The ZT0630 and 0010 pen are out.

K.O.D. said:
The pens don't really appeal to me, especially at the prices they want for them. I've never understood the tactical pen deal. What makes it tactical? That its thick and Ti? Only "tactical" situation I could see using them in is to poke someone in the eye, and if I'm that up close and personal, I'd rather use my knife. Better yet, use my gun or avoid the situation at all.
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I hope you will allow me to humor you with my personal take on the subject. I did end up ordering the new ZT pen to do a review for my YouTube channel, so this will get my thoughts going earlier than normal for the review.

The benefit of tactical pens are 3-fold as I see it.

1. You have a very robust writing instrument ever-present with you. You'd be surprised how enjoyable it is to have a nice pen with you all the time. I end up using my pens more than my knives in daily use, and there is a great deal of personal satisfaction in using a nice pen, just as there is with a nice knife.

2. Pens can go places that knives cannot. Sadly there are many individuals who live or work in locations that knives are not allowed. I'm sure many would love to give 'the man' the middle finger and carry what they want, but sometimes not getting fired and maintaining employment is more important. If you can't carry your gun or knife, at least you have something potentially useful.

3. Backup self defense tool. I carry my pen on my non-dominant side just in-case accessing my gun or knife is not possible. This option gives you a discreet impact tool that could potentially save your life, or negate the necessity of deadly force.

The aspects that make it tactical are the robust build quality and positive grip. This is quite noticeable when compared to a standard Bic Pen or the usual crap your office has on hand. Even if you step up into the nicer style metal pens, they lack any real traction to make a strong strike possible. The newly released ZT also has a glass-breaker on the tip. The glass-breaker can function to break glass (I assume, never tried), but that sharp hardened tip would hurt worse than hell if you got hit in the head with it at medium strength. Take that pain threshold and triple it as you consider a strike to the head from a full grown man.

Just my thoughts. :)
 
I'm betting the switch to S35VN is going to allow ZT to get many of their upcoming models out quickly. This looks to be a big year for them as not one of their new models looks less than excellent!
 
austonh said:
I hope you will allow me to humor you with my personal take on the subject. I did end up ordering the new ZT pen to do a review for my YouTube channel, so this will get my thoughts going earlier than normal for the review.

The benefit of tactical pens are 3-fold as I see it.

1. You have a very robust writing instrument ever-present with you. You'd be surprised how enjoyable it is to have a nice pen with you all the time. I end up using my pens more than my knives in daily use, and there is a great deal of personal satisfaction in using a nice pen, just as there is with a nice knife.

2. Pens can go places that knives cannot. Sadly there are many individuals who live or work in locations that knives are not allowed. I'm sure many would love to give 'the man' the middle finger and carry what they want, but sometimes not getting fired and maintaining employment is more important. If you can't carry your gun or knife, at least you have something potentially useful.

3. Backup self defense tool. I carry my pen on my non-dominant side just in-case accessing my gun or knife is not possible. This option gives you a discreet impact tool that could potentially save your life, or negate the necessity of deadly force.

The aspects that make it tactical are the robust build quality and positive grip. This is quite noticeable when compared to a standard Bic Pen or the usual crap your office has on hand. Even if you step up into the nicer style metal pens, they lack any real traction to make a strong strike possible. The newly released ZT also has a glass-breaker on the tip. The glass-breaker can function to break glass (I assume, never tried), but that sharp hardened tip would hurt worse than hell if you got hit in the head with it at medium strength. Take that pain threshold and triple it as you consider a strike to the head from a full grown man.

Just my thoughts. :)
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Interesting point of view, and thank you for that. Working in my family's business, I have no restrictions on what knife I carry, other than what works with the pants I'm wearing, usually khaki's or slacks. I do understand the value of a nice writing instrument, I use a very thick grip Cross at work. I don't write much though because of my arthritis. I keep a keychain version of the Fisher space pen on my keys, so I'm covered with that. I admit it, I'm a desk jockey. Not really into the bar scene, and at my size people generally avoid crossing me (except my fiancé). I guess in the long run, I'd rather spend that kind of money on another knife.
 
K.O.D. said:
Interesting point of view, and thank you for that. Working in my family's business, I have no restrictions on what knife I carry, other than what works with the pants I'm wearing, usually khaki's or slacks. I do understand the value of a nice writing instrument, I use a very thick grip Cross at work. I don't write much though because of my arthritis. I keep a keychain version of the Fisher space pen on my keys, so I'm covered with that. I admit it, I'm a desk jockey. Not really into the bar scene, and at my size people generally avoid crossing me (except my fiancé). I guess in the long run, I'd rather spend that kind of money on another knife.
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Rock on! There is plenty for everyone out there. The interesting thing is that ZT probably brought the pens to market because everyone would not shut up about them. I'm quite curious to see if they become a staple ZT item, or are phased out in a year or two. KAI is not shy about dropping products that don't sell.

In downtown Salt Lake City, I know a number of people that work in office building with metal detectors and security. Some are building owned by the company, others are large office building that rent out, but provide security as peace of mind to the businesses renting. You can't take knives or guns into these buildings, but might be lucky enough to get a pen through. Sad situation, but a reality for some.
 
Just ordered a 0630 from kershawguy can't wait to get it. I thought about swapping the scales with my 0620cf.
 
I saw several posts earlier in this thread indicating that the 0630 and 0620 have identical handles. Can someone definitively confirm for me that a custom scale for the 0620 will also fit the 0630? Much appreciated, in advance.
 
What about the actual blade thickness of the ZT0630? Has anyone already measured it? From the pictures I have seen the blade thickness seemed the same as in ZT0620 to me... I would prefer the thinner blade as stated in the catalog but I know I can live with the thicker one as well :).
 
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grownstar said:
That's what I'm wondering.

I'm even contemplating selling a kidney to get one of these ;)
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There are some guys in W&C in definite need of a nutsack-- sell yours, buy the knife, and have cash left over.
 
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