The ZT no one is talking about! ZT0804CF

whitty

whitty

Dealer / Materials Provider
Joined
Aug 25, 2005
Messages
5,990
I have not met a ZT I do not like. I could sit around all day and talk about Zero Tolerance Knives and not get bored. I guess you can say I am a pretty big fan. I don't think I am alone here.

With that said I feel like there has not been much dialogue lately about any of the 2016 models. They have not been out long so I certainly understand, but they are definitely more readily available now. The one knife that actually shocks me the most though is how little talk there has been about the ZT0804CF. I am beyond impressed with this knife and truly feel ZT did not hold back anything top quality in making it. I am curious for those that have them or are considering them, what are your thoughts?


https://flic.kr/p/EAuvAo https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/
 
It seems so nearly perfect, but that hole in the cf scale makes me want to scream (yes I have some ocd tendencies).

And I wish it were a non-coated blade.

I'll still likely pick one up at some point; I just hope someone makes a nice insert for that hole by then.
 
Materials are great, nice, simple design, hate milled ti pocket clips and I think, in this market, the price is a bit much. I'm looking at the upcoming Viper Knives Italo which seems like a comparable knife and looks like it will sell for $80-100 less with more options.
 
This is on my list of ones to get. However, I just placed orders on a 0452cf and 0770cf so my plan of getting this one is on hold :D
 
What sets this one apart from all the other titanium framelock flippers with single scale that ZT makes?
 
I think I would be more interested if the blade were uncoated. It isn't always a factor for me, but at the price of this knife, I would prefer an uncoated blade and lockside, so while I think it is very nice, I will likely never own it. I would love to handle one, though.
 
The one thing that I have been thinking of is with all of the new models coming out in CF, why have we not seen many textured versions?

Yes, it is "pretty slick looking" and that is meant as much of a double entendre as text can convey. It is nice looking, but ZTs Carbon Fiber (or any other companies smooth versions) do not offer anything aside from looks and flat out rigidity.

The part that sours me on this knife, the 804cf, in particular over my 770cfM4 is that this doesn't have the ergos to instill a sense of security. That assertion is based on sheer appearances, and funds allowed, would Love to find out otherwise.
- For arguments sake, take a look at the other CF ZTs:
560 series, choils
450 series, same
770, thumb indentation and palm swell with slight choil...

This just seems like it would be comfy, until I have a bit of fatigue going and then I would reach for another more secure "feeling" knife.
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It is nice, but it still strikes me as a further step down the "light duty/weekend off carry" option.
If I want that, I will carry a nice looking traditional, or a custom.

Thanks for all your offer and do for us Whitty.

Edit to add: My 770 ergos is the only reason I don't own a Spyderco Gayle Bradley. The scales lack of shaping vaguely reminds me of this though that has a bit more shape to it than the 804.
That being said, the lack of shaping to the Spyderco GB handle shape (regardless of steel) is why I don't own one of them.
 
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Fanglekai said:
What sets this one apart from all the other titanium framelock flippers with single scale that ZT makes?
Click to expand...

I think the biggest thing would be the size, pocket clip, and most importantly to many is its weight for its size.
 
NJBillK said:
The one thing that I have been thinking of is with all of the new models coming out in CF, why have we not seen many textured versions?

Yes, it is "pretty slick looking" and that is meant as much of a double entendre as text can convey. It is nice looking, but ZTs Carbon Fiber (or any other companies smooth versions) do not offer anything aside from looks and flat out rigidity.

The part that sours me on this knife, the 804cf, in particular over my 770cfM4 is that this doesn't have the ergos to instill a sense of security. That assertion is based on sheer appearances, and funds allowed, would Love to find out otherwise.
- For arguments sake, take a look at the other CF ZTs:
560 series, choils
450 series, same
770, thumb indentation and palm swell with slight choil...

This just seems like it would be comfy, until I have a bit of fatigue going and then I would reach for another more secure "feeling" knife.
-------
It is nice, but it still strikes me as a further step down the "light duty/weekend off carry" option.
If I want that, I will carry a nice looking traditional, or a custom.

Thanks for all your offer and do for us Whitty.

Edit to add: My 770 ergos is the only reason I don't own a Spyderco Gayle Bradley. The scales lack of shaping vaguely reminds me of this though that has a bit more shape to it than the 804.
That being said, the lack of shaping to the Spyderco GB handle shape (regardless of steel) is why I don't own one of them.
Click to expand...

There are never wrong opinions, and I certainly respect yours. Good feedback!
 
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I do have to say I love mine. I have large hands and it fits me very well. The ergos are great and I love the look. I may never hard use this knife but it's not my only carry. We will see though. The build quality is far superior to other ZTs I own (and I own 5 others).
 
eon blue apocalypse said:
It seems so nearly perfect, but that hole in the cf scale makes me want to scream (yes I have some ocd tendencies).

And I wish it were a non-coated blade.

I'll still likely pick one up at some point; I just hope someone makes a nice insert for that hole by then.
Click to expand...

You are not alone on this. I have had several customers ask me if there is something we can come up with for that hole. So far the best answer I have is spackle:)
 
For ZT dlc coatings, you can weaken the hold with hydrogen peroxide soak for 1.5 hours or so and sand under running water for a nice blackwash look.

While it may void a warranty, it will get someone a different look for a user.
 
It's got nice lines, and I could even get past the coated blade, but I just don't like the titanium/steel lock-side scale and CF/G10/micarta, etc, presentation scale design that's so popular now. Maybe it's an OCD thing, but I need symmetry, and these things rub me the wrong way. I love ZTs, but this pet peeve of mine automatically rules out about half of their catalog, unfortunately.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
The blade is too short for me and the price is high. I already have an 0452 and won't pay more for less. I'm not a steel snob.
 
Fanglekai said:
What sets this one apart from all the other titanium framelock flippers with single scale that ZT makes?
Click to expand...

You are an avowed ZT hater, so I am not sure why you even care except for the obvious reason, but since you ask.

The 804CF is a little larger than usual, and with the CF scale it is surprisingly light for a knife of this size.
It is a Rexford design with a little dress-up in the peel-ply CF and the black PVD.
It has a 3d machined Ti pocket clip that is specific to this model.
It exhibits the periodic development of the ZT production techniques that are designed to keep improving the breed.

What separates ANY ti framelock from another? Style? Size?

Face it, most people who are not curled up with a computer every day on knife forums probably can't tell the difference between an Emerson and a Jarbenza.

People who DO the aforementioned knife forum thing are mostly here for the love of knives.

Some, however, I am not sure...

For those that are unsure about the coating, this is not a paint job, the ZT coatings hold up very well to cutting use and clean right up afterwards. I have a ZT0180 that I used to baton firewood for my wood-burning fireplace this past winter and the coating is untouched after batoning 600-700 lbs of quartered wood.

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Whitty - I love mine and carry it routinely; the only thing I have noticed is that the pocket clip is very stiff and on some work-pants I have to use two hands to get the clip to slide over the seam of the pants, which means that I can deploy the knife for cutting with one hand, and then have to drop it back into my pocket while I finish whatever task it was that required that I use the knife. I think it will get a little looser as I "break it in", but that was the only nit-picky thing I could remember.

Mine did fall apart though, I don't know what ZT was thinking.... :p

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best

mqqn
 
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I really like the lines and size of this knife. However, like others have said, I would prefer an uncoated blade. It would look slick stonewashed.

It's not a deal breaker for me, but at the price point, I would have to have the money burning a hole in my pocket. After I pick up the little 900, I might look into this model.

I tend to go back and forth between big and little when it comes to knife buying.
 
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