How tough is the Zero Tolerance ZT0400

[SBaker34]

Im looking to buy a new knife and I noticed the Zero Tolerance ZT0400 assisted opening with a S30V blade for only $114 seemed like it was worth considering however I hesitate to buy anything over 100 with a liner lock so my question is not how tough is the liner lock but rather how tough is the rest of the knife?

It looks built like a tank but how solid is the lockup? for the money I wouldst stand for any blade play also how hard use is the knife a lot of knives used for wood carving develop blade play if this knife can withstand that then I am interested finally can the sharpmaker sharpen a recurve?

 

[Noctis3880]

Well, you get what you pay for. And for $100 less, you get anodized aluminum handles with a stainless liner. I'd imagine blade play would develop more easily than the 0300 series. I also don't like anodized aluminum as it easily wears down to the bare aluminum.

If you watch Ankerson's hard use video for the ZT 0301, you'll see that he constantly says "Zero Blade Play" all throughout.

Sure it costs more, but you get 3D G10 handles with a titanium framelock. Opening and closing is buttery smooth. Lockup is solid with zero blade play(no surprise there). Most dealers sell it for around $240, but you could probably find one on eBay for around $180. Also, I find the blade shape to be better for utility than that semi-tanto on the 0400.

The sharpmaker should be able to sharpen recurves because of how thin the rods are.

 

[Rudeco]

I have to agree, the 301 is a workhorse....i put mine through some punishment and its still working like a beauty....

 

[SBaker34]

$200 is just $80 too much though if I could get that much in any reasonable time I might as well go all the way and pick up a busse or sebenza but at least until Christmas $120 is my upper limits. I might sell a few things but that would only get me about 200-300$ but I don't like the looks of the 301 to dump that much cash into one.

 

[pilote]

he asked about a 400 not a 301...

my brother is a fed and he uses a 400...he and his colleagues agree the 400 is a great tool, way better than what they are issued...and yeah, they used the word "tough"...if you like that style you should not worry about performance.

 

[Noctis3880]

Then I would at least suggest a look at the 0200 model. Toughness has as much to do with the handle construction as it does with the blade, and I've never seen aluminum as particularly "tough".

I also don't recommend tanto style blades unless you realize the limitations of it in actual use. I also thought the tanto on my Emerson CQC7 was "tacticool" until I tried to actually cut something with the knife.

 

[RevDevil]

I have the 0400. I love the knife. It's one of the all time best tanto blades I've ever owned and used. Please someone explain to me the "limitation of its actual use"? We are still using knives to cut stuff right?

 

[knivesandguns]

he asked about a 400 not a 301...

my brother is a fed and he uses a 400...he and his colleagues agree the 400 is a great tool, way better than what they are issued...and yeah, they used the word "tough"...if you like that style you should not worry about performance.

+1 pilote.

The OP asked about the 0400.


All of the people who haven't owned this knife shouldn't add input about supposed bladeplay from a liner lock with AL handles. The ZT MUDD uses AL handles and it's tough...

Anyways, I digress:

My 0400 has gone on many hiking/camping/hunting trips with me. It definitely lives up to the ZT name. I used it whenever I could and it never developed blade play nor did the lockbar move over past 45%

It opens faster than the 03XX series (I owned one in the past, but it was stolen.) Not bashing the 03XX series--love them, but it's not what the OP was asking about.

It has a very thick blade--don't worry about using the heck out of it. STR has said that it is underrated IIRC.

-M

 

[Noctis3880]

I have the 0400. I love the knife. It's one of the all time best tanto blades I've ever owned and used. Please someone explain to me the "limitation of its actual use"? We are still using knives to cut stuff right?

Due to the shape of it, there's no curve for slicing cuts. Whenever I make a cut into something, it's the "second tip" that cuts into the medium. And because of how the blade gets thicker at that point, it drags on the blade more.

Maybe it's just me, but I just don't see the tanto style as suitable for utility or even general use. It just seems more suited for stabbing than anything else for some odd reason.

 

[Jason B.]

Just because it doesn't work for You does not mean it won't work for others.

Aluminum handles not tough? your joking right?



To the OP, its a ZT you have nothing to worry about, if something goes wrong they will take care of you.

 

[Noctis3880]

Just because it doesn't work for You does not mean it won't work for others.

Fair enough. To each their own favorite(and least favorite) flavor of ice cream.

Aluminum handles not tough? your joking right?

Okay, that came out wrong. 6061 aircraft grade aluminum is as tough as they come.

I've seen someone run over a Surefire flashlight with a truck and it still worked afterwards, scratches aside.

The issue is with the anodizing. It's no more tougher than the aluminum itself(scratch resistant somewhat, but easily chipped). Type II anodizing is weak and typically starts to wear with about a week or two of pocket carry. Type III anodizing is more durable, but is still vulnerable to wear around the sharp angles. The only coating on aluminum that lasts for any reasonable amount of time is Cerakote or DLC.

Without the coating, the bare aluminum is easily scratched and is susceptible to corrosion. I for one am completely psychotic about little things like that. Admittedly though, the ZT 0400 would seem to be better value than the Emerson CQC7.

 

[Dorito Monk]

Aluminum handles not tough? your joking right?

My thoughts exactly.

I've beat the tar out of some of my aluminum handled knives and they just come back for more. My Kershaw Blur (overall similar handle design to the zt-400) has been used to loosen stubborn (ex: rusted, loctite-covered, etc) wing-nuts and the like several times by just jamming the wing nut into the gap between the handle scales and twisting. Not to mention the hammering, bashing, and other kinds of abuse I've put it through. Still works great, although it looks like five miles of bad road.

Without the coating, the bare aluminum is easily scratched and is susceptible to corrosion.

Also: Bare aluminum is susceptible to corrosion? You need to check your facts. Bare Aluminum is used in most industries specifically because it has amazing corrosion resistance - anodizing does nothing more than make it look pretty.

 

[Noctis3880]

Also: Bare aluminum is susceptible to corrosion? You need to check your facts. Bare Aluminum is used in most industries specifically because it has amazing corrosion resistance - anodizing does nothing more than make it look pretty.

I stripped the anodizing off one of my flashlights and it turned gray and foggy overnight. Admittedly it doesn't go beyond that. Anodizing is primarily to protect the aluminum from scratches. Without it, you could put scratches in there with a scouring pad(for dishwashing).

 

[noway]

It is a very tough knife and great for its intended purpose, self-defence... where I prefer it over my BM 710 and everything else in its price range. I have been using mine (recent acquisition) as EDC but it looks very tactical so I don't show it around. It is very light and well balanced for a tough knife and feels very good in the hand. It is easy to open using the flipper, thumb studs or just by manually flicking it while holding the handle. It came very sharp but I plan to use a Sharpmaker for sharpening down the road.

It is not a Busse fixed blade or a wood-carving knife.

 

[pilote]

for sure the zt400 is a "special purpose" designed knife, though it will cut for utility purposes just fine...

some of us here do use knives knowing it's going to make the blade and body ugly with scratches...

 

[mystro]

I like the 0400. ZT doesnt make a bad knife. Their reputation should be enough to know that the knife is going to be tough. I guarantee it would tougher than a Emerson. No offense to Emerson owners, but I just bought a Emerson Commander and it feels like a piece of junk compared to my ZT knives. I was not impressed. :thumbdn: Emerson is flimsy and its liner lock isnt in the same league compared to the ZT. If I get a tanto knife, its going to be a 0400. For the price it seems like another ZT bargain. For edc the 0350 is ZT dream knife and is probably your best choice. The 0400 should be a great edc as well if you want a tanto or finer tipped knife.

 

[acab70]

I like the 0400. ZT doesnt make a bad knife. Their reputation should be enough to know that the knife is going to be tough. I guarantee it would tougher than a Emerson. No offense to Emerson owners, but I just bought a Emerson Commander and it feels like a piece of junk compared to my ZT knives. I was not impressed. :thumbdn: Emerson is flimsy and its liner lock isnt in the same league compared to the ZT. If I get a tanto knife, its going to be a 0400. For the price it seems like another ZT bargain. For edc the 0350 is ZT dream knife and is probably your best choice. The 0400 should be a great edc as well if you want a tanto or finer tipped knife.

:thumbup:
+1

bye
tom

 

[glockman99]

I like the 0400. ZT doesnt make a bad knife. Their reputation should be enough to know that the knife is going to be tough...If I get a tanto knife, its going to be a 0400. For the price it seems like another ZT bargain. For edc the 0350 is ZT dream knife and is probably your best choice. The 0400 should be a great edc as well if you want a tanto or finer tipped knife.

I was going to also suggest that the OP take a look at the ZT 0350. I have one (as well as a ZT 0301), and I have to say that the ZT 0350 is a very handy "little" folder.

 

[RevDevil]

Due to the shape of it, there's no curve for slicing cuts. Whenever I make a cut into something, it's the "second tip" that cuts into the medium. And because of how the blade gets thicker at that point, it drags on the blade more.

Maybe it's just me, but I just don't see the tanto style as suitable for utility or even general use. It just seems more suited for stabbing than anything else for some odd reason.

I understand what you mean now, I was a little confused. I can see how some people would not like or feel too comfortable carrying around a tanto blade. It was awkward, but after a couple of days I really warmed up to it.
The slight recurve on the 0400 collects and cuts material as the knife is slicing through stuff. The issues with drag and resistance when slicing is valid no arguements here. The only solution I've come up with is to keep the blade as sharp as reasonably possible. The angle should not be like 8* inclusive, but something around 18*-21* and this is a great slicer. :thumbup:

 

[bdt0307]

It is a great knife, at least I thought so enough to purchase one for my sister before her SeaBee unit goes to Afghanistan in November.
I also own a 0200st and a 0350 for everyday carry and never had a problem.