Zero Tolerance knives what is all the hype?

I've been a Spyderco and Benchmade owner for years and to be honest, the older Kershaws (Onion designs) and ZTs, with their recurve blades, did nothing for me. I owned a ZT0200 for a week and while I could find nothing mechanically wrong with it, it was just too big and heavy for my needs. I traded it a week later for a 0350 and again could find nothing wrong with it, well except for their pocket clips which I don't like. It wasn't until the last few years with their new designs that I really took interest. I own and love the 0560 but again, too big for my needs so I bought the 0566 and Cryo and they are tough as nails.
I think the "hype" might be because they've been consistently putting out lots of good new models recently compared to the other big brands. No knock on Spyderco, etc. As I said I'm a long time owner and fan with about 18 Spydercos in my collection.
That said, I think KAI has been leading the charge lately and they've made me a fan. I won't be buying up many models (I like the Hinderer designs and will probably get a Cryo G10 and ZT0562) but I'm sure they'll all live up the ZTs rep.
 
Because they are tough, made very well, they have amazing customer service and their knives are just plain cool. I have the ZT0566 and ZT0550 and let me tell you, they are like potato chips, you can never just have one :D :thumbup: I definitely will be getting more ZTs in the future.
 
I'll get a ZT someday, but so far there are things working against them I really dislike: so many models being A/O, the lack of QC with heat treats, the crazy amount of advertising on many of their knives, and poor edge geometry for cutting. You can have a thick-ish tip and still cut well on the edge elsewhere. For production knives, I've been a Spyderco guy...I don't really care for the appearance of all of their offerings, but build quality, cutting performance, and edge retention is always good with their products.

I also find it interesting that people tout them as 'American Made' as a Japanese company but in the automotive world, you never hear that about the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry (yet do about cars from the big three that have less American content)....I personally don't care one way or another, but it's interesting how different that is.
 
I don't know about all this hype your talking about but I do know I own about 10 zt knives because they make good knives and I like them.
 
No hype. ZT is one of the premier production knife manufacturers in the US. I even bought an 0200 knowing I'd never use it just because I wanted to have a ZT in my collection. (I subsequently sold it as I have no use for big, heavy, overbuilt folders.) But the 0770CF changed all that. I bought one as soon as they hit the market and it's everything I expected it to be. This much I can tell you. If ZT keeps making lightweight folders, I will keep buying them.
 
Akapennypincher said:
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.
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My take on it is you would really need to get one and use one before you can truly have a solid answer to the question you pose. =)
 
I think KAI is American, they just manufactured in Japan in the early days before opening a US manufacturing facility.


cujobob said:
I'll get a ZT someday, but so far there are things working against them I really dislike: so many models being A/O, the lack of QC with heat treats, the crazy amount of advertising on many of their knives, and poor edge geometry for cutting. You can have a thick-ish tip and still cut well on the edge elsewhere. For production knives, I've been a Spyderco guy...I don't really care for the appearance of all of their offerings, but build quality, cutting performance, and edge retention is always good with their products.

I also find it interesting that people tout them as 'American Made' as a Japanese company but in the automotive world, you never hear that about the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry (yet do about cars from the big three that have less American content)....I personally don't care one way or another, but it's interesting how different that is.
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ZT is pretty darn impressive, particularly for being such a young company. They've got quite a streak of "Knife of the Year" wins at Blade Show. American Made. Attractive price points. The attract the top knife makers/designers in the industry and partner with them (a big factor, IMHO in their wins at Blade Show). Great after sales service.

In many respects, ZT is the premier production knife brand on the market today.
 
bld522 said:
No hype. ZT is one of the premier production knife manufacturers in the US. I even bought an 0200 knowing I'd never use it just because I wanted to have a ZT in my collection. (I subsequently sold it as I have no use for big, heavy, overbuilt folders.) But the 0770CF changed all that. I bought one as soon as they hit the market and it's everything I expected it to be. This much I can tell you. If ZT keeps making lightweight folders, I will keep buying them.
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What? No comment about a 3inch hinderer?! :-)

NaturalMystic said:
I think KAI is American, they just manufactured in Japan in the early days before opening a US manufacturing facility.
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Nope. Kershaw was a US brand that was purchased by KAI, a Japanese company.
 
I've been impressed with the quality to price ratio with the 3 (0561, 0801, 0770CF)I've owned. I have a 0562CF preordered.
 
NaturalMystic said:
I've been a Spyderco and Benchmade owner for years and to be honest, the older Kershaws (Onion designs) and ZTs, with their recurve blades, did nothing for me. I owned a ZT0200 for a week and while I could find nothing mechanically wrong with it, it was just too big and heavy for my needs. I traded it a week later for a 0350 and again could find nothing wrong with it, well except for their pocket clips which I don't like. It wasn't until the last few years with their new designs that I really took interest. I own and love the 0560 but again, too big for my needs so I bought the 0566 and Cryo and they are tough as nails.
I think the "hype" might be because they've been consistently putting out lots of good new models recently compared to the other big brands. No knock on Spyderco, etc. As I said I'm a long time owner and fan with about 18 Spydercos in my collection.
That said, I think KAI has been leading the charge lately and they've made me a fan. I won't be buying up many models (I like the Hinderer designs and will probably get a Cryo G10 and ZT0562) but I'm sure they'll all live up the ZTs rep.
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Ah, sorry to correct a fellow KAI fan, but the Cryo knives aren't ZT blades. Other than that, rock on.:thumbup:
 
Scarcity. ZT releases its best offerings in small, "limited-edition" batches (i.e., 0888, 0777, 0801CF, etc.) distributed in low volumes to a large number of dealers. The exceptional quality of the materials put into the knives creates enormous consumer demand and discussion in the knife community. Enthusiasts grow to covet the limited edition models and because they are difficult to obtain, more and more discussion and demand is created. Many of these knives become mythic in demand and reputation, with collectors paying custom-level prices to purchase one. This drives up the demand and reputation of the knife even further. ZT reaps the rewards of this when consumers perceive their standard offerings in the same favorable light.

I am not vaguely interested in the standard ZT lineup for a variety of reasons, but the limited edition models are outstanding for the most part. Sadly, they are difficult to obtain with ZT's current dealer distribution model and inflated after-market resale value. Hopefully, ZT will expand its operations in the future and begin offering its best products to a wider consumer base.
 
Quiet said:
Ah, sorry to correct a fellow KAI fan, but the Cryo knives aren't ZT blades. Other than that, rock on.:thumbup:
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Yeah I know, was just making reference to KAIs I own and that are on my wish list of Hinderer models in general, not just ZT specific. Thanks though!
 
Ttran778 said:
I can attest, they're great knives; built to last and to be used and abused.
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Yes they are. I have an 0200, 0561 and 0170 and they are all perfectly executed functionality and quality. Its like all the greatness of kershaw taken to an even higher level. Get a zt and see for yourself.
 
I can't say anything different than other friends.
As a military with two deployments in Afghanistan and Kossovo , My best friend who never let Me down was My zt 0301.
Cutting machine without any problem due to high quality.
Imagine that I am ready to place my new order for zt 0561 from the States because all zt products are extremely expensive in Greece...
 
ZT makes some good knives, plain and simple. And it's not just their limited releases. I have a plain jane 350 and 0550, which I love. I just bought a Brous Mini Division, which I am totally jazzed with, but it is having to split time with the 0550 as my EDC. There is a huge difference in a model not being right for you or your tastes, i.e. too big, heavy, odd design, etc., and the model or brand not being worthy of the reputation. I also know that not every production knife of any brand that goes out the door is perfect, and some that should not have slipped through QC end up in our hands and need to be remedied. I do not own a Spyderco, because I just have not seen one that really tugged my trigger, but I have no doubt, from what I have read about them on this forum and elsewhere that they produce a good product. Just not my cup of tea. So I'm certainly not going to rag on them. As others have said, haters are going to hate, but it should be based on more than just their fascination with seeing their own words in print. At the end of the day, the best test of whether a particular knife is right for you is to handle and inspect the knife yourself if you can. I realize that we all do not have the ability to do this with every knife we get the hots for, and, to me, that is one of the best things about being a member of a forum like this with so many great, knowledgeable folks who are willing to share informed and reasoned opinions and reviews, as well as some great photos!
 
ZT knives are great value for money at least for my job.
I always want to have a sebenza large 21 but the cost in a european retailer is about 500-600€...
 
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