RJ Martin Zero Tolerance 0170

kneedeep

kneedeep

Joined
Jan 28, 2007
Messages
2,155
I recently acquired my first ZT fixed blade, the RJ Martin designed Zero Tolerance 0170.

I thought I'd share some photos of it while it is fresh out of the box.

As you'll see from the comparison pics, it is a pretty big chunk of steel.
As a matter of fact, its the biggest knife made of 14C28N I have handled.
The blade is DLC coated and according to the ZT catalog, 5.7 inches long.
That measurement must be along the spine, because from the tip to the choil the blade measures about 6.26 inches.
Overall length is 11.625 inches.
On my scale it comes up as 12.6 oz. (without the sheath).

The handle is composed of two 3D machined slabs of G10 bolted through with 4mm hex head screws. (No I did not take it apart.)
The only thing I'd change is rounding down the transition from the 3D machined sides to the belly of the finger grooves (especially the forefinger groove). I can see the potential for hot spots there. Fortunately that is something that is easily corrected to your preference with a few minutes and some sandpaper. Honestly though, I suspect anyone with longer fingers or larger hands will not have an issue as it is.

The MSRP is $150 and it seems to street for anywhere from $95 to a ridiculous $233.
I believe that using the 14C28N was an attempt at bringing A ZT quality fixed blade at a more affordable price, and from what I have seen, I think they have been quite successful.

Edit: The use of 14C28N in a ZT also shows KAI's confidence in the steel and that it should be considered a premium steel. The cost savings in using 14C28N is most likely due to it being fine-blankable and the fact that KAI purchases very, very large quantities of it.

Just noticed ZT lists 14C28N as being hardened to 50-60 Rockwell.

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Compared to the Groove and the Zing (I think you can see the family resemblance).
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Compared to the 0551.
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I love the 170 I think Kershaw fixed blades in general are overlooked and underated I think their 14c28N would make an excellent fixed blade steel while it doesn't have quite the edge retention of S30V or 154CM it is a little bit tougher.
 
jujigatame said:
Excellent pictures. How is the sheath retention without fastening that top strap?
Click to expand...

Seems pretty good, it takes a really hard snap of the wrist to get it to come off. The knife stays in holding it upside down by the sheath and shaking it, though I didn't do that for very long.:D
 
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Got one too. It would be cool if they had a smaller version, something to compete with their 0121.
 
kneedeep said:
Seems pretty good, it takes a really hard snap of the wrist to get it to come off. The knife stays in holding it upside down by the sheath and shaking it, though I didn't do that for very long.:D
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Interesting. Mine will fall out if the snap isn't in place.
 
Nice review and thank you, but what other blade do you think it is most closely compared to? And what do you plan on using it for? I'm seriously thinking of getting the 160 shifter knife in a few months only because its a little smaller than the 170, can be had for $85, and reminds me of the bm nimravus but less tactical. I plan on using that one as a truck knife and hunting knife, and just general light duty bushcraft that the hatchet or machete is too large for. Really the only reason i have been holding off is that the sandvik is untested (as far as i know) in a larger fixed blade. Sorry for all the questions, but i don't have any decent knife stores to actually handle a knife before i buy.

Thanks!
 
Apec said:
Interesting. Mine will fall out if the snap isn't in place.
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Mine is brand new, I imagine it would loosen up pretty quickly with wear.

SurpriseGoat said:
Nice review and thank you, but what other blade do you think it is most closely compared to? And what do you plan on using it for? I'm seriously thinking of getting the 160 shifter knife in a few months only because its a little smaller than the 170, can be had for $85, and reminds me of the bm nimravus but less tactical. I plan on using that one as a truck knife and hunting knife, and just general light duty bushcraft that the hatchet or machete is too large for. Really the only reason i have been holding off is that the sandvik is untested (as far as i know) in a larger fixed blade. Sorry for all the questions, but i don't have any decent knife stores to actually handle a knife before i buy.

Thanks!
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It'll probably be a car knife (mostly for crossing Alligator Alley and the Trail). It'll probably be attached to my camera bag when I'm out in the swamp.
To be honest, I'm not really up on current fixed blade knives, it does have a passing resemblance to the large Buck Knighthawk. The handle on the 0170 is much tougher though.
I'm pretty sure that KAI probably beat the tar out of more than a few 14C28N fixed blades before they committed to it, and it is hard to imagine that RJ Martin would let them use it on his design if he didn't trust it.
That 0160 looks to be a great smaller alternative though.
 
Very nice review & great pictures, kneedeep!

I owned one for just a few days,and I plan to replace it this year.

Short version: sold it to get the extra $ for one I wanted worse: The ZT 0100; a beast.

Bucket list is to now acquire the 0160,0170 and the 0121.
 
Gnarly said:
Very nice review & great pictures, kneedeep!

I owned one for just a few days,and I plan to replace it this year.

Short version: sold it to get the extra $ for one I wanted worse: The ZT 0100; a beast.

Bucket list is to now acquire the 0160,0170 and the 0121.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

I've been wanting an 0100 forever now. Still need to get one some time.
The wrench in the works was handling the ZT-9 at Blade, I have no reason to get one other than that it was really cool to hold, but now I really want one of those too.
Ah, who am I kidding, I want one of each of the fixed blades (and most of the folders).
 
kneedeep said:
Mine is brand new, I imagine it would loosen up pretty quickly with wear.



It'll probably be a car knife (mostly for crossing Alligator Alley and the Trail). It'll probably be attached to my camera bag when I'm out in the swamp.
To be honest, I'm not really up on current fixed blade knives, it does have a passing resemblance to the large Buck Knighthawk. The handle on the 0170 is much tougher though.
I'm pretty sure that KAI probably beat the tar out of more than a few 14C28N fixed blades before they committed to it, and it is hard to imagine that RJ Martin would let them use it on his design if he didn't trust it.
That 0160 looks to be a great smaller alternative though.
Click to expand...

Most kydexes I've used still remain pretty tight after regular use, nor was my kydex tight out of the box, though it's no big deal.

I'd like a ZT-9, though I don't think I'll ever use it for its intended purpose.
 
Thanks for the wonderful pictures.
The 0170 looks like a great medium size fighting knife.
I think I’ll order one.
 
Very nice pics. Is the 50-60 RC a mistype? That seems like a huge variance in hardness. Nice writeup too.
 
Sandvik recommendeds a hardness range of 55-62 HRC.

ZT shows 58-60 in the catalog.
 
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I just got one of these.
Very nice knife, typical ZT quality at a reasonable price.
The balance point is at the front quillon/forefinger groove. This makes for a lively blade.

This is the first 14C28N blade I’ve had. It seems very fine grained.
The knife came with a very good edge. I stropped it a bit and it is now screaming sharp.

An R.J Martin design fighter for $120. Not bad at all.
 
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