Why the fuss over the 0777M390?

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I would happily pay $400 for this knife ahead of many other production knives. I love the 777
 
I paid 500 for my 0777 and I think it's worth every penny. I've had multiple crks, striders, bm, spydercos, Kai, bla, bla, bla.

Anyway ill just say this. Not putting down any other knife in the process. This is my favorite production knife. It is very impressive IMO. The cf is fantastic. It's thin and light in pocket while still getting a big chunk of m390.
 
I'm just going to say it now because I've decided against selling this knife. I paid $380 for this beast, with every intention of reselling it if I was the slightest bit disappointed.

First impressions were unremarkable. Whatever. My Whaleshark is almost the exact same knife. Cheaper, too.

I've messed with it a bit, bit some nano-lube on the pivot, and... My god.

This really is amazing. I'm actually about to cancel my order with Alan Davis because of this knife.
 
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coiledwire said:
Was the fluidity of the opening the only thing that changed your mind?
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Smooth pivot action is a big thing for me, but it was more than that.

The build quality, the aesthetics, the weight, the feel. It really is a very light knife, all things considered. On top of that, I'm kinda big on wharncliffe style blades. I worry about the tensile strength of the carbon fiber, but, we'll see. I don't plan on carrying it until I've come to a decision.

I don't know. I might keep it, I might not. One way or another, some knives have to go. I have $1450 sitting on the desk in front of me, and that's about a grand too much. We'll see what see what ends up going, but I have a hard time considering selling my Junkyard Dog SG2/Ti or my Gayle Bradley, which are the two knives I had previously decided were my "grails that I would actually use."

We'll see. I really did kinda intend on reselling this, but... Man. I dunno.
 
So why'd you buy it in the 1st place? Sounds like it's nothing you'd want in a knife. And if Just to resell like you say why make a thread pointing out everything you don't like about it, if you don't intend on keeping it.. And you really can't compare it to a Southard or Whaleshark.. Ones made in Taiwan and has G10 handle and the other is nothing special either unless you have a custom one.
 
Comeuppance said:
I'm just going to say it now because I've decided against selling this knife. I paid $380 for this beast, with every intention of reselling it if I was the slightest bit disappointed.

First impressions were unremarkable. Whatever. My Whaleshark is almost the exact same knife. Cheaper, too.

I've messed with it a bit, bit some nano-lube on the pivot, and... My god.

This really is amazing. I'm actually about to cancel my order with Alan Davis because of this knife.
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You Whaleshark is G10, not CF if it was cheaper than the 0777 and even then not by much.

The Whaleshark doesn't have a 3d machined Ti pocket clip and has those atrocious/ugly thumb studs/blade stops.

Also, enjoy the proprietary hardware...
 
Also, let's not forget where a lot of the inspiration for the MT Whaleshark and Matrix came from...
 
The 0777 is an absolute steal, even at 450ish price points, when you consider the materials, build quality, and scarcity of the knife. It combines virtually every desirable feature on a modern high-end folder into one package.

The only fault with the 0777 is that KAI elected to produce it as a limited edition, and in KAI's usual fashion, supplied far less than actual demand to a handful of lower volume dealers. Many of these dealers exhibit favoritism to return customers and close friends and sell their stocks to a limited amount of consumers who do not intend to use or collect the knives. In turn, 0777s are turned in troves on the secondary market and grossly inflated prices.

It's a pyramid scheme, man, and contrary to the teachings of Lamar Davis, pyramids is [sic] not good.
 
Oakengroves said:
The 0777 is an absolute steal, even at 450ish price points, when you consider the materials, build quality, and scarcity of the knife. It combines virtually every desirable feature on a modern high-end folder into one package.

The only fault with the 0777 is that KAI elected to produce it as a limited edition, and in KAI's usual fashion, supplied far less than actual demand to a handful of lower volume dealers. Many of these dealers exhibit favoritism to return customers and close friends and sell their stocks to a limited amount of consumers who do not intend to use or collect the knives. In turn, 0777s are turned in troves on the secondary market and grossly inflated prices.

It's a pyramid scheme, man, and contrary to the teachings of Lamar Davis, pyramids is [sic] not good.
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Did you even bother to read any of the thread? The reason they are limited is because these knives are a Big PIA for ZT to make. Hard on man and machine alike. If you think they are so easy to make maybe you should buy a manufacturing plant and start making them yourself.

As for the "favoritism" and "pyramid scheme" well, what?:rolleyes:

We should be glad ZT makes any of these knives at all..I for one am..
 
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I have a 2 tone LE CF Microtech DOC flipper in CPM 154. I believe 1 of 50. I paid 650 or 675 dealer price for it. I think it was worth every penny. Yet it is has nothing on my 0777blk IMHO. And the 0777 is noticeably lighter in weight. What do you think?

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Personal confession. I came to ZT several years ago because it used top notch steel. Same reason I like some of Benchmade's and Spyderco's and Strider's. All among my favorite high end production/custom knives. I love what Spyderco does with its mules and sprints. Great ways to get into some of the higher end steels. Same with some of Benchmade's Gold Class and LE's. Of course, Strider is all about hard use. But they pay excellent attention to those details that make hard use a real temptation. I WANT to abuse Striders.

But ZT, in my opinion does EVERYTHING dang near perfectly. They may not all take the abuse of a Strider--the steels are not as thick, for example. But I can't think of many things I'd be afraid to tackle with any of my ZT's. And I'm a farmer and contractor; I beat the shit out of my knives.

But the reason I absolutely love ZT, in addition to their fine steels, is the quality of their craftsmanship, materials, and attention to aesthetic detail. They really go the extra mile. The examples of this have already been very intelligently discussed above: 3D millling, carbon fiber and titanium, etc... And, in case it wasn't mentioned: ZT is on the cutting edge in the development of new technologies and methodologies; for example, in the fusing of metals. The R&D for this, the trial and error, the expense of materials and time, the investment in tools and machines, they are just DOING it. Remember how few of the 0777CB's were finally produced in the end? It was because they were learning on the fly. Doing stuff, to the best of my knowledge, that had never been done. THAT shit is expensive. I would be surprised if ZT actually made money on their highest end accomplishments. Don't know, but I would be surprised. But they are doing it because it's their passion, and out of respect and appreciation for those of us who love their high end knives and think they are our generation's approximation of Michaelangelo's David, or the Sistine Chapel.

Remember, too, that if ZT wasn't profitable in the end: NONE of this would be possible. They have to be in the black, or its over. Even if they don't make a profit on these LE's, they can't just GIVE them away either. And the fact that ZT can't keep up with demand from folk as discerning as many of those who have already commented, even at secondary market prices; THAT is the fundamental truth of this whole discussion.

I will not criticize anyone's choice in a knife. If it works for you, if you like it, if it turns your crank, if it scares your mother-in-law when you most need it to: that's all good by me. But if what makes ZT's LE's special isn't readily apparent to you, and is something you wouldn't gladly give a testicle for, please, PLEASE, don't buy it. Because I guarantee you, there are more than enough of us who would love to give a testicle, and our mothers-in-law, for it.
 
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Crazy part is, they're making little to no money on these Limited ZTs. It's just to showcase what they can do., have you seen the 0888.. could you imagine the machining time that went into those.
 
chester22 said:
Crazy part is, they're making little to no money on these Limited ZTs. It's just to showcase what they can do., have you seen the 0888.. could you imagine the machining time that went into those.
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Yes, absolutely...and to develop new methods and technologies. I got a 0888 a couple of days ago. It is AMAZING. The 3D machining even matches from the clip to the scales... And it is so smooth. It's as smooth as a cocoa-buttered Brazilian bosom at a beach barbeque... I wish the detent was a little stiffer, but that's just a matter of my own personal taste.

Do you know for sure they make little to no profit on these? I only speculated on that, based on what I think I understand of their 'customizing' process. I know that the 'investment' that ZT puts into their best knives is unfathomable given their retail price, but no real profit at all? Well, I can believe it.

I guess that is why I forgo all the other things in life I might otherwise enjoy: fine Scotch, cigars, a car or truck, anything more than a hollow stump for a home, solvency, food, a stable family life, a wife, a retirement plan, medical insurance, laundry and bath soap, hot water, even a working outhouse.

You sold me a 0560cbcf awhile back by the way. Still loving it. And carry it every night as I wonder into the back woods...in lieu of a working outhouse... No one could ever say I don't have MY priorities straight....
 
Well knowing what little I know about programming and design and machining on CNC and the few pieces they put out I could only imagine the cost put into these pieces, not even bringing in the cost of the high quality materials and hardware. I compare these to the Bugatti Veyron. VW losses millions on each one they sell.. Why do it? Because they Can. To showcase how far they can push the envelope of the current technology and design.. I put these ZTs in the same light.

Glad your loving the CBCF..Carry mine all the time.. My 0888 will be here soon.. Can't wait.
 
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