In your opinion, who competes with ZT?

[HowAmI]

Yeah but i dont really view that the way most people do. Reason being is TC4 if its quality should really not be any different than 6Al4v. Just like 440C and D2, 6al4v is a generic name that any titanium alloy can be called if its composition matches what 6AL4v is supposed to be. And i would bet money that some (not all some) of the 6al4v sold here in the states is imported from china and is simply their Tc4 equivalent and given the new name so people know what it is. I just have seen no evidence that its any different.

Some say it doesnt anodize as well. But rike seems to get some pretty awesome finishes. And all the proof i have seen so far that says tc4 is a lesser material has been lets just say less than scientific. When i buy titanium online very few places say where their ti is sourced from. The only people who i have seen push the tc4 vs 6al4v are company representatives who would like you to believe their product is superior.

Now i get that some will say that for the premium rike charges they should be using the best but I think its like arguing 440c from one company and 440c from another. And no o e really does that. Unless one knife was produced domestically and the other is not.

See the problem is, most anodizers don't or wouldn't want to work with TC4 such as Tispecturm because of it's inconsistency with colors (splotches, etc). I'd like to have a Thor 2 but if I want certain colors then I should be getting those certain colors versus having splotches especially given the fact that I just paid $500. I'm also not a fan of any of the color options Rike has put out on any of their knives. It's more of the argument of CPM D2 or CTS XHP vs CPM 154.

 

[HowAmI]

Using high-end materials (at a high cost) to create a shoddy product is a slap in the face to the consumer.

Yes it is but sadly companies still have no problem doing so.

 

[PURPLEDC]

See the problem is, most anodizers don't or wouldn't want to work with TC4 such as Tispecturm because of it's inconsistency with colors (splotches, etc). I'd like to have a Thor 2 but if I want certain colors then I should be getting those certain colors versus having splotches especially given the fact that I just paid $500. I'm also not a fan of any of the color options Rike has put out on any of their knives. It's more of the argument of CPM D2 or CTS XHP vs CPM 154.

I find that anodizing ti is much more about the surface finish and contaminants that may be imbedded in the surface. Especially if the company does any type of surface sealing. I have anodized tc4 and 6al4v and i got very consistent results if i was etching first. And if i didnt want to etch it i would clean it really good with acetone to dissolve any waxes from compounds and then again with windex just because i find a final rub down of windex gives a really nice vibrant finish. You just have to make sure its completely dry before anodizing as it can leave a color effect on the surface.

 

[whp]

For me, Spyderco does it for me most of the time. I think most ZT's are well made, but they have moved to mostly flippers now and I have no interest in them (for now). I don't really look at folders with metal "scales" (if you want to call them scales, more just the frame) and that takes a lot of knives out of my consideration.

Agree.
I don t buy knives that are flipper only. Also metal scales are a drawback for me these days.

 

[whp]

Spyderco beats it in steel types, lock types, size ranges, handle materials, opening methods, blade shapes and IMO bang for your buck too

Agree.

 

[FullMetalJackass]

I have been pondering for an answer to the OP's question most of the day and I can't find any valid one.

 

[JuJu-]

Some valid points. I wonder by how much ZT outsells all of the above mentioned though?

 

[shinyedges]

I bet they out sell them by a mile.

 

[Agith]

Apparently I do a poor job of making a point. Therefore; a $300-$400 Spyderco, is not as well made as a $300-$400 ZT.

As for Rike, they make cool knives but I don't know of any Warranty support should something go wrong.

I would have to disagree with you. That is really a pretty black and white statement. Primarily because we really have not SEEN much from spyderco in the 300 to 400 dollar range. And if you mean to compare knives like the Slysz bowie (often compared to Sebenzas), and the Nirvana if you are willing to jump up to $450 to ZT knives of equal pricing? I'd say it isn't a completely fair comparison. When it comes to fit and finish, spyderco has ZT beat in that price range. That is however, not to say that ZT is significantly worse, because they are not. However I am going to cite the Slysz bowie as a prime example of the quality the Taichung factory can put out. ZT on the other hand, seems to mainly put out limited run knives come that price bracket. Their fit and finish is superb, but I have not found any examples which would allow one to say they are outright BETTER than spyderco in that price range.

When it comes to fit and finish, they are both extremely close. However, both companies have very different goals. ZT makes tough, militaristic style folders which you can hammer through a copper pipe. Spyderco makes ergonomic slicers. They are built to different purpose, however their fit and finish are both superb. I do need to point once more to the Slysz bowie as an ideal example of the midtech level of quality being put out by Taichung.

 

[HowAmI]

I find that anodizing ti is much more about the surface finish and contaminants that may be imbedded in the surface. Especially if the company does any type of surface sealing. I have anodized tc4 and 6al4v and i got very consistent results if i was etching first. And if i didnt want to etch it i would clean it really good with acetone to dissolve any waxes from compounds and then again with windex just because i find a final rub down of windex gives a really nice vibrant finish. You just have to make sure its completely dry before anodizing as it can leave a color effect on the surface.

Interesting.

 

[J85909266]

I never got the fuss about ZT.

Started out as Kershaw with tiger stripes and GI Joe attitude.

Now they make a bunch of classy mall ninja flippers.

Meh.

 

[sharkattacksw]

I never got the fuss about ZT.

Started out as Kershaw with tiger stripes and GI Joe attitude.

Now they make a bunch of classy mall ninja flippers.

Meh.

The nail has squarely been hit right on the head with your post, sir.

 

[22-rimfire]

I like ZT's, but they make it easy for me by making all of these flippers that I don't want. Tis the reason I have been looking more at Benchmade stuff these days. (Yes, even with their pricing policies.)

 

[Mo2]

Yeah but i dont really view that the way most people do. Reason being is TC4 if its quality should really not be any different than 6Al4v. Just like 440C and D2, 6al4v is a generic name that any titanium alloy can be called if its composition matches what 6AL4v is supposed to be. And i would bet money that some (not all some) of the 6al4v sold here in the states is imported from china and is simply their Tc4 equivalent and given the new name so people know what it is. I just have seen no evidence that its any different.

Some say it doesnt anodize as well. But rike seems to get some pretty awesome finishes. And all the proof i have seen so far that says tc4 is a lesser material has been lets just say less than scientific. When i buy titanium online very few places say where their ti is sourced from. The only people who i have seen push the tc4 vs 6al4v are company representatives who would like you to believe their product is superior.

Now i get that some will say that for the premium rike charges they should be using the best but I think its like arguing 440c from one company and 440c from another. And no o e really does that. Unless one knife was produced domestically and the other is not.

its not that it doesnt anodize well, its just that it anodizes different.

some of these companies will use 6al4v for the scales and then TC4 for the backspacer... then you do the same treatment to everything and the backspacer is a different color.

 

[PURPLEDC]

its not that it doesnt anodize well, its just that it anodizes different.

some of these companies will use 6al4v for the scales and then TC4 for the backspacer... then you do the same treatment to everything and the backspacer is a different color.

I can see how that could be frustrating. But I have also seen backspacers that almost seem like they are cast and then finished on a CNC. Almost giving me the impression that sometimes Chinese companies will take their scrap Ti chips and melt it down to cast a backspacer to save money. Either way, even if the color didn't come out perfect I would just re etch and adjust the voltage. Now if that doesn't work you are just forced to do contrasting colors. Which would suck for some people who like continuity. Either I just think if you are going to keep a knife factory stock no one would ever be able to pick up a TC4 knife and be able to tell its TC4. At least I cant, and I tend to obsess over the miniscule stuff.

 

[Pharmagator]

Being older... and a veteran, I refuse to purchase a knife made in mainland China... I do own Taiwan manufactured Spyderco and CRKT knives... I just prefer American knife companies wherever their knives are made (Spyderco, Kai, Benchmade, etc.) and there are some excellent European knife companies, Boker, Lionsteel, etc. just nothing from mainland china... (no I do not have an I-Phone)

 

[jnevill]

Wow, not a lot of love for the Lexus of Kershaw huh? Me, I got my first ZT and fell head over heels, I bough just one Benchmade in the time I've bought my last 7 ZT's (Crooked River, LOVE that knife!). Nothing feels as filling and as tough in the hand as a Zero Tolerance to me. Might come from EDC'ing a Benchmade 940 for so many years, but the ZT's I have are sold, cutting machines.

 

[miltmaldo]

View attachment 727245

I would have to disagree with you. That is really a pretty black and white statement. Primarily because we really have not SEEN much from spyderco in the 300 to 400 dollar range. And if you mean to compare knives like the Slysz bowie (often compared to Sebenzas), and the Nirvana if you are willing to jump up to $450 to ZT knives of equal pricing? I'd say it isn't a completely fair comparison. When it comes to fit and finish, spyderco has ZT beat in that price range. That is however, not to say that ZT is significantly worse, because they are not. However I am going to cite the Slysz bowie as a prime example of the quality the Taichung factory can put out. ZT on the other hand, seems to mainly put out limited run knives come that price bracket. Their fit and finish is superb, but I have not found any examples which would allow one to say they are outright BETTER than spyderco in that price range.

When it comes to fit and finish, they are both extremely close. However, both companies have very different goals. ZT makes tough, militaristic style folders which you can hammer through a copper pipe. Spyderco makes ergonomic slicers. They are built to different purpose, however their fit and finish are both superb. I do need to point once more to the Slysz bowie as an ideal example of the midtech level of quality being put out by Taichung.

I disagree . Slyss don't own one but a for that price I rather have this . Now the 0850 show me a spyderco that can compare with this knife . In my opinion no American company can be compared to ZT . You will have to go with Reate but their price are much higher specially newer models .

 

[Icehawk]

Protech, what can I say I really like their knives especially for the price. Curious to see how that FF/MD/WE knife is.

 

[Agith]

View attachment 727245

I disagree . Slyss don't own one but a for that price I rather have this . Now the 0850 show me a spyderco that can compare with this knife . In my opinion no American company can be compared to ZT . You will have to go with Reate but their price are much higher specially newer models .

The 0850 is more comparable to a spyderco Nirvana price wise, that aside however? It is not a matter of personal opinion. You preferring to have the 0850 over a spyderco knife is a personal opinion. The argument is on fit and finish, not personal tastes in knives. If you haven't owned or handled a high end spyderco, then it is unfair to say a high end ZT is nicer. I've handled an array of ZTs and spydercos, and at their price points, each put out excellent and very similar fit and finish (in my experience).

Now to say that no american company can be compared to ZT is just silly. Sebenzas, Spydercos, or a fair few of the midtech level companies all put out extraordinary fit and finish.