New ZT designs do very little for me.

RBid said:
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.
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No need for apologies. I remember a specific thread where someone linked a youtube review where the reviewer indicated the "sameness" of the knives on various levels. The ability to make a video and post it for public consumption is a great thing but also a problem with youtube and other social media these days. All it takes a handful of people to start a campaign regarding an opinion and soon it is mistaken as fact in multiple venues and objective thought is lost.
 
Some people offend easily.

The only ZT that has my attention is the 0450. But I have very specific requirements that ZT rarely addresses. The fact that they've started producing any folders at all that work for me is pretty darn thrilling AFAIC. :) But there's absolutely nothing in the new lineup that speaks to me the way the 0770CF did. Now if ZT released a version of the 0562CF with a 3.0" blade . . . :eek: ;)
 
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I don't have a Sinkevich design yet so I'm really looking forward to the 450. I like how his knives look, very slim and sexy.
 
I think they've done a great job at trying to expand their product lineup this year, but the only new knife at the Shot show I really walked away having to have is the 0452. However, people have been screaming for them to do something other than big/beefy tactical knives and smaller blade knives for years, and they responded big time to that this year. The formula of a ~3.5" blade with a ~4.75" handle continually proves ideal for me when I can carry whatever I want. The only time I'd carry something smaller is if I have to and usually that's going to be under 3" so the 0450 and 0808 were out right away and while I love my VCEP the 0900 is too tall of a handle for a stubby blade for my taste.

Now that there is only one model of the 0560 that has not been discontinued I think that leaves a hole in their lineup for something to replace it that's 3.75+". I'm not sure the 0562/0563/801 etc. can fill the 0560's shoes for guys that want a big folder.
 
I've really had no inclination to acquire anything by ZT after I got my 550 & 560, until the 620.
 
In my opinion the best recently produced ZT production models are the 0560,0801,and 0562CF.The LE models I consider Midtechs.The 2015 models kind of let me down and look very industrial in my eyes.ZT has not produced enough 0562CF to keep pace with demand yet.The 0562CF would be my pick of the litter from the current lineup.You may have a hard time hunting one down until ZT starts producing them in sufficient numbers.I am sure there are a few surprises in the pipeline for 2015 that may catch my eye.
 
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!
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Isnt the 761 a Benchmade?
 
flipe8 said:
Does ZT offer any in-house designs?
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They've done a ton. 0200, 0300, 0350, 0777, 0770, 0888, 0750, 0700, 0780, 0400. Those are off the top of my head, I think most of the fixed blades are in house as well.

And before anyone tries to bitch, Ken Onion was an in house designer when the 0200/0300/0350 etc came out.
 
Also, to the OP:

Isn't this just a rehash of your 0200 thread?

Sincerely,

The Supreme Allied Commander of the ZT Fanboys.
 
Rasco said:
Hey, they can't all be winners, eh?
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Exactly! I can't name one maker/manufacturer that i like everything they make.

Kershaw/ZT , Spyderco, etc....make some great knives and I am grateful for all.
 
You're not the only one. I don't think they're doing anything wrong, just moving in a direction that doesn't really appeal to me.

For my part, I see it this way; ZT is working to become the Mercedes, BMW or Acura of knives. High performance, reliable, with plenty of nifty engineering touches, branding and features that add to the feel and aesthetics of the knives. Luxury knives, if you will. Right now, I'm more interested in solid, working knives that will give me similar performance at a lower cost by sacrificing some of the flourishes ZT has been perfecting.

The one knife that I really like in the new lineup is the 0452CF. I like my Honda Civic knives, but there's nothing wrong with taking a BMW out for a spin. :D
 
I'll agree with OP. The last ZT I bought was a 561. Nothing they've done recently has caught my eye. Love my 301st and 561. Guess I like big beefy knives. I haven't gotten a new knife in close to 2 yrs now because not many calling to me like the 2 above did. Last purchase was a Fallkniven volcano and with the 40 knives I have I'm content. Good place to be.
 
I already own the 454 but cannot bring myself to actually use it so I will be acquiring a 452. I'd still like a 301 but cannot find one at a price I feel comfortable paying. ZT consistently puts out good knives, well made and aesthetically pleasing to the eye; what is wrong with that?
 
I'm really looking forward to the 0452. The lines on that are jaw dropping for me.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
You're not the only one. I don't think they're doing anything wrong, just moving in a direction that doesn't really appeal to me.

For my part, I see it this way; ZT is working to become the Mercedes, BMW or Acura of knives. High performance, reliable, with plenty of nifty engineering touches, branding and features that add to the feel and aesthetics of the knives. Luxury knives, if you will. Right now, I'm more interested in solid, working knives that will give me similar performance at a lower cost by sacrificing some of the flourishes ZT has been perfecting.

The one knife that I really like in the new lineup is the 0452CF. I like my Honda Civic knives, but there's nothing wrong with taking a BMW out for a spin. :D
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Talk about different strokes . . .

I love the direction ZT is moving in. Lord knows they already have plenty of pocket bricks. They may not have invented that category, but with knives like the 0200, the 03xx and the 05xx they certainly perfected it. Clearly they aren't going to stop delivering what brought them to the party in the first place. But broadening their base to include offerings geared to people that just need to cut stuff and don't want to be owned by their knives is a good thing . . . or at least it is to me. And I'd argue that rather than adding flourishes, some of ZT's new designs . . . particularly their handle designs . . . are so plain as to be downright boring.

If ZT continues to move in the direction they moved this year, you won't hear any complaints out of me . . . particularly if they bring my grail EDC. (Any guesses what that might be, Supreme Allied Commander? :) EDIT: Oh darn. I already gave it away, didn't I? ;) )
 
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nwmetalbug said:
Not sure why you would start a thread just to trash a company but its a free world
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He just says he does not like the new designs, but liked the old. That is not trashing a company.

Is every only supposed to have favorable comments?
 
I'm still impressed with my now old ZT0561. It's the older one w/o a steel lock bar insert and still has a rock solid lock up. I'd like to see ZT come out with scaled down version of the 0560 with a hollow ground blade.:D
 
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