Why Did Zero Tolerance Die??

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It seems unlikely a business would drop the entire ZT line just for one LE knife being sold direct, I mean most dealers get what less than a handful of LE's a year? One would think a tiny drop in the bucket of profits compared their total ZT sales profits certainly.

That said, if they are willing to drop the entire ZT line because they don't agree with how the manufacturer is doing business then I applaud them, even if I don't agree with them. Way too many businesses these days sacrifice their morals and principals far too easily simply for sales and profits.
 
Zt probably has been the topic of more threads in general than any other brand lately. Not my cup of tea, but certainly not dead or dying.
 
This is all new to me but thanks all for the links and lessons. Was looking at a ZT as my first non-Emerson in awhile. Appreciate the reference material and forum that I can see transparently how KAI does business. Which Emerson next now...
 
A Sub-Forum is a place that owes its existence to marketing. In order for sub-forum marketing to work, the company has to dedicate an individual to moderate that forum. I think what ZT found was that it was not worth the time and effort in terms of cost-benefit to have a sub-forum. It probably didn't help them sell more knives, and if things go negative or ugly fast - through no fault of the product, than why keep an internet searchable forum around to inadvertently muck up your brand value. People tend to think of a forum as their own personal sandbox - but those sub-forums have some perceivable benefits or costs that some well known companies here have decided are not worth it. If I made a good product, I knew it was good, and that QC was well within limits - but my reputation was being trashed in a forum that I had control over - I would shut it down. It makes good business sense.
 
I still think KAI is not taking advantage of this modern tech via the internet by not having a dedicated forum somewhere.
They are a popular brand but I think a forum would help them sell even more knives and it is good for die yards to newcomers to get consolidated info.
Just look at the Spyderco Co. forum, at any given time there are hundreds of unregistered people viewing.
That is pure gold in terms of advertising.
I am sure KAI/ZT are doing well but things could always be better.
 
They tried having a sub forum here, twice in fact. I liked the first iteration but the second was like grade school.
 
Smash05 said:
A Sub-Forum is a place that owes its existence to marketing. In order for sub-forum marketing to work, the company has to dedicate an individual to moderate that forum. I think what ZT found was that it was not worth the time and effort in terms of cost-benefit to have a sub-forum. It probably didn't help them sell more knives, and if things go negative or ugly fast - through no fault of the product, than why keep an internet searchable forum around to inadvertently muck up your brand value. People tend to think of a forum as their own personal sandbox - but those sub-forums have some perceivable benefits or costs that some well known companies here have decided are not worth it. If I made a good product, I knew it was good, and that QC was well within limits - but my reputation was being trashed in a forum that I had control over - I would shut it down. It makes good business sense.
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It made good business sense to stop their official rep too. He was banned shortly after this: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1170065-Off-center-blade-on-spyderco-lockback

Looks like he was drunk posting. Very bad for the company image.
 
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daveb068 said:
You would bring that up wouldn't you. You honestly can't leave well enough alone. Fairly certain mods said to just drop it after the apology.
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Apology? I never was informed of that. My email is in my profile. I never got a message.

This thread is about why ZT is gone. KAI CORP left shortly after that thread.
 
No body from KAI got banned without a specific request by them to the moderators essentially banning themselves.

The Kai forum closing had nothing to do with any issues with the knives, it had to do with a small group of people who decided to use it as a sounding board for telling KAI how they should run their business.
 
daveb068 said:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1172666-Fanglekai-Apology?highlight=thomas

The thread is about why they are gone, not why you have a grudge against Thomas.
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Quite the opposite. He harbored a grudge against me for reasons I dont know. Notice who attacked whom in the thread I linked to. I asked him to stop insulting me. He continued. I never insulted him. That kind of immature behavior is why ZT is gone. The representative needed to learn basic manners before posting.
 
It's always the same people speaking up for ZT when a thread gets weird. The handful of passionate ones. Just an observation.

KAI subforum coming back would be nice. Hope it remains civil next time round though. Many reasons why it was hostile there at times.
 
He seemed like a good enough guy, but let's be honest he got goaded extremely easy into getting defensive and getting into pissing matches. Not great qualities for being a representative of a large company and a moderator. Take spyderco for instance, you know how many people come around with bait posts about how ugly they are, or how the hole is stupid, or whatever else? They take the shiny footprints approach and never sink down to that level.

Saying he was bad in that role is not an insult, but he should have stepped down long before, IMO, because he was leaving a sour taste in many people's mouths. I know he had a hell of a lot more patience than I would have, or most of us, but it wasn't quite enough.
 
I stick up for them because they are not here to do it themselves. Please note I said stick up and not speak for them. I'm not affiliated, but do love the products and services. Always open to discuss the good and bad, but the outright bashing is another thing. Check out some other manufacturer subs here and see how quickly and the manner in which their company reps/mods deal with bs. I've seen threads locked and folks asked to leave over some pretty silly things. So why, when it was done in the same manner as other subs here, did people take so personally? I haven't a clue on that one.
 
I looked at many Zero Tolerance Knives over the years, and never fell in love with any enough to want to take one home. They are pretty, almost to pretty to take out of the box, or do much with other than store them away in a safe hoping for apprieciation, for future sale.

JMHO.
 
Akapennypincher said:
I looked at many Zero Tolerance Knives over the years, and never fell in love with any enough to want to take one home. They are pretty, almost to pretty to take out of the box, or do much with other than store them away in a safe hoping for apprieciation, for future sale.

JMHO.
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That is somewhat of an incomplete experience really, the way something looks compared to the way it actually functions can be worlds apart. A knife designed to be comfortable in the hand for actual use may also be aesthetically pleasing. I guess I don't understand your post, if it was meant to be a backhanded compliment or just an incomplete experience. I would suggest before opining on the matter, give yourself the opportunity to try it first hand. It would give your opinion more "weight". JMHO.
 
The folks at Zero Tolerance are alive and doing fine. They're presently working very hard making my next new knife and unfortunately have no time to be chatting on the internet.:)
 
Akapennypincher said:
I looked at many Zero Tolerance Knives over the years, and never fell in love with any enough to want to take one home. They are pretty, almost to pretty to take out of the box, or do much with other than store them away in a safe hoping for apprieciation, for future sale.

JMHO.
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Lol,sorta like saying that gal is way too purty to sleep with.:eek::confused:
 
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