Zero Tolerance options

[jill jackson]

I love the looks of the 0920, but it feels a bit off in my hand. The balance just isn't there for me like it is on most larger folders.

 

[jill jackson]

 

[lai77120]

At a risk of sounding unoriginal, the question is what are you going to use it for? Mostly an utility tool, As a collectable or just a cool gadget to show your friends. I suspect for most of the so called knife enthusiasts, it'll be a bit of all three.
I suggest you skip all the more entry level blades like the 566, 350, 770 and 450 (except the CF and zdp189 versions) and go for the mid to high ends of their range. (fewer compromises and better represent the ZT brand).this is just my personal opinion.
450cf. Excellent fit and finishes, very portable. A very mechanical feel to the flipping action, sound like a clutch pencil.
460. Similar to the 450, with a more aggressive blade shape, nice looking colored carbon fibre handle, but must try before you buy, it's odd shaped handle might not work with everyone
909, robust and heavy duty, a very forceful flipping action, feel like it can cut down trees. Very heavy though.
After that I'll go for their larger, mid range blades like 452cf, 456,562cf,801ti, they all WINNERS.I especially like the 452..that 4.1 inch blade just scream COOL and SEXY to me
Personally I'll go straight to the top, try the 920, perfect ergo, amazing blade shape and sound like a pistol cocking everytime you flip the knife. Looks like a much more expensive knife too.
804 cf, mechanicaly as perfect as any pocket knife can be, a work of functional art. Very useful blade shape, and extremely light for its size.
An honorable mention, any iteration of the 392 ,it has the most comfortable handle of all my ZTs. it's also my favorite of all the limited edition ZTs.

Just my 2 cents worth...

 

[Ironbut]

Just my opinion, but if I could have only one ZT, it would be the 0562.

 

[jstn]

That is a contender! Beautiful knife- thank you for the suggestion. I need to do some research on Elmax- what's a Crucible comparison? Even still, I'm hankering for S35VN.

Elmax is very similar to S35VN. It is a very clean, fine grained steel. Very corrosion resistant, holds an edge on par with S35VN, and one of the toughest stainless steels, if not the toughest.

 

[craytab]

Elmax is very similar to S35VN. It is a very clean, fine grained steel. Very corrosion resistant, holds an edge on par with S35VN, and one of the toughest stainless steels, if not the toughest.

But also not currently in production on any new zts iirc. Also, the 0562cf is 204p not 20cv.

Ok, of the current in production zts out now I have the 0562cf and 0452cf both are fantastic. 0562cf is a classic hinderer design while the 0452cf is the biggest little knife I have ever had. The folded size and weight is amazing when you consider the blade size. Both have earned permanent spots in my collection and displaced some long time members.

 

[AF]

I love the looks of the 0920, but it feels a bit off in my hand. The balance just isn't there for me like it is on most larger folders.

I think the balance/weight is the most remarkable thing about the 0920. It has a neutral balance and aggressive milling on the ti making the knife feel very light. It balances right at the index finger.
I also like the 0562.

 

[sharp_edge]

OP - think about a few factors first so that your decision can be more easily made:

- Size: do you prefer small, medium, or big folders? 0909, 0920, 0560/1, 0452, 0200, and 0804 are in the large size group; 0801 and 0562 are in the medium group; 0450 and 0900 are in the small group. (I'm sure I am missing some others here).
- Weight: do you mind carrying a heavy folder? Weight is roughly proportional to size, although there are exceptions like 0452
- Handle materials: most current ZT folders all use titanium on the lock side and either g10, cf, or also titanium on the other side (with or without a steel liner).
- Blade steel: all ZT folders use super steels (Elmax, s35vn, cts 204p, m390 are common) so I won't mind that too much.

Choose the one you like the most because quality wise, they are all excellent folders.

 

[jill jackson]

I think the balance/weight is the most remarkable thing about the 0920. It has a neutral balance and aggressive milling on the ti making the knife feel very light. It balances right at the index finger.
I also like the 0562.

Compared to the 0452, the 0920 feels slow IMO. That is to make defensive moves, which may not matter to some.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

It's hard to pick just one without knowing some of your personal preferences. What uses? What size hands or what size and weight of knife you prefer?

But alot of good suggestions already and you really can't go wrong if you just reasearch and decide which appeals to you ... do you want assisted open or non ... which knife appeals to you size wise and is aesthetically pleasing to you.

For lightweight ... my favorite is the 770CF ... but the 450 (a smaller knife) and the 452CF are nice and lightweight but feel small in my hand from the shape.

One alot don't mention that falls somewhere in the middle is the 566 ... its a midsize but has a bit more weight I carry it often ... and its basically just a slightly smaller version of the 562.

And getting into the bigger heavier knives by far for me the 0909 stands out it is non assisted but fires out and locks up like a bank vault ergos are great blade shape is useful for alot if different tasks.

And if you can find one used in decent shape the 550 is out of production but its a great knife lightweight but a work horse.

 

[palonej]

Check out USAmadeblade. Excellent dealer here and he has a bunch already anodized!
Good luck!!
Joe

http://www.usamadeblade.com/Anodized-and-Customized-Knives_c65.htm?page=2

 

[Lord_Balkan]

If you want a cutter, go for the 0095BW. Easily the best cutting tool ZT has to offer.

 

[abbazaba]

0562 is probably the one.

 

[lieferung]

Unless my alphabetic abilities have failed me, I didn't see a ZT forum available so I thought I'd post here.

ZT is one of the few major manufacturers of knives I've yet to experience. I'm looking for something in the same category of Spyderco PM2- all around utility, good steel, smooth action, comfy ergos. Also, because ZTs are (I think) all flippers, this could be my off hand carry knife (I'm more coordinated with flippers than the Spydie hole off hand). I know, I know- get practicing...

Wide open to suggestions. 0450CF, 0808, 0804CF are each appealing to me.

The only ZT I own is the ZT0450, and I love it. Great flipping action, reasonably sized for EDC (slim enough to use as a food knife), and sturdy.

 

[jstn]

But also not currently in production on any new zts iirc. Also, the 0562cf is 204p not 20cv.

Ok, of the current in production zts out now I have the 0562cf and 0452cf both are fantastic. 0562cf is a classic hinderer design while the 0452cf is the biggest little knife I have ever had. The folded size and weight is amazing when you consider the blade size. Both have earned permanent spots in my collection and displaced some long time members.

I stand corrected. For the OP, the Elmax models can be found easily enough though, and the difference in 20cv and 204p is negligible. All great steels though, and not a ton of difference among any of the 4 as far as the end user is concerned IMO. I also agree with Craytab on the 0452cf. I didn't mention it as being similar to the PM2 because it is longer, but it carries really small because of the slim profile and light weight. I used to carry mine in suit pants at work with no problem.

 

[jstn]

Should mention the 0920 too. My all-time favorite flipper and ZT. It is an awesome blade, larger than the PM2. The milling makes it very light for its size.

 

[craytab]

I stand corrected. For the OP, the Elmax models can be found easily enough though, and the difference in 20cv and 204p is negligible. All great steels though, and not a ton of difference among any of the 4 as far as the end user is concerned IMO. I also agree with Craytab on the 0452cf. I didn't mention it as being similar to the PM2 because it is longer, but it carries really small because of the slim profile and light weight. I used to carry mine in suit pants at work with no problem.

Correct, not much difference between 204p, 20cv, and m390. Basically the same steel from different companies.

 

[BK14]

ZT 0562 is what you need. Similar in size to the PM2, great steel (Elmax, S35VN, or 20CV on the 0562 CF), super ergonomic, well priced, I would put it in the same category as the PM2 as an exceptional EDC option. I'm not really a guy who likes Ti framelocks or flippers, but I don own a few ZT models. They blow every other flipped I've owned out of the water, and they are very reasonably priced. ZT really has their flipper game dialed in.

I was going to suggest this as well. I got the ZT and PM2 on the same day. They are both excellent EDC's and compliment each other well. Amazing ergos, super fun action. While I'm not the biggest fan of ti flipper framelocks, I love that knife! I have it in Elmax, but any steels available should be more than suitable.

 

[Hackenslash]

A lot of good suggestions here!

One that I haven't seen yet is the discontinued ZT0801. Some can still be found at a close-out price and they're a tremendous bargain!

One thing to bear in mind about the 0562 (which appears to be the leader in number of suggestions); it's a Hinderer design. You might want to familiarize yourself with Rick Hinderer design elements. Likewise, the 0801 is a Rexford design and incorporates some classic Todd Rexford elements. Either knife is iconic ZT.

They're both great knves, but I think the 0801 is a better deal in close-out status. There aren't many new, vanilla 801's left out there though...

 

[aleforme]

Thanks for sharing. Had no idea they had this. Not really digging the look but I'll be watching the exchange for one to try.

Yeah, it's not much of a looker but it's an outstanding little knife. A tad thick and heavy but it flips as good as my 0450CF and that's saying a lot. For me, it's a great ED Csize with just enough blade to take care of 99% of typical needs.