Zero Tolerance vs. Cold Steel

2manyblades · Jul 28, 2008

Alright guys, go easy on me, this is my first post. I am curious about your opinion on this subject. I already have 2 Zero Tolerance knives and love them. Im am thinking of getting a Strider next or a Cold Steel Black Sable. What would you do? I am also curious the difference between San Mai III stainless steel and the S30V of my ZT's. Any input is appreciated.

jp101 · Jul 28, 2008

most cold steels are several steps down from any products from ZT.

ZT is revered around these here forums, no doubt. cold steel is much more contreversial.

also, welcome to the forums!

Jos · Jul 28, 2008

Welcome to the forums!

Bad choice for a first post. People get tired of Cold Steel threads. Do some research. There must be a thousand threads about this already. Use google to search.

Kind regards,

Jos

jill jackson · Jul 28, 2008

2manyblades said:
Alright guys, go easy on me, this is my first post. I am curious about your opinion on this subject. I already have 2 Zero Tolerance knives and love them. Im am thinking of getting a Strider next or a Cold Steel Black Sable. What would you do? I am also curious the difference between San Mai III stainless steel and the S30V of my ZT's. Any input is appreciated.

That Black Sable is said to be a nice knife. The only sore point I've heard is it's overpriced.

Outdoors Fanatic · Jul 28, 2008

2manyblades said:
Alright guys, go easy on me, this is my first post. I am curious about your opinion on this subject. I already have 2 Zero Tolerance knives and love them. Im am thinking of getting a Strider next or a Cold Steel Black Sable. What would you do? I am also curious the difference between San Mai III stainless steel and the S30V of my ZT's. Any input is appreciated.

Is this a joke right?

Your post sound like this: "Hey guys, I've already own two Lamborghinis, now I'm thinking of getting an Aston Martin or a Honda Civic.

SOLEIL · Jul 28, 2008

CS has some good products, they also have some poor and/or overpriced products. I do not believe any are made in the US.
ZT products are all great products and well worth the price. They are all US made with an outstanding warranty. In general there really is no comparison between the two. ZT is superior in all respects.

THG · Jul 28, 2008

San Mai 3 is a "sandwich combo" steel. It has a higher grade core steel and some lower grade side steels.

I wouldn't get the black sable... It's more of a novelty knife than anything else. In fact, many cold steels in that price range are. I hear that knife was in the movie "prom night," though.

Jpalmer1988 · Jul 28, 2008

Stay with ZT.

RNST · Jul 28, 2008

Cold Who?

ZT rocks. Best Low Cost Folders for the $$.

longbow · Jul 28, 2008

Here we go again. I have owned both products. On this one I would have to say that the ZT is somewhat better in only that it is made in the USA. But I still have my Hatamoto and don't have the ZT that I owned. The higher end CS folders are very well made indeed. Don't let the not made in USA thing scare you off. Lock up is stellar, the blades on both the ZT and the CS were very sharp but I would give the nod to the CS for out of the box sharpness. Never used the ZT really and didn't carry it save but for a few hours. Didn't like the grips on it. I owned the 200 series folder. Didn't care for the blade shape either. It was almost to big for edc and definetly not sheeple friendly.

The Hatamoto is also pupose driven and not sheeple friendly either but carries better than the ZT imho. It too is an intimidating looking folder and it is indeed made extremely well. Not as big as the ZT if that matters to you. The Sable I have never owned but read what the pass around posters said about it and the consensus in a nut shell was that it was very well made but again not a particularly friendly type of edc knife. keepem sharp

coaldigger · Jul 28, 2008

ZT :thumbup: ColdSteel does have some decent knives but if you got the $ to get a ZT then go for the ZT !

jill jackson · Jul 28, 2008

The Black Sable and the others in that line are made in Japan. They are nicely made and carry a hefty price. Surely nobody has a problem with Japanese made. I have many nice Spydercos and Kershaws that are marked "Japan". I'd never buy a Black Sable myself because I think I'd lose money if I ever decided to sell it.

http://www.coldsteel.com/60bs.html

Rat Finkenstein · Jul 28, 2008

Cold Steal's Pricing of their laminated stainless is based on the sucker born a minute theory.

If you want good laminated blades that actually feature premium steel, try Fällkniven.

2manyblades · Jul 28, 2008

Thanks guys. Sorry for wasting your time. Apparently some people dont want to help "new to the knife world" people without being rude. I appologize that I dindnt know the answere to my question before I asked it. I am not affraid to drop bank on a nice blade. I have several $200-$300 tactical folders, but just started to really research stuff. Thats why I signed up for this web site, as kind of a resaerch tool that contains people who like the same stuff I do. I only hoped they would be a little kinder in their response. (this doesnt go for all of you who replied) Anyway thanks again, I geuss Ill be ordering my ZT Desert Warrior edition

muddog49 · Jul 28, 2008

I vote for ZT (if we're voting).

jacktrades_nbk · Jul 28, 2008

the black sable is expensive, but it is a very nice folder
i like the looks on that one, even though i dont think is a very practical or easy to carry
more like a show off knife, or to be put on a wall, something like that
i do like it nevertheless

as for the ZT Desert Warrior , it is something more usable

i would get both if i had the money, which i dont

ragingwolf66 · Jul 28, 2008

2manyblades said:
Thanks guys. Sorry for wasting your time. Apparently some people dont want to help "new to the knife world" people without being rude. I appologize that I dindnt know the answere to my question before I asked it. I am not affraid to drop bank on a nice blade. I have several $200-$300 tactical folders, but just started to really research stuff. Thats why I signed up for this web site, as kind of a resaerch tool that contains people who like the same stuff I do. I only hoped they would be a little kinder in their response. (this doesnt go for all of you who replied) Anyway thanks again, I geuss Ill be ordering my ZT Desert Warrior edition

Hey Man, Welcome to BladeForums!!! I have owned ZTs, Striders, and a couple of Cold Steel knives (I beat the holy hell out of of my Recon 1 folder, and it never failed.) If You have the Knife bug like most of us do, Get what you like and dont worry about others opinions. You are going to get more knives along the way!!! I have tastes in knives that others dont like. I also like lots of popular knives. I would definitely check out Strider, and Other ZT products. Have you thought about looking at Emerson??? I recently got my First Emerson (a CQC-7A) and now I want more of them!!!

jacktrades_nbk · Jul 28, 2008

the shape of that ZT blade remainded me of the beautiful blades of Mercworx
someday ....

Daniel Dorn · Jul 28, 2008

Don't let the "haters" get you down. The Sable is a slick, although cumbersome knife. I borrowed one for a while, and the quality is way up there. If you don't mind the weight, and find one at a good price, it's not a bad knife. I mean, I wouldn't mind owning one. They look way cool, in my opinion.

That said, I prefer most of the ZT knives, as they are just more practical. The build is top notch, and they have a great warranty. I also prefer assisted openers, and titanium frame locks. Just a personal preference.

If you have the cash, get what you like. Don't let others' opinions make you change yours.

DD

2manyblades · Jul 28, 2008

ragingwolf66 said:
Hey Man, Welcome to BladeForums!!! I have owned ZTs, Striders, and a couple of Cold Steel knives (I beat the holy hell out of of my Recon 1 folder, and it never failed.) If You have the Knife bug like most of us do, Get what you like and dont worry about others opinions. You are going to get more knives along the way!!! I have tastes in knives that others dont like. I also like lots of popular knives. I would definitely check out Strider, and Other ZT products. Have you thought about looking at Emerson??? I recently got my First Emerson (a CQC-7A) and now I want more of them!!!

Thank you my friend, I will check them out. I dont know why, I saw a ZT in a magazine, and have been addicted ever since. Absolutely the finest edged weapon Ive ever laid paws on. I too, like someone stated above, like the shape of the Black Sable. It looks like a knife you could just thrust into something and it will keep cutting. (based on the blade design kind od a wierd recurve-tanto)