Zero Tolerance ZT 0150

My guess is that the deformation had nothing to do with the steel itself--I think that this knife probably has a much thinner tip, and thinner edge geometry, than whatever knife in 440B you have that was able to be used as a screwdriver without damage. the ZT 150 is designed to stab and cut, and the thinner the geometry, the better it performs at that. That geometry will actually help it go through the medium that's being cut with less force, perhaps lessening the potential damage. That's certainly not going to help when it comes to wedging it into a small metal slot, and applying torsional force directly on the very tip. Honestly, it's probably a testament of S30V's toughness that the tip didn't snap clean off.
 
It's probably not softer, just thinner...a regular screw-driver should always be softer than any of the knives (for strength and not stripping screws) but it's actually designed for the torque and pressure - geometry and thickness.

Regardless there is no reason for a boot knife in S30V or any expensive steel.

Should get used to carrying a multi-tool on you all the time like you probably will in the military or carry a Victorinox for the compact size, nostalgia, great thin blade/s.
 
angi, I'm assuming that you have experience using the tip of a 440b knife as a screwdriver. You will find that what most people call "better" steel is much harder thus more brittle than 440b. S30V is a relatively hard brittle steel compared to cheap 440 steels. I'm sure that if you take a closer look at the tip you will see that the steel chipped out, and did not simply deform like a softer steel would.

So basically what I am saying to you is that you need to do some research before you start making assumptions about what a steel is and isn't.
 
harkamus said:
You could have seriously injured yourself if the blade snapped and sent a shard into your eye or whatever.
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I hope that a 2.5mm screw from a laptop case couldn't do that.

I've used knives to turn screws, if the spine is thin enough to fit into the slot and the job is light duty overall.
 
Whats up with the rabbit - next time hold up a coyote or a mountain lion - then they won't care what you do with the knife !!!
 
I'm beginning to sense that -- despite the title -- there isn't going to be a review of the ZT 0150 in this thread, is there?
 
ac1d0v3r1d3 said:
angi, I'm assuming that you have experience using the tip of a 440b knife as a screwdriver. You will find that what most people call "better" steel is much harder thus more brittle than 440b. S30V is a relatively hard brittle steel compared to cheap 440 steels. I'm sure that if you take a closer look at the tip you will see that the steel chipped out, and did not simply deform like a softer steel would.

So basically what I am saying to you is that you need to do some research before you start making assumptions about what a steel is and isn't.
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This. Use the knife for knife purposes. :)

The ZT 0150 is also ground as to be a defensive-purposed knife. That means favoring penetration over edge thickness. I have one that I carry lots of times and don't see the same S30V heat treat issue that you're having.

If you need it resharpened, ZT can always do that for you, too. :thumbup:
 
I will try and make a review of this knife very soon despite the removed handle because I wanted it thin overall and I love it now
 
nope sorry chevy s-k wayne is the sharpest.lol

ive heard good things about the ZT..i dont have one to cmpare. from what i know s30 is superior upper grade steel. how tight was the screw?

joey
 
"Durr Durr I try to use knife as driver-screw, Why it no work good?????????"

I can't tell if the OP is serious or not.
 
HoosierQ said:
Folding Smatchet? Smatchet multi-tool?
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Boot smatchet!!

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It is possible you got a bad heat treat. In my experience Kershaw's(and therefore zt's) s30v tends to be on the hard side and holds an edge longer than 440 easily. Or you could have chipped the edge using it as a screwdriver, get yourself a nice little SAK to use as a screw driver, itll work better and save you from the ridicule on this forum. If you want to test if the heat treat is the problem, cut something like rope on a cutting board or whittle some wood with both your 440b knife and you should see the edge on the s30v lasting longer. If it does not i would assume a bad heat treat.
 
To put it simply: A knife is a tool, and there are the right tools for the job. You chose the wrong tool for the job at hand.

Like stated above, the main purpose of the ZT150 is as a defensive blade. It has a thin, double edge dagger profile for maximum penetration.

As a dagger, I think the ZT150 is a poor choice b/c of its lack of reach. It is a short blade. I owned it, carried it, didn't like it. There are cheaper, longer daggers out there.

I wouldn't use it to dress game b/c it lacks a belly. It would be a poor outdoors knife b/c of its blade shape.
 
I wouldn't DREAM of using the tip of my $130 knife as a screwdriver; however, I think you guys are a little tough on Angi. After all, there's an INFINITE number of knife reviews, advertising, and bragging out there and in this forum about how you can bend knives 90 degrees, pry open steel cans, stab through car doors, and you name it. This poor guy tries to turn a little screw with a so-called super steel, finds out it ain't really as hard as diamond, let's the cat out of the bag, and everybody jumps on him like he just insulted the prophet. UNFAIR, I say!
 
I have no problem with him using the knife as a screwdriver for a laptop. Not the best plan but hey it's his knife if he wants to use it for unscrewing screws it's a free country. Just know that the manufacturer did not intent it to be a screw driver so you may need to touch up the tip after. Doesn't mean it's a bad knife, doesn't mean your a bad or stupid person, just means that you need to accept the maintenance cost that comes with using things in a way they aren't intended to be used.
 
I used my gun as an ear muff, then I accidentally blew my brains out.

What a crappy ear muff!!

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