zero tolerance quality

Rey HRH said:
The issues with the first 560 were issues I found other people were having: could not flip it open, the lock bar stuck, the blade developed side play. But it came back completely fixed and impressed me with the function. I'm just waiting to sharpen it and I'll use it in my edc rotation again.

I suspect the issues are with this specific Hinderer design. The reason I say this is I've never had any problems with the 301 and the 350 that I had before the 560s. The 301 was just too heavy for me to carry clipped to my pants pocket.

Fit and finish was fine for me. On par with their price points. I'm not much into knife centering as long as its approximately in the center and doesn't rub. I'm comfortable with tolerances. I used to do production assembly that required +/- 0.0010" but that was building an artificial heart. So I'd like to think I am able to put tolerances in their proper context. I'm thinking that non-centered blades can be addressed by disassembly / re-assembly.

I guess I should ask you where you're coming from to give you a better perspective. In your consideration of getting a ZT, are you coming down from your usual price range / quality expectations or are you moving up or just lateral?
Click to expand...

The ZT would be a lateral move I suppose, I own mainly benchmades now. I am looking to move up from them, all of them are 154cm and I don't really care for it. I was going to buy a Sebenza but the steel is softer than I want. If he made it in m390 I would order one tonight. The major appeal of both the 0562cf and the bench made 761 are the steel and the ball bearing system. I also want some ooooh ahhh factor as well.

blades&wrenches said:
Elmax
Click to expand...

How do you like it?
 
I have m390 in my BM contego. I prefer the look of it over the elmax (although I don't know if what I'm seeing is just the finishing effect). The m390 felt sharper out of the box than the elmax on the 560s (although I don't know if it's due to blade geometry).

Looking at the 562CF, I think you should go for it. It has the hardened steel lock bar inserts that will avoid the jiggle both shqxk and I experienced. And it has the M390 steel. And it has the CF handle for the ooh factor.

While I've told you the issues I've had with my 560s, I am waiting for the 452CF to come out with it's 4.1" blade and similar upgrades in metal, inserts, and carbon fiber scale.
 
I've owned several ZTs and currently carry a 0560 as my work knife. I had slight blade play in one, a 0550 right out of the box, but sent it in for warranty work and it came back perfect. I'd say, without hesitation, buy a ZT.
 
Have 560 and 561, both delivered FLAWLESS and still are.

IMO, ZT has good product and is on the rise with quality control, which seems to have been a bit more of a problem a year or so ago according to posting trends in here.
 
I tried my darndest to find even the most minuscule issue with my 0620CF. . . . . . . it's perfect.

So I ordered another one. It's on the way.

It's my ONLY ZT, so I can't talk about more than a statistically insignificant sample.
 
ZT has fantastic quality, I have owned a 0350, 0200 and currently own a 0550(gen 3) and a 0566bw. The 0550 needed to be broken in, but now is as smooth as butter.
 
The Fort said:
I've owned several ZTs and currently carry a 0560 as my work knife. I had slight blade play in one, a 0550 right out of the box, but sent it in for warranty work and it came back perfect. I'd say, without hesitation, buy a ZT.
Click to expand...

Good to know that they took care of you. Now if I could only find 0562cf. It's my understanding that the 0562cf is NOT a limited edition so I might just buy the 761 for now and tun buy the 0562cf when they become available because lets be honest I will end up with both of them anyway.
 
I only own the ZT 0770CF and it took me a good year to justify a decision to buy one simply because I believed the hype was over blown and the price was above what I was comfortable paying for just another folder. I made the decision early last year to buy a ZT and then it was up to choosing a knife I would carry. The 0770CF is such a knife size and weight wise.

Admittedly, the 0770CF in Elmax is not their most expensive knfe, but I have been very impressed with both the knife and the steel as far as edge holding ability. I have not used it hard and don't intend to. When I choose to use a knife "hard" it is usually my ever loving SAK which I have replacements for if I screw it up badly. I was very tempted to order the 0770CF in M390 in the last month.
 
What makes ZT any better than Kershaw (same company)? I've several Kershaw (both US and Chinese made ones) and find them excellent knives, well built, hold up well, good edge holding, etc. at about 20% the price of a ZT.
Rich
 
Rich S said:
What makes ZT any better than Kershaw (same company)? I've several Kershaw (both US and Chinese made ones) and find them excellent knives, well built, hold up well, good edge holding, etc. at about 20% the price of a ZT.
Rich
Click to expand...

Mainly materials and design, there are other factors but those are the main ones
 
With due respect, design is in the eye of the beholder and I think the ZT designs with those huge wide flounder shaped blades are awful looking. What's with that zebra striping on the blades? Don't know about their materials as I've not owned one. I'm happy and will stick with the Kershaw.
Rich
 
Rich S said:
With due respect, design is in the eye of the beholder and I think the ZT designs with those huge wide flounder shaped blades are awful looking. What's with that zebra striping on the blades? Don't know about their materials as I've not owned one. I'm happy and will stick with the Kershaw.
Rich
Click to expand...

Glad to hear you are happy with Kershaw they make great products
 
Rich S said:
With due respect, design is in the eye of the beholder and I think the ZT designs with those huge wide flounder shaped blades are awful looking. What's with that zebra striping on the blades? Don't know about their materials as I've not owned one. I'm happy and will stick with the Kershaw.
Rich
Click to expand...
Try one you'll like it!;)
 
kershaws lineup has been completely devastated and mostly replaced with chinese budget knives. they discontinued all their best stuff. the cyclones, the boas, the tyrades, the spec bumps, offset, the steven seagal, etc..... the only kershaw i currently really like is the the rake, that knife is a pretty sweet deal. the higher quality stuff seems to be done by ZT instead now.
 
JeremiahWeaver09 said:
kershaws lineup has been completely devastated and mostly replaced with chinese budget knives. they discontinued all their best stuff. the cyclones, the boas, the tyrades, the spec bumps, offset, the steven seagal, etc..... the only kershaw i currently really like is the the rake, that knife is a pretty sweet deal. the higher quality stuff seems to be done by ZT instead now.
Click to expand...

You might want to check the 2015 offerings. Right off the top of my head the Launch Auto line stands out and I plan on getting the Link and Shield myself.
 
I own an 0550 and an 0566. I am also fortunate to live in an area where I've had access to hands on time with most of their products. In handling their products, I've consistently found them to be very well constructed and finished.

The worst issue that I've personally experienced was a diamond hard detent with my (first generation) 0550. Whoa. Couldn't open it one handed for a good while. It took a lot to break in. As things stand now, it's perfect-- excellent blade retention, flies open when fired.

My 0566 is my EDC, and it gets used very frequently on cardboard and plastic. The performance of the Elmax has been fantastic. In fact, my 0550 and 0566 have helped me to arrive at the conclusion that CPM S35VN and Elmax are a kind of sweet spot for me. The intersection of maintainability and edge retention are very satisfactory to me.
 
Scurvy092 said:
I find them to be significantly better than Benchmade, DPX, and Japanese Spydercos. On par with Taiwan/USA Spydercos, Hinderers, Striders. Just below CRK.
Click to expand...
Agree with this. ZTs are very good quality and are every bit as well made fitted and finished as the Taiwan US spydercos while being more affordable than the majority of Hinderers and striders.
 
I have four ZTs (0550, 0560, 0566, and 0801) and one Benchmade (mini Grip). They are all nice knives, and I've had no problems whatsoever with any of them. I just don't seem to reach for my BM very often.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top