Why can't I pull the trigger?

Bigfatts

Bigfatts

Joined
Mar 12, 2012
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Ok, I will admit I have never been a fan of Zero Tolerance. Not because they don't make quality knives, just because their designs for the most part don't tickle my fancy. And I just don't understand the secondary market for their limiteds- but that's neither here nor there. Anyways, the one ZT I would happily spring for if I had the disposable income would be the 0777, but that ain't gonna happen. Enter the 0770. Liked the looks of it but the aluminum handle and AO killed it for me. Then comes the 0770CF with its nice looking carbon fiber and pretty little pivot and I though 'OK, I can live with the AO for this one.' So I sold some stuff I had laying around to raise the funds and was all ready to order it, only I didn't. Something just said. 'Nah, don't do it.' I don't know why. I really do like the knife. So I ordered some AR parts that were on sale instead. I'll have some more spare money coming my way soon so I figured I could mull it over in the mean time.

So, what do you think? Can you talk me into it?
 
I am a big fan of ZT products. And I like the 0770 and 0770 CF, but not nearly as much as M390 0777. They are radically different knives in almost every possible way.

I am not a big fan of the 0770 as an EDC. It's a nice knife, but I'm not a AO fan, I find the smooth aluminum slippery, and I find the liner lock much more difficult to operate than ZT frame locks. I also find AO knives harder to operate than manuals and much harder than manuals with flippers. The 0770CF has many of the same complaints I have on the 0770. The quality of these knives are exceptional, but I just do not like them as EDCs as much as other ZT models.

I am not sure if either would interest you but I like the 0566 and 0801 much more as knives for daily carry and daily usage, including hard usage. Both of these models are very affordable and in ELMAX, which I think is one of the best steels on the market today for a folding knife. I also find both of these knives to be much more comfortable to hold, and give a firmer grip that is much less likely to slip.
 
Some knives just need to be handled before you can make a complete decision.

I never liked spyderco until I bought a manix2 and a Gayle Bradley, but now I respect them as a company because I know they can make one hell of a knife!!!

Nobody is forcing you to buy a ZT if you don't care for them; and most knife retailers have return policys:D
 
See, the only gripe about the 0770 I have is the AO. I would get one and deassist it but I hear the flipping action is pretty terrible. But it's not like it would be my sole carry knife, just another one I like added to the stable. And thanks for the suggestions on the 0566 and 0801 but the 0770CF really is the only current ZT that appeals to me.
 
Blues Bender said:
Some knives just need to be handled before you can make a complete decision.

I never liked spyderco until I bought a manix2 and a Gayle Bradley, but now I respect them as a company because I know they can make one hell of a knife!!!

Nobody is forcing you to buy a ZT if you don't care for them; and most knife retailers have return policys:D
Click to expand...

Oh, I've handled most of the ZT line up, even carried a couple. Most are just too big and bulky for me, the rest I just don't care for the designs. I have a local brick and mortar store that is a big ZT dealer and he lets me play with them all. That's where I got to handle the 0770Cf and decided I liked it. But when it came time to order I just didn't do it. Second thoughts of an unknown nature.
 
Wait for a deassisted one to pop up on the exchange. Ask them how the detent is and buy it that route. Problem solved.
 
Reading your first post was kinda like listening to someone tell you about a dream they had.
None of us are going to have a bit of insight into why you have doubts when it comes to pulling the trigger on a ZT.
It sounds like you're pretty informed and have handled the 0770 and you like it, so who knows why you are so reluctant. :indecisiveness:
 
Rasco said:
Reading your first post was kinda like listening to someone tell you about a dream they had.
None of us are going to have a bit of insight into why you have doubts when it comes to pulling the trigger on a ZT.
It sounds like you're pretty informed and have handled the 0770 and you like it, so who knows why you are so reluctant. :indecisiveness:
Click to expand...

Exactly!!!

ZT's are meant to be overbuilt...

This is like buying a ford F-350 and expecting the same fuel mileage as a Prius...
 
Rasco said:
Reading your first post was kinda like listening to someone tell you about a dream they had.
None of us are going to have a bit of insight into why you have doubts when it comes to pulling the trigger on a ZT.
It sounds like you're pretty informed and have handled the 0770 and you like it, so who knows why you are so reluctant. :indecisiveness:
Click to expand...

Haha, I know. I guess I was hoping people would come in and start telling me how wonderful it is and kind of push me towards it.
 
I guess I felt the same as you for a long time. Never even really slowed down to look at them when I was looking at other brands just because the appearance doesn't really stand out. Most models are really just a little bulky for my tastes and I didn't want to spend the money on something that didn't look aesthetically appealing. I finally pulled the trigger on the 0350 as it really was the best looking model to me. Nice knife , but I found it just didn't carry good with that horrendous pocket clip. That said, I actually started to like the solid feel, so I went to the store and handled a few more. And that's when I brought home the knife that evicted about everything else from my pocket. The 0566. I've come to really appreciate that knife. Mine does not operate well deassisted, but I actually like the assisted flipper now just because I'm wearing thick leather gloves most of the time at work, and it gets it open easily. I think the 0770cf is one of the best looking folders ZT has done. If I had the funds, I'd own one. Worst case scenario, carry it a few, sell it or trade it if you don't like it. Honestly though, I don't know how you backed out. That's a knife I consider sexy.
 
I bought a de-assisted 0770 CF off of the For Sale forum a couple of weeks ago. It seemed to flip ok but I put the torsion bar back in because I don't mind the AO on my other ZT, a 0566.

I have to say assisted or not, the 0770 CF is one very sweet knife and I've really enjoyed carrying it. If you can pick one up at a good price or used there isn't much downside because you could always catch and release if you don't like it.
 
Basic economics.
Deep inside, you prefer the cash to the knife.
Don't fight it, just be happy with your decision. If you change your mind, buy one then.
 
The first sentence in your post is why you can't pull the trigger.....

I've been there. ZT's design philosophy is not something I like, and even though there have been a few knives from them that are interesting (0560CBCF comes to mind) I can't pull the trigger either. I have almost bought that knife 100 times...

Some brands you click with and some you don't.....
 
I basically felt the same way. I sold my Southard and bought a 0770CF. I like the 0770 much more, but that's just me. The only thing I would change is to have a bearing system.
 
I didn't care for ZT at all for a long time. Saw a 0566 on the forum for sale at a great price, and figured 'eh, why not'. It was cheap enough that I could flip it with minimal to no loss. And the 0566 was the right blade length for what I want in a knife. I didn't like flippers, and I didn't like AO.

Anyways, knife came in, and I knew immediately it was a keeper. It just worked. Assisted, flipper, love the whole thing. I deassisted it for an afternoon, found I preferred it with the assist, and haven't gone back.

All I'm saying is, it's worth a shot. Get a used one, try it, then keep or flip. No harm in trying though. Some knives I knew within moments that I'd never carry them. Others that I thought I wouldn't really like, I've been really surprised by.

No harm in trying when you're on the fence like you are.
 
I've always avoided ZT in the past as they were a bit too bulky for me, and I didn't see a reason for an overbuilt folder in my day to day activities. A few months ago, I ended up in a great trade, and I received an 0560. It was a fantastic knife. Great fit, finish, and operation, but unfortunately too large for me. I've since sold it. The thing it did do, was open my eyes to the brand, and I've been watching them ever since, hoping they'd come out with something that would work for me.

Finally purchased my first ZT, and should have it in hand next week. You guessed it, the 0770CF. I'm also holding my breath waiting for the 0562CF. ZT makes an impressive knife, and I'm hoping they've finally made one I can comfortably carry :)
 
I have a 0560, 0801, 0801 CF, and 0566. Great knives for the money.
I bought a 0566 and 0801 for a couple of friends. I like them, I buy them. I don't, I don't.
 
The nice thing about ZT is that, like Kershaw (but on a smaller scale) they do offer a pretty nice variety while still being consistent in terms of materials and workmanship. For the longest time, I didn't give Kershaw knives a second glance because I was only familiar with a couple of models that co-workers used, that didn't appeal to me. I had to find something that appealed to me. With ZT, it was a little different because I started out with a fixed blade 0160 Shifter and didn't buy a ZT folder until seeing an 0801 at a gun show and buying it on the spot. I was on the fence about the aluminum 0770 for a long time and eventually bought one here on the Exchange. For whatever reason, I decided that I would stick to metal grips on my ZTs and don't mind the slickness of the aluminum at all, but the flipper shape and size on the 0770 just aren't conducive to easy opening for me, so it didn't make it into my EDC rotation. I still really like the knife, though, and don't regret the purchase.

That being said, I can see why some people don't care for ZT. The knives can be fantastic, but all it takes is dislike of a certain design element or feature to incline a person to avoid a particular knife or entire product line. I feel that way about Spyderco, even though I have no doubt that they make good knives that might be useful for my purposes.
 
Just got my 0770CF today and I could care less about the AO, its an awesome knife for the $ either way.
ZT gets a high five from me!
 
I can totally understand your hesitation. Like you I've never been a ZT fan. I can understand the draw for some people. And I have no doubt they are great knives. But they simply don't appeal to me. Maybe it's their "overbuilt" nature, or maybe they're just too tactical-looking for me. Whatever it is I just can't get past it.

I recently handled an 801 at my local knife shop and was almost tempted to consider buying. It really was a beautiful knife all around. The action was one of the smoothest I've ever seen, size was good, fit and finish were very nice. I could even live with it being a flipper (which I have NO desire for). But there was still that something in the back of my mind that said, "Naw... don't spend the money".
 
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