Zero Tolerance knives what is all the hype?

A

Akapennypincher

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Sep 12, 2013
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I am not trying to start a war, but I am wonder if ZT Knives are really something special, or the company just has some wonderful PR Machine that is driving?

Personally I like the looks of the ZT Blackwashed Blades, but the knives almost look to fancy to put in a pocket with key, or they will get unpretentious fast.
 
You know, I thought the same way about ZT's too. Saw too many of them around, people praising them left and right, I thought the hype didn't make much sense. After some time, I browsed through the exchange and pulled the trigger and bought one; I figured, hell, I have a bit extra, why not.

My first ZT was the 0200. Let me just say, it's a beast of a knife. Hands down, it's one of my smoothest opening knives I own. After some time handling it, everything started to line up. The handle ergonomics of the 0200 just felt right. I could choke up on the handle an it wouldn't move or budge. The lockup was as solid as anything I can imagine. The 154CM blade was also scary sharp. Given my reputation here at my command (Navy Corpsman......we uh, do some dumb things sometimes....) I decided to give my new ZT a cut test to see how far it could go before needing a sharpening. Long story short, it went for a while. IV tubing, plenty of penrose tubes, PVC tubing, scrap leather I had lying around, cheap plastic cutting boards from the 100 yen shop, mouse pads, lots and lots and lots of cardboard, and some chopping through decently think bamboo from one of my local fire stations (it was about 1.5" in diameter, wall thickness maybe 0.5"). Even after all of that, it was still able to hold a strong and sharp edge.

I have since added a 0350, 0700, and 0780 to my collection. I can attest, they're great knives; built to last and to be used and abused.
 
Ttran778 said:
*snip* My first ZT was the 0200. Let me just say, it's a beast of a knife. Hands down, it's one of my smoothest opening knives I own. After some time handling it, everything started to line up. The handle ergonomics of the 0200 just felt right. I could choke up on the handle an it wouldn't move or budge. The lockup was as solid as anything I can imagine
*snip* built to last and to be used and abused.
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What he said. I was wondering why everybody loved them, so I bought one. Also the 0200. It is the only knife I have that I can honestly say is perfect. Every knife feature is perfect. Smooth opening, early lockup, no bladeplay, good detent, and the coating is smooth. Not a single issue whatsoever.
You really need to handle one before you understand. Its just so sturdy...
ztfun002_zpsbf34950b.jpg
 
ZT uses high quality materials, has excellent quality control, the best warranty out there for production knives, great and innovative designs, and they are very reasonably priced for what you get. Some don't like the whole overbuilt knife thing and I get that, but if you understand what you are getting with ZT, I don't think they will disappoint. I own/have owned 15 or so ZTs and they have all been great.
 
Excellent designs, premium materials, top notch quality, outstanding CS, and the list goes on.

Seriously, they make great knives that can be beat on and look good doing it. I've seen you around the Emerson sub-forum. I'm sure you like "hard use" knives. I think you should check out a ZT if you ever get the chance.
 
jstn said:
Some don't like the whole overbuilt knife thing and I get that, but if you understand what you are getting with ZT, I don't think they will disappoint.
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I am one of those "some." :D That said, those folks who value "overbuilt" and "hard use" in a folder seem to be crazy go nuts about 'em.
 
I'm a big fan of their earlier designs. Their newer ones look too fancy to be associated with their name/purpose. Not a knock on them, they're still outstanding knives, maybe even better than they used to be, but I don't see them being users as much as the older models (0200, 0300, 0350, 0500).
 
I had a ZT0350TS blem, it was a decent knife, but it was off center so I sold it. I'm really not an A/O fan. I just got a few weeks ago an 0801, and it is fantastic, and not as overbuilt as some of their other knives.
 
What hype?

They make quality well built knives that are at very competitive price points.

Do you mean the limited editions? Show me another knife maker that makes completely clean sheet designs just to do something interesting and try out new things.
 
Another one of these threads? This will go like this....
ZT fans will defend the knives...
ZT hatters will put down the knives and KAI as a company..
Some people that are between a fan and hatter will have some logical comments to both sides..
Someone on either side will make a personal comment or take a comment personal and the thread will spiral out of control until a mod steps in and locks it.
 
Rubicon_Joey said:
Another one of these threads? This will go like this....
ZT fans will defend the knives...
ZT hatters will put down the knives and KAI as a company..
Some people that are between a fan and hatter will have some logical comments to both sides..
Someone on either side will make a personal comment or take a comment personal and the thread will spiral out of control until a mod steps in and locks it.
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You seem like you know this almost from personal experience!!! ;)
 
Rubicon_Joey said:
Another one of these threads? This will go like this....
ZT fans will defend the knives...
ZT hatters will put down the knives and KAI as a company..
Some people that are between a fan and hatter will have some logical comments to both sides..
Someone on either side will make a personal comment or take a comment personal and the thread will spiral out of control until a mod steps in and locks it.
Click to expand...

I'm okay with KAI as a company (I think they are great) but I'd never been a ZT fan. I like flippers, but until the 0801 came out, the 0560/1 were to big for me too edc except on weekends. I've had a few Kershaws, and though they were good knives, I just am not a fan of A/O. The "hype" is more that there is a trend currently of overbuilt hard use knives, as well as Ti frame locks. ZT makes excellent quality knives specializing in these areas and for the materials involved, all at reasonable prices. Not to mention the collaborations with custom/midtech makers such as Hinderer, Rexford, Onion, Emerson, etc for a reasonable price.

Though I really like my 801, ZT is not my favorite knife company. I am excited for the 0562.
 
jstn said:
ZT uses high quality materials, has excellent quality control, the best warranty out there for production knives, great and innovative designs, and they are very reasonably priced for what you get. Some don't like the whole overbuilt knife thing and I get that, but if you understand what you are getting with ZT, I don't think they will disappoint. I own/have owned 15 or so ZTs and they have all been great.
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Well put and my experience with them is the same. Over a dozen new and another dozen or so used from the exchange and have yet to be disspointed.

I do appreciate grinds geared towards slicing and cutting performance than toughness and batoning/prying tips and all that extreme hardcore rigamaroo... Another reason why Im anticipating the slicer grind 0562cf. Hope its an actual slicer!
 
I'll play the "between a Fan and Hater" role from Joeys well thought out thread script...

I think hype is a label applied by people that do not take the time to experience what others appreciate, and then form aversion and disgust through lake of understanding.

I really enjoy my 561, so I'll most likely buy more ZT's in the future.


ETA: Not directed at you Penny, just my definition of the word as I see it.
 
FullyTorque said:
I find them to be too intolerant.
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LOL ZING. :thumbup:

Another ZT fan chiming in here. I was a huge Spyderco fan for the longest time, and I'll always love 'em, but if I had to choose which $200 and below knife is my favorite, it's going to be a ZT knife. I am hoping to get my hands on one of the Hinderer models at some point.
 
Took me a while to warm up to them but I'm completely sold on them now. The 0550 being my overall favorite in my collection. I also feel, and this is strictly personal ofcourse, that the ZT 0888 is the most beautiful production folder out there.
 
I've owned and used knives from just about every decent production knife maker. I like knives from many different companies but have to say, ZT is a stand out. Their materials always top notch, USA made, built like tanks, their designs are great and their collaborations have been some of the best I've used but the icing on the cake is their warranty. I've yet to find a folding knife company that bests their warranty. What's not to like?
 
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