I am new to the knife accumulation game, and have picked up a few nice blades from Benchmade, Spyderco, Southern Grind, and Emerson in the last 6 months, and am looking to buy a ZT flipper with a sub 3.5" blade in the next few months. I have handled the 0350, 0450, 0562, and 0770 and liked them all for different reasons. My question to you is what are your two favorite ZT flippers (current production) and why? Thanks!
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
What are your 2 favorite current production ZT flippers?
- Thread starter kpp80202
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2015
- Messages
- 1,697
I currently only own one but I highly recommend it, lightweight, beautiful and fires open like a rocket. It's a perfect office EDC for me.
ZT 0450cf
ZT 0450cf
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2017
- Messages
- 177
The 562CF is my favorite ZT Model.
Pros: Overall a solid knife. Great ergos, length and geometry, CF and Titanium, Ultra-Premium 20cv steel. Very smooth filpper tight lock up and good detent. Discreet Deep carry clip. Cons: tip up only carry. Might be considered large for office carry.
My Second favorite ZT Model is ZT0566. Slightly smaller but a nice blade.
This knife is a tweener for me. To big to be small carry, too small to be Big Carry. Pros: Ultra-Premium Elmax Steel. Good Ergos, geomtry and length. Quad Carry capable. Does not take up a lot of room in the pocket. Quick assisted flipping action. Cons: May be more tactical looking than my current edc preferences. Lower limit of my current desired blade length. I have come to appreciate unassisted flippers more than assisted flippers. I prefer a discreet deep carry clip and have installed a third party clip to meet this need.
Third would be ZT0770CF.
I use this knife as a special occasion carry. Updated the clip to Discreet deep carry. But this is a nice EDC sized blade.
Pros: Overall a solid knife. Great ergos, length and geometry, CF and Titanium, Ultra-Premium 20cv steel. Very smooth filpper tight lock up and good detent. Discreet Deep carry clip. Cons: tip up only carry. Might be considered large for office carry.
My Second favorite ZT Model is ZT0566. Slightly smaller but a nice blade.
This knife is a tweener for me. To big to be small carry, too small to be Big Carry. Pros: Ultra-Premium Elmax Steel. Good Ergos, geomtry and length. Quad Carry capable. Does not take up a lot of room in the pocket. Quick assisted flipping action. Cons: May be more tactical looking than my current edc preferences. Lower limit of my current desired blade length. I have come to appreciate unassisted flippers more than assisted flippers. I prefer a discreet deep carry clip and have installed a third party clip to meet this need.
Third would be ZT0770CF.
I use this knife as a special occasion carry. Updated the clip to Discreet deep carry. But this is a nice EDC sized blade.
sharp_edge
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2015
- Messages
- 5,937
ZT 0562 and ZT 0452cf.
I somehow prefer the syonewashed blade on ZT 0562 to the satin two-tone on ZT 0562cf (and I have owned two for each). I do like more the cf scale and that's when a custom cf scale will do it.
ZT 0452cf is just slim, long, ans sexy.
I somehow prefer the syonewashed blade on ZT 0562 to the satin two-tone on ZT 0562cf (and I have owned two for each). I do like more the cf scale and that's when a custom cf scale will do it.
ZT 0452cf is just slim, long, ans sexy.
The only ZT model I carry routinely is my 0900. I love that little knife. It has a strong detent that makes the blade crack open like Indiana Jone's whip. The handle just fits my hand so it's really comfortable to me(may not be to some others). It's one of my favorite looking ZT's too. Very minimalist. Add the thick titanium liners and .16 inch blade stock and you have one helluva beater. There isn't much I wouldn't do with this knife.
Old picture.
Old picture.
Last edited:
115Italian
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2015
- Messages
- 2,913
0562 elmax steel- great knife. Smooth flipper. Handle is comfortable. Nice pocket clip.
0566 s35vn -torsion bar removed with small washer replaced with matching large one. This knife is a flipper technically but de assisted it takes a little effort to get it to work right. I use the thumb stud/stop lugs to flick the blade open. Works well. I really enjoy this knife. Good size and weight. Blade stock is not too thick.
0566 s35vn -torsion bar removed with small washer replaced with matching large one. This knife is a flipper technically but de assisted it takes a little effort to get it to work right. I use the thumb stud/stop lugs to flick the blade open. Works well. I really enjoy this knife. Good size and weight. Blade stock is not too thick.
aleforme
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2013
- Messages
- 2,147
The two I have settled on for ZT are the 0808 and the 0609. Both are the perfect size for me and both are some of ZT's best flippers from my ownership experience.
Probably the best pure ZT flipper I have owned though if the 0450CF. Just a little small/slim for me.
Probably the best pure ZT flipper I have owned though if the 0450CF. Just a little small/slim for me.
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2018
- Messages
- 69
I have my eye on ZT. Unfortunately the ones that I'm drawn to are over $200.
More great input, thanks! Keep it coming!
I will say I'm a little surprised that no one has the 0350 listed. It felt good to me in my hand (if a bit chunky) but I'm not a huge fan of spring assists. I prefer a well-tuned detent and ball bearings or super smooth washers.
I will say I'm a little surprised that no one has the 0350 listed. It felt good to me in my hand (if a bit chunky) but I'm not a huge fan of spring assists. I prefer a well-tuned detent and ball bearings or super smooth washers.
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2017
- Messages
- 177
The 350 was my first ZT that introduced me to the quality and reliability of the brand. I always have a fond place in my heart for that knife but I prefer other models more now that I have had the chance to try other models out.
SpySmasher
Lead Guitar
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2016
- Messages
- 5,016
My two favorite current production knives are the 0452 and 0220. I also love the 0801 but haven't held the current version. I presume, however, that it's really close in ergos and action to the original. All three are pretty big, though. Not the "sub 3.5" that you are looking for.
DNAIrradiator
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2013
- Messages
- 1,406
I agree with b00n 100%, the 0393 and 0920 take the cake for me, followed by the 0562 and 0452.
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2008
- Messages
- 729
Don't have any sub 3.5" recommendations, but if you're willing to look at 3.5" and over then these are my favorites in the following order:
1) ZT0562CF: Optimal blade grind and overall build for all around indoor/outdoor EDC; deep carry pocket clip; lots of options to customize if you wish. I like using this for hiking/backpacking, weekend adventures, whatever; nice companion folder to my fixed blade for camping. Probably my most carried ZT.
2) ZT0095BW: Nice belly; thinner blade stock excels at slicing; put a mirrored edge on and it slices like the devil (looks wicked awesome too); IMHO handsome combination of blade and handle shape (it flows); black wash finish is reminiscent of the black armor worn by the 15th century Teutonic Knights (and a little Flitz will add a beautiful subtle sheen). Clean construction makes this especially simple to maintain. I carry this if I expect to be doing more food prep or handling other gunky-grimy stuff. Still looks new after a couple of years.
Then there are these two...
3) ZT0220: On the heavier end of the spectrum but still very pocketable in jeans. A beautiful beast...understated, simple, elegant. Another handsome combination of blade and handle shape. Feels great in hand. Flipper fires blade out with authority. Beautiful subtle recurve near ricasso...a turn-off for those who have trouble sharpening, but no big deal for the experienced. This is my camping folder.
4) ZT0452: On the longer end of the spectrum, very pocketable, but blade length might scare non-knife peers. One of the best proportioned in its size class. I like using this to gut and gill salmon and preparing cuts for meat for the BBQ.
ZT makes some of the best flipping action production folders in the industry and all four of these live up to that reputation.
1) ZT0562CF: Optimal blade grind and overall build for all around indoor/outdoor EDC; deep carry pocket clip; lots of options to customize if you wish. I like using this for hiking/backpacking, weekend adventures, whatever; nice companion folder to my fixed blade for camping. Probably my most carried ZT.
2) ZT0095BW: Nice belly; thinner blade stock excels at slicing; put a mirrored edge on and it slices like the devil (looks wicked awesome too); IMHO handsome combination of blade and handle shape (it flows); black wash finish is reminiscent of the black armor worn by the 15th century Teutonic Knights (and a little Flitz will add a beautiful subtle sheen). Clean construction makes this especially simple to maintain. I carry this if I expect to be doing more food prep or handling other gunky-grimy stuff. Still looks new after a couple of years.
Then there are these two...
3) ZT0220: On the heavier end of the spectrum but still very pocketable in jeans. A beautiful beast...understated, simple, elegant. Another handsome combination of blade and handle shape. Feels great in hand. Flipper fires blade out with authority. Beautiful subtle recurve near ricasso...a turn-off for those who have trouble sharpening, but no big deal for the experienced. This is my camping folder.
4) ZT0452: On the longer end of the spectrum, very pocketable, but blade length might scare non-knife peers. One of the best proportioned in its size class. I like using this to gut and gill salmon and preparing cuts for meat for the BBQ.
ZT makes some of the best flipping action production folders in the industry and all four of these live up to that reputation.