Lovin’ Zero Tolerance!

[Swampdog]

Could someone please explain to me what the difference is between assisted vs. de-assisted ?

I'm an old guy who had Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and bought a ZT 0770CF because it was easy for me to open.

How can I tell if my knife is assisted or de-assisted?

Thank you in advance for any information.

 

[soc_monki]

Assisted knives have a torsion bar or spring that opens the blade. The 770cf is one of those knives. My 0566cf is as well. Many Kershaws have the speedsafe, but no detent hole. They use the spring as the sole means of holding the blade in the handle. On the 770 and 566, you can remove the spring and make them manual knives.

Some don't like assisted opening, and most assisted knives don't work well without the spring. My 566 and 770 aren't that great without it, but they are much easier to close. To open I just give them a little flick while opening.

However, I don't mind my assisted Chinese Kershaws. Cryo, Cryo 2, and thermite are just fine with it, but I am really liking my atmos, Natrix, and bareknuckle, all unassisted with bearings. Honestly, they work as good or better without a spring, because they are no harder to open, but you don't have to fight the spring to close them.

Hope that helped!

 

[Swampdog]

Thank you sir, I appreciate the information!

 

[soc_monki]

No problem! Always glad to help!

 

[colin.p]

Love my ZT knives. My 0566cf is one of the ones I carry most. Sadly my 0770cf is in Oregon now because the stop pin was loose and the carbon fiber seemed to be breaking up around it. I haven't seen any instances of this on the net, so I'm hoping it is a fluke. It's a beautiful knife and I don't care it's assisted, it awesome!

Love my spydercos as well.. So many great options to choose from!

I have a 0450cf and was always suspicious about how strong CF is to support a stop pin, especially the shock that a flipper exerts. However, you are only the second instance that I have heard of, so it does seem to be an isolated instance.

I am in Canada so if/when it happens, I hope ZT will send me the parts, as I will have to fix it myself. I won't have ZT send me back a repaired knife only to have our border pirates steal it at the border.

 

[bflying]

I recently sent in my original Natrix after the stop pin broke out of the sides. They returned a KVT version without the assist. Honestly, I didn't really like the Natrix much when I first got it. And even less impressed after it broke with very few uses. But gotta say, I'm totally loving this un-assisted version. It's got an amazing action, and has been pocketed (and we'll used) every day since receipt.

So, with that I got out my ZT 0770CF to compare the two. Now wishing even more that it was on bearings. The Natrix and 0770 are almost identical in size and shape. Would love the Natrix even more with better steel, and double the love with CF. And ditto on the 0770 with bearings and sub-framelock.

Here's to wishing for an affordable love child, under the ZT label.

 

[soc_monki]

I have a 0450cf and was always suspicious about how strong CF is to support a stop pin, especially the shock that a flipper exerts. However, you are only the second instance that I have heard of, so it does seem to be an isolated instance.

I am in Canada so if/when it happens, I hope ZT will send me the parts, as I will have to fix it myself. I won't have ZT send me back a repaired knife only to have our border pirates steal it at the border.

I think mine was a fluke. Probably happened when drilling out the CF scale, or just a weak piece of carbon. The knife was great out of the box, but after many openings, checking for play and smoothness, and how it fits in my hand while using, I noticed the stop pin was not perpendicular to the scales. Used a toothpick and the pin moved. Sent it back and she's fixed, I'm guessing they put a new scale on. I deassisted it and hope to have many years of use out of it! Love the feel of the CF, the weight, everything.

Lockup is a bit early, but I'll get it worn in. And next time a knife goes in for work I'll cover the blade and make sure they don't sharpen it. It was great before it went in, super sharp and great, even bevels. Comes back and it's just kind of sharp with the center of the edge way off to one side. I fixed it, but it took me DAYS of work. I tried to take my time lol!
My poor lansky Extra coarse diamond got a workout. Then a coarse bench stone to get the last bit of overground edge off, then some sharpmaker to get the 15 degree bevels perfect. I don't want to go through that again.

I think the same person did the edge on my bareknuckle, I had to fix it too. But 14c28n is a lot easier to deal with than s35vn!

 

[soc_monki]

I recently sent in my original Natrix after the stop pin broke out of the sides. They returned a KVT version without the assist. Honestly, I didn't really like the Natrix much when I first got it. And even less impressed after it broke with very few uses. But gotta say, I'm totally loving this un-assisted version. It's got an amazing action, and has been pocketed (and we'll used) every day since receipt.

So, with that I got out my ZT 0770CF to compare the two. Now wishing even more that it was on bearings. The Natrix and 0770 are almost identical in size and shape. Would love the Natrix even more with better steel, and double the love with CF. And ditto on the 0770 with bearings and sub-framelock.

Here's to wishing for an affordable love child, under the ZT label.

I have a Natrix CF and CF XL... Love them both! Cheap, great action, and just awesome inexpensive knives!
If you want something like the ZT, unassisted, and awesome get a Bareknuckle! It's a little slimmer, but i believe it is a ZT just with lesser blade steel. Worth 60 bucks easy!

 

[Rykjeklut]

The 0450 is an ergonomic challenge for some folks, though it works fine for me and is one of my all time favorites

They’re great knives, even if only a portion of ZT’ catalog interests me. I hope you find one that suits you!

Well, just got my 0620, and it fits my hand almost perfectly.

I don't understand people not liking how the 0450 fits in hand? Yes, I own more ergonomic knives but the 0450cf is one of my favorite EDC and probably my favorite ZT I own. But, I do have smaller hands.......

I wholeheartedly believe that if I had one size smaller hands it would be one of my favorites as well, but as it is it's a no go.

 

[Dadpool]

Really wish it could have fit my hand, because it is one of the best looking knives I own, and the flipping action is just great.

If it's bigger brother, the 0452, isn't too long for your tastes, that's a phenomenal knife with the aesthetics of the 0450 but a handle sized for larger hands. I wear a size L glove and I can tell just from looking at it that the 0450 would be a no-go, but the 0452 has a big, comfy handle.

 

[Rykjeklut]

If it's bigger brother, the 0452, isn't too long for your tastes, that's a phenomenal knife with the aesthetics of the 0450 but a handle sized for larger hands. I wear a size L glove and I can tell just from looking at it that the 0450 would be a no-go, but the 0452 has a big, comfy handle.

I've been looking at that one. Maybe one of these days it will find its way to me. It's about the same size as a Crooked River it seems, and I love that one.

 

[Chris*33]

Strange relationship with the ZTs...some designs were just neutral to me, others i disliked and some i even hated. The only model that appealed to me was the 0808.

It just happened that i found a really good deal on a 0450 and now that is my favorite folder for months now. Since then i got drawn to/and currently own a few more like the 0452, the 0462BLK (it seems that this will get passed on though), the 0808BLK, the 0562 and the the 0220. I also got the 0055 but wasn't for me so i passed it on.
The black CF version of the 0850 they are releasing now is in my crosshairs as well.

Truth be told, i still hate some of their designs but the ones i like i now believe they are phenomenal (especially if you come across a good deal here and there). Considering the price of some midtechs/customs, i believe ZTs represent a good value for money. Have yet to find any kind of fault to a ZT i have handled be it brand new or second hand

 

[BellaBlades]

This ZT takes me back to the 0300 days.

 

[midnight flyer]

This ZT takes me back to the 0300 days.

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What a shame the 0909 had such a short production life. I bought one of those about three years ago after reading here that a few people thought they were actually "overbuilt" and the design was a little too rugged. Sounded right up my alley for a new work knife for my construction job.

Bought one, immediately liked it so much I bought another one to hold on to in case I tear the first one up. At the right I am using the first one up, looks like I will be tearing into the second one and about 40-50 years. For me, it is an excellent EDC.

Robert

 

[bflying]

Had a Minnie Winnie delivery. Very adorable. But having a little trouble with the whole "Overbuilt" thing. Never really expected the Isham Abstruse would tower over anything ZT.

 

[V-1]

One of my very favorite knife manufacturers, right up there with Spyderco and CRK.
I think ZT makes great knives and are a great value for the $. My only issue with them over the years was the thick edge bevels. It's was a PITA to knock the shoulders down so they'd cut efficiently. It's nice to see they are thinning out the edges on some of their designs. I currently own and carry a 0900, 0562 and 0393. They are such great EDC users that I'm looking to add a 460Ti, 0609, 640, 0022 and a 562Ti to the collection.

 

[fishiker]

I think ZT is a great value when comparing overall quality with price. A long time ago I sold most of my edc folders and for several years only carried a Sebenza and or SAK. I ordered a ZT as a gift for my son and was so impressed with it that I ended up getting one for myself. I've tried several ZT models since then and had no serious complaints about any.

 

[Comeuppance]

I haven’t had a ZT in years now, with the exception of a 0095TS that I briefly entertained carrying. I think I’m still just holding out for a production 0777.

I really don’t know why they don’t do it. A full-size 0777 with Ti or CF handles and 20CV steel at ~$220 MAP would just print money for Kai. I, and I think many others, would buy one because it’s been a pipe dream to be able to carry and one without feeling like you’re using a rolex to open up a package.

 

[sgt1372]

I haven’t had a ZT in years now, with the exception of a 0095TS that I briefly entertained carrying. I think I’m still just holding out for a production 0777.

I really don’t know why they don’t do it. A full-size 0777 with Ti or CF handles and 20CV steel at ~$220 MAP would just print money for Kai. I, and I think many others, would buy one because it’s been a pipe dream to be able to carry and one without feeling like you’re using a rolex to open up a package.

So, a Kershaw Natrix (7007) or a ZT 0770CF (in Elmax /M390) isn't good enough for you?

I've got one of each and they suit me fine. In fact, I carry the Natrix more often than the 0770CF simply because its cheaper and really all I need to carry. Of course, if they made a 0777 replica I'd buy that too but it's not something I just gotta have given the current availability of these 0777 derivatives.

 

[Fire Beard]

So, a Kershaw Natrix (7007) or a ZT 0770CF (in Elmax /M390) isn't good enough for you?

I've got one of each and they suit me fine. In fact, I carry the Natrix more often than the 0770CF simply because its cheaper and really all I need to carry. Of course, if they made a 0777 replica I'd buy that too but it's not something I just gotta have given the current availability of these 0777 derivatives.

Word. I’m actually completely blown away by how well made this derivative is. The 7777 Bareknuckle. Highly recommended.