Kershaw vs. Zero tolerance

Status
Not open for further replies.
You buy a knife and use it and if you don't like feel free to sell it and buy something else.Simple as that.So many products out there for so many of us, all different.Not everything is for everyone.Cheers.
 
LukeGeauxBoom said:
I like reading all the opinions, I don't like reading the smug "know-it-all" opinions. I'm very new in the knife game (at least the serious knife game) and I want all the experiences, good and bad. It's then up to me to decide what I want and like and if I'm the only one that agrees with my decision I'm perfectly fine with that.

That being said, I find it disheartening that a $200 dollar knife is having issues that I don't think $200 dollar knives should have. I doubt seriously that the entire line of ZT's and Kershaws are "crap" as I've read TONS of reviews and handled many nice Kershaws, the Blur and Rake being two of my favorites. Just get what you like and be happy and be happy that others are happy.
Click to expand...

Not picking on you, but just some info that should be shared. The "serious knife game" entails customs and one of a kind pieces from Master ABS makers that run into $1,000's and more. Anytime you hear opinions, you take them with a grain of salt. Some companies have a reputation of consistent quality and it's expensive, others have a reputation of consistent garbage, that is also expensive.
 
RevDevil said:
Not picking on you, but just some info that should be shared. The "serious knife game" entails customs and one of a kind pieces from Master ABS makers that run into $1,000's and more. Anytime you hear opinions, you take them with a grain of salt. Some companies have a reputation of consistent quality and it's expensive, others have a reputation of consistent garbage, that is also expensive.
Click to expand...
Ok, I picked the wrong word. Truth is, I don't know much about anything in the knife world right now. I'm not ashamed by that, but I'm trying my best to learn. And don't worry, I don't think you're picking on me because I know I really don't have a clue. A serious knife to me, right now, is one that's over $150 bucks. In the future that will most assuredly change.
 
I've had a ZT 0551, 0561, and 0301 for a few years now. Both the Elmax, and S30V has served me well, and I use my knives. No complaints. Just one man's experience.
 
I've had an 0551, 0561, 2 0550s, an 0801 and an 0770.

Honestly, I've never had any issues with ZTs Elmax. It's accepted that they had some trouble with their Elmax early on, but those problems were worked out. It's a tough steel with good edge retention and corrosion resistance. These days it may not be considered a "super steel" but it gets the job done and sharpens up easy enough. Another man's experience.
 
I'm not fond of recurves, flippers, AO, purely cosmetic touches or over built, bulky knives. I also prefer made in USA. I picked up an OD-1, Skyline, Zing and Tanto Zing for less than $40 each over the years and they are my go to "light knife" EDC's.
 
LukeGeauxBoom said:
Ok, I picked the wrong word. Truth is, I don't know much about anything in the knife world right now. I'm not ashamed by that, but I'm trying my best to learn. And don't worry, I don't think you're picking on me because I know I really don't have a clue. A serious knife to me, right now, is one that's over $150 bucks. In the future that will most assuredly change.
Click to expand...


Luke, I find your post very refreshing! No posturing, no rebuttals just unadulterated honesty and the desire to learn. Welcome to the forum and look forward to your future posts.
 
Final Option said:
Luke, I find your post very refreshing! No posturing, no rebuttals just unadulterated honesty and the desire to learn. Welcome to the forum and look forward to your future posts.
Click to expand...
Thanks bro! Glad to be part of this community. Very "sharp" folks here! See what I did there? Yeah, you'll have to excuse me, had some corn tonight...
 
grownstar said:
These days it may not be considered a "super steel" but it gets the job done and sharpens up easy enough. Another man's experience.
Click to expand...

I think considering its properties, it's still definitely a "super steel". Just another man's experience. Personally, I think it's at the top of the heap in stainless steels given its toughness, edge retention, ease of sharpening (relatively speaking) and also an often overlooked feature, availability. What good is a steel if no one can get a hold of it to use it?
 
link2derek said:
The simplest answer:

Kershaw = made overseas;

ZT = Made in USA.
Click to expand...
That is a painfully broad simplification. All 3 of my Blurs are US made, and certainly there are others. Not to mention, overseas doesn't immediately mean poor quality either (and i know there are plenty of Spyderco fans who will agree there).
 
I had an 0566 with elmax. That knife held an edge better then (dare i say?) anything else, even came very close to one of my customs.

I'm sorry I sold it and bought a sebenza...wait, no I'm not! ;)
 
bodog said:
I think considering its properties, it's still definitely a "super steel". Just another man's experience.
Click to expand...

Oh I agree completely. I love Elmax. What I meant is that these days people are all over stuff like M390 and the high end CTS steels.
 
ZT definitely makes a no nonsense tough as nails blade. Have owned many USA made Kershaws and have no real complaints about them, my taste just evolved to a larger higher end knife. Can't speak for Chinese made Kershaws as I dont, and probably won't, own any.
Click to expand...

I own 2 ZTs (0556 and 0770cf) and a few kershaws (emersons, zing, skyline, strobe and probably a few others I forgot, which the emersons and strobe were made in china) and they are all great knives. Kai is my favorite producer of knives (although spyderco is starting to catch up with their badass flippers) and the only difference I see between these companies are the countries they are made in and the materials. I got custom scales, backspacker, and lockbar spacer for my zt0566bw but I also got pimped out scales and backspacers on my kershaw emerson cqc7 and strobe. I love this brand and will continue to buy them in the future if they keep up their innovative designs and awesome work. The spyderco rubicon is next on my list though, that thing is drop dead sexy.
 
ZT is Kai's answer to LE and military. I've had many ZT's...great folders.
I think it's a step up from Kershaw, although my one Kershaw JYD v2.2 is a great knife also.
 
ZT is not KAI's answer to law enforcement and military. I know no one in the law enforcement or military world that would carry a 0454 because of the price and possibly of losing it or breaking it. For what it's worth, I was military and have been in law enforcement for the last 7+ years. I've seen only one other person besides myself carry a ZT, me an 0561 and him an 0801. But he also knew enough to have a couple of customs, too, so he was at least somewhat of a knifenut like myself.

ZT is KAI's answer to a niche market seeking a knife hyped as a military/law enforcement tool without being anywhere close to within range of what 99.9% of actual military or law enforcement would think about carrying on duty. It's done a great job of taking thick slabs of titanium and attaching a thick slab of steel that pivots, but it's done a terrible job of making that within reach of the people they claim they market to.

I've seen SOG, cold steel, benchmade, schrade, buck, protech, kershaw, and spyderco knives be carried quite a bit by fellow military and law enforcement officers. I've seen someone carrying Solingen made slip joints. I've seen guys carry Tops, Becker, Esee, and Grayman. I have not, however, seen anyone carry ZT except for myself and that the guy I spoke of earlier.

So, ZT is producing a specific product for a specific niche, but military and law enforcement officers very simply aren't it. Knife collectors? People with spare cash who wouldn't flip out if they lost or broke a high priced knife? People who like to think they need a knife designed "for military or law enforcement" without actually being in military or law enforcement? People who like to show off these said knives? Yes, yes, and yes.

If they were producing knives for military and law enforcement they would sell the knives at a price point within reach of the people who actually use and abuse knives on the front line or in the middle of a dark, rainy night breaking some baby out of a flaming vehicle.

In my experience, other companies produce better knives for that. There's nothing wrong with KAI making high quality, pretty knives for knife junkies. But there needs to be someone speaking facts about who they market to and why.

I personally fall into the "it wouldn't kill me to break or lose a good knife" and "I like to show off my knives" categories. It has nothing to do with me being a law enforcement officer or veteran. Simply put, it's not for military or law enforcement or a lot of those guys would be carrying the brand. Not saying that they don't fall into the hands of a person on the front lines with at least adequate results, just that they're not FOR those people doing those duties, per se, or more people doing those duties would have one.

Edit, I remember a guy that carried a 300 series, too, but he also had a spartan knife and a couple of other high end knives, he was also a guy who like to show off his knives.
 
Last edited:
^^^^^^Sounds like a bunch of sour grapes to me. You can by LNIB, higher end ZT's on the Exchange for much less than new, often no more than $150 or so. I don't think that is out of reach for most LEO, or military.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top