If you were the boss at Zero Tolerance...

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I would make a 3" 0562, price it around $150-$200 and keep it under 4 ounces. I think they would sell like hot cakes.

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I would melt down all the honey combs and use the material to create a sculpture incorporating a hex nut pivot and washers outside ZT HQ.


Just kidding! :p
 
License the Deadlock from G&G Hawk and put Microtech right out of business with a whole line of OTFs.

Bring back the MUDD with upgraded steel and a Wave opener.

More Emerson collabs. Right now it looks like Emerson mostly wanted a slice of that Chinese made revenue rather than a partnership, as was originally discussed.

Stay away from fixed blades. Fixed blade manufacturers make great fixed blades. Folder manufacturers make great folders. Almost nobody does both.

Quit flavor-of-the-month collabs and let your designers stretch their legs. You have a ridiculous stable of collaborators and designers, so much so that we don't see much from each of them because they crowd each other out. Let them actually go to work and come up with something new for you and compete a little less with each other.
 
I would, bring back the 0301 and the 0560. I would give the 0562 the same traction as the 0560. I would make the 0560 and 0630 in blackwash. I would make some fixed blades also.
 
Filthyj24 said:
I would make a 3" 0562, price it around $150-$200 and keep it under 4 ounces. I think they would sell like hot cakes.

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You are correct sir!

OR, leave it same length, put a choil and the same texturing as the 560, that would be absolutely outstanding!!!!

Lose the stainless handles on the 566 and that would be real nice!
 
Make the 0302 in M390 and a ZT'd (that's a word now) versions of the wildcat Ridge in Ti and 20-cv, Rexford's injection in higher grade blade steel.Also acquire the rights to make the epicenter from Boker and ZT that beauty up: maybe limited production in MAXAMET or Damasteel or something crazy like that and copper/carbon fiber handles
 
I'd produce a bonus for the people who have been making the production and marketing decisions to this point.
 
Boxer .45 said:
How do you use downgraded materials and still accomplish the same quality?

Then how do you do all of those other things and still make buyers feel the "brand is still sacred"? All of those things would make me lose quite a bit of faith in the company.

Everything you listed makes ZT who they are abd one of the main reasons they have loyal fans. If you cheapen everything you stand for and make, and you flood the market with cheap crap then you've just cheapened your whole company and your products along with it. Then everyone buys from your competition.
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This is correct.

To make a parallel ZT product line, producing identical designs but with inferior materials, and doing it in China of all places, is one of the stupidest knife-related ideas I have ever heard. It's on the level of "New Coke", which was when the Coca-Cola company decided to completely change their signature formula.

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This is what Zero Tolerance Knives is. Proudly Overbuilt in the USA. Period.

To suggest that some ZT's be "kinda-built" in China, or Lesser-Built" in Timbuktu is completely absurd, unless the intent was to either evoke a humorous response, or to troll those who like the ZT brand.
 
I really liked what ZT did when they first started, and I would take the line back to it.

Blades at 3", 3.5", and 4". A few fixed blades in the mix.

Putting the money where it does the good: steel, heat-treat, quality control.

Flange bolt pivots on everything, and an overall emphasis on ease-of-use features. Being able to break the thing down and maintain it anywhere.

Unpretentious marketing. I would position ZT as a maker of high-quality, durable cutting tools for anybody who needs them, no matter what kind of job they have.

Collaboration with well-regarded people. Getting Les George on board was a step in the right direction, IMO. Zero Tolerance needs more solid fellas whose names tell the buyer they're getting something that was made to do work.
 
If I was the boss at ZT I'd try to keep my job. Most likely this would include selling more knives and making money. Seems they have that part down as of now. My job would be safe :)
 
To be honest, I wouldn't change a thing. ZT is one of the best manufacturers in the production market. I mean, I think of the big 3 as ZT, Spyderco and Benchmade. Those 3 bring the best bang for the buck, period (and built in the USA). After reading 4 pages of responses, you just can't fill every persons want list, but their current lineup has something for everyone at least.

However, I hope they continue the sprint run trend with current models. And personally I would like to see a revamp of the disc. Hinderer models in a sprint run, maybe with CF and some fancy steel.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
License the Deadlock from G&G Hawk and put Microtech right out of business with a whole line of OTFs.

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I keep forgetting this. I would LOVE to see this happen. I guess its one of those things that I want so bad that I block it out because I feel it will never happen. If they made a production deadlock in a ZT, Id be done with MT for good.
 
EDCanAdamas said:
This is correct.

To make a parallel ZT product line, producing identical designs but with inferior materials, and doing it in China of all places, is one of the stupidest knife-related ideas I have ever heard. It's on the level of "New Coke", which was when the Coca-Cola company decided to completely change their signature formula.

DSC01283_zpsvlinvnhm.jpg


This is what Zero Tolerance Knives is. Proudly Overbuilt in the USA. Period.

To suggest that some ZT's be "kinda-built" in China, or Lesser-Built" in Timbuktu is completely absurd, unless the intent was to either evoke a humorous response, or to troll those who like the ZT brand.
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LOL, ZT is owned by KAI. KAI is a Japanese corporation. We have all ready seen cross over knives with the natrix. A import lesser version of the original 0777. I was not proposing ZT make its knives in china. Or make knives in china with the zt name. YOU are proving my initial point that you want an argument. You think my idea is stupid? Fine. I think elitism and narrow minded thinking is equally stupid. Can we move on now or are you not done with the horse carcass? You are taking my words and literally changing them to fit the anti china narrative you have in your head. So much so that you are literally incapable of even understanding what I am talking about.

Its ok, Ive been told I was wrong many times before only to have those things actually come true at a later point. Its your notion that china doesn't make a good knife that has allowed them to pass us by in not only fit and finish but intricacy of machining. Its why most custom makers are collaborating with the likes of Reate and kizer. They can make faithful reproductions of the designs with premium materials at a much lower price point. Funding and allowing the USA operations to operate unhindered. Filling a niche market doesn't have to effect the domestic production or sales of the core line.

And any hurt feelings over a move like that would be the problem of the elitist consumer and not a corporation trying to stay a float in an ever changing world. As for your new coke comparison? New coke failed because they wanted to REPLACE the existing coke with a different product. But in most cases adding options is never a problem except for the people high on their own breath. Again WTF is your problem anyways? Is it really worth getting this thread locked and tossed away because god forbid you disagree with someone on the internet? And a topic that is pure fiction? Take a pill if you have them or consider getting some if you don't.
 
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I'd make a 0450CF with the standard, uncoated blade of the 0450.
I'd make a 0450 with an anodized aluminum show-side scale in a variety of colors.
I'd make a 0450CF with different colored CF scales ..blue weave, red weave, etc.
I'd make a 0450-ish knife with a 2.9" blade for those unfortunate enough to be in <3" jurisdictions.
I'd make a 0450-ish knife with a 3.5" kwaiken blade.
I'd make 0566 with a Ti lockbar and scale (as an earlier poster also proposed).
I'd male a 0900 size folder, with a deep bodied drop point full flat ground blade.
 
PURPLEDC said:
LOL, ZT is owned by KAI. KAI is a Japanese corporation. We have all ready seen cross over knives with the natrix. A import lesser version of the original 0777. I was not proposing ZT make its knives in china. Or make knives in china with the zt name. YOU are proving my initial point that you want an argument. You think my idea is stupid? Fine. I think elitism and narrow minded thinking is equally stupid. Can we move on now or are you not done with the horse carcass? You are taking my words and literally changing them to fit the anti china narrative you have in your head. So much so that you are literally incapable of even understanding what I am talking about. Its ok, Ive been told I was wrong many times before only to have those things actually come true at a later point. Its your notion that china doesn't make a good knife that has allowed them to pass us by in not only fit and finish but intricacy of designs. Its why most custom makers are collaborating with the likes of Reate and kizer. They can make faithful reproductions of the designs with premium materials at a much lower price point. Funding and allowing the USA operations to operate unhindered. Filling a niche market doesn't have to effect the domestic production or sales of the core line. And any hurt feelings over a move like that would be the problem of the elitist consumer and not a corporation trying to stay a float in an ever changing world.
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I see you wrote me a wall of text my purple friend, so let's break this down together, shall we.

For everyone else tuning in late, here's the original quote from PURPLEDC, which he made Number One on his list, suggesting importance:

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.

That's his quote, His idea, which I disagree with. And, how dare I express any kind of alternative or dissenting opinion that PURPLEDC doesn't like.

#1: I could care less that KAI is owned by a Japanese firm, as long as KAI stays true to the ZT brand.

#2 You were proposing that ZT make knives in China, with what you called a "Chinese High End Divison", and that that would he models would be "exactly like" the USA ones, but with downgraded materials.

So, you want ZT to be Kershaw (or Gerber)? You might actually make a lot of money selling Duck Dynastyesque 3cr13 steel ZT's, but you WOULD kill WHAT the brand stands for.

#3 I do not care for knives made in China due to the profit-over-everything mentality of several "American" companies that choose to make inferior crap over there, lie to the consumer about the quality, and raise the price. Chinese companies in China are a different matter, to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

#4 Am I an "elitist" for wanting a decent knife made in the country where I live, where I serve, and that I am proud of? Seriously, your self righteous moralistic arrogance disgusts me, and before you feel so pleased with yourself, consider all the people who are essentially ENSLAVED mass producing all those Chinese knives you love so much.

#5 Reate and WE are not mass producing knives like MTech, Gerber, and Kershaw are. An apples-to-oranges comparison and you damn well know it.

#6 What's wrong if ZT is a niche market? You have literally hundreds of other knives to choose from that are made overseas, yet you choose to crap on one of the few brands that doesn't nicely align with your worldview.

#7 While the bottom line and profits are important, so are various intangibles associated with various brands. You contradict yourself when your desire for truly inspired knife designs runs into your overwhelming support for corporate profiting by any means necessary by soulless mass production.

Don't tell me to sit in the back of the bus again. Peace.
 
EDCanAdamas said:
I see you wrote me a wall of text my purple friend, so let's break this down together, shall we.

For everyone else tuning in late, here's the original quote from PURPLEDC, which he made Number One on his list, suggesting importance:

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.

That's his quote, His idea, which I disagree with. And, how dare I express any kind of alternative or dissenting opinion that PURPLEDC doesn't like.

#1: I could care less that KAI is owned by a Japanese firm, as long as KAI stays true to the ZT brand.

#2 You were proposing that ZT make knives in China, with what you called a "Chinese High End Divison", and that that would he models would be "exactly like" the USA ones, but with downgraded materials.

So, you want ZT to be Kershaw (or Gerber)? You might actually make a lot of money selling Duck Dynastyesque 3cr13 steel ZT's, but you WOULD kill WHAT the brand stands for.

#3 I do not care for knives made in China due to the profit-over-everything mentality of several "American" companies that choose to make inferior crap over there, lie to the consumer about the quality, and raise the price. Chinese companies in China are a different matter, to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

#4 Am I an "elitist" for wanting a decent knife made in the country where I live, where I serve, and that I am proud of? Seriously, your self righteous moralistic arrogance disgusts me, and before you feel so pleased with yourself, consider all the people who are essentially ENSLAVED mass producing all those Chinese knives you love so much.

#5 Reate and WE are not mass producing knives like MTech, Gerber, and Kershaw are. An apples-to-oranges comparison and you damn well know it.

#6 What's wrong if ZT is a niche market? You have literally hundreds of other knives to choose from that are made overseas, yet you choose to crap on one of the few brands that doesn't nicely align with your worldview.

#7 While the bottom line and profits are important, so are various intangibles associated with various brands. You contradict yourself when your desire for truly inspired knife designs runs into your overwhelming support for corporate profiting by any means necessary by soulless mass production.

Don't tell me to sit in the back of the bus again. Peace.
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I haven't kept up with this entire thread and I'm probably jumping in late...but I agree that a Chinese high end knife from ZT would be appealing. We're not talking 8Cr stuff, we're talking Kizer making Bladesmith level knives for ZT that sell between $100-175. As most ZTs are breaking the $200 mark these days, I think there's a void left in the KAI lineup between premium US made Kershaws and entry level ZT. $100-175 is a sweet spot dominated by Spyderco that ZT has no answer for. There are so many times I've wished for a "better" Kershaw (aka The Strobe) and a "cheaper" ZT. An imported ZT would be perfect for that.
 
Hackenslash said:
I haven't kept up with this entire thread and I'm probably jumping in late...but I agree that a Chinese high end knife from ZT would be appealing. We're not talking 8Cr stuff, we're talking Kizer making Bladesmith level knives for ZT that sell between $100-175. As most ZTs are breaking the $200 mark these days, I think there's a void left in the KAI lineup between premium US made Kershaws and entry level ZT. $100-175 is a sweet spot dominated by Spyderco that ZT has no answer for. There are so many times I've wished for a "better" Kershaw (aka The Strobe) and a "cheaper" ZT. An imported ZT would be perfect for that.
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And for my first design at the new ZT/Kizer manufacturing facility, I'd order a <4 Oz., plunge lock, bearing flipper with a 2.99" blade, milled and skeletonized Ti handles with swap-able inlays (G10,CF,Micarta), milled pocket clip, offered in at least three different blade styles (drop, clip and wharnie for starters) with an MSRP of $229 and a street price of $179. It would be a TRUE production custom, :cool:.

Perfect.
 
We just can't have too many threads where folks tell a hugely successful and popular knife company how it should be doing things. *yawn*
 
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