I had the ZT 0560 Bk. Very nice titanium scale on this, super smooth flipper and very ergonomic. Had it for a few years, then I had the chance of getting the XM18-3.5" Spanto which eventually replaced it. ZTs are great folders and reasonably priced though.
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Zero tolerance knives
- Thread starter Crazyfarmer
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yamsi12
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At one point I had 28 ZTs. I’ve since lowered it to about 12 or so. They have always been spot on in materials & fit and finish. Some of their designs lately have been a huge turn of to me though. Recently I’ve been spending my money elsewhere. I currently have a few 0562s, a 0560bw, 0308, 0801ti, 0452ti, 0450, 0350swcf & a 0350cfm390 off the top of my head.
sgt1372
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OP: I currently own 38 ZTs including 2 autos and 3 fixed blades, which are almost all older/discontinued models, and multiple versions of certain models.
I haven't been motivated to buy a new release from ZT for several years because of the change in their design focus from "over built" to those that are more fashion/style oriented.
I'd say the that ZT 0770CF for about $190 is the best buy for a lightweight EDC currently available in the ZT line. I own one.
There is also the ZT 0450 which is still available in certain variations for about the same price. I never liked the 0450 because I thought it was too small (I sold the only one I ever owned for that reason) but there are many other people who say they love it.
Another smaller lightweight ZT that I'd recommend is the 0566 which is discontinued but can still be found on the 2ndary market for around $200. I own a G10 and CF version of this knife, which is the smallest variant in the 0550/0560/0562 Hinderer line.
A lot of people don't/didn't like the 0566 because (unlike the others in the line) it is "assisted" but if that bothers you it's easy to remove the torsion bar to make it fully manual. It is a fine knife in either configuration.
There are 2 other smaller/lighter ZTs -- the 0760 and 780 - that were offered in the past but they are very hard to find and are designed more as SD/tactical knives than as EDCs. They are also assisted and I own them too.
There is also the 0350/360 which are smaller/lighter variations of the 0300 and the 0400 which is a further variation of the 0360.
The 0350 is one of the longest lived knives in the ZT family but some people have a problem w/Ken Onion's recurve design (which they say is difficult to sharpen) and w/the fact that these knives are all assisted but they are worth a look if nothing above appeals to you.
FYI, I own 40 Ken Onion designed knives produced by Kershaw, ZT and CRKT, including 12 ZT variations. So, Ken Onion is obviously one of my favorite knife designers and I have no problems/issues w/any of his knives.
Among my favorite ZTs are the 0200 (Onion), 0452 (Sinkevich) and 0562 (Hinderer), which I gather are NOT the type of knives you are looking for but each of these knives is a classic and well worth collecting (if you ever get to that point) IMO.
I haven't been motivated to buy a new release from ZT for several years because of the change in their design focus from "over built" to those that are more fashion/style oriented.
I'd say the that ZT 0770CF for about $190 is the best buy for a lightweight EDC currently available in the ZT line. I own one.
There is also the ZT 0450 which is still available in certain variations for about the same price. I never liked the 0450 because I thought it was too small (I sold the only one I ever owned for that reason) but there are many other people who say they love it.
Another smaller lightweight ZT that I'd recommend is the 0566 which is discontinued but can still be found on the 2ndary market for around $200. I own a G10 and CF version of this knife, which is the smallest variant in the 0550/0560/0562 Hinderer line.
A lot of people don't/didn't like the 0566 because (unlike the others in the line) it is "assisted" but if that bothers you it's easy to remove the torsion bar to make it fully manual. It is a fine knife in either configuration.
There are 2 other smaller/lighter ZTs -- the 0760 and 780 - that were offered in the past but they are very hard to find and are designed more as SD/tactical knives than as EDCs. They are also assisted and I own them too.
There is also the 0350/360 which are smaller/lighter variations of the 0300 and the 0400 which is a further variation of the 0360.
The 0350 is one of the longest lived knives in the ZT family but some people have a problem w/Ken Onion's recurve design (which they say is difficult to sharpen) and w/the fact that these knives are all assisted but they are worth a look if nothing above appeals to you.
FYI, I own 40 Ken Onion designed knives produced by Kershaw, ZT and CRKT, including 12 ZT variations. So, Ken Onion is obviously one of my favorite knife designers and I have no problems/issues w/any of his knives.
Among my favorite ZTs are the 0200 (Onion), 0452 (Sinkevich) and 0562 (Hinderer), which I gather are NOT the type of knives you are looking for but each of these knives is a classic and well worth collecting (if you ever get to that point) IMO.
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sharp_edge
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ZT folders are great man toys and pocket jewelries 
For that they are very well made with high quality. With a few exceptions, they are generally not made for slicing, so if slicing and cutting are what you value more, you should look elsewhere like Spyderco. I once owned about 10 ZTs but have gradually moved away from the brand (still keep two 0562s and a 0452).
I have gradually learned that the notion of heavy framelock folders as hard-use knives is more like a marketing slogan/hype than anything else. Framelock is perhaps among the weakest locks in terms of keeping the blade from accidentally closing though they are one of the easiest to operate (both opening and closing).
For that they are very well made with high quality. With a few exceptions, they are generally not made for slicing, so if slicing and cutting are what you value more, you should look elsewhere like Spyderco. I once owned about 10 ZTs but have gradually moved away from the brand (still keep two 0562s and a 0452). I have gradually learned that the notion of heavy framelock folders as hard-use knives is more like a marketing slogan/hype than anything else. Framelock is perhaps among the weakest locks in terms of keeping the blade from accidentally closing though they are one of the easiest to operate (both opening and closing).
Eliteone2383
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I've been wanting a 801cf copperhead since they came out.
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- Nov 28, 2019
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I have yet to meet a ZT that I don’t like. Maybe not as much as other ZT’s but I seem to like them all. Here are some of mine. I tend to like the heavier and bigger knives.
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Wow very nice
The Emersons are very nice, I distinctly prefer them to even Ernie's customs. Value for the dollar is high. The Onion colabs are my other weakness. The 350 is what I always felt my Boa should have been, and the 300 series are a wonderfully "overbuilt" expression of tbe design.
The 450/452s are nice, but living on the coast, I've found that fine blowing sand can get in the bearings. I,ve seen aftermarket bearing packs that allegedly solve this issue, but I have not tried them yet.
I avoided ZT for years because of that huge lugnut that locks the pivot pin, but...I've found that it isn't that big, and they deliver quality.
The 450/452s are nice, but living on the coast, I've found that fine blowing sand can get in the bearings. I,ve seen aftermarket bearing packs that allegedly solve this issue, but I have not tried them yet.
I avoided ZT for years because of that huge lugnut that locks the pivot pin, but...I've found that it isn't that big, and they deliver quality.
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Assuming you are talking about carrying a knife and phone in your right front pocket, you might try clipping the knife in your right back pocket. That will certainly open up some options for you. I often carry that way with no issues. Another option is clipped inside your waistband but finding the optimal position for comfort can be a bit finicky.
sgt1372
Platinum Member
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- Oct 16, 2018
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This is not entirely true. Some ZTs do come w/deep pocket clips.
The 0770 pictured above does as does a 0566CF that I have lying around out of the safe. Not going to bother to check all of the rest of the ZT folders that I own but as I recall the 0200/0300/0350 series are NOT among those that have a deep pocket clip.
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- Jan 6, 2016
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i wish ZT would R&D new fixed blades, i liked the ones that they have made in the past, but they're "eternally out of stock" at BHQ, maybe something about 3-3.5 inches in length, in 154CM steel for resistance in outdoor environments and ease of sharpening, 3 flathead screws for easy maintenance, exposed tang for integrity and strength ( because who wants to have to guess, trust, and hope that its really full tang, even when they can't see it?) , and lastly, contoured G-10.. just daydreaming here..
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Did you make that display or buy it? If you bought it, where from? It's awesome!I have yet to meet a ZT that I don’t like. Maybe not as much as other ZT’s but I seem to like them all. Here are some of mine. I tend to like the heavier and bigger knives.
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