I have TRIED to hate Kai, but...

ebidis

ebidis

Joined
Jun 23, 2012
Messages
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When I first started getting into knives, I bought a Kershaw leek, and a blur tanto. I was intrigued, but underwhelmed. And then eventually I found this...



Kershaw Junkyard dog. Made in theUSA, A large beefy folder with a composite blade. Aside from the goofy pocket clip, which I removed, I found the design outstanding. My first flipper. Instant love.

Then I discovered ZT...



0550 first generation. Instantly fell in love with this knife. What's not to like? Big beefy titanium frame lock, 3.5 inch blade, Rick Hinderer design.

I then had a love/hate relationship with KAI for the next couple of years. Having been very disappointed in many of their import models, Kershaw fell out of favor. Then, they came up with outstanding value models like these...




The Kershaw Dimension, with full titanium frame, button lock, and spring assist flipper. Absolutely outstanding for $60.





The Kershaw/Emerson collaboration CQC7K. Being a huge Emerson knut ( I know, I know... A discussion for another time), I believe the Emerson collaboration is the best product that Kershaw has released in years. Not just because I'm an Emerson fan, but the actual quality of the product is extremely good. Especially for the price point.

Then, if the Kershaw/Emerson collaboration was not enough, they tantalize me with this...





The ZT0620CF Emerson/ZT collaboration. Full titanium frame lock, carbon fiber scale, stainless steel lock bar insert, M390 blade steel, and a blade grind and finish that is a work of art.

The action on this knife is smooth as glass, and the lock up is rock solid. Blade centering is absolutely perfect. There are no fit and finish issues what so ever, and the aesthetics are absolutely beautiful.

This knife is outstanding! And I am NOT just saying that because it is an Emerson design. Although the Emerson design I feel is outstanding, the execution by zero tolerance is more than excellent. This knife has absolutely outstanding fit and finish! I seriously cannot find a single flaw. I thought that my 0550 was an excellent knife, if that is the case, then this knife is absolutely divine. Zero tolerance has a really stepped up their game in the past couple of years.

So, in conclusion, I am not kidding. For the last couple of years I have really dismissed KAi as a company. I really felt that they lacked any kind of passion, or inspiration. And although I find most of their common import fodder lacking, I now find that they are capable of moments of great inspiration, and excellence, as demonstrated by their 2014 releases of not only the Emerson designs, but the new Hinderer designs as well. I hope they can keep up the excellence in the years to come.

As for now...I am really looking hard at the 0801...and the 0700...and the...I think I need help!
 
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JYD is a great folder... I'm planning to modify the pocket clips on my pair.
I don't consider myself a Kershaw guy, but counting in my head I realize I have twice as many Kershaws as any other brand. (these numbers are small, but still...)
 
daizee said:
JYD is a great folder... I'm planning to modify the pocket clips on my pair.
I don't consider myself a Kershaw guy, but counting in my head I realize I have twice as many Kershaws as any other brand. (these numbers are small, but still...)
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I would love to do something with a pocket clip on my junk yard dog. The stock clip is horrible! If you do modify yours, I would love to see pictures.

It is funny that you say you're not a Kershaw guy, but you have more Kershaws than any other brand. I have found myself in the same situation. As the title says for a long time I thought I really hated Kershaw. However, I just realized that I actually have manyKAI knives. That I really enjoy. Especially the ZT,s.
 
They have excellent customer service. I emailed them about an extra washer for my 0770CF and i got an automated email response that apoligized for the delays during holiday season. I was waiting for a response and i Hadn't received one til today. I looked in the mail today and not only did they send another washer, they sent a whole new pivot screw assembly. Just based off of that i will now be gladly purchasing new Zero Tolerance products, as well as referring any Kai products to my friends. It really helps that their stuff is such great quality, you won't usually require customer service.
 
Regarding not being a Kershaw guy but owning more of it than other brands...

Perhaps y'all really like framelocks/linerlocks? All those pics have it in common also.
 
Kershaws and zero tolerance are fantastic.

Question though.... Why would you make a concious effort to try and HATE anything at all? Thats a pretty loaded statement..
 
stonproject said:
Kershaws and zero tolerance are fantastic.

Question though.... Why would you make a concious effort to try and HATE anything at all? Thats a pretty loaded statement..
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I have not really made a conscious effort to hate, this was actually sarcasm. Just pointing out the fact that even though I thought a particular Brand did not appeal to me, I suddenly realized I had several pieces in my collection which I enjoyed, and could not dismiss an entire brand just because of a few disappointments.
 
Kai is cool, I only own their zt line. I never liked zt until the 0562 was announced, and then the 0454 became available. Those are the only 2 zt's I own and would buy so far. Nothing wrong with the rest, just not for me.

Kershaws aren't bad, I have a Damascus chive that's pretty nice, however I hate assisted knives. My buddy had a kershaw (don't know which one) and he beat the hell out of it and it just kept on going.
 
Blues Bender said:
Kai is cool, I only own their zt line. I never liked zt until the 0562 was announced, and then the 0454 became available. Those are the only 2 zt's I own and would buy so far. Nothing wrong with the rest, just not for me.

Kershaws aren't bad, I have a Damascus chive that's pretty nice, however I hate assisted knives. My buddy had a kershaw (don't know which one) and he beat the hell out of it and it just kept on going.
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I only own 2 ZT's myself. However, the two that I do I own, I really like.

By the way, is that your Strat in your signature? If so, what model is it? Just curious. I love Strats.
 
I keep coming back to them. This month alone I picked up a ZT 562CF, Skyline, and a Strobe. I'm on the lookout for my next one.
 
ebidis said:
I only own 2 ZT's myself. However, the two that I do I own, I really like.

By the way, is that your Strat in your signature? If so, what model is it? Just curious. I love Strats.
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Not my strat, but I have one very similar. I have a Sunburst American standard with a maple neck. Also got a Martin 00-15M, one hell of an acoustic!
 
I've only had the Kershaw JYD v.2.2. It is a great folder. My rough-use folder.
Lots of ZT's have come and gone. I got tired of the weight, and now the 0770CF in M390 is my only one. At three ounces, I cannot complain about the weight. They do make outstanding folders.
 
My only Kershaw is a lowly Skyline. I think the build quality is fantastic, and the design is really cool. I dislike the bead blast, flippers and the near-useless thumb stud. I leave it on my desk and play with it every single day. I couldn't tell you the last time I carried it though. I enjoy it, but its appeal is more form / function to me. Ha.

I've been eyeballing the Leak for a long time now, but I really have no use for it. Most of the ZTs just look a bit big and clunky with kind of bland styling. They kinda-sorta all look the same, too! :D Would love a Damascus Skyline with red scales, but it too would spend its days on my desk. :D
 
I picked up a Zing, a OD1 and a Skyline when Walmart was closing them out. I figured at the price I could afford to try out the flipper concept and down the road they would be good trading material. I found them to be very usable knives for light knife days. I even added a black tanto bladed Zing when Kershawguy had them on sale. I've since learned that I don't care for larger flipper knives since the flipper tends to get in the way both open and closed. That factor, along with recurves, "busy" cosmetic touches and too much weight have kept me away from ZT. To me it seems KAI has something for everyone. It's surprising that they do so many different designs so well.
 
At least you can admit that KAI makes an outstanding product. I've need had any issues with my Kershaws or ZTs. They're great knives with a great warranty.
 
I usually carry a ZT or Kershaw folder and a Becker fixed. I try to stay with the USA made products but that won't stop me from purchasing something if it peeks my interest.
 
I've several Kershaw and love all but one: have the Oso Sweet , Volt II, Crown, Kurai, Drone (like it the best) and Skyline. All are fine users, I just don't like the checker board pattern on the Kurai handle top (covered it with a permanent black marker and then a flat spray lacquer; now it's ok). Not in love with the flipper only Skyline; prefer a thumb stud or A/O. Kershaw makes a quality product IMHO.
Rich S
 
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