Zero tolerance knives

Crazyfarmer

Crazyfarmer

Joined
Feb 8, 2021
Messages
95
I see alot of guys and gals talk about these. What's the perks and cons of them? I've looked at a few models but they all seem to be 5oz side wise and for edc in pocket it's highly doubtful I could get my phone in there with that piece of real estate. I did see a Emerson colab which seemed more pocket friendly but price was in the 250 range.

Anyway, what do you guys like about them or don't like? Any models you recommend for edc? Again if I can't fit it in pocket it's pointless for me.
 
They make some lighter models. The 0770cf is thin, light, and cuts better than most of the rest of their lineup. I have two of them, one in black coated M4, so I can keep this one rigged lefty for when I pocket carry my little DB9 front right pocket:

0xfZk1M.jpg
 
Crazyfarmer said:
I see alot of guys and gals talk about these. What's the perks and cons of them? I've looked at a few models but they all seem to be 5oz side wise and for edc in pocket it's highly doubtful I could get my phone in there with that piece of real estate. I did see a Emerson colab which seemed more pocket friendly but price was in the 250 range.

Anyway, what do you guys like about them or don't like? Any models you recommend for edc? Again if I can't fit it in pocket it's pointless for me.
Click to expand...
I would never put my phone in my pocket with a knife, that's how you end up with scratched screens and cameras. All the ZT knives I have owned and handled have been very nice. I only have three left, including the 620 Emerson collab, but they aren't going anywhere.
 
Al long as you find one you like you can't go wrong, USA made with quality materials. I typically only have my knife in my pocket and nothing else, so size / weight are a non issue. ZT is sort of a gateway into higher end pieces but you can find some pretty good deals on a lot of models. I've had the 0220 (which I love) and the 0801TI for a few years, solid blades that have never let me down yet.
 
They are well made, made in the U.S. and theres alot to choose from. The only con is ive seen alot of them seem to fail the spine wack test,ive even seen threads about it here,but that doesnt concern me,i cant ever see a situation where the back of the blade gets hit hard.And if your gripping the knife your holding the frame lock as well so i wouldnt think it would be a problem.
 
I've had a few ZT knives and have only kept one. Mainly because they are often but and beefy but too much for edc use. The one I've kept and will never sell is the 0470.
 
Crazyfarmer said:
I see alot of guys and gals talk about these. What's the perks and cons of them? I've looked at a few models but they all seem to be 5oz side wise and for edc in pocket it's highly doubtful I could get my phone in there with that piece of real estate. I did see a Emerson colab which seemed more pocket friendly but price was in the 250 range.

Anyway, what do you guys like about them or don't like? Any models you recommend for edc? Again if I can't fit it in pocket it's pointless for me.
Click to expand...

First, I will address the pocket space issue. I by no means wear "loose" jeans, and I've never had an issue fitting my phone and a knife in my front right pocket even with the ZT 0301. Also, the way the knife carries has a lot more to do with shape, pocket clip etc, than just weight. For example, I always found the Spyderco PM2 (w/regular pocket clip) felt "bigger" in pocket than the ZT 0562 which is heavier and has a longer blade. Secondly, I've owned about a dozen different ZT models, and multiple different variants of those models - The best two ZT's by far are their 0301 and 0560BW models. Not a huge fan of what they've been producing for the past few years.
 
Thanks for the help guys. I may look at one and just use it on left side. I pull my phone out more than the knife so that always goes in right pocket.
 
I have three ZTs. They're all solid, slick opening, overbuilt knives, with good ergos.
A 0801
IMG_0157.jpg


A 0620
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But if I could have only one, it'd be the 0562
DSC00174-X4.jpg
 
stonproject said:
I like some of ZT's knives. I think the 452 is by far their best knife.
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That's a great model, to be sure. But I don't know if I like my 0452 model knives more than the model they're based on:

9c5QHru.jpg


. . . but that said, the 0770cf is thinner, lighter, and a better slicer to boot. The 0454 is still my favorite ZT, though.
 
On the 0562s I see some have s35vn and some have the cpm 20. Are they different generations? Just was curious which is newer. Thanks.
 
They are not as good of a value as they once were. When ZT started making knives as the premium brand of KAI they were producing titanium frame lock flippers for the most part with pretty good action at a time when it was difficult to get that outside of a custom shop or midtech in the 3-400$ range. Now we are getting damn good flipping action out of 50$ knives with Civivi and even Kershaw has been really improving their detents.

That being said, there are some very compelling knives that ZT makes if you like the look of hinderer knives for example but you dont want to spend Hinderer prices, they do some collaborations with him.
 
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evilgreg said:
That's a great model, to be sure. But I don't know if I like my 0452 model knives more than the model they're based on:

9c5QHru.jpg


. . . but that said, the 0770cf is thinner, lighter, and a better slicer to boot. The 0454 is still my favorite ZT, though.
Click to expand...
Yeah but good luck finding one, I really wanted that knife but couldn't find it anywhere for a remotely normal price.
 
ZT started as a shoot off of Kershaw that made higher end over built folders. Slowly but surely they have began to produce more “showpiece” knives. Not that they aren’t still well made or that they’re flimsy but these days they are more about anodized titanium, carbon fiber, and super steel flippers with bearings than making overbuilt tools like the original 0300.

They are on the expensive side but you do get a lot for your money. Yes there are cheaper knives made of the same materials but they probably aren’t made in the USA. Also they have a pretty good warranty from what I’ve heard although the experience I had with it wasn’t too good.

In the end they are a very well made knife and a very popular brand in the industry. Pretty much any model you get will be good. Although I’m sure I’ll get flamed but if you like Emerson designs, just get a real Emerson. The ZT and Kershaw models are nothing like the original ones and while some people say that’s a good thing, I vehemently disagree.
 
Enjoy the ones that I own, only 2 at this time due to favoring other brands. Heat treat seams to be good and construction is well fit.

Drawbacks are they make to many assisted opening knives. Designs look great but have some flaw (in my opinion) like openings around the pivots. Cost is on the higher side for actual models I want.

My kitchen knives are shun which is a sister brand. I have no real reason to knock kershaw/zero tolerance/shun. Been 100% happy with purchases.
 
evilgreg said:
That's a great model, to be sure. But I don't know if I like my 0452 model knives more than the model they're based on:

9c5QHru.jpg


. . . but that said, the 0770cf is thinner, lighter, and a better slicer to boot. The 0454 is still my favorite ZT, though.
Click to expand...

770 feels like an over priced Kershaw to me, to each their own.
 
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