Why can't I pull the trigger?

I was hesitant to take the ZT step as I am totally comfortable with the knives I own. Just didn't need to spend $150+ just to "try one out". I handled a number of them about 6 months ago and at that point I decided when the funds were available and I was willing I was going to buy my first ZT. The 0770CF came out and it is just a tad larger than my Delica and I tend not to buy assisted openers (have some, but I find them un-necessary for me). BUT, I decided the 0770CF was THE one and picked one up. I am pleased and I will not de-assist it.

We all have our own spending priorites and they change from month to month. So, I can't really read your mind or necessarily understand your priorites. After I made the decision to buy, I was pretty sure that if I chose consistantly with my general EDC knife preferences I would be pleased. Have been carrying the ZT every day since I got it and using it.
 
Inazone said:
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.
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I find the idea that ZT offers a wide variety of knives to be laughable. They're very good at what they do, but what they do is pretty darn narrow.
 
Agreed. To me most ZTs look very similar in design. If they really offered a diverse line I might be able to find one I like.
 
addylo said:
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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At leaat I'm not the only one. After reading all this I'll probably order the 0770cf with my next batch of fun money. Like someone else said, I can always flip it if I decide it's not for me.
 
I think you'll like the 0770CF, most do that have bought one. But as you said, you can always sell it and there seems to be a ready market for them.
 
Save the money and buy a knife a step up in price... I'm like you in that, the designs don't do it for me. I tried ONE, granted it was a modded ZT, and I still didn't like the flip action, the clip.. overall f&f didn't click for me.. I'm still a die hard BM fan, can't get enough. No Spydercos or ZTs.. midtechs.. customs, and benchmades..

Find what you like... enjoy... I guess if you buy a ZT, someone will snap it up... seems to be a large number of ZT fans and Spyderco fans you won't be stuck with it.
 
I think the "Over built" nature is what throws a lot of people off from them. They are a brand that had to grow on me. It's like shooting a 500s&w or a 50bmg for target practice and shaking your head to say "this is ridiculous". But I bought a 0560bw because of how much I loved the finish, and now I totally get it. They are smooth, great steels, extremely comfortable, and you get a lot for the money in my opinion. They are still over built knives, and like over built guns, once I use them I get why the appeal is there for being over built.
 
Bigfatts said:
At leaat I'm not the only one. After reading all this I'll probably order the 0770cf with my next batch of fun money. Like someone else said, I can always flip it if I decide it's not for me.
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Out of curiosity, ever handle a Spyderco Sage 2 Ti?
 
Last summer, my wife shocked me by presenting me a new 0777 - the original - for my birthday. She had saved the $660 (inc s/t) over months and picked it up from the local store (Yes, a local store got six of them!). I had seen the prototype at the previous two BLADE shows and wasn't sure about it - the delays and changes didn't help. I took it out of the poly bag and deployed the knife at the party, returning it quickly to it's box. It would come out again for a photo - and finally, to copy it's s/n for sales records as I shipped it to someone who wanted it more than I did - with my wife's blessing. I was so unimpressed with it, I cannot recall if it was an AO style knife or not! Skip ahead to the 'mass produced' 0770 with Elmax steel - a keeper. Then the 0770CF - even better - and the local store had them. My wife saw me looking at them and had one put back for her - and a 0566G10.

Last Wed found my wife off work - and she wanted to go to the local knife store so I could 'window shop' the latest knives as I had no money for a BLADE show trip this year. While I was checking firearm/ammo stock, she paid for the pair - and presented me with them when we got home since I couldn't make the show. The first thing I did when she gave them to me was to de-clip and de-assist them - what an improvement! I thought the 0770CF would steal all of the thunder - and it nearly did - until I carried the 0566 for a day. It's probably 60-40 for the 0770CF over the 0566. In all seriousness, I'd be happy with either one! I started with an 0301, two 0551's, an 0561, and a Kershaw 4001SW (TILT!. The 0301 is AO, while the others are not. None of the others - or the new de-assisted pair - pass the forearm whack test. The detents are better than most - and I am sure it will be safe 'in the pocket' - as the others were.

Try the 0770CF - de-assist it - try it again. I bet you'll love it.

Stainz
 
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