The underrated ZT 0400ST

J_Curd

J_Curd

Joined
Jul 26, 2006
Messages
6,038
So, I have long been a fan of the Blur as my most favorite self-defense knife.

My love affair started with the 440A Partially Serrated Tanto Blur - super grippy, tip up carry, I loved absolutely everything about it (even it eating my pants pockets) but it DIDNT have a flipper or high grade steel. It had a very solid tip for stabbing, it was flat for easy carry, the perfect size and weight for an EDC, and was somewhat viable for utility work in front of sheeple if you opened it slowly with two hands...so...

Today arrived my first ZT, the 0400ST. I pulled it out of the box, and went, holy hamburger Batman, this is just like the Blur I always wanted.

The ergos are phenomenal, great grip.
Tip up or down.
S30V baby!
The blade shape is awesome for serious cutting.
Oh wait...IT HAS A FLIPPER!
The tip is even stronger with a "penetrator" design.

The only detractor may be the "sheeple" fear factor. I believe opened slowly, and used discretely, you can use it as a utility blade as well.

So, here is my summary:

I believe the ZT 0400 Scavenger has seen the least press of the ZT line, and I think that is an oversight. They can also be had for a phenomenal price these days. If you like the Blur in any of its forms, you will absolutely love the ZT 0400.

These pics are alot better than anything I can make myself...

ba05300.jpg
 
Last edited:
Shhhh, not so loud, everyone will want one. :)
I love mine, it gets regular EDC time, and is probably the easiest knife I have in S30V to sharpen. I do agree, given the fact that the 02xx and 3xx are hugely popular, that the 0400 might be overlooked, but I bet it still sells well.
 
Yeah, I've been looking at the 0400 for a while now. Maybe I should pick one up...

STR said it's one of the two linerlocks that he actually uses. I think he also said it was his favorite ZT.
 
The liner lock is seriously robust. I like it because it doesn't have the "super huge" Strider style blades of the other folders in the ZT line. A blade only needs to be so wide in a folder...
 
Last edited:
I never thought of this one as "the Blur I always wanted" until now, but I think you've hit the nail on the head perfectly. :D

No satisfying of "want" at the moment for me, but this one's close to the top of the list for "someday".

Thanks for the review Joe! :thumbup:

Ray :)
 
This is a review I did last year...The 0400 is awesome!

A Speedsafe flipper, thicker liner lock, Modified Tanto S30V Blade, Trac-Tec inserts, and a reversible pocket clip.
The Scavenger is 8.625 inches overall, which is the length of the Spec Bump. It is not much heavier either. The 0400 also has a Tungsten DLC Coated S30V Blade that was RAZOR sharp out of the box. Just what I'd expect from Kershaw.At a retail price of only $150, I would expect to see many "Spec Bump vs. ZT0400?" threads as soon as Kershaw can increase output! The ZT0400 is worth twice that!

This knife feels great in the hand! While not as "comfortable" in the hand as the G-10 Spec Bump scales, this knife WILL NOT SLIP! This is a much more Tactical knife and you can tell when you hold it. The Trac-Tec inserts will grip you back even when wet. The Speedsafe works excellent, maybe even faster than the Spec Bump! And the lock-up of this liner lock is better than MOST framelocks! Absolutely great! Though it is a bit tough on the thumb when putting the blade away. This is probably due to the addiction factor of this knife. I challenge anyone to open this knife just once! Can't do it! You WILL play with it for a while, then your thumb will be sore.

The knife rides well in the pockets too! Kershaw made the right decision to only put the Trac Tec inserts on the fingertip side of the handle. Thus, the knife doesn't eat up your pockets like the Blurs can. Nice touch! The reversible pocket clip is very effective, keeping the knife secure without any shifting. The clip looks too small, but works perfectly!

I like the grind on this blade, although I don't really understand its purpose. I don't mean the edge, but the entire blade has a unique geometry. Nevertheless, this knife can cut! Maybe because the knife blade retains a lot of thickness near the spine(giving the blade extra strength), while it tapers dramatically near the edge (helping it cut easier)? I am not a blade expert, but it cut through a cardboard box faster and easier than my Spec Bump and the ZT0200! I didn't even use the serrations on my 0400 either.

I won't give any 9 out of 10 type numbers, because those are numbers too subjective. I will say that if you like the Kershaw Blur or the Spec Bump, and have either, you will LOVE this knife! If you are trying to decide between the ZT0400 and either of the former two get this knife! The Blur doesn't really compare, kinda like a Camaro vs. a Corvette. The Camaro is ok in its own right, but just can't beat the Corvette.

And while the Spec Bump and the ZT0400 are similar in size and blade material, they are clearly different in attitude. I guess it boils down to: Do you prefer Stud Lock or thick liner lock/ Recurve Blade or Tanto? Glad I don't have to decide between them!
Sorry the pics aren't better!

ZT0400003.jpg

ZT0400004.jpg

ZT0400006.jpg

ZT0400005.jpg

ZT0400032.jpg

ZT0400034.jpg

ZT0400035.jpg

This one is for SCALE! ;)
ZT0400028.jpg
 
I wish the 0300 frame had a blade shape exactly like this one as an option :mad:. I would grab one right away!
 
I KEEP THIS OPEN, do not buy this knife, do not i repeat....i can not say why. YES, my intent, it is bad, yes, it is bad it goes against my basic belief system............. KAI rocks. Take the facts, near perfect design, very rare, very nice, fully funtcional, why would you not want me too own it? so do not buy it, so i can - sorry for my selfishness....but i want it!
 
dragonsprayer said:
I KEEP THIS OPEN, do not buy this knife, do not i repeat....i can not say why. YES, my intent, it is bad, yes, it is bad it goes against my basic belief system............. KAI rocks. Take the facts, near perfect design, very rare, very nice, fully funtcional, why would you not want me too own it? so do not buy it, so i can - sorry for my selfishness....but i want it!
Click to expand...

Dude, nothing against you but it's extremely hard to comprehend your posts. Please take a little more time to clarify what you want to say before you post.
 
Well they're long since discontinued, so there's not a ton of them available anyway.
Love mine, though.
 
I bought one nib off the exchange a few months ago. I didn't much care for it so I passed it on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top