New ZT's for 2017 what do you love?

I like most of the models but have to say I am most curious about the 0055. Nothing about it is appealing to me but that is how I felt when I first saw the pictures of the ZT0220 and it is one of my favorite knives ever made. Sometimes pictures do not do a knife justice.
 
I am not surprised, considering their last few flagship LE's were hardly worth a second look.
 
ZT set the bar quite high in 2016, and this batch of new offerings is really disappointing. Only presenting 5 knives is quite simply insulting to our community. For those of us that carefully pick and choose what knives we buy each year, this is an unfortunate step backwards for ZT. I don't question the construction or quality of materials they are using in this upcoming year, but the designs are frankly revolting.

The 0055 has an ill-conceived grind that renders it stillborn. The 801TI is a simple money-grab rehash. The 0460 is the Persian blade ZT no one was asking for. The 0920 is their halfhearted take on replicating Lionsteel knife design. The only model that should kindle even a bit of interest is the 0850, simply because it bucks the flipper trend that has come to dominate this tier of knives. It's a sad sign for our community that thumbstuds on a knife make it stand out. Look closer at the 0850 and it has a proprietary pivot screw (something ZT deftly avoided in 2016), and goofy pocket clip that harkens back to the 804CF.

Like KAI's designs did for other members, ZT hit the sweet spot for me in 2016. They gave us innovative, not Ken Onion-y designs, high quality construction, superior materials, and made themselves worth the price. I personally bought 4 different model knives from them in 2016, and I loved them all. If this is all they are offering us this year they should expect to see their sales drop sharply. Their meager offerings for 2017 are an incredibly weak follow-up to one of the best lineups offered by a production knife company in recent memory. This was absolutely disheartening for a company that could have put significant distance between itself and the rest of the pack with a second straight year of winning knife designs. .
 
halden.doerge said:
And just to be clear, I am let down precisely because I have come to like ZT so much in the last year. The 0562CF might just be my favorite all-around carry knife. It's in my pocked right now. I don't hate ZT, they're just down the highway from me and I love their work and the fact that they make great knives in my home state.

That's why I'm so disappointed. They could easily have done some good work this year, but if this lineup is all there is, they just didn't. Maybe they're saving some stuff for Blade Show. Let's hope so.
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Agree, I have one of each ZT model released (not every knife but one of each model, i.e. 0303 but not 0301 any more} and I am thinking this year is going to break that for me...pretty disappointing!
 
Bill_Brasky said:
ZT set the bar quite high in 2016, and this batch of new offerings is really disappointing. Only presenting 5 knives is quite simply insulting to our community. For those of us that carefully pick and choose what knives we buy each year, this is an unfortunate step backwards for ZT. I don't question the construction or quality of materials they are using in this upcoming year, but the designs are frankly revolting.

The 0055 has an ill-conceived grind that renders it stillborn. The 801TI is a simple money-grab rehash. The 0460 is the Persian blade ZT no one was asking for. The 0920 is their halfhearted take on replicating Lionsteel knife design. The only model that should kindle even a bit of interest is the 0850, simply because it bucks the flipper trend that has come to dominate this tier of knives. It's a sad sign for our community that thumbstuds on a knife make it stand out. Look closer at the 0850 and it has a proprietary pivot screw (something ZT deftly avoided in 2016), and goofy pocket clip that harkens back to the 804CF.

Like KAI's designs did for other members, ZT hit the sweet spot for me in 2016. They gave us innovative, not Ken Onion-y designs, high quality construction, superior materials, and made themselves worth the price. I personally bought 4 different model knives from them in 2016, and I loved them all. If this is all they are offering us this year they should expect to see their sales drop sharply. Their meager offerings for 2017 are an incredibly weak follow-up to one of the best lineups offered by a production knife company in recent memory. This was absolutely disheartening for a company that could have put significant distance between itself and the rest of the pack with a second straight year of winning knife designs. .
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you can see the torx socket on the lock side for the 850
 
Rival1314 said:
Personally I like the new models, I'll be getting the 055, 460, and 920 for sure. The others aren't quite my style, but I can appreciate the appeal for others. I understand the comparisons to the volume of output Spyderco has, but they aren't really that comparable to me. The majority of their production is done overseas, they don't have to do their own CNC programming, machining, finish work, etc. ZT's are made in America, by Americans....funny how people constantly take that for granted. Not to mention the volume that ZT produces and sells far eclipses Spyderco's output (not sure this is correct). What exactly do you people expect?

I get that forums are about sharing opinions, but it seems like on this forum lately its just about bashing what you don't like, with no actual constructive criticism and a complete loss of perspective as to our place in the larger marketplace. Im sure that ZT's going to be just fine without the support of a few whiners over here, and I'll gladly carry the "unusable art knives" in this years lineup. Im sure my thoughts will be chalked up to the usual fanboy banter, and I'll get slandered in W&C by the usual suspects...have fun, Im out on this thread. Good on ZT for doing something different, y'all can get your manual folders with no innovations from Benchmade:-)
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:thumbup: This is why I own so many ZT's
 
stabman said:
......Zero Tolerance, Spyderco, Benchmade...they're all getting a bunch of dislike from people who like disliking things. :D
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^I like this guy :cool:

Personally I think the GTC collaboration is a bold move. I'll be saving pennies to snag one of them, for sure.
 
Well I'm interested in the 0460, and maybe a couple others. I'm looking to try a few more ZT's this year as I only have two in my inventory/collection.
 
The pictures don't do these knives justice.

omg, the action on that 0055 is the stuff of dreams

I had to re-read the specs to see if it was assisted.

all kvt goodness.

[youtube]YRWemqIJ3vQ[/youtube]
 
The lack of a guard or anything to keep fingers from being cut on the 0055 is a deal breaker. Otherwise, I like it. Bummer the handle goes right into the edge.
 
All the ZTs are light because of CF and/or skeletonized Titanium.

ZT 0850 has PB washers.
 
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Remember with ZTs normal street pricing is MAP (Minimum Advertized Price) which is 20% off MSRP.

So, the MAP price for these are:

  • 0055: $220.00
  • 0920: $240.00
  • 0801TI: $200.00
  • 0850: $320.00
  • 0460: $180.00
 
Gideons said:
The overall construction. The knife is heavier than it needs to be. It is almost 2 ounces basically similar size. The ergonomics aren't as good, the 3D machining on the 0560 is amazing. Sharper, more effect jimping on the 0560, just generic G10 vs 3D G10 handle. Liner lock vs frame lock...

The 0909 is a good knife, but in purely my opinion it isn't as good, or as special as the 0560(BW) or 0301 series.

Sorry, if I'm being a little harsh. I was just looking forward to the new knives, maybe a new hinderer collaboration, or Emerson... Heck, if we got something like a new 0909 I would be happy... but, we didn't sadly.
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OK, I can see where you are coming from but inferior is a poor choice of words.

909 has generic g10 but it is grippier, so traction is better. Very thick blade stock (perhaps thicker than the 560's), pivot hardware is much more robust, steel liner lock (very thick as well) that will not wear as fast as the titanium frame lock of the 560's (before the steel insert they began to come with), better flipping action than many of the 560's...

The 909 can't be inferior...because ZT took everything it's learned from previous builds and applied it to all its newer models. Different? Yes. Not as polarizing? Sure. Inferior? Not one bit, just different.

I'm glad you enjoy your 560, it really is an awesome piece.
 
DeadboxHero said:
The pictures don't do these knives justice.

omg, the action on that 0055 is the stuff of dreams

I had to re-read the specs to see if it was assisted.

all kvt goodness.

[youtube]YRWemqIJ3vQ[/youtube]
Click to expand...


Thanks for sharing the video. You are right, just pictures aren't enough. I am still not that interested in these new models but I can see the innovation and it is impressive.

0055: Still cannot get behind the blade shape. It does not seem like it would work for me and I don't like the looks at all. Same with the handle. SLT looks amazing. I hope to see this opening method on a more traditional looking modern folder from ZT. That would be a must buy for me.

0920: I like the blade. I like the size. I cannot get behind that big ti handle.

801ti: If I was going to get another 801 I would get the original or one of the other LEs

0850: I like the size. The handle with colored CF is just sexy. Love the Sub Frame Lock. Blade shape looks very functional but I cannot stand the look. Price is way too high.

0460: Like the blade shape. Like the colored CF. Don't like the handle shape one bit. Blade is too short. It is a no go. There are other older ZTs I have my eye on that have a similar blade shape in a better length for me but with a more traditional handle.

So they aren't as bad as I originally thought. And who knows, maybe the things I don't like (funky looks) will lesson over time (I use to think Spydies looked weird) but I am not willing to through down that kind of coin right now to find out. To each their own. Just my opinion. I'm sure others will love this stuff and I am sure it will sell.

Now, back to the haters vs fanboy battle! Go!

:D
 
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