If you were the boss at Zero Tolerance...

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NDJeep

NDJeep

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...what would you produce? I'll start. I would make...

- 0451 with the overall length right between the 0450 & 0452

- 0900 with available G10 or CF scales

- 0566 with Ti scale

- Mini 0804 with G10, about 8" overall

- Re-release the 0550

- more hex bolt pivot models
 
less frame locks and more other locks. less smaller blade folders since kershaw makes so many.
 
Some 3.5" ZT045x would be great to me

More variations in the 080x series with different steels than s35vn

More washers/manual opening knives to complete the KVT/flipper range

Some customisation services as benchmade offers... ZT definitively knows how to handle anodization/finishes of their knives and it is sad for them (and us) not to promote this expertise
 
-Rerelease the 0777/0454
-Reboot the OTF project. Screw Microtech
-Make the 0392 a normal production item - take the anodizing out of the equation and leave it to the aftermarket - do periodic runs of the various blade shapes/DLC coatings, etc
-Rerun the Volt as a ZT item. Change some of the steels in the blade so that blem issues in the original run are avoided.
-Redesign the 0102 tomahawk - take that hole out of the head, it's useless (and counterproductive to the way hawks/axes work) and ugly
-Smooth scaled/bolstered variant of the 0600
-More Emerson collabs - I'd like to see something along the lines of the SOCFK A/B, but with the ZT framelock and 3d machining.
-Redesign the 0180 to be closer to the original Fieldtac. 3d machined texture handles and restore the choil of the original. If it's going to be a licensed design from Hinderer, might as well spec it to the original.

Think I've got a few more ideas, can't recall them right now.
 
I would start over from scratch and start making knives where looks weren't the primary focus, if I was told that it would be too hard or expensive to do so I would either fire this person or I'd listen to them and just quit.
 
A rather large bar tab on an island somewhere.

Something other than a framelock.
 
ZT knives are some of the favorites in my collection and see more carry time than Benchmade, Spyderco, Chris Reeve or others. The designs are pretty spot-on to me but I would like to see less flippers. I like my flippers but honestly the novelty is wearing a bit. I mean, don't expect to see many of my ZTs for sale but if they released the 0900, 0909, and 0450 with thumstuds and regular PB washers I'd snatch them up, especially the 0909.

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These 0550s have PB washers and thumstubs. They might have the slickest actions of any ZT I own and open just as quickly as any of the flippers.

931148C3-3532-412E-A079-C1277CAD3F2E_zpsipxnjqjs.jpg
 
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A mini 0562 (CF and regular) in both slicer and wharncliffe blades.
Definitely agree with adding the original 0392 into regular production with standard hardware.
Something fully flat ground with more of a leaf/spear point blade.
 
Oh, and someone mentioned the captured hex head pivot. I find that to be an outstanding feature and wish it was used on all models.
 
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I would take the hex bolt pivot, strong detent, and thick liner lock of the 0909 and apply them to some other designs. I'd love to see a wharncliffe or modified wharncliffe flipper with these features, specifically.
 
This is what I would do. Only me, not anyone else, me.

1. I would start a chinese high end division. Exactly like the models made in the usa but with slightly downgraded materials but the same quality as usa models. I would essentially model it after how the guitar industry makes its products. Possibly under a different name so that people buying US produced products still felt the name was sacred.

2. I would do limited editions but i would remove the cap on how many were produced and the amount of knives produced would be based on demand. It would no longer be a product for scalpers but just for those who want the knives. They would be sold direct to customers who join a fan club for the brand. They would be only sold to those fans and they would be marked down considerably. The first knife produced would be a vote from that fanbase with a few options so everyone was happy.
3. I would start a true factory custom program where knives would have a list of possible options that could be added to the knife for an upcharge. Hollow grinds, mirrored blades etc.

4. Any dealers found to be hoarding limited editions for mass profits at a later date would be removed as dealers.

5. I would do limited edition reissues of popular past models in unique variations.

6. I would beg ken onion to come back into the fold. And any custom collabs would be closer to the originals.

7. I would make all knives so that kvt was optional and vise versa so that knives could adopt kvt if desired. Speedsafe would remain optional.
8. I would bring back tim galyean designs and help him relaunch his pro series knives and put him in charge of the factory custom division.
 
A complete prohibition on backspacers of any kind. (See 0850. Never Again.)

Less "artsy" knives with silly curved blade shapes and ugly color schemes. (0850, 0460, and 0456)

I'd tell Dmitry Sinkevich either reign in his designs, or go find a new job working for Spyderco in Taiwan.

Never again shall a carbon fiber shard mingle with the steel of a blade.

New designs featuring thumb studs.

Finally, a serious effort would be made to do a production folder collar with Strider Knives.
 
0900 20% longer and slimmer without any recurve.
0909 2 oz. lightest
0801 at least 1 oz. lightest
0770 without assist and with ti handle, linerlock can stay
Collab with Bob Terzuola, some classic ATCF
Less bearings, some teflon washers
Less flippers, more thumb studs
Some simple models like Emerson A-100
0808 without backspacer with sandblasted handle
Generally sandblasted ti like in Sebenza instead slippery stonewashed ti.
0392 in standard production with standard hardware would be nice.
ZT version of Kershaw Chill
 
PURPLEDC said:
I would start a chinese high end division. Exactly like the models made in the usa but with slightly downgraded materials but the same quality as usa models. I would essentially model it after how the guitar industry makes its products. Possibly under a different name so that people buying US produced products still felt the name was sacred.
Click to expand...

If ZT ever pulled that kind of move, they would be bigger sellouts than Gerber, as one of ZT's primary selling points is "Proudly Overbuilt in the USA". Besides, isn't Kershaw KAI's chosen outlet for scrap metal manufactured and assembled by slaves over in the PRC?

If you were the hypothetical CEO, you might find yourself in some hot water with not only the board of directors, but with the workers as well :D
 
NDJeep said:
...what would you produce? I'll start. I would make...

- 0451 with the overall length right between the 0450 & 0452

- more hex bolt pivot models
Click to expand...

I've had a couple of 450's; they are a little short in the grip. I'd prefer ~4.6" closed length, as the flipper tab restricts a little bit of your available grip length.
Love the hex bolt pivots...super-good idea.

For MY tastes, 3.5" max length blade; good steels (tired of S30V, S35VN), G10 or Ti slabs, jimping on the flipper tab, give us a non-slip Ti slab grip. 4.5 ounce is good weight. 0.140" max blade width, flat grinds, 0.010"-0.015" behind the edge.
No pry-bars in my future...

p.s. I love the 0801BRZ limited model, and also like the blue anodized models.
 
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Like several other members above have noted, more thumb studs with washers. Flippers are getting old. Particularly if that s all a company makes. Other options would be nice.
 
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