Really impressed with zero tolerance

BD_01 · Aug 2, 2019

ZT is what got me into knives. That 0450 has cost me lots of money over the last 4 years—hahaha.

I don’t care for everything in their catalog, but the stuff I like, I like a lot. I love the 0470 and kinda regret not picking one up below map when I had an opportunity, but I’m holding out for a grail purchase.

This is what I have presently, minus the 0900BLU, which I gave to my son for making Eagle Scout.

yamsi12 · Aug 2, 2019

I have 26 ZTs in my collection. But that being said the recent stuff they have been releasing hasn’t been to my liking so for the time being I’ve moved on. I’ve expanded my fixed blade collection and recently gotten into SAKs & traditional knives (never thought I’d enjoy carrying a Case knife as much as I have).

sgt1372 · Aug 3, 2019

hemi1300 said:
Why did I wait so long to try zero tolerance

Good question.

I have 34 of them and am still looking for others but, like

yamsi12 , I'm not all that fond of the newest releases and am focused mainly on collecting different versions of the older "over built" models. Among the older models, the 0200 is my favorite (I own 3 variations) and, among the more recent models, the 0452 is also a fave of mine (of which I also own 3).

Have fun collecting ZTs.

Kaibab270 · Aug 3, 2019

I love my ZTs and I think they're probably my favorite manufacturer. Monetary restraints limit me to only 3 currently but I believe they have the best bang for the buck when you consider materials, quality, customer service and designers. Not every model design is for everyone and they might not have the absolute best tip top HT in the industry but they make a solid product and stand behind it. To this day the 0920 is still my favorite knife and the 0450CF is the smoothest opening knife I've ever tried. If they could fix the pocket clip sliding issue on that 0450 it would be in my pocket ALOT more often. None of the other models I have from them have the problem.

On a half related note, if Spyderco could follow ZTs business model they could make a great thing even better. Just sayin'

Pilot1 · Aug 3, 2019

I have, or have had ZT 0301, 0550, 0560, 0561, 0562, and 0566. All have been perfect out of the box, well made, and a good value.

bflying · Aug 3, 2019

Here's a few "Oldie but Goodie" recycled pics.

And if you want a ZT that rides "small" in pocket....there's always the smallest ZT available.

This one has taken up permanent residency in one of my pockets.

BD_01 · Aug 3, 2019

Kaibab270 said:
If they could fix the pocket clip sliding issue on that 0450 it would be in my pocket ALOT more often.

You may have tried this, but I put a drop of blue LokTite between the clip and scale. After letting it cure for a few days, I haven’t had any problems since.

Alsharif · Aug 3, 2019

They make good knives, but they’ve never addressed the legitimate concerns over lock slip. I didn’t like their CS when I sent in my 0462.

sharp_edge · Aug 3, 2019

Most ZTs are currently on ball bearings. After I replaced the teflon washers on my three Hinderer xm-18s with PB washers and fine-tuned all to hydraulic, glass smoothness, I no longer care about ball bearings, which can become gritty (though not difficult to fix) more easily/frequenctly than PB/teflon washers. I really wish ZT manufactures at least some models riding on PB washers.

That being said, ZT is still one of my favorite model. Among the ZTs I've owned, 0562 is my most favorite. Hopefully a skinny version of it will be produced someday.

cistercian · Aug 3, 2019

I bought a Spyderco Advocate and loved it. Action is soft...and the blade
is M4...but it is an epic blade all spydie fans should own.(m4 is not stainless
and I wanted to carry it and I sweat a lot)

Why say this in a ZT thread? Because the Advocate showed me that frame locks
were fine...I had feared them before.

Soooo.....I bought a ZT 0452 because it was huge and I loved the design.
It instantly became my favorite weekend carry. Then I bought a 0450.
It was very hard to open...the detent hole appeared too deep. I did not
want to return it so I stoned the hole and smithed it and now it is epic.
Then I bought a 0450CF. Action was PERECT out of the box...so sweet and
light. Then I got a 0462...OMG what an amazing knife...it falls shut out of
the box and the action is perfect. Lastly I acquired a 0470. Detent super stiff....
exercising it broke it in nicely.

Quality wise, I rate ZT very high...but like any production knife there is some
variation. I really love the Sinkevich designs too. I feel like others here that ZT
is a fantastic discovery...and all of my lockups are great. The only bad thing is the
apex angle...too obtuse. But I am spoiled by full flat Spyderco grinds.
That being said...I freaking love ZT now...and I think I love the 0462 best of
all of my knives with the 0452cf coming in second. They do big flippers perfectly.

ZT=Highly recommended...but like potato chips, nobody wants just one...

Kaibab270 · Aug 3, 2019

4mer_FMF said:
You may have tried this, but I put a drop of blue LokTite between the clip and scale. After letting it cure for a few days, I haven’t had any problems since.

That's funny you mention that cause the thought actually crossed my mind, I just wasnt sure how loctite would work as an adhesive so to say. Might have to try that, it's the knife's only real flaw imo

Mako109 · Aug 3, 2019

Their recent releases, or lack thereof, has been a big disappointment. Rehashes of previous models with a different paint job or glow in the dark scales, etc. and announcing them as "Sprints" just doesn't cut it in my book. At the rate they're going now, Chinese companies like WE are running circles around them. ZT was once GREAT. I sincerely hope ZT can get their heads back into the game with some new designs and innovations.

The ZT0562 series stands as testament to the high quality they can achieve. My ZT0562CF can stand up to my much more expensive Hinderer XM-18 Gen 6 knives in form and function.

The ZT0392 series is to me, their creme-de-la-creme. Like the ZT0562, it can easily compare (and even surpass) knives costing 2 to 3 times more. Here's one of my 392s with some personal touches...

BD_01 · Aug 3, 2019

Kaibab270 said:
That's funny you mention that cause the thought actually crossed my mind, I just wasnt sure how loctite would work as an adhesive so to say. Might have to try that, it's the knife's only real flaw imo

Just make sure you have a good T6 torx driver. No need to go crazy tight on the clip screws. When I’m working with T6, I always think to myself “snug +”.

Kaibab270 · Aug 3, 2019

4mer_FMF said:
Just make sure you have a good T6 torx driver. No need to go crazy tight on the clip screws. When I’m working with T6, I always think to myself “snug +”.

I do need a good set, everything I've tried so far has tips that are wayyyy to soft and dont last very long at all.

bflying · Aug 3, 2019

sharp_edge said:
I really wish ZT manufactures at least some models riding on PB washers.

Pretty sure the 0850/0850CF runs washers. As well as all the A/O models. My 0850 is crazy smooth. But on the downside, has almost NO detent. Nine times out of ten I can shake the blade out, so I'm debating on whether I want to send it in.

whp · Aug 3, 2019

Icky Thump said:
This

I don t like flippers, but the quality of the ZT has always been interesting. The only ZT s I own are the 551, 561, and 350, deassisted. The 640 appeals to me and feels good in my hand. I m waiting for a sale.

Stumpy72 · Aug 3, 2019

I have four all-Ti ZT flippers. I have an 0452, 0450, 0562 and an 0801. The 0801 is one of the oldies, with the grooved handle and an Elmax blade. The 0450 is the smoothest, slickest, easiest-opening flipper I have (which includes three Shiros). The 0452 is a grand, big flipper and the 0562 is my one Abrams tank-style flipper. My four ZT’s are all excellent examples and have no defects or issues of any kind. I haven’t used any of them to baton any rebars and I haven’t subjected any of them to severe spine-whacking on a thick piece of steel bar stock, but they all handle my normal everyday use like champs. Like others above, I haven’t been overpowered by any post-0562 ZT releases and my tastes have moved on, but I think the four I have are ZT classics and I’ll never let any of them go.

BD_01 · Aug 3, 2019

bflying said:
Pretty sure the 0850/0850CF runs washers. As well as all the A/O models. My 0850 is crazy smooth. But on the downside, has almost NO detent. Nine times out of ten I can shake the blade out, so I'm debating on whether I want to send it in.

The 0640 runs on PB washers as well. It’s a nice knife and I can see why it’s got a solid fan base.

My 0850 can be shaken out, but it needs to be done purposefully. The detent is strong enough that it flicks open nicely and I’m not concerned about unwanted pocket openings, etc. I just assumed it was a consequence of a relatively heavy blade. If you do send yours in, I'd be interested in knowing what comes of it.

lzeplin · Aug 3, 2019

sgt1372 said:
Good question.

I have 34 of them and am still looking for others but, like yamsi12 , I'm not all that fond of the newest releases and am focused mainly on collecting different versions of the older "over built" models. Among the older models, the 0200 is my favorite (I own 3 variations) and, among the more recent models, the 0452 is also a fave of mine (of which I also own 3).

Have fun collecting ZTs.

Awesome, you need to get them all together and post us up a pic of your collection!

sharp_edge · Aug 3, 2019

bflying said:
Pretty sure the 0850/0850CF runs washers. As well as all the A/O models. My 0850 is crazy smooth. But on the downside, has almost NO detent. Nine times out of ten I can shake the blade out, so I'm debating on whether I want to send it in.

My bad I forgot 0850 (maybe because that knife never visually attracted me). On the strength of detent, I hate too light detent. Sometimes bending the lockbar can help, although you would have to do it carefully and gradually.