably set a new standard.
 
Tostig said:
My girlfriend got me a M-16 EDC the one with titanium handle. Decent enough knife for light chores after I spent a couple hours working on it. It came in a box saying For Those Who Serve or something along those lines , as if it was ready to go out of the box for our LEO's and Soldiers.
Screws were loose , the pivot screw was so loose it was near falling off , blade play.... There is no excuse IMO when you buy a folder and this is what you get.
You should not have to work on a knife just to get it to function the way it should.


Tostig
Click to expand...

Sounds like the QC guys were sipping something strong, or maybe smoking something stronger. That is, if there are QC guys.

I've never had that kind of experience with CRKT... although I've positively improved on some of them, tweaking this and that.
 
Bimmer1 said:
The full size Hissatsu folder is actually pretty decent for the small price you pay. I know a couple of guys who have put theirs through some tough work and it performed very well. The new smaller Hissatsu 2 folder is not that impressive to me overall. The quality is not as good as the larger version. I don't generally purchase cheaper folders but I have the non-assisted Hissatsu folder and I have no complaints about it for the price.
Click to expand...

Which specific model is that? I was unaware they had two different sizes. Is the unassisted model different in any other way besides being unassisted?
 
RevDevil said:
I like the Hissatsu blade shape, but when I compare it to the 0400...there is no way I would go back. I've been spoiled! ;)

Edit to add:
If ZT ever decided to venture into the Hissatsu area, wow! That knife would probably set a new standard.
Click to expand...


That 0400 blade shape is positively intimidating...
 
In all fairness, I have never fingered or used either knife, so my comments are based on appearances.

Aside from isssues of quality that others have addressed, the two knives strike me as being totally different, with different functions. The Hissatsu has always looked to me like a fighting/slasshing knife. I can't recall if it was in an ad or just my first impression, but what comes to my mind whever I see that knife is: "I would never want to have to explain to a judge, in adverse circumstances, why I was carrying that particular knife". The ZT appears, on the other hand, to be a edc, hard use folder.

Just my impressions.
 
Tostig said:
I hung on as long as I could to CRKT , and now have to admit that yes , they do suck.
Click to expand...

They may not totally suck, but an awful lot of their line leaves a LOT to be desired. While some of the designs look interesting, many just plain don't work. Interesting does not equal functional.
I've tried several and swapped most off. Still have a Natural. The Ripple and Eros are apparently decent (least I'm hoping they are since I plan to try an Eros).
I've pretty much reached the point that if I can't handle one, I'll pick someone's elses.

Nothing CRKT puts out is going to compare to a ZT .
Click to expand...

:thumbup:Thats for dang sure!
 
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