New "Factory Custom" ZT0392BLK

NJBillK

NJBillK

Custom Leather and Fixed Blade modifications.
Joined
Mar 27, 2014
Messages
9,594
So, has anyone seen the Email from ZT stating that they are going to be releasing another "Factory Custom"?

This offering will be dubbed the 0392BLK, a blacked out 392. If I had the spare funds, I might have considered it. But it isn't going to be one of my must haves for 2017.

What say the masses?




Stats:
CTS 204P blade (3.5 in.), matte-black DLC finish
Titanium handle, matte-black DLC finish
4.75 inches closed; 8.25 inches open
Custom titanium hardware by Rick Hinderer, black DLC finish
Titanium frame lock, lockbar stabilizer & hardened steel lockbar insert
KVT ball-bearing opening
Tri-mount pocketclip

Sorry for the distorted or low res pics, they were all I could manage from my email.
 
At least it looks better than some of the variants they pushed out.

TBH I think they'd be better off just running these uncoated with unanodized hardware in different blade shapes - let the end user choose their customization.
 
Argh, I wish to god they would do another stonewashed version similar to the original 0392. That's the one I want. I'm so tired of "blacked out" things.
 
I am sure it wouldn't be that hard to refinish if you know someone with a media blasting cabinet.

Though I do agree about the whole offering the plainer versions or more akin to the original run of the 392.
 
Of the past versions, this one is actually one of my favorites. Unfortunately don't have the funds. So will have to wait for the Fuschia version of 2019, or the Chartreuse version of 2023. ;)
 
They need to release a non limited version of this sucker. Enough is enough. How dare they hold one of their nicest knives back from most the public. What is it about this knife that makes it so it has to be produced in low quantities? I think it uses custom hardware from Hinderer if I remember correctly.

So make some damn vanilla versions that don't use custom hardware. This could be the best Hinderer knife for the masses, better than the Cryo, Thermite, 0550, 0562, 0560/0561. Of all those models the 0392 is closest to the shape of the custom. Enough B.S. already, release this knife to me dammit.
 
If they released it in plain Ti, G10 or CF and Ti lock side, I am sure the modders in the Services Provided section would have standoffs, new scales, backspacers, et al available within a reasonable amount of time.

Had ZT released a production run at say $250-300, I feel the volume would more than offset the cost per piece of the "Factory Customs". Especially since they don't have to worry about the added expense of tooling up for the run.

It would essentially be releasing a model with less work done to it.
- Two tone slabs (already in place)
- Working finish for the slabs (already in place)
- Standardized hardware (might need to be started from ground up, but this would be covered by the lack of cost otherwise associated with the model)
 
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Good job. It looks exactly like the others except black. Collectors will go nuts for it on the secondary market...
 
Lapedog said:
They need to release a non limited version of this sucker. Enough is enough. How dare they hold one of their nicest knives back from most the public. What is it about this knife that makes it so it has to be produced in low quantities? I think it uses custom hardware from Hinderer if I remember correctly.

So make some damn vanilla versions that don't use custom hardware. This could be the best Hinderer knife for the masses, better than the Cryo, Thermite, 0550, 0562, 0560/0561. Of all those models the 0392 is closest to the shape of the custom. Enough B.S. already, release this knife to me dammit.
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Yeah, I like the blade shape of the original 0392. A while ago I asked RHK if they would ever release non-tanto Eklipses - looks like they never got around to that.
 
Apec said:
A while ago I asked RHK if they would ever release non-tanto Eklipses - looks like they never got around to that.
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Hinderer released Eklipse Bowie last month. They go for $425-$450 with/without DLC and they have G-10 on the presentation side. They have replacement titanium for presentation side for $200.
 
RamZar said:
Hinderer released Eklipse Bowie last month. They go for $425-$450 with/without DLC and they have G-10 on the presentation side. They have replacement titanium for presentation side for $200.
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Not a fan of bowie blades on anything that isn't a bowie. The only XM18 I own is a spearpoint.
 
Apec said:
Not a fan of bowie blades on anything that isn't a bowie. The only XM18 I own is a spearpoint.
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I have Bowie blade on a ZT 0392 and Emerson Sheepdog. A short Bowie blade does look odd when you compare it to a regular big fixed Bowie blade.
 
I think I will just get me an XM-24. I haven't been too impressed with these limited ZT's. Is it just the fact it has KVT that makes everyone want them? Otherwise they look like a normal Hinderer XM.
 
No, it's just not gonna do it for me...and I'm big on ZT's.
They're using this whole model as a gimmick.
 
I wish it had a G10 handle scale and had better jimping. The lack of traction makes it not a practical hard use knife, and I'm not into pure safe queens.
 
Sonnydaze said:
No, it's just not gonna do it for me...and I'm big on ZT's.
They're using this whole model as a gimmick.
Click to expand...

I don't see it that way.

People complained that they wanted it to be regular production.
So ZT does a bunch of limited production runs, giving people the chance to get the knives they want.
But they change the colour scheme of each run, so people that are collectors of "Special Limited Production Runs" aren't getting screwed, because each run is different. :)

I don't see a problem here at all.
 
Gideons said:
I wish it had a G10 handle scale and had better jimping. The lack of traction makes it not a practical hard use knife, and I'm not into pure safe queens.
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Eh, you're just plain wrong about that.

If you have one and actually go and use it, you will discover that there is no lack of "traction" in the hand, because the handle is designed well. :thumbup:

Jimping does not make up for a poorly designed handle, as I have discovered with knives where the designer figured that jimping would make it all work.

My ZT 0392PURBLKWC is one of the most joyous knives I have encountered for actual use in "woodsy" tasks, because they got the handle right. :)
I prefer it to my XM-18, to tell the truth.
 
stabman said:
Eh, you're just plain wrong about that.

If you have one and actually go and use it, you will discover that there is no lack of "traction" in the hand, because the handle is designed well. :thumbup:

Jimping does not make up for a poorly designed handle, as I have discovered with knives where the designer figured that jimping would make it all work.

My ZT 0392PURBLKWC is one of the most joyous knives I have encountered for actual use in "woodsy" tasks, because they got the handle right. :)
I prefer it to my XM-18, to tell the truth.
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I agree, the handle is quite comfortable and actually one of my favorites out of many knives I've owned. With the flipper being a guard, and the mild finger grooves, there isn't really anywhere for your hand to go.

As far as everyone complaining ZT is putting out a bunch of these, it seems to be going just fine for ZT. They sell out, so obviously enough people like them to buy them.

Would I like to see the handle material get switched up a bit or something? Sure, but if I don't like it I just won't buy it. What I would really like to see is ZT offer these as a "build your own" version on their website like Benchmade has done with the Griptilian. I am sure they would sell tons of them.
 
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