Zero Tolerance folders announced at the 2015 SHOT Show

RamZar

RamZar

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I purchased all five U.S.-made Zero Tolerance folders announced at the 2015 SHOT Show and I'm very impressed on many crucial points.

What are your thoughts PROS and CONS?

Here are my thoughts.

PROS:

  • Products delivered much sooner from announcement date (all delivered in under 2 months)
  • More readily available raw materials, for example, S35VN
  • Stronger detents on the KVT flippers
  • Very competitive street pricing
  • Very sharp blades
  • U.S.-made steel
  • More manual KVT flippers (as opposed to Assisted Opening SpeedSafe)
  • Lighter folders
  • Manual KVT flippers with smaller blade lengths (2.75"-3.25")
  • Quality improvement compared to last year (last year I sent 3 in for small issues and so far this year none)
  • Matching hardware

CONS:

  • Long break-in period for some of the stronger detents. There's a variability in samples within a model.

All five ZT folders announced at the 2015 SHOT Show (January 20-23, 2015) and delivered within two months. All titanium frame locks with S35VN blades. A great quintet!



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For me the 0450 and 0808 were too small. I haven't tried the 0900 yet. The 0630"doesn't appeal to me personally. The 0452cf seems to be the winner and I liked it so much I bought another. I just checked and I cannot find a dealer that has one. If the 0450 had the same length blade as the 0452cf it would have been a keeper. I liked the 0808 but when I got the 0452cf it has not wanted to leave my pocket. I wished ZT had left the holes for the clip the same as the 0454.
 
I'm glad that the new products have shifted away from the large Hinderer and Onion designs and onto smaller, lighter, sleeker knives. Those 5-- and 3-- models were anywhere from 6-10 ounces.

I have heard of some people getting cut by the 0452's tip when the knife is closed.

To me, the 0808 is a definite winner as far as specs & design go. It's specs are very well balanced with ~4 oz weight with a very usable blade length and shape. The more neutral handle of the 0808 looks like it would be more comfortable than the 0450 and 0900. The butt end flares and deep choils of the 0450 and 0900 would make my fingers uncomfortable in a 3 finger grip and crowded in a 4 finger grip. I prefer a comfortable 3 finger grip to a crowded 4 finger or uncomfortable 3 finger grip. It's something I would buy except I don't carry tip up any longer and I have had my own frustrations with KVT and other caged bearings.
 
Colorodo said:
For me the 0450 and 0808 were too small. I haven't tried the 0900 yet. The 0630"doesn't appeal to me personally. The 0452cf seems to be the winner and I liked it so much I bought another. I just checked and I cannot find a dealer that has one. If the 0450 had the same length blade as the 0452cf it would have been a keeper. I liked the 0808 but when I got the 0452cf it has not wanted to leave my pocket. I wished ZT had left the holes for the clip the same as the 0454.
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I like the 0452CF a lot. Due to its narrow and slim profile plus light weight it carries very well. I know of one outfit that has it in stock but cannot name it here.

I think the big seller will be 0450 since it's an ideal size and weight for EDC. ZT would've sold more if they put a just under 3" blade in that handle. Some local laws mandate a just under 3" blade for folders.
 
asdf12345 said:
I'm glad that the new products have shifted away from the large Hinderer and Onion designs and onto smaller, lighter, sleeker knives. Those 5-- and 3-- models were anywhere from 6-10 ounces.

I have heard of some people getting cut by the 0452's tip when the knife is closed.

To me, the 0808 is a definite winner as far as specs & design go. It's specs are very well balanced with ~4 oz weight with a very usable blade length and shape. The more neutral handle of the 0808 looks like it would be more comfortable than the 0450 and 0900. The butt end flares and deep choils of the 0450 and 0900 would make my fingers uncomfortable in a 3 finger grip and crowded in a 4 finger grip. I prefer a comfortable 3 finger grip to a crowded 4 finger or uncomfortable 3 finger grip. It's something I would buy except I don't carry tip up any longer and I have had my own frustrations with KVT and other caged bearings.
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The light weight of 4 of 5 folders is a big attraction to many.

I have heard of instances where some have been cut with the tip of the 0452CF blade when closed. However, I attempted it on mine and could not cut myself. Of course, finger sizes could make a difference. The 0452CF design uses a maximum blade length within the handle.
 
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My one and only gripe with many of the ZT models is the plunge transition runs too deep into the edge at the choil. If they pulled the transition back (toward the direction of the pivot), it would resolve the issue.
 
I never noticed the difference in size, both blade and OAL, between the 0452 and the 0450. Clean looking knives though.
 
The 808 is a hands down winner. To be honest I never really loved Zero Tolerance until now. I preferred the days before ZT when it was Kershaw coming out with the exotic supersteel titanium sprint runs. Most of Kershaw are imports now, and ZT wasn't catering to the smaller sleeker market. But now that's changed.
 
Although I don't like smaller folders, I love the direction ZT went with their 2015 releases. Of the five, the only one I picked up was the 0452CF, but that knife has truly become one of my favorites among my collection. It's a combination of all of the features I value in an EDC, with flawless execution (on my particular copy, at least). I'm strongly considering picking up an 0630 but I get the sinking feeling I will find it redundant since I have an 0620CF.

I'm also hoping the rapidity with which they released these knives will be a model for years to come. I think 2015 is very clear evidence that ZT does actually take into account feedback from our admittedly small, niche community.
 
I view 2014-2015 as a huge brand win. They have really proven that they are paying attention to the market, and they are delivering wins with every release.
 
ZT wasn't on my radar until a couple years ago, and as much as I really like a lot of so-called "tactical" knives - including my ZT 0160 Shifter - it was the 0801 that woke me up to titanium frame locks. I'm not really into the whole carbon fiber look, so the 0450 is right up my alley. Mine is excellent right out of the box, and being that I have somewhat small hands, is really comfortable.
 
SaintZe said:
Personally I'm not a fan of stonewashed flats/satin grinds.
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Of the five, only the 0900 is fully stonewashed. The rest have the two-tone satin with stonewashed flats.
 
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Only own one ZT at the moment - The 0770 may be one of the best EDC blades available w/in last couple years, IMO. Great folder.

Sorry, guess my post is actually off topic.:)
 
Contemplated bringing an 0350ts home with me from the store again today. It's the one I play with whenever I go, but I just can't do it. I'd probably buy it if it didn't have a black handle, assist or the flipper. lol.
 
I have noticed that all the newer ZTs have vertical play or lockbar flex when holding onto the tip of the blade. This is including my 562, 0620, and Ruby. When I had the 801copper it did not have this issue.
 
bedgoo said:
I have noticed that all the newer ZTs have vertical play or lockbar flex when holding onto the tip of the blade. This is including my 562, 0620, and Ruby. When I had the 801copper it did not have this issue.
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I just played with 0900, 0808, 0452CF and 0450 to see if there's any horizontal or vertical blade play or lockbar flex while open. No movement. Pretty solid.
 
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I own four of the five 2015 models (everything but the Emerson) and Ram nailed it in post No. 1.

Before now, I've been disappointed with various issues of many of my recent ZT and Kershaws. No matter how nice, too many of them squeak or rattle, or the pivots come loose and need constant adjusting.

Proof? I have a drawer filled with ZTs and Kershaws that never should made it out of the factory.

Not so these new models. They are every bit as good as one could wish for.

I first noticed, with last year's 0801s, that ZT's game had markedly improved. The 0801s are stiff competition for many models of other brands that cost twice as much or more.

These 2015 ZTs continue the trend; in design, f&f and pricing, they are light years better than what I have come to expect from ZT in the past.

Well done and thank you!
 
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