Was this prototype one of the knives that began our ZT addictions?

Busted_Knuckle

Busted_Knuckle

Joined
May 6, 2013
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Hi everyone. I was curious about the history of the ZT brand & was doing some reading on some of the first collaborators with ZT when I came across this picture on Ken Onion's web page. When I saw the picture I thought it looked like a pimped out 0301. I searched here on the forums but couldn't find any reference to it, not even in some of the posts dated back to 2006. Has anyone ever seen this prototype before & what do you guys think of it?

nx4p.jpg
 
Yes I've seen it before. The 0300 was a collaboration design and Ken Onion was one of those co-creators. I'm not sure if that info answers your question or not.
 
Was the #30x ZT's first big break into the market? If so, I can see how that look became a marketing organizing principle, plus it gave them experience in collaboration which was invaluable. But that's just crass empiricism rather than insight. If it wasn't their first big break, then nevermind.
 
Interesting. I just found pics of the first production prototype and the blade shape was more like the 0200's. Glad they reverted back to the other shape.

I also found another guy claiming to own a production prototype that used 3D machined carbon fiber instead of G10. His picture links were dead unfortunately, because that'd be a sight to see.
 
o4tg said:
Interesting. I just found pics of the first production prototype and the blade shape was more like the 0200's. Glad they reverted back to the other shape.

I also found another guy claiming to own a production prototype that used 3D machined carbon fiber instead of G10. His picture links were dead unfortunately, because that'd be a sight to see.
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If I remember correctly the one with carbon fiber instead of g10 was a really limited early run. Its legit for sure just not very many floating around as im sure whoever owns one would never want to part with something that cool.;)
 
They made a carbon fiber one that was exclusive to Triple Aught Design. There is a regular one with carbon fiber out there somewhere that had handles scales swapped. It was Jimmers but purchased and put together before he worked for ZT. It was not a prototype. If it has been resold again a few times it being his may have led to confusion or someone making claims to try to increase value.
There may be a real CF proto out there but not that I've seen or heard of.

I've seen 2 marked 0300 prototypes out in the wild. I wish I had bought the one I saw but they aren't supposed to be in private hands I'm told. I had a prototype of a different model and traded it and I think that deal created resentment. A proto sure would make a nice addition. I have every plain edge 0300 made as far as I know except for the new unreleased 0300BW.
 
I remember that knife. Though It seems more of just a Ken Onion custom. That particular knife didnt get me into ZT and Kershaw. I got into them when speedsafe was introduced. I stopped buying Assisted knives and now KVT brought me back into the fold. Though if I could find a ZT0300 with the handground Tim Galyean battleswedge blade I would most certainly have to put one into the collection.
 
I recall reading about a CF proto 0300 that was gifted to someone by a KAI employee, that person later sold it off :rolleyes: But I dont recall seeing pics to prove it so who knows.
 
BobSig said:
I recall reading about a CF proto 0300 that was gifted to someone by a KAI employee, that person later sold it off :rolleyes: But I dont recall seeing pics to prove it so who knows.
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That's close to the story I read. Employee sold it to him since he was so enthused about it. Made note of how hard it was to machine the carbon fiber.
 
If you told me you were putting those materials together to make a knife I would be like...hmmm maybe use something else. But seeing it like that. Wow. One of those things that does t sound good looking on paper but really looks amazing put together. I like it. Awesome to see a 350 basically with Demascus steel! They should make a limited run with that!
 
oregonknifenerd said:
They made a carbon fiber one that was exclusive to Triple Aught Design. There is a regular one with carbon fiber out there somewhere that had handles scales swapped. It was Jimmers but purchased and put together before he worked for ZT. It was not a prototype. If it has been resold again a few times it being his may have led to confusion or someone making claims to try to increase value.
There may be a real CF proto out there but not that I've seen or heard of.

I've seen 2 marked 0300 prototypes out in the wild. I wish I had bought the one I saw but they aren't supposed to be in private hands I'm told. I had a prototype of a different model and traded it and I think that deal created resentment. A proto sure would make a nice addition. I have every plain edge 0300 made as far as I know except for the new unreleased 0300BW.
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Didnt the triple aught design carbon fiber 0300 have a top swedge that was ground differently than the normal model 03xx's?
 
Not an answer to the OP question but I remember walking into Kershaw in Tualatin years ago, just down the road from me, and asking if it was possible to see the first ZT prototype (I had been following the developing ZT story online and knew that at least one existed). It was brought out and I was allowed to handle it and talked about it briefly. It was massive in bulk compared to the svelt 301 that would soon be on the market. The knife was marvelous on all fronts but it would be put on a diet in order to arrive at its final form. Quite a fist load but beautiful, built with excellent materials, ergonomic to the form of the human hand and so darn colorful compared to the usual black/silver knife stereotype. I was so tickled and honored to be allowed to see it and feel grateful to those responsible, you know who you are. Since back in the day, I've wondered what happened to that heavy prototype, as if built of depleted Uranium type of heavy, and wish it was mine though I don't collect prototypes.
 
I have never seen that before but if I did it would have been more than enough to get me into the brand!
 
oregon said:
Not an answer to the OP question but I remember walking into Kershaw in Tualatin years ago, just down the road from me, and asking if it was possible to see the first ZT prototype (I had been following the developing ZT story online and knew that at least one existed). It was brought out and I was allowed to handle it and talked about it briefly. It was massive in bulk compared to the svelt 301 that would soon be on the market. The knife was marvelous on all fronts but it would be put on a diet in order to arrive at its final form. Quite a fist load but beautiful, built with excellent materials, ergonomic to the form of the human hand and so darn colorful compared to the usual black/silver knife stereotype. I was so tickled and honored to be allowed to see it and feel grateful to those responsible, you know who you are. Since back in the day, I've wondered what happened to that heavy prototype, as if built of depleted Uranium type of heavy, and wish it was mine though I don't collect prototypes.
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Thanks for relating that. Not sure I'd buy a DU knife though. :o
 
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