How Would You Rate ZT ?

Wolverine777

Wolverine777

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Although I am relatively new to ZT knives , I have been into knives in general (from certain other manufacturers) for many years now. And with my first two ZT's that I purchased in the last couple months I have to say that I am extremely happy with them both. My 0550 and 0350 are two of the best knives I have ever owned. The look , the feel , the craftsmanship , materials used , fit and finish and quality of the knives are all fantastic. And I am now a die hard ZT fan for life.

Anyway , just wondering how everyone would rate ZT knives when compared to other knife brands in or near the same price point. Which brands are considered a direct competitor to ZT ? And how do you feel ZT stacks up ?
 
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IMHO Not many things to compare them to, they make such a range of hard use blades in several different steels. Emerson is a great hard use knife co, but they only use 154CM...I want other steels too. They demolish BM blue class....but gold class is basically a custom so they are not comparable. I'm curious to hear other opinions....
 
They are the best knife for the money. After flipping a 0560 a few times it will diminish the feelings you presently have toward your other favorites...My son (6) has learned to flip some of my knives. He tried the 0560 and said something like.....hewhewhewhewewwewe. Kind of like what you do when a chill runs through you. He then said, "like Butta"
 
I own knives from many competing knife companies, and I would have to say ZT offers a superior product, and value. There are other great knives out there, and some other manufacturers I believe have been "awoken" by some of ZT's latest offerings like the 030x, 0550/1, 0560/1 etc. Since acquring my ZT's, my other knives sit in my safe, and some will probably get sold or traded.
 
I have many "hard use" folders,but my 301 is the only one to really see hard use. It's my trusty buddy when I'm in the woods.one of my favorite companies.
 
There are a few knives out there that somewhat compare, but ZT combined with some of the larger kershaw offerings (Rake, JYD for example) cover so much ground price wise, that almost no other company can compete on all the same levels. Thats not to say no company compares because I am not blind, but just not on all the levels of the spectrum that Kershaw/ZT does. That is one of the major reasons I love them.

Build wise I think other companies are right around where ZT is, but again it is a price thing.Just seems like you get more knife for the money with Kai than the other big companies, another reason I really like Kai.

It also seems like they use more technologies and aren't afraid to try something a little different when others are. I have seen more new technologies come to light because of kai being an industry leader than any other mainstream company,

It would seem like a huge contradiction with more knife for money and being an industry leader in new technologies, but they pull it off well and I love them for it!
 
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I don't think for the Price, Quality of Product, Customer Service and it Being made in the USA there is little to no competition. Hell name a company that wants you to take your knife apart and upkeep it on your own and will send you parts for free.. Closest thing to compare would be Striders but they are $400+ (Well worth it) and Microtech (Bad CS, can't don't anything to it without Voiding Warranty). So as far as the range of products they offer, I don't think anyone can compare!
 
ZT is THE top knife company, as a whole, due to the fact that every single knife I've ever handled with the ZT designation has been above and beyond the expectation of any other knife in it's price category. Kershaws stuff has a high range of quality (materials) and price, of course, you pay for what you get. But, with ZT, there are no knives in the <$100 range, and with Kai's quality control and attention to design and detail, it can't be beat. You can even bring in Spyderco and Benchmade into the equation, and it still beats them. Again, it's consistently higher quality for higher priced knives and you will always get great value, no matter what you buy.

To put it differently, almost any other production line, whether it's Kershaw, Shun, Spyderco, Buck or Benchmade, there is a curve of quality vs. price for the range of knives produced. These top producers are obviously above the norm in the Q vs. $ ratio, but the fact is there that lower cost is going to give you lower quality, (notice I didn't say LOW quality, that will never be a debate when talking about Kai). With ZT, the quality is ALWAYS top notch, because the materials are always top, and, with that, the price is always a bit higher (>$100).
 
IMHO anyone who says that their knife is better than a ZT is fluffing their own pillow. But hey If I were to spend twice as much for a knife with the exact same materials and similar specs I probably wouldnt want to admit I failed either. Bottom line is that ZT not only has the quality materials, excellent fit, finish and QC they offer something that most other makers dont offer. And that is service after the sale. And KAIs warranty is exceptional. They relplace and repair more than they should. Honestly there is absolutely no need to buy from another brand. I simply like the design of some other offerings being a knife nut so I dont buy exclusively from Kershaw and ZT. But if you look at functionality and materials they leave no real reason to shop elsewhere.
 
I'll save my rant, everyone covered the bases. It's an outstanding company. Even better knives. :thumbup:
 
ZT stands alone in the category of tanks in that price range featuring collaboration with top designers, premium materials and workmanship, and great customer service. Production knives pushing up against the mid-techs, but keeping with production prices. Hard to beat that...
 
flarp said:
ZT stands alone in the category of tanks in that price range featuring collaboration with top designers, premium materials and workmanship, and great customer service. Production knives pushing up against the mid-techs, but keeping with production prices. Hard to beat that...
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"Tanks" is right. That's one of the main things I love about ZT. I like a solid beefy knife. And ZT is all about making a beast of a knife without having it be a pain to carry. I continue to be impressed every time I carry and use mine.
 
I'd have to rate them at the top of my list. For all the reasons already mentioned above, but also because they make the 0550.
 
ZT has ruined other brands for me, I have tried out some of the other big names and they just can't stack up to my ZT knives so I have finally just stopped trying to hunt for something on a level playing ground because I do not believe it exists in production knives.
 
It is mine too. I will be dumping some semi precious Spyderco's in order to fund more in the near future. My 550 is easily worth double the price to me. I had an XM 18, and my 550 compares very favorably for a much lower price. Love my 560 too. I don't carry my Spyderco's or Benchmades anymore.
 
I think they compare to custom knives. If you mess up a ZT, you don't need to own a knife. My son has put his 350 through hell farming with and is as tight as when he bought it. I know he abused it. Cutting wire, scraping mud off of equipment, screw driver, prys with it. You name it, he has used it for. The last time I sharpened it took about an and I told him next time I would send it to ZT so they could sharpen it. If the pivot ever gets cleaned or oiled I do it. He said his knife works for a living and that is why my knives look so good. I sold all my folders except for a Para II that I sometimes carry on Sundays if I can get my 560 out of my pocket. To me the ZT200 is better than 95% of the folders out their and I could carry it from on and not complain a bit. I want to see a company make a better knife! I guess I kinda like them,haha.
 
Well, Leroy Gibbs uses ZT so that speaks volumes. Apart from that, they've proven over and over to be a company that seriously cares about a person being happy with their product. They're right there with Leatherman in terms of a no nonsense, "we just want you to be happy with your tool" approach, and they've fixed things for me that they could have just rejected. The knives are incredible, there's no disputing that. However what really strikes me is how supportive they are and how strongly they stand behind their stuff.
 
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