Zero Tolerance might be the best thing to ever happen to knives.

[RevDevil]

I agree that there may have been a bit of hyperbole by the op but this post reeks of sour grapes.

Would there have been a spyderco domino or southard without the 0560? Why does zt need to see parts when they will send them to you for free? Benchade gold class knives are nothing more than dressed up regular production models.

No one else is coming out with unique high end limited production pieces. Changing colors and blade steel no longer cuts it. Even the 0560cbcf and upcoming 0801cf have different machining patterns than the standard model.

The Brad Southard AWT has existed for a while as far as I know. Spyderco simply made the design accessible to folks for a reasonable price. Kind of like ZT did with the 0560, it gave people that cannot get their hands on an XM knife a chance to see something close and designed by the same guy. As for the Domino, that is Eric G, and since he doesn't do much posting on any forums we may never know. One is not contingent on another, can't make that kind of huge leap.

I do agree with the rest of your post.

 

[sunandsteel]

That would be the wave feature. For rapid
deployment from the pocket.

Assisted or non-assisted?

 

[stabman]

They're certainly the best thing to happen to the ready availability of high quality, value priced titanium frame-lock's.
Which is good from my standpoint, as I like titanium frame-locks.

 

[evanPGH]

Assisted or non-assisted?

No need for one. The wave is the assist so to speak.

That being said I don't think I've ever seen an assisted and waved knife from the factory.

 

[Scurvy092]

The Brad Southard AWT has existed for a while as far as I know. Spyderco simply made the design accessible to folks for a reasonable price. Kind of like ZT did with the 0560, it gave people that cannot get their hands on an XM knife a chance to see something close and designed by the same guy. As for the Domino, that is Eric G, and since he doesn't do much posting on any forums we may never know. One is not contingent on another, can't make that kind of huge leap.

I do agree with the rest of your post.

I know the awt existed before as did many other bearing flippers. What I was positing was that would spyderco have run out and licensed a ti framelock flipper if not for the smashing success of the 0560.

Titanium frame lock bearing flippers are the host thing on the market right now and zt was the first to take something that was only accessible to the custom market and make it available to the masses.

 

[Stays Sharp]

Titanium frame lock bearing flippers are the host thing on the market right now and zt was the first to take something that was only accessible to the custom market and make it available to the masses.

Alright, so is that an innovation? Had to get creative there, congrats though.

Changing colors and blade steel no longer cuts it.

To you and some others maybe. It's cool what ZT's doing, I'm on board but to steel junkies, it is still awesome to catch a great steel in a timeless design that was already available.

 

[Bugout Bill]

I agree that there may have been a bit of hyperbole by the op but this post reeks of sour grapes.

Would there have been a spyderco domino or southard without the 0560? Why does zt need to see parts when they will send them to you for free? Benchade gold class knives are nothing more than dressed up regular production models.

No one else is coming out with unique high end limited production pieces. Changing colors and blade steel no longer cuts it. Even the 0560cbcf and upcoming 0801cf have different machining patterns than the standard model.

The 0560 is not the Buck 110. It does not have a massive influence over the direction that cutlery design is taking. As Rev said, the Southard and Domino were in the pipeline long before the 0560, and are not comparable to it at all.

As for parts, I will concede ignorance in this case. I like EKI because I could buy up a stock of spare parts, I am not sure if I could do the same for KAI.

I don't see how the limited edition ZTs are different from the Gold Class. Different steels and different handle materials in both cases, as well as limited only knives, like Benchmade's double action autos. Different colors and blade materials don't matter? Are we forgetting blackwash? I think Benchmade's limited edition knives also have different machining on handle scales as well.

Finally, this thread is not a bit of hyperbole. It is all hyperbole.

 

[RamZar]

I don't see how the limited edition ZTs are different from the Gold Class. Different steels and different handle materials in both cases, as well as limited only knives, like Benchmade's double action autos. Different colors and blade materials don't matter? Are we forgetting blackwash? I think Benchmade's limited edition knives also have different machining on handle scales as well.

ZT Limited Editions fall into two categories.

One is like the Benchmade Gold Class or Spyderco Sprint Runs with different steels and handle materials (let's forget about dealer exclusive runs). These are like 0560CBCF, 0350CB, 0801CF, 0770 (limited edition preceded the regular production!), etc.

The real ZT Limited Editions are unique products that are not "copies" of existing regular production knives with "enhanced" steels and handle materials. These are like 0888 (plus 0888MAX), 0777 (plus 0777-M390, 0777-M390BLK), 0600 (plus 0600BLK) and 0454.

 

[Stays Sharp]

It's such a good, strong lineup this year. Something for everyone.

I'm already so eager to get my 563CF, and also the Kershaw Anniversary knife.

I'm also looking out for the 0454 and 801CF... Shouldn't be too long.

 

[A Justice]

ZT designs aren't exactly my cup of tea, but I have to say their Fit and Finish is the best <$300 folders I have had the opportunity to carry for a few days. I mean, I actually do like some of the designs, but taken all together I would rather carry a lighter / sharper knife that may not be as sturdy. The only ZTs I have actually bought have ended up put up.

Some knives they release as Blems have a better fit and finish than other companies production lineup.

 

[Marius1976]

ZT designs aren't exactly my cup of tea, but I have to say their Fit and Finish is the best <$300 folders I have had the opportunity to carry for a few days. I mean, I actually do like some of the designs, but taken all together I would rather carry a lighter / sharper knife that may not be as sturdy. The only ZTs I have actually bought have ended up put up.

Some knives they release as Blems have a better fit and finish than other companies production lineup.

ZT produces superb knives and materials they use are great as well as Fit and Finish you have admitted. 250-300 dollars, 400- they cost every cent of this price. Light is good for spyderco where even Military is the best to cut cabbage.

 

[Bugout Bill]

Light is good for spyderco where even Military is the best to cut cabbage.

Nonsense. Do some work with your knives before you start commenting on their abilities.

 

[grybsh7]

as I like titanium frame-locks.

Yeah me too! Thats why I'm reading this thread about ZT. They are making some bad a$$ ti frame locks lately.:thumbup:
Seriously, super nice knives for the money. I'm getting one of those 0562s for sure.

 

[Scurvy092]

Alright, so is that an innovation? Had to get creative there, congrats though.



To you and some others maybe. It's cool what ZT's doing, I'm on board but to steel junkies, it is still awesome to catch a great steel in a timeless design that was already available.

A) the first part of your comment makes no sense because I wasn't claiming it as an innovation at all.

B) zt does the same thing with offering standard designs in different steels so I don't get the hate.

 

[KnottyEagle]

Alright, so is that an innovation? Had to get creative there, congrats though.

Innovations? Composite blade and SpeedSafe. 'Nuff said.

 

[Marius1976]

Nonsense.

In some way you are probably right, but a light knife is good when you cut a lot for your hands not to get tired. I brought an example of spyderco because their knives are mostly light. But ZT knives, in my humble opinion, are not to cut potatoes though you can use them for this purpose and here not only the weight is the thing. This year I used two knives together ZT 0301, Espada Large. Espada with AUS 8 was great to cut food while ZT 0301 with s30v was great to get out of the pocket and show people how great it is. To my mind, 0301 is a heavy duty military knife with perfect steel, but not to cut in the kitchen because of its blade form and so on. As to the blade form, even Espada was better though its weight is 230 grm.

 

[RevDevil]

I know the awt existed before as did many other bearing flippers. What I was positing was that would spyderco have run out and licensed a ti framelock flipper if not for the smashing success of the 0560.

Titanium frame lock bearing flippers are the host thing on the market right now and zt was the first to take something that was only accessible to the custom market and make it available to the masses.

Probably, the Southard collab was in the works for quite a long time from what I've read. I really doubt that Spyderco "ran out" and licensed anything when the 0560 hit. ZT knives are primarily overbuilt, tough folders while Spyderco is more about thinner FFg blades that fit niche markets in various countries. But, I guess we will have to disagree on our opinions on this.

 

[Bugout Bill]

In some way you are probably right, but a light knive is good when you cut a lot for your hands not to get tired. I brought an example of spyderco because their knives are mostly light. But ZT knives, in my humble opinion, are not to cut potatoes though you can use them for this purpose and here not only the weight is the thing. This year I used two knives together ZT 0301, Espada Large. Espada with AUS 8 was great to cut food while ZT 0301 with s30v was great to get out of the pocket and show people how great it is. To my mind, 0301 is a heavy duty military knife with perfect steel, but not to cut in the kitchen because of its blade form and so on. As to the blade form, even Espada was better though its weight is 230 grm.

So the ZT301 is jewelry?

I can understand that sentiment with a William Henry, or another nice gentleman folder. But the ZT301 is a cutting tool, in the same way a Strider or a Sebenza is one. They are meant to be used.

 

[Marius1976]

So the ZT301 is jewelry?

You will smile but I bought this knife and admired every mm of it. I liked the way it opens, titanium, Strider collaboration and so on, But when it came to cut meat, vegetables and so on, I used a different knife. The blade form and design is the reason. ZT is not a jewelry, its just a tactical knife.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Innovations? Composite blade and SpeedSafe. 'Nuff said.

I almost hate to pick nits, but that's the Kershaw arm innovating and then KAI incorporating the innovations into their designs. That's one of the reasons I always seem to prefer Kershaw knives to ZTs. Much more innovative design and many more risks taken at that level. I get that taking those risks on high dollar folders with a niche market is a lot riskier, but I'm sad to see how little seems to make the transition from Kershaw to ZT.