New Hinderer ZT collaboration

It's a beautiful knife.........I'm sure that ZT and RHK did an amazing job on the collaboration........
It's actually the exact Eklipse I will wait to buy from RHK......
 
It's very nice.
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I took a comparison photo side by side with my Eklipse at Blade, but I can't find it...maybe the excitement of everything got the best of me and I never even took a photo...
 
Yeah, I snapped that photo before I got the text for the Hinderer lottery and didn't go back to ZT. Lots of stuff to see but that 0392 caught me by surprised.
 
I think they look really well thought out and are a wonderful collaboration between two companies that are at the top of their game. I have been waiting for a non tanto eklipse to come out before I grab one. The ZT is very tempting, especially with a ti scale.
 
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Beautiful! No surprise with Ricks involvement - destined to be a Hit right off the bat.
 
It's cool. But I'll hold out for a real one, not a collaboration.

Couple years ago, I would travel w/ a ZT collab. to / from airports, packed in my checked luggage, etc. But felt so under-knifed while traveling and once at my destination. So now, I entertain ways to bring the pocketable gear I trust the most when I travel...but if it's just a carry-on trip...well, under-knifed is sometimes unavoidable.
 
It may be the nicest ZT ever and it is very similar to the Eklipse, it will be a hit.
 
Similar? i dont own an Eklipse...but it looks exaclty like one to me except for the blade shape. The hardware looks like its from Hinderer..even the pocket clip.
 
Yes......similar.......this knife (I believe) runs on bearings, not teflon washers......and I know that RHK manufactured many of the parts for ZT.......but I do not know who did the heat treat on the blade.........
It may be the best knife that ZT has released.......it's quite an amazing piece........
I have no doubt that anyone who scores one of these will be impressed and thrilled with what looks to be one of the best collaborations I have seen.
 
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iTz Schmiedy said:
Similar? i dont own an Eklipse...but it looks exaclty like one to me except for the blade shape. The hardware looks like its from Hinderer..even the pocket clip.
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Like I said, it is similar but it isn't the same. RHK does make the hardware and that is clearly noted when you read about the knife at that link. But, ZT makes the blade and handles based on Rick's design but there are still subtle differences aesthetic differences in the blade and handle compared to an Eklipse.

As also pointed out, the ZT steel is M390 (terrific) and rides on KVT bearings.
 
RDA said:
Like I said, it is similar but it isn't the same. RHK does make the hardware and that is clearly noted when you read about the knife at that link. But, ZT makes the blade and handles based on Rick's design but there are still subtle differences aesthetic differences in the blade and handle compared to an Eklipse.

As also pointed out, the ZT steel is M390 (terrific) and rides on KVT bearings.
Click to expand...

Know the differences now, thanks :) It is a beautiful blade!
 
This is really interesting. It seems they're aiming for a new space between custom-maker-mid-tech and high-end production; the retail price is only $50 below RHK's retail price for an Eklipse, and RHK is supplying the fittings. I wonder if Eklipse owners will look for a path through this to secure blue ano'd hardware. I wonder if this speaks well for a bright future for RHK-supplied parts for blinging up the Eklipse (e.g. colors beyond blue and bronze)? I wonder if the front scales are interchangeable (would be to their advantage for replacement parts sales). I note that this front scale is milled out for a clip, so there's a left-hand carry option. I don't think I like this blade profile as much as the Eklipse's tanto. But the knife is quite pretty. It looks like there's an odd screw added on the lock bar, just back from the face - perhaps substituting a steel insert in place of extra work and/or tighter tolerances needed to use the titanium lock bar face? And from what I've read of bearing systems, I think I'd rather have washers; sure, bearings might be smoother, but I'd rather have the reliability/simplicity of the washers, and my XM-18 has a lovely smooth pivot as-is.
 
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