Is a ZT worth it?

M

MIGUY

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Jun 27, 2014
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So a while back I made a post asking for suggestions to go beyond CRKT knives... Many suggested ZT, and being in college, it has taken me a while to do so, but I've finally got 200-250 bucks I can spend... but is it worth it? I could get quite a few CRKT knives for that, and for the most part I have been very happy with the ones I have, am I going to be blown away by getting ZT or some other higher end brand?
 
ZT makes one of the best value knives out there in my book. The thing with ZT knives is they are usually pretty big and bulky. Meaning, when you go for your keys, money clip, phone, etc, the knife tends to get in the way. Most are fairly big too which can cause gasps from the sheeple if you pull it out in public places on campus. This is say opposed to say a mini griptillian. So what I'm saying is that if you want a big high value folder, ZT's are great. If you want something more EDC friendly, look at a mini grip or something similar.
 
If it truly hurts you to pay 200 bucks for a knife, then don't do it. Are zt's better than crkt? Yeah, but not so much better that it's worth it to hurt yourself in order to get one.
 
bodog said:
If it truly hurts you to pay 200 bucks for a knife, then don't do it. Are zt's better than crkt? Yeah, but not so much better that it's worth it to hurt yourself in order to get one.
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Great point. With this in mind, look into a Kershaw Blur. If you want ZT, there are plenty for under $200. Forexample, the 0770, 0700, 0750, 0350 (in various configurations), and 0200. THey are all very worthy and capable knives. I would not turn my nose up on any of them. I am very partial to the 0350/0300 series though.
 
And I don't agree with hawk45. He's stating personal opinion as fact. I find most zt's to be a very good edc size and mini-grips so small as to be laughable. Size is subjective and you'll need to be the one to decide. Sorry for the sidebar.
 
MIGUY said:
So a while back I made a post asking for suggestions to go beyond CRKT knives... Many suggested ZT, and being in college, it has taken me a while to do so, but I've finally got 200-250 bucks I can spend... but is it worth it? I could get quite a few CRKT knives for that, and for the most part I have been very happy with the ones I have, am I going to be blown away by getting ZT or some other higher end brand?
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I have a couple but I didn't pay full price for them. My ZT0350 is my EDC (and I mean every day, I don't rotate like some) and I'm not sure that I would want to pay full price for it. A lot of folks would say it's worth every penny but personally I'm on the fence, but I'm kinda a cheapskate. It's certainly a quality knife that will last a lifetime.
 
I know that debate well, and I go back and forth on it constantly to this date: Do I want a 1-3 high quality knives, or 5-10 medium-quality knives?

Variety is nice, but how often are you really going to carry any of them? I am currently on a quality > quantity kick, and have pretty much just been carrying my ZT 0801 (which is the knife I would recommend picking up). At present, the 0801 is an incredible deal:
- All Ti handles, highly customizable.
- Utilitarian blade shape
- Elmax steel
- GREAT warranty service
- Captive bearings
- Deep carry clip
- Steel insert on lock interface (reduces wear, prolongs life of knife)

All of this for well under two hundo if you know where to look. Heck, you can often grab them under 150. I've never had a CRKT folder that I would say was a steal for the price, but the current 0801s are freaking mid-techs.
 
For your price range up should try and get a zt 0562cf. I mainly have customs and midtechs like rj martin q36, shirogorov, andre Thorburn but decided to buy the zt 0562cf to try out. I have never owned a zt till then and have been blown away. The fit, finish and action was up there with really high end knives.

I liked it so much I sent it to get pimped and am ordering a stock one just because I like it so much. From my experience zt is way better than crkt or boker. I think they are more than worth their price and if you change your mind you can resale it. Zt's hold their value and the LE go up in value, crkts do not.
 
Zt is most definitely worth the price and if you decide you want to try one that isn't the 562cf I know of a dealer with extremely great prices so feel free to hit me up.
 
Just picked up a 0562 last week for $200 and it flips open like a dream, feels great in hand and the blade grind slices incredibility well...kinda hard to beat for the money. I have 8-9 ZT's right now and its not because I'm some sort of fan-boy of the brand, its because they continue to design and build great knives for the money. If I were you I'd certainly give them a try.
 
ZT's are worth the money to me, but only you can decided that. If you are not sure, pick one up on the exchange here, and see for yourself. Good deals are out there, and you don't need to pay dealer prices. I have bought ZT's new from dealers, and also used on the sales forum. I have yet to regret any ZT purchases. I really like the 0560/0561, 0566, and 0562. I had an 0301 which was great also, but I prefer the Hinderer designed ZT's.
 
Only you can decide if it is worth it. For me it is. The 0560 might be my favorite folder. Luckily you can easily pick one up used. If you find it is not worth it to you, simply resell it for not much loss.
 
Nope wouldn't buy one!!! ( Please disregard the toe )

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I don't see anyone asked you what you do with knives. So what tasks do you do? About the only thing I do with a knife on campus is sharpen a pencil. There isn't much need for me for a knife on campus. Maybe your situation is different. I suggest carrying a knife that won't draw a bunch of stares and also is sufficient to do the tasks you need. A knife is a tool after all.
 
A knife is a tool, but get the one that fits your needs and your budget. There are many excellent choices out there, and ZT has many offerings which fall into that high value knife for what you get. My favorite are the 0560 and 0801, then followed by 0350, 0200 and 0550. They have a lot to choose from too, G10, carbon fiber, Ti, plus a good varierty of blade steels (Elmax, S30V, M390 even 154cm). If you like big and beefy, yeah that got that (and then some). You want light and slim, well, they have some. You haven't mentioned what you are looking for but in my book you can't go wrong.
 
^^ That's a great price on a 0350. I paid $150 for mine (in Canada) and don't regret it. It is a fairly 'aggressive' looking knife to have on a campus, though.. YMMV. I recently saw a 0770CF on the exchange for $135, another good deal.
 
A 0566 is only 114 on the "large South American river retailer", and the 0770cf is like 130, so the 200+ isn't really necessary....

But if you wanted to get a single awesome ZT, then maybe you should go for the 0562cf. This one IS over 200, but most would tell you it's worth it. If I had the cash and didn't already have the 0566 (which looks too similar IMO), it would be my Grail zt.

Like others have said, most zt's are pretty large. And no, large isn't relative....... I don't care what size knives you prefer, 3.5 inches is 3.5 inches, and 3 inches is 3 inches. On college campuses, there's often a length limit of 2.5, so a ZT might not be for you. Check the laws at your school before hand, so you know if ZT is even an option
 
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