How do you rate Zero Tolerance on a scale of 1-10?

If I only had the 0561, I'd go a maybe a 7-ish. If I wore work gloves when using it I might think more of it, it seems to be made for that. The build quality is very good but I find it hard on the digits and a bit cumbersome to use.

If I only had the 0562 I'm going a solid 9. Love the solid usefulness of this thing, the detent, action, ergos, weight, size, grind, clip, all are just right for me. My Elmax/G10 0562 is a purely functional industrial grade cutting tool. Love it.

The 0770M390 is somewhere between the two. Nice as it is I prefer the 940-1 or 484-1, because of the Axis lock, and also because I'm not so used to the up-swept blade angle.

My recently acquired 0452CF warrants an 8+, maybe a 9. Not sure if I will keep it though, I'm more interested in the 0450CF, but I'm gonna wait a while and see if a non DLC 0450CF is coming.

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Insipid Moniker said:
Too broad a question, too many variables. They make nothing I'm interested in, so I could honestly say zero. ZT has hit a particular niche in the market that's very popular. They collaborate with highly sought after knifemakers. Produce a product with excellent fit, finish and warranty that's less expensive and sometimes even higher quality than a midtech run from said maker would be, and they price themselves competitively for that niche and use very good materials.

If, however, you're looking for a lot of variety, innovation or risk-taking look elsewhere.

Honestly, I think ZT is no longer competing largely with Benchmade or Spyderco, but with Kizer and Reate.

If ZT made something I wanted I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. Fantastic build quality, great materials and on of the best warranties around. Unfortunately, I don't see that happening in the foreseeable future, so they're not big on my radar.
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This pretty much is my answer. I don't own any, because I've yet to see anything I liked. No sweat, I don't own any Kershaw knives either, and for the same reason.
 
My Zt collection consists of the 0452, 0350, 0300, 0560, 0562, 0801 copperhead, 0770, 0392 bronze and a 0095 bw. As you can tell I am a Zt fan. I would rate them a solid 8.

Things I wish Zt would improve on is the lack of consistency when it comes to their detents. My 0562 has zero detent and the 0452 has an insanely strong one. They could work on the geometry between the lock bar and blade tang more. I notice some significant lock bar movement on a couple of their models. I've been somewhat spoiled by the lock bar geometry on my Hinderers, which never move.

On a positive note, Zt offers solid fit and finish with premium steels and materials at a competitive price. Their knives have some of the slickest flipping action that I've ever felt. I enjoy the styling and appearance of most of their knives and eagerly wait to see the new models they offer annually.
 
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Solid 10 in my book. Excellent materials, awesome fit and finish and constantly bringing out new designs. Customer service is top notch as well, they will always take care of you no matter what your issue is.
 
Solid 9+!

Excellent quality, materials and service. They're made in the U.S. and now most of the materials including the steel (from Elmax & M390 to S35VN & 204P) are also U.S. made.

My favorite is the new 0450CF at just 2.45 ounces with a 3.25" blade. ZT can make them light and slicers. For a larger folder try 0095BW with a 3.6" blade that's 0.12" thick and only 5.3 ounces. Great slicer.

Since the strong detents of last year they've tuned the latest versions with just the right balance of flipper action: reliable deployment without a break-in period.

Unfortunately, ZT doesn't produce very many models like Benchmade or Spyderco. ZT quality is comparable to LionSteel, Spyderco Taichung and Reate.

Unfortunately for some, ZTs are mostly titanium or liner lock flippers (some assisted).
 
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Both BM and ZT are excellent quality, like you said though ZT are heavy and big! It depends on what you are looking for, too me the BMs can be better as far as EDC because of weight, size and I love the axis lock but ZT has GREAT build quality and craftsmen ship!
 
I've only had 3 go through my hands, all in trades, and all 350s. Weren't my favorite but they were all very well made and solid. I would give them 7/10. I really want a 450 though, Ti or CF. I have a feeling that knife could start a ZT addiction.

Edit: Since this post I have gotten a 0566 and a 0450 Ti. The 0566 I could take or leave but the 0450 is awesome. It has been in my pocket all week and I will be picking up the CF version next. I'll stick to my 7/10 for now but it is subject to change. ;)
 
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I started out with an 0452cf, and I was pretty hooked. I had never spent so much on a folder. In 6 months, I have accumulated 3 of them.

Well built and rugged if not a perfect edc for all occasions. 8.5/10
 
Over time, I have become a great ZT fan. They are great knives for people who want designer features at a factory price. I would like it if ZT made a few more knives that had sub 3" blades, and really worked harder to make more knives less than 6 ounces, but big and heavy is pretty much their identity.

Overal, they are 8.5-9 out of 10.
 
I'll give them an 8 over all. ZT's quality control and customer service are through the roof. Not every design is for me, and I would love to see more designs meant to do some cutting.

My 0392 however is above and beyond any other ZT I have had, pretty good cutting geometry (about like a Paramilitary 2) and has zero flaws. It's actually one of my favorite knives currently.
 
I have a love hate relationship with ZT.

ZT0620CF - 4/10. I love this blade but it rusted on me. The pocket clip, standoff and the liner under the CF scale rusted.

ZT0452CF - 9/10. Outstanding flipping action and build quality. Hope it will not rust on me this time.

ZT customer service is awesome. They will send you replacement part if you let them know about the rust issue.



Don
 
Not a ZT fanboy, but I have 3 that are just about perfect.
450 Ti, 452cf and a 562cf. Each one flips amazingly.....450 is the best.....extremely smooth action, no blade play at all and all of them can cut. I got all mine from Scott at usamadeblade. All annoed by him and was thrilled with each one!
I'll give them a solid 9/10 on these 3 alone......never touched any other ones and the overbuilt ones don't speak to me at all.
I think the 452 cf is one of the nicest looking blades!! Love that sleek profile and it flips beautifully for such a large blade!
Joe
 
knifeandgun said:
Thats what im planning to do:)
It looks so sleek and awesome!
hopefully itll finally change my mind about ZTs haha
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I think you'll be pleased. Of all the ZT's I've owned, only the 0770CF and the regular 0770 in aluminum have been carried on a regular basis. The 7007's have the best cutting edge-to-handle ratio of any knives I have owned.
 
There's really just one complaint I have with ZT but for me it's a big one: Everything is framelock or linerlock. Don't get me wrong, I like the locks but they lack variety and are limited to these locks. In the realm of frame lock/ liner lock Ti knives, they have all the variety you could want though.
 
I've got a 0350 that I de-assisted, a 0300, a 0560BW and a 0450.

I give them an 8.5

All were nearly perfect out of the box, aside from the 0450 which didn't have a terribly sharp factory edge.
 
They make a solid flipper. I'd give them an 8. Benchmade makes great knives as well.
One of my favorites is the 804CF
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I own 3 Zt's. ZT 0560BW, 620 and 0301. I would rate the company overall 10. It is my favourite knife company.
 
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