Your Top ZT pick (new announcements/introductions) of the 2013 Blade Show

[Kai Corp.]

Oops. My profuse apologies to everyone. Thanks for educating me somewhat gently.

Oh no prob AEDC. Looking forward to your participation.

 

[Gunsnknives]

I love the ZT0454. Shape and size is super sexy. However, I'm not sold on the whole composite blade thing. Expense and HT complexities don't seem to warrant it's use. Just make it in CPM3V for me and I'm in!

 

[RamZar]

I look at the 0454 as an exotic limited edition showcase. Just like the exotic 0777 resulted in the 0770CF hopefully in time we'll see the same happen with the 0454.

 

[Ridgeback08]

I look at the 0454 as an exotic limited edition showcase. Just like the exotic 0777 resulted in the 0770CF hopefully in time we'll see the same happen with the 0454.

Agreed! I appreciate the engineering that goes into the 0454 but at least for me I'm still not in love with it. Entirely different story for the 0777! The 0454 has great lines and is a nice size, just wished the blade was differently designed. Who am I kidding though, I'll probably be in love with it down the road, sometimes just takes a little time to warm up to new things.

 

[RamZar]

A few pictures of the ZT 0454, 0801CF and 0770CF from the ZT Media Gallery:

 

[dogboye]

The 454 has really grown on me, even though I'll never manage to get it.
The 801 is still leaving me cold. Something about he shape of the blade just throws me off it. But again, all academic.

 

[flarp]

Very tough choice... Had to go with the 0454.

 

[skyhorse]

Love the high grind on the 081cf blade!:thumbup:

 

[bld522]

It's the 0770CF for the win. I mean, who could have conceptualized that ZT would take a serious run at the Gentleman's knife market with an entry that only weighs 3.0 ounces . . . and this from a company whose knives have, as they say, earned a reputation among their devoted fans as being "built like a tank" or a "real beast" or even being—proudly—"overbuilt". Talk about getting out of your comfort zone . . .

Well done, ZT!!!

 

[RamZar]

It's the 0770CF for the win. I mean, who could have conceptualized that ZT would take a serious run at the Gentleman's knife market with an entry that only weighs 3.0 ounces . . . and this from a company whose knives have, as they say, earned a reputation among their devoted fans as being "built like a tank" or a "real beast" or even being—proudly—"overbuilt". Talk about getting out of your comfort zone . . .

Well done, ZT!!!

There's a conscious effort by ZT to go after the Gentleman's folder market with both big and small folders. Jim McNair of KAI in an interview with BladeHQ during the Blade Show, calls the slimmer folders with ample aesthetics as "Gentlemen's Tactical". Nice. Of course, this is while catering to the customer base who need their fix of the over-built beefy tanks. I'm a ZT customer in both markets.

 

[bpeezer]

KAI, I was wondering if you could let us know what material you use for braze welding the 454 blade? I'd love to analyze your manufacturing processes....I hope that doesn't sound too dirty

EDIT: To stay a little on topic, the 801CF is just outstanding. The slightly higher grind looks like a Krein regrind of the normal 801. Looks like on heck of a slicer to be sure!