Question about the ZT 0121...

KLJTech

KLJTech

Joined
Aug 26, 2005
Messages
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I received a new ZT 0121 today that I'd ordered and I like it a lot, LOVE the blade shape yet I'm wondering what the advantage/purpose was in designing it with the smallish handle? It's not a HUGE deal and I'm certainly keeping the knife...just wondering. I know that some of Strider's smaller fixed blades have shortish handles as well. Thought maybe someone here from ZT would know.

Thanks guys and enjoy the holidays!
Kevin
 
Maybe just to keep overall length down. I've wanted one of these for awhile now. Very cool looking knife in my opinion. Pics please!
 
More compact design over all, less handle sticking out, less that can snag. Wrist movement wont be limited by handle length. Also makes the knife less visible in your hand.
 
The 0121 certainly gives you a very nice sized blade (and great blade shape) when you consider the knife is just 8" long. I figured someone at ZT must have said something about its design when the knife first came out...I'm sure that BobSig is correct, that its for all the reasons he listed. I'm curious what the same knife with an inch or so more handle would feel like in the hand.

Regardless, after using the 121 yesterday and last night I would recommend it, gives you a lot of very useful blade in a small yet stout package. It's heavier than you'd expect but I couldn't care less. I'd rather lose a couple pounds myself and carry a little more gear.

Anyone carry theirs with the sheath inverted to make accessing the knife a bit quicker? Upright the knife sits a tad high on the waist (I guess I could get a drop loop) but the sheath has really nice retention so I thought that inverted may be the way to go.
 
Not sure what the reasoning behind the short handle was but you aren't alone. I think it's a little short for the average hand. This is easily the most common (and only, really) criticism I've seen on the 0121.
 
KLJTech said:
I received a new ZT 0121 today that I'd ordered and I like it a lot, LOVE the blade shape yet I'm wondering what the advantage/purpose was in designing it with the smallish handle? It's not a HUGE deal and I'm certainly keeping the knife...just wondering. I know that some of Strider's smaller fixed blades have shortish handles as well. Thought maybe someone here from ZT would know.

Thanks guys and enjoy the holidays!
Kevin
Click to expand...

I believe the handle was one of the Strider carry overs since it is a Strider/ Onion Collaboration. I see the 0121 as a hardcore utility/ backup blade that was designed with the armed forces in mind. Good at most things and great at nothing but looking good!
 
I will get one sooner or later. Probably later, there's another ZT I need.
 
onebagnomad said:
Not sure what the reasoning behind the short handle was but you aren't alone. I think it's a little short for the average hand. This is easily the most common (and only, really) criticism I've seen on the 0121.
Click to expand...

I agree, I've seen the same thing mentioned a lot BUT in hand the knife feels really nice and I wear XL gloves and was really concerned about how that handle was going to work for me. There's enough meat there to fill your palm even though my pinky runs off the rear of the handle. That finger choil really allows you to lock the knife into place so its not going anywhere. I was curious why they decided to make the handle shorter but maybe its because just as I'm finding...you're hand is locked in and this way the knife takes up less space BUT still gives you a great size and shaped blade.

I've seen several shorter Strider fixed blades that appear to have shortish handles as well so they must just have it figured out with regards to making the handle shorter but still allowing the user to have a great grip on the knife. I saw a couple reviews in which the user was concerned with how high the sheath sits when attached to your belt and I thought it felt a bit too high as well and decided to do the same as I did with my BRKT Bravo 1 and starting carrying it inverted. The sheath has great retention and after carrying the 121 upside down for a little while I really like it this way...its still very easy to grab the knife quickly and maybe even easier now to place the knife back in the sheath than when it rode higher on the hip right side up.

This knife blade reminds me of a shouter, fixed blade version of my BM Skirmish and that is meant as a very high compliment.
 
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