New ZT looks pretty disappointing

[elde66]

Can't quite put my finger on it but this knife reminds me of this:

A ZT Cimarron.....nicely done!
(And unfortunately true, IMO.)

 

[115Italian]

Detent hole on the blade. Thumb studs. I would be buying it.

 

[midnight flyer]

If ZT wants a more budget friendly folder I think they would do better with a big, burly folder maybe with a steel framelock and CPM154 blade or similar, with that old school pivot and the thumb stud/stop pin thing going on.

You just listed why I no longer buy ZT. None of those things are in their lineup now, and unless they get some new designers that want to get back to their roots, it won't happen. The ZT 0909 is still probably one of the best work knives I own. The only knife I have ever bought two of so I could have one in case something happened to the one in rotation while on the job. A true, 100% duty knife built for function, it was one of their more notable failures. Obviously, they realized work knives are no longer their market and seem to have moved on.

And your list coincides with mine for work knives. That list encompasses all the details of the Cold Steel knives I own. (PLEASE, PLEASE hijackers... keep your tears and despair/disgust/hate for Thompson to yourself.)

At the urging of an old member here, I bought an American Lawman. He was right, it is a GREAT work knife. Beat the crap out of it, and although the old black cheesy paint job suffered, the knife still operates and performs like new. Same with the Ultimate Hunter I bought, the Recon 1, and the Bush Ranger. And the UH, Recon 1 and Bush Ranger all have S35V blades, the Demko lock and no bearings. For me, no bearings is good since I clean my work knives with charcoal lighter fluid from time to time and the adhesives and asphalt can work their way into the moving parts. Washers = good. I don't flick, play with or nervously handle my knives. They don't see the light of day out of my pocket when the day is done. And two handed closing is fine with me on a work knife.

And they have a lot more models that fit the bill for good work knives, with different handles, steels and sizes. CS made it easy to say goodbye to ZT, especially after looking at the new ZT models and prices. Not sure I paid more than about $110 for the most expensive CS and they are still above and below that price point with all the features mentioned.

Robert

 

[soc_monki]

Apparently, usa made blade confirmed there is no detent hole in the blade. No deassisting this one. That's a hard no buy for a lot of people. To me, I'll go pick up a Link in m390 or 20cv, or what about a bareknuckle in 20cv (of which I have 2 already).

ZT is really needing an injection of something because with the new 223, 308, and now 357, along with that horrendous commercial they made that has nothing to do with actually showing the knives being used, they're hurting. Why are they trying to compete with themselves (Kershaw)?

I don't get it...

 

[metsfan]

M midnight flyer while I agree that Cold Steel appears to make a good knife, to say ZTs are not 100% duty knives is not correct. Yes, a triad lock is much stronger than a typical frame lock, however ZTs can perform any work application within reason without fail. There are plenty of pictures here to show examples of it, and if there is a problem as a result of it, they have an amazing warranty to back up their products. I have no experience with Cold Steel personally, so again, they seem to to a great job on their products but that’s really as far as I can say in regards to them.

Looks are entirely subjective so if it ain’t a looker for you, it is what it is.

 

[Chronovore]

I generally like Kershaw knives. Mostly carrying "budget knives", I've had a lot of Kershaws in my pocket over the last few decades. My higher-end interests have been served well by the premium Kershaws. A fancy Leek was my office carry for years. Now it's an M390 Dividend.

I've looked over the ZT catalog from time to time. The thing is, if I want something more premium than what Kershaw offers, ZT doesn't really do it for me. Up over a hundred bucks, I'm looking for different things and a sweet manual action is mandatory.

 

[jeepin]

ZT should do a collaboration with Charles Marlowe.

That would be awesome!!!

 

[goldie]

looks like a variation of the 0095 pretty plain jane …..

 

[Monofletch]

The ZT Emerson collabs were the last ones I was exited about. Even so, I didn’t buy any.

I had a 0640. It wasn’t my thing. Well built knife, but I think the thumb disks retired with disco music and the Clapper.

 

[madcap_magician]

I think this is probably an overreaction. For a while we were complaining about ZT only making super-expensive limited-edition 'tacticart' knives, now they've swung back to the more budget line, but simultaneously Kershaw's knives have gotten better in terms of design and materials, so I agree that this latest release is too close to Kershaw.

 

[Gideons]

I think this is probably an overreaction. For a while we were complaining about ZT only making super-expensive limited-edition 'tacticart' knives, now they've swung back to the more budget line, but simultaneously Kershaw's knives have gotten better in terms of design and materials, so I agree that this latest release is too close to Kershaw.

For me, I don't mind the speedsafe. I would like a detent however (even just a slight one) for when the torsion bar breaks. My issue with the this knife, is why are they using a linerlock? I know the original 0350 had one, but this is a newer version. A framelock or the sub-frame lock would of make a lot of sense to but on this knife. Also, the handle/ergonomics of the knife (same with the ZT 0308) are extremely similar to many kershaw models(for example: bareknuckle and Natrix)... which on a personal note I was very ecstatic over. The past two ZT knives released, have just seem very generic.

 

[not2sharp]

Another sad thing is that at this point China no-names are probably making more "ZT" knives then KAI. I am running into knock-off Zero Tolerance knives far more frequently then the real thing. Even on the major online knife dealer sites, most of the ZT products are either discontinued or out-of-stock.

n2s

 

[skyhorse]

I'd like to see a ZT colab of the Umnumzaan.

 

[marrenmiller]

I'd like to see a ZT colab of the Umnumzaan.

I've been saying this for a while. I'd love to see the Unmunzaan made by ZT. I appreciate the design elements of the Umnumzaan (washers, thumb studs, blade shape and design, huge screws, etc), but don't need it to be made to CRK specs. ZT could implement those design elements into a much more affordable knife.

 

[not2sharp]

I've been saying this for a while. I'd love to see the Unmunzaan made by ZT. I appreciate the design elements of the Umnumzaan (washers, thumb studs, blade shape and design, huge screws, etc), but don't need it to be made to CRK specs. ZT could implement those design elements into a much more affordable knife.

They can also get quite a bit of mileage from their classic models by building sprint runs in various blade steels, materials and colors. Whatever, they do, they should stick with the frame lock, which is what they are best known for, and work on perfecting the concept of very high quality production frame locks.

n2s

 

[Korean Hog]

I have a 0360 and an 0770CF but nothing else has sparked my interest enough to hit the buy button. Most of their line up lacks soul and thought. They look like lazy and overdone designs made by skilled craftsmen and high quality machinery

They make a quality product but their designs are lacking.

 

[JD Bear]

I'd like an 0566 with titanium, no assist, and different color g-10 or micarta...and keep the s35vn. I think that'd be a sweet spot for a lot of people. Regardless of what I want, I think ZT should dance with who brung em and not turn into to an American WE...

 

[marrenmiller]

I liked the 0308 but not enough to pick one up at MAP pricing. $300 is a bit too high for what it offers, I think. However, I did pick up a new one for around $210 to try out, and I'm glad I did. It feels just like the old 0300 series but (mostly) improved. The knife is a bit thicker behind the edge than some reviewers have made it sound (.025"+ with a very obtuse factory edge angle) and I wish it was on washers rather than bearings, but otherwise I prefer it over my old 0303. It's better in the hand with less aggressive jimping everywhere, the blade shape is better, the steel should (in theory) hold a better edge, and it's more enjoyable to open and close than my old 0303.

I'm ambivalent on the cutouts that seems so controversial to some; so far all I've noticed about the cutouts are that they make it easier to apply small amounts of lubricant to the pivot and to blow out the knife with duster gas.

 

[A.L.]

It’s just a personal taste but it feels like every ZT looks almost the same, or designed by same people. Not very exciting.

 

[elde66]

Appears to me that KAI is putting their marketing emphasis on Kershaw. Aside from "a new Kershaw every week" the upgraded M390 & 20CV products seem to hit the market on almost a monthly basis.