Zero Tolerance Knives Announced at the 2014 SHOT Show

[bld522]

I don't feel you can just take one pattern, put it out in different flavors, and then have real expectations about any category. As we've said on many occasions ZT was spawned for an overbuilt chassis. We did not feel overall success was to be had by limiting ourselves to said chassis. We opted to keep size and start to eliminate the weight in a some models. We liked them very much, and feel the reception to the change was strong. I feel there will be a place for lighter, smaller edc's in the ZT line-up. As we've said, diversity is a road we want to travel, and feel it is best for ZT and it's future.

I'm tracking with you. As I said before, I've been hankering for a true gentleman's knife from ZT for a long, long time. I just hope it doesn't take more than a year from the 0770CF's announcement at Blade 2013 before it's released. Blade 2014 will be here before you know it.

 

[Kai Corp.]

I'm tracking with you. As I said before, I've been hankering for a true gentleman's knife from ZT for a long, long time. I just hope it doesn't take more than a year from the 0770CF's announcement at Blade 2013 before it's released. Blade 2014 will be here before you know it.

And we're tracking with you. Time frames have been discussed here before as well. Manufacturers don't work on the general public time frames, we work on retailer time frames. 2 different animals.

In the end, we appreciate the support and patience. :thumbup:

 

[PropThePolecat]

Well what's the retailer time frame on the 620?

 

[Rolex John]

Time frames have been discussed here before as well. Manufacturers don't work on the general public time frames, we work on retailer time frames. 2 different animals.

Perhaps you can elaborate on this? The long pole in the tent would seem to be ZT's ability to manufacture "X" quantity of any given product, QC it, and ship it to retailers. It would seem that retailers would like to get product as soon as ZT can ship it - some are already collecting pre-orders for what was announced a Shotshow. So what am I missing? How are you operating on their time frame? Isn't it the other way around?

 

[bld522]

My guess is it's all about keeping up the excitement level, particularly at the major shows like Blade and SHOT. It isn't what ZT can deliver in a timely fashion that counts, it's what ZT can get you to BELIEVE they can deliver in a timely fashion that counts. Sure, they'll lose some customers by failing to deliver what they said they would in a timeframe any normal person would consider reasonable. But I suspect they're banking on the fact that most people have short memories. By the time you're getting all riled up over the fact that last year's favorite new model might not get produced, they've got you hooked on this year's favorite new model. And the wheel goes round and round.

 

[RamZar]

I really wish ZT would make a KVT flipper with an exact 3" blade, titanium framelock, titanium handles and M390 blade! Like a souped-up Kershaw Nura 3.0! :thumbup:

Make that a 3.5 inch blade and we're set.

And that would be the upcoming 0562cf.

Already done. 801cf
The 3.5" range is well taken care of. Its the smaller 3.25" and under that is lacking options.
I'm very excited for the 566 and 770cf because they provide a much better variety in the 3.25" class.

ZT has a number of assisted-opening flippers with blade lengths of 3.25": 0770, 0770CF, 0350 series, 0566, 0750 (discontinued).

ZT also has or will have a number of manual flippers with blade lengths of 3.5": 0801, 0801CF, 0562 and 0562CF.

What it doesn't have is an exact 3" blade length manual flipper. Make it all titanium with M390 steel and you'll have lots of buyers!

 

[bld522]

KAI Corp already said it. ZT doesn't feel that lightweight knives with 3.0" blade lengths represent where "the" category is at today. Guess I'll just have to stick with my William Henrys and Small Sebenzas and 3.0" Hinderer XM-18s and . . .

 

[RamZar]

KAI Corp already said it. ZT doesn't believe that lightweight knives with 3.0" blade lengths represent the "in" market.

Then, they're missing out since between Kershaw and ZT they just don't have that segment covered. I'd even sacrifice extra weight as long as the blade length is exactly 3 inches. Imagine a ZT 0801 Mini!

Guess I'll just have to stick with William Henrys and Small Sebenzas and 3.0" Hinderer XM-18s and . . .

Plus the best 3 inch blade 3 ounce manual flipper I have which is a direct recommendation from you, that is, the Rod Olson Quick Flick LSCF!

It's like Mighty Mouse!

 

[bld522]

Thanks. But I don't want to get into custom knives. If I do, the comparisons to production knives will end rather quickly. I'd rather leave the challenge out there for ZT to deliver what they said they would deliver . . . their first true gentleman's knife.

 

[RamZar]

Thanks. But I don't want to get into custom knives. If I do, the comparisons to production knives will end rather quickly. I'd rather leave the challenge out there for ZT to deliver what they said they would deliver . . . their first true gentleman's knife.

The problem with comparing "William Henrys and Small Sebenzas and 3.0" Hinderer XM-18s" is that the prices are too high even though they may be considered production and/or mid-tech. I'm looking at a production ZT manual flipper with a 3" blade of M390 and full titanium handles for a street price of about $200!

 

[bld522]

Let me know when you find it. I'll have my credit card ready!

 

[Kai Corp.]

KAI Corp already said it. ZT doesn't feel that lightweight knives with 3.0" blade lengths represent where "the" category is at today.

I did say that, and a lot more. We feel lightweight knives represent "a" category, just not "the" category. There is room for both, but I'd be hesitant to expect too much.

 

[Kai Corp.]

My guess is it's all about keeping up the excitement level, particularly at the major shows like Blade and SHOT. It isn't what ZT can deliver in a timely fashion that counts, it's what ZT can get you to BELIEVE they can deliver in a timely fashion that counts. Sure, they'll lose some customers by failing to deliver what they said they would in a timeframe any normal person would consider reasonable. But I suspect they're banking on the fact that most people have short memories. By the time you're getting all riled up over the fact that last year's favorite new model might not get produced, they've got you hooked on this year's favorite new model. And the wheel goes round and round.

I suppose I can see this from a consumers point of view, but it's not an accurate guess on how it is internally.

 

[bld522]

I did say that, and a lot more. We feel lightweight knives represent "a" category, just not "the" category. There is room for both, but I'd be hesitant to expect too much.

Believe me, I'm not. All I ask is that you keep your agreement and deliver the 0770CF. Thanks for your consideration.

 

[Kai Corp.]

The long pole in the tent would seem to be ZT's ability to manufacture "X" quantity of any given product, QC it, and ship it to retailers.

This is true

It would seem that retailers would like to get product as soon as ZT can ship it

This is true. The retailer understands via a multitude of communication what "ASAP" means. Most also understand manufacturing and keep their expectations real. We've opted to take the approach of showing early, getting temp checks, reconvening, tweaking, and proceeding. it helps with a better product coming to market, and assists with our scheduling and forecasting.

some are already collecting pre-orders for what was announced a Shotshow. So what am I missing?

What a retailer does is their business. You're speaking of the on line e-tailers. It's a fierce group fighting for dollars. They feel getting a pre-order is vital in getting the sale. It would be better for them to squash any delivery expectations vs. froth up the masses, but that information doesn't always get across to the elu very well.

SHOT show is a non-public show, yet the information is available to everyone. When the public see's it they want it. When the dealer handles it at the show he understands this is not for today. Not one dealer comes to the booth, see's the new offering, places their order, and expects instant production. The public does, the dealers don't. In the end sooner is always better, but manufacturing has a way of screwing up timing regularly. We do our best, and the knives come out when they are ready. Rushing is not a good practice.

Hope that helps with understanding a bit...Let me know if you need more.

 

[Kai Corp.]

Believe me, I'm not. All I ask is that you keep your agreement and deliver the 0770CF. Thanks for your consideration.

Oh that's a done deal. The 0770CF will deliver, no question. Thanks for your interest.

 

[bld522]

I suppose I can see this from a consumers point of view, but it's not an accurate guess on how it is internally.

Care to clarify how it really works? Curious minds want to know . . .

 

[bld522]

Oh that's a done deal. The 0770CF will deliver, no question. Thanks for your interest.

Then I am in. It may be the only ZT knife I'll ever own, but at least I'll have one I'm willing to carry. THANKS!!!

 

[BlackOpsSec]

Care to clarify how it really works? Curious minds want to know . . .

I imagine it's a bit similar to how things work at Chevrolet, Apple, or Coca-Cola.

I don't think it's especially important to know whether they serve donuts or bagels at the bi-weekly marketing meeting.

As a customer, I just want a ZT 0801CF. I've already waited 9 months though, and it might be another 9 months till it ships. When it does ship, my pre-order probably won't be fulfilled (as with the 0777 and 0888), and I'll probably refuse to pay double the list price on the secondary market (as with the 0777 and 0888). I'll probably wind up instead spending my $1200 on 2-3 Microtechs and Pro-Techs. I love Kai products, but I'm not going to pay stupid 200% markup eBay prices for them when I can get a Navy Scarab AND a couple of Pro-Tech autos for that $1200.

 

[RamZar]

Zero Tolerance seems to be spending resources on iterative models. Lately, both ZT & Kershaw have gone bat-crazy with the BlackWashed models (0300BW, 0560BW, 0350BW, 0550BW and perhaps soon 0566BW, 0801BW). Spyderco and Benchmade are also guilty of such iterative segue with different scales, blade finishes, etc.

It has only been eight and a half months since ZT 0770CF and 0801CF were announced at the 2013 Blade Show! Plus what happened to the 0888MAX! I wouldn't even expect 0454 until 2015.