Knockoff zt?

Not a prototype, it is a first production run of the new 20cv blade steel which is why I’m guessing the handle matches the m390 blade steel version.
 
I’m guessing they ran out of m390 blades but still had many of the handles left so they used the rest of them before they switched to the new handle style.
 
Still doesn't explain that it matches the clones and not the real thing. Specifically the blade stops and how they are machined.
 
The blade stops look more similar in person to the one from bladereviews, I can’t get a good picture of it because I’m taking it on an old 8mp camera on my phone and my lighting is terrible it has the small bump in top it’s not perfectly rounded like the fake one
 
And if it somehow is a knockoff, it is ridiculously close, I have a knockoff zt 0566 and while it looks identical to the real one, some of the chamfering is off slightly and some of the edges feel rougher than they are in the real one even though in pictures it looks identical it just feels off, and the pivot screw loosens up slightly after use, this one doesn’t suffer from any of those flaws, it’s generally the small things that are missed in fakes.
 
Silverdog said:
Alright, I called KAI and this one appears to be legit, the serial number is authentic and according to the seller and zt was sold at shotshow 2017, Kai doesn’t keep records of when The steels were switched however this appears to be a first production run of the new 20cv steel. Kai can’t tell for sure without me sending it in but by the pictures and description it appears authentic.
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Silverdog said:
Not a prototype, it is a first production run of the new 20cv blade steel which is why I’m guessing the handle matches the m390 blade steel version.
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Silverdog said:
I’m guessing they ran out of m390 blades but still had many of the handles left so they used the rest of them before they switched to the new handle style.
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The problem with your theory is there was a 204p version well between the M390 and 20cv versions.

I agree with Jill. The story is way off AND the knife doesn't look right. KAI doesn't keep records of when the steel was switched but does keep records of when a particular knife was sold and where? I'd send that sucker right back. How much is peace of mind worth? Buy from a reputable supporting dealer here.

Silverdog said:
And if it somehow is a knockoff, it is ridiculously close, I have a knockoff zt 0566 and while it looks identical to the real one, some of the chamfering is off slightly and some of the edges feel rougher than they are in the real one even though in pictures it looks identical it just feels off, and the pivot screw loosens up slightly after use, this one doesn’t suffer from any of those flaws, it’s generally the small things that are missed in fakes.
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Did you purposefully buy that knock off 566?
 
Strange too, it was a prototype that was sold with no disclosurer until the seller was questioned, then it becomes a unmarked "first production ". That ZT took a backwards step on by reverting to a less elaborate early ti handle.
 
Does ZT have this "first production" practice as Benchmade (which as Jill said, would put the wording "first production xx of yy" on the blade)?
 
jill jackson said:
Strange too, it was a prototype that was sold with no disclosurer until the seller was questioned, then it becomes a unmarked "first production ". That ZT took a backwards step on by reverting to a less elaborate early ti handle.
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It is also common to ask for more money not less when the knife is rare and sold at shot only.

Send it back.
 
I hate it when an item takes three pages of discussion, only to be inconclusive as to authenticity. Authentic with a couple oddities? Or a counterfeit too dang close. Scary. Very very scary.

I can very seldom convince my brain to allow me to buy anything but new. And in the rare instance, I end up researching to death, and always takes the fun out of a new acquisition. However I think I just found my ultimate grail knife. The ZT0999. And get this.......Wait for it......It's only $29.73. I hope it's not gone before I get an account set up at a new site I've never purchased from. Wish me luck. :D

Ok, back to the 562. I think it was one of the most sought-after models for a short period of time. Guessing it had to do with lack of inventory/availability during the blade steel changes.

Have a question about the counterfeits that also ties in with my biggest pet peeve with my zt0562cf. Why did ZT cheapen out and use a steel liner under the CF, rather than Ti? Is there a legitimate engineering and/or manufacturing reason (besides very inconsequential cost savings)? I really do think that less counterfeiters would have followed suit had it been titanium. Thus giving us one more easy counterfeit recognition tool. Not 100% mind you, but enough. Just wondering.

And it actually bugs me even more now that I'm on an anodize kick. I guess I could just stick with Bronze/Gold tones, and hit the steel edges with flame. But any other colors would be a blind hit-n-miss. And before anyone tells me yet again, yes I could buy an aftermarket full Ti scale, and simply eliminate the liner. But current priorities for my limited financial constraints is to purchase new knives, rather than pricey pimping. The pimping I do now, is very cost effective. Such as anodizing. Thank heavens for titanium, and that I personally enjoy metal color.
 
I was interested in the 452 early last year until I saw all the fakes. From what I read the fakes were already using variable serial numbers with matching boxes that were almost dead accurate other than materials that you couldn't determine from looks alone. There was one that popped up and pictures were sent to ZT/KAI and they said from the pic's and serial # it looked legit. Turned out to be a clone!

There used to be a comparison page for fake ZT's that I can no longer find, but I imagine they just couldn't keep up, or didn't want to help out the fake producers.


The terrible thing about free soloing difficult routes is the chance that faced with ultimate danger and need for ultimate self-control, one’s nerve might fail and cause an error. That’s irony of it, that fear could short-circuit skill, that one would die as a direct result of being afraid to die. - Royal Robbins
 
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Zt doesn't serialize first production of a knife that's been out for years, from what I know this was at shot show 2017 and the serial number was made late 2016 with the switch to 20cv. The zt 0566 knockoff I have I got used at a flea market for 5 bucks, best cheap beater I ever had but definitely no zt or even Kershaw.
 
bflying said:
Why did ZT cheapen out and use a steel liner under the CF, rather than Ti?
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Because thin ti is not good. Especially for tolerance and stiffness. It's bends very easy.

I'm wondering why they didn't just use cf alone like every other company these days.
 
Silverdog said:
Zt doesn't serialize first production of a knife that's been out for years, from what I know this was at shot show 2017 and the serial number was made late 2016 with the switch to 20cv. The zt 0566 knockoff I have I got used at a flea market for 5 bucks, best cheap beater I ever had but definitely no zt or even Kershaw.
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I'm kinda losing the point here....you are saying you are convinced it is legit, despite the arguments given against it being real, correct?
 
Silverdog said:
Zt doesn't serialize first production of a knife that's been out for years, from what I know this was at shot show 2017 and the serial number was made late 2016 with the switch to 20cv. The zt 0566 knockoff I have I got used at a flea market for 5 bucks, best cheap beater I ever had but definitely no zt or even Kershaw.
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How much was the 0562?
 
fastone052 said:
Threads like this help the people making these counterfeits make a better counterfeit.
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It is certainly a valid point. At the same time, threads like this also expose people/places selling fakes, educate many people how to identify fakes, and encourage them to buy from reputable dealers or do more research before they buy from individuals. In the end, I believe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
 
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