New ZT designs do very little for me.

G

Garreth

Joined
Nov 4, 2013
Messages
57
I was completely stunned by the 0100/0200/0300 series. Outlandish designs, fantastic engineering. I had not seen such awesomeness in a knife before. This is where my knife collecting started.

When i look at the new Zt stuff all that really stands out for me is the Emersons.

Anybody else not really stoked about the new folders?

The only new design this year that i really like is not even a ZT it's that titanium frame lock Benchmade.
 
I've handled a 761. Pretty impressive blade. Despite being a flagrant rip of a Sebenza, it is well executed and awesome in the hand. The clip sucks, which I believe is more fact than opinion, but the ones I've handled (two copies, so far) haven't had the detent issue called out in Theapostlep's review.

As for the ZTs... I love the 0808 and 0450!
 
Garreth said:
I was completely stunned by the 0100/0200/0300 series. Outlandish designs, fantastic engineering. I had not seen such awesomeness in a knife before. This is where my knife collecting started.

When i look at the new Zt stuff all that really stands out for me is the Emersons.

Anybody else not really stoked about the new folders?

The only new design this year that i really like is not even a ZT it's that titanium frame lock Benchmade.
Click to expand...

I'll agree that I'm not a fan of MOST of new the designs, but I was never a fan of the "old-school" ZT designs - too chunky and I'm not a fan of recurves. Both of the new 0454 spinoffs look damn sexy. I can't say I'm a fan of how much they're homogenizing their designs and slapping their logo on the handles though. The Emerson unfortunately does nothing for me. I like the blade shape better than the 0620 tanto, but it's too short and wide to emulate the CQC-8 (one of my favorite designs). It just looks a bit awkward. I would much rather they have made it a 4" blade, or at least made the blade narrower so that it's closer to a Horseman.
 
I like some of the newer ZT, not all, but most.

RBid said:
I've handled a 761. Pretty impressive blade. Despite being a flagrant rip of a Sebenza, it is well executed and awesome in the hand. The clip sucks, which I believe is more fact than opinion, but the ones I've handled (two copies, so far) haven't had the detent issue called out in Theapostlep's review.

As for the ZTs... I love the 0808 and 0450!
Click to expand...

That is a bit of a stretch, seriously. It nothing like a Sebenza. Maybe because it has the same handle matrials? If so, you could say that the Bradley Alias is even more of a Sebenza "rip off", but again different design completely.
 
Nope - I am stoked about the new designs and collaborations.

From your list of past loves, you like big bellies, ala Ken Onion design.

I don't think that any folding knife with a blade on one end and titanium frame lock on the other is a CRK rip off , but to each their own.

best

mqqn
 
RevDevil said:
That is a bit of a stretch, seriously. It nothing like a Sebenza. Maybe because it has the same handle matrials? If so, you could say that the Bradley Alias is even more of a Sebenza "rip off", but again different design completely.
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Rev, I'll acknowledge differences in assembly, but handling them side by side, I laughed at the silhouette mimicry. The blade shape and attitude is a very obvious grab from a 21. I'm not anti BM, or a Sebenza fanboy. I have no emotional attachment to either brand. I'm simply stating what I observed with them in hand and on a table next to each other.

Others may disagree, of course. This is just one man's opinion. Running a Google search for "BM 761 Sebenza" turns up some photos that tell part of the story. It's more apparent when you take them in a hammer grip and look at the blades.

Edited to add a reference from images:

ZWItUZ.jpg


Imagine those in hammer grip. Look at them from the pivot area up.
 
I like many of the new ZT designs. I just got a 0562 and LOVE IT! I have a 0350 in the mail to me now. I look to pick up a few more, 0620, 0630, 0550.
There are many knife designers out there so if you don't like what one company is making find one that makes what you like. Free Market Baby! It Rocks! :thumbup:
 
I'm loving the new ZT offerings. They've become one of the top dogs in a rather short amount of time.

I'll definitely be on the lookout for an 0450 and 0808.
 
RBid said:
Rev, I'll acknowledge differences in assembly, but handling them side by side, I laughed at the silhouette mimicry. The blade shape and attitude is a very obvious grab from a 21. I'm not anti BM, or a Sebenza fanboy. I have no emotional attachment to either brand. I'm simply stating what I observed with them in hand and on a table next to each other.

Others may disagree, of course. This is just one man's opinion. Running a Google search for "BM 761 Sebenza" turns up some photos that tell part of the story. It's more apparent when you take them in a hammer grip and look at the blades.

Edited to add a reference from images:

ZWItUZ.jpg


Imagine those in hammer grip. Look at them from the pivot area up.
Click to expand...

Those could not be two more different knives. Completely different ergonomics (with significantly different index finger and thumb ergos), one is on bearings while the other is on washers, one tip-up only and one tip-down only, different steels, different heat treat, different grind, etc.

As far as the new ZT designs go, I think they accomplish quite a bit in terms of usability, manufacturing quality, and cost effectiveness. I'd still rather have a 0350 or a 0550 than any of the newer Hinderer, Rexford, or Emerson collaborations, though.
 
I like their Hinderer designs the best. I have an 0561, 0551, and 0566. I'd like to get an 0562 but blew my knife budge on a Sebbie 25, which I really like, so I can't be too upset. :rolleyes:
 
nwmetalbug said:
Not sure why you would start a thread just to trash a company but its a free world
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Maybe I read the OP's thread wrong, but I saw zero 'trash a company' anywhere.....

It was about being underwhelmed by the direction of ZT and their latest designs.
 
asdf12345 said:
Those could not be two more different knives. Completely different ergonomics (with significantly different index finger and thumb ergos), one is on bearings while the other is on washers, one tip-up only and one tip-down only, different steels, different heat treat, different grind, etc.

As far as the new ZT designs go, I think they accomplish quite a bit in terms of usability, manufacturing quality, and cost effectiveness. I'd still rather have a 0350 or a 0550 than any of the newer Hinderer, Rexford, or Emerson collaborations, though.
Click to expand...

I can't say it any better on the subject of the BM 'copying' the Seb. unless we strip this down to;

They are both Ti and Steel.....

There is so more difference there, so well illustrated by that side to side photo.
 
I like the new offerings especially the 0450. They already have big and beefy covered pretty well in the catalog.

the photo you posted isn't helping your case :p. I like both companies...
RBid said:
I laughed at the silhouette mimicry. The blade shape and attitude is a very obvious grab from a 21.
Click to expand...
 
Complete opposite from me. I passed on the early designs due to a combination of factors. The weight, AO, re-curve, aggressive tactical style all turned me off. I was not against any of it because I knew that ZT wan't marketing to people like me anyway. It wasn't until the 560 that I really took notice. I guess ZT is broadening their market, and I'm one of the many happy customers that look forward to their new designs.
 
RBid said:
Rev, I'll acknowledge differences in assembly, but handling them side by side, I laughed at the silhouette mimicry. The blade shape and attitude is a very obvious grab from a 21. I'm not anti BM, or a Sebenza fanboy. I have no emotional attachment to either brand. I'm simply stating what I observed with them in hand and on a table next to each other.

Others may disagree, of course. This is just one man's opinion. Running a Google search for "BM 761 Sebenza" turns up some photos that tell part of the story. It's more apparent when you take them in a hammer grip and look at the blades.

Edited to add a reference from images:

ZWItUZ.jpg


Imagine those in hammer grip. Look at them from the pivot area up.
Click to expand...


No....silly rabbit. :)
 
I respect your rights to disagree with my perspective. I sincerely apologize to anybody who may have been offended by my comments about the 761.
 
I took that picture of the Benchmade 761 and CRK Sebenza 25. See post: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...made-761-is-in-stock!?p=14186287#post14186287

I can tell you that the picture is just one perspective. You have to look at them from all angles and more importantly operate them back to back in your own hands. They are distinctly different. I prefer the blade of the 761 and the handle of the Sebenza 25. Even better the handle of the Wilson Sebenza 25 with the StarBurst pattern.

As for ZT, in my opinion, their new direction is refreshing. Less all black, beefy and heavy folders. Use of S35VN in all newly announced folders seems to have accelerated delivery times. The folders still have plenty of toughness about them.
 
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