Zero Tolerance could push their way back to the forefront of premium production knives. Why don’t they do it?

[jstn]

If ZT is just gonna rehash old designs the least they could do is the 0562 in ti blackwash.

Blackwash and Magnacut with with micarta scales. I’d buy three. Honestly, I feel like the 562 is about as perfect a design as a folder can have.

 

[sharp_edge]

These above suggested changes to ZT 0562 are all trivial IMO. A skinny 0562 would be all what's needed. By the way, that BHQ 0562 shall be the ugliest 0562 that I've ever seen.

On a side note, I don't understand why some people continue to sing a praise to ZT 0909. I've read that knife has had more reports on accidental blade disengagement than any other ZTs.

 

[MSchott]

When was ZT at the top of the list? When I first started collecting 7 or so years ago they were $140-250.00 knives with a few at higher price points. That was not an overly expensive high end knife. In fact I'd say they were relatives bargains.

 

[sgt1372]

Good time to get A 0609, they’re being discontinued along with the base 0640, and both are on sale at some places.

These models are even listed on ZT's website anymore. Any that you see elsewhere can only be considered "NOS" -- new old stock -- now

. . . but the 0393GLCF and the 0562CF & Ti still survive but who knows for how much longer?

So, if you want one (or both) of these and don't have them already, buy them while you still can!

 

[tony281sc2]

When was ZT at the top of the list? When I first started collecting 7 or so years ago they were $140-250.00 knives with a few at higher price points. That was not an overly expensive high end knife. In fact I'd say they were relatives bargains.

I agree, that’s why you see the older models often selling higher than the original price. I’ve yet to see a better deal than $240 for a 0920, or $210 for a 0452ti, $240 for an 0801BRZ …plenty more examples. Maybe they weren’t turning enough profit…? These are all $300+ knives, in todays money at least.
I’m lucky to own many, I do wish I was in the hobby a little sooner, for the 0392s especially the Wharncliffes and Bowie’s.

 

[Ironbut]

I've had a 0801, a 0620, and a 0562 for a long time. I haven't seen anything recently from ZT that interests me. Just my opinion, but if a person could have only one ZT, it should be the 562.

 

[sgt1372]

I've had a 0801, a 0620, and a 0562 for a long time. I haven't seen anything recently from ZT that interests me. Just my opinion, but if a person could have only one ZT, it should be the 562.

I currently own over 40 ZTs. The 0562 is the 1st ZT that I ever purchased.

 

[yamsi12]

These above suggested changes to ZT 0562 are all trivial IMO. A skinny 0562 would be all what's needed. By the way, that BHQ 0562 shall be the ugliest 0562 that I've ever seen.

On a side note, I don't understand why some people continue to sing a praise to ZT 0909. I've read that knife has had more reports on accidental blade disengagement than any other ZTs.

Didn’t know anything about the BHQ 0562 until you mentioned it. The 0562 is a hard knife to make ugly but my god ZT & BHQ did it. WTF were they thinking…..

 

[Skidoosh]

I would love to see a 0562 ti scaled down a bit, 3 inch blade

 

[Quiet]

I've written to this question when it's been asked in previous threads started about it, and will just restate here. ZT's issue is that ten years ago, their knives were truly special, but these days they just aren't. Back in their heyday, what they offered was pretty unique, and their dress-up models offered things like scales in carbon fiber, upgraded steels, and so on. Nowadays, Reate and We have essentially taken over the spot they used to occupy. The "special upgrades" ZT offered, are usually standard fare on the Chinese offerings: scales in Ti or CF, pivot bearings, flipper tabs, etc. Hell, many of the designers who worked with ZT have now worked with Chinese companies to continue to bring their designs to the market.

So, at this point, I'm not sure what ZT could do other than just take a step all the way back to their roots, and start offering simple, no-frills hard use knives in excellent materials for around $200. They've lost the "Instagram mat'trails" war, as far as I see it. I was here during the time when they were dropping a new Rick Hinderer Limited Edition every other month and people would lose their minds. Now, I can't recall the last time I felt inclined to purchase a ZT, and I'm saying this as someone who owned like ten or fifteen of them at one point. I think I still have three left kicking around somewhere in my knife chest, haven't carried them in years. Man, I remember back when an American made folding knife being offered in M390 used to be a huge deal. LOL

 

[marrenmiller]

That 0562 in S110V actually looks pretty good to me and could potentially shine with a regrind, but I'm not at a point where I trust Zero Tolerance to heat treat high end steels like I'd want, let alone fit their locks correctly.

 

[tony281sc2]

So, at this point, I'm not sure what ZT could do other than just take a step all the way back to their roots, and start offering simple, no-frills hard use knives in excellent materials for around $200. They've lost the "Instagram mat'trails" war, as far as I see it. I was here during the time when they were dropping a new Rick Hinderer Limited Edition every other month and people would lose their minds. Now, I can't recall the last time I felt inclined to purchase a ZT, and I'm saying this as someone who owned like ten or fifteen of them at one point. I think I still have three left kicking around somewhere in my knife chest, haven't carried them in years. Man, I remember back when an American made folding knife being offered in M390 used to be a huge deal. LOL

They need to get back to working with Rick, Todd, Dmitry, Ernie, George, Ken etc..
They haven’t collabed with anyone in a while, last time was probly the 0223 (3+ years ago), besides the slipjoints and the little 22

 

[sgt1372]

They need to get back to working with Rick, Todd, Dmitry, Ernie, George, Ken etc..
They haven’t collabed with anyone in a while, last time was probly the 0223 (3+ years ago), besides the slipjoints and the little 22

Has it already been 3 years since the 0223 dropped? Thought it was more recent than that.

Well, however long ago it was, given the result, the 0223 might be the reason why they haven't collaborated with anyone else since. LOL!

I don't know what the response of the general knife buying community was to the knife but the reaction here was decidedly negative.

 

[DocJekl]

I've had a 0801, a 0620, and a 0562 for a long time. I haven't seen anything recently from ZT that interests me. Just my opinion, but if a person could have only one ZT, it should be the 562.View attachment 1979074

I have the 0562 Ti and also 0562 CF with custom scales, and feel like they are quite well made. I also have a 0770CF just for a mess around knife, but it's not on the same level.

 

[Hackenslash]

Has it already been 3 years since the 0223 dropped? Thought it was more recent than that.

Well, however long ago it was, given the result, the 0223 might be the reason why they haven't collaborated with anyone since. LOL!

I don't know what the response of the general knife buying community was to the knife but the reaction here was decidedly negative.

Most of the knife world thought the 0223 was a joke and were uniformly horrified to find ZT was totally serious.

It wouldn’t have been so bad, but when it landed with a MSRP of $400 and a street price of >$300, the joke became profoundly un-funny.

I might’ve gotten on board for an 0223 at $169, but $320 was unreasonable. I admit there’s something wonky and fun in the design, but not at that price.

 

[tony281sc2]

Has it already been 3 years since the 0223 dropped? Thought it was more recent than that.

Well, however long ago it was, given the result, the 0223 might be the reason why they haven't collaborated with anyone else since. LOL!

I don't know what the response of the general knife buying community was to the knife but the reaction here was decidedly negative.

I’m almost positive it was before Covid, which apparently caused bigger problems for them than other brands. Nothing new since then, besides sprints of current models

 

[tony281sc2]

FWIW also, the last time there was a post like this about ZT, Whitty from USA Made chimed in and said they were selling as good as ever, despite enthusiasts like us being kinda bored with them lately.