Sprint run ZTs

dkb45

dkb45

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2012
Messages
4,458
As some of you may know, and as I have repeated many times, I'm not a big fan of S30V and S35VN. The light speed dulling of the razor edge is just annoying to me. That said, nearly all ZT models use S35VN now, and I remember the orange 562 and ZDP 450, are recently picked up a 0095 in S90V (which was torture to sharpen). That made me wonder if there are upcoming ZT sprints in different steels, and if anybody has that information?

This isn't meant to be a thread to talk about why my dislike of S35VN is wrong, etc etc, I know it's a mostly dumb preference, but we are entitled to our own tastes.
 
Wait, I just ordered an orange (orange and black) 562, and I thought that it was in 204p. Crap, it's not?

I'm not an expert on steels, so it will be interesting to see what people say, with regards to your question. But, I thought I heard that 20cv's an analogue to m390? I don't know how analogue-ish it is, but maybe somebody will chime in?
 
I know you can get a ZT 566CF in M390 ... and a ZT 562CF in CTS-204P ... a Native 5 in CPM-S110V ... Im sure their are others just depends what model you want ... but there are several models with steels other than S35VN.

Just do some google searches you should find some others I haven't listed.
 
Yeah, one of the problems with ZT sprint runs this year has been a tendency to NOT innovate on the steel selection at all, just changing up a scale color or adding an anodization. It's really getting pretty boring. Sprint run colorations and finishes are fine things to change up, but they should really showcase different steels.

Spyderco has this fully figured out, and Benchmade is pretty good about it too. This is one area where ZT is behind the pack.
 
the most recent sprint, 0562blk, is full black DLC in 20cv:)

Beak14 said:
I'm not an expert on steels, so it will be interesting to see what people say, with regards to your question. But, I thought I heard that 20cv's an analogue to m390? I don't know how analogue-ish it is, but maybe somebody will chime in?
Click to expand...

yes, M390, CTS-204p, and 20cv are all very similar in composition....just different manufacturers
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mo2
Zt sprints use M390, CTS-204p, and 20cv depending on inventory. They sometimes have something rare. Like they had a model in zdp189 last year (or was it earlier this year, I forgot). My recent findings is that these zt's just aren't thin behind the edge so it doesn't really matter what steel they use IMHO. Plus if you have a bunch in M390, CTS-204p, and 20cv more of them just isn't appealing (in the same sense of everything in s35vn is boring).

Reason why I enjoy the Spyderco sprints. Don't get me wrong tho, I still like zt alot. Just wish they would stop focusing on firearms, overbuilt, Tactical market and offer tools.
 
Mo2 said:
Zt sprints use M390, CTS-204p, and 20cv depending on inventory. They sometimes have something rare. Like they had a model in zdp189 last year (or was it earlier this year, I forgot). My recent findings is that these zt's just aren't thin behind the edge so it doesn't really matter what steel they use IMHO. Plus if you have a bunch in M390, CTS-204p, and 20cv more of them just isn't appealing (in the same sense of everything in s35vn is boring).

Reason why I enjoy the Spyderco sprints. Don't get me wrong tho, I still like zt alot. Just wish they would stop focusing on firearms, overbuilt, Tactical market and offer tools.
Click to expand...
That's why I like the S90V 0095 I got, it's probably the most slicing friendly ZT model, and they gave it a way better blade steel. I gotta admit, though, that ZT blade grinds do significantly dull my excitement. I recently got a 0630, and I could have sworn it was a Medford based on the grind, it's as thick behind the edge as many of my other knives are at the spine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mo2
dkb45 said:
That's why I like the S90V 0095 I got, it's probably the most slicing friendly ZT model, and they gave it a way better blade steel. I gotta admit, though, that ZT blade grinds do significantly dull my excitement. I recently got a 0630, and I could have sworn it was a Medford based on the grind, it's as thick behind the edge as many of my other knives are at the spine.
Click to expand...
The ZT0630 is a straight up Ernest Emerson design with a Blade Thickness of 0.156 in. The Emerson series of knives aren't meant to be a refined slicer. They are purpose designed for fighting and emergency extraction be it an aircraft or lead rope or tack on a horse , depending on model.
 
Beak14 said:
Wait, I just ordered an orange (orange and black) 562, and I thought that it was in 204p. Crap, it's not?

I'm not an expert on steels, so it will be interesting to see what people say, with regards to your question. But, I thought I heard that 20cv's an analogue to m390? I don't know how analogue-ish it is, but maybe somebody will chime in?
Click to expand...
They are fairly close in composition.
Screenshot_2017-11-30-10-23-40.png
 
jstn said:
I would like to see ZT start using more CTS-XHP, maybe as a regular steel in models. Very underrated steel.
Click to expand...
I fully support literally anything in XHP. It holds an edge like D2 but keeps the keenness longer, sharpens a lot easier, and is far more corrosion resistant. Definitely a steel I love the properties of, even though it's used by almost only Spyderco and custom makers (some Cold Steel models too). XHP and CPM154 have done nothing but impress me.
 
dkb45 said:
As some of you may know, and as I have repeated many times, I'm not a big fan of S30V and S35VN. The light speed dulling of the razor edge is just annoying to me. That said, nearly all ZT models use S35VN now, and I remember the orange 562 and ZDP 450, are recently picked up a 0095 in S90V (which was torture to sharpen). That made me wonder if there are upcoming ZT sprints in different steels, and if anybody has that information?

This isn't meant to be a thread to talk about why my dislike of S35VN is wrong, etc etc, I know it's a mostly dumb preference, but we are entitled to our own tastes.
Click to expand...

I think all of ZTs most recent knives came out in only one version.

Usually ZT seems to often release an upgrade version with the launch of many of their knives. Like the 0562 vs 0562 cf or 620 vs 620 cf. Both those knives the upgraded version featured m390 or an analog. I think we will see stuff like that from them in the future.
 
All ZT Sprint Runs of 2016-2017 where the steel were not S30V/S35VN:

  1. 0450CFZDP (ZDP-189)
  2. 0770GRYBW (Elmax)
  3. 0452CFM390BLU (M390)
  4. 0801BRZ (M390)
  5. 0562ORBLK (CTS-204P)
  6. 0452CFBLUBLK (M390)
  7. 0095S90BLK (CPM-S90V)
  8. 0452G10 (M390)
  9. 0456BW (CPM-20CV)
  10. 0562BLK (CPM-20CV)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mo2
dkb45 said:
That's why I like the S90V 0095 I got, it's probably the most slicing friendly ZT model, and they gave it a way better blade steel. I gotta admit, though, that ZT blade grinds do significantly dull my excitement. I recently got a 0630, and I could have sworn it was a Medford based on the grind, it's as thick behind the edge as many of my other knives are at the spine.
Click to expand...

I measured 2 ZT 0630’s at .020” and .022” at the top of the edge bevel, which is similar to a Spyderco Military and thinner than the Para 2 or Manix 2 at the top of the edge bevel. That surprised me for the 0630 to be so thin when they have a reputation for having very thick edges. Not sure why your 0630 is so fat when the 2 I measured were pretty thin.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top