ZT 0562 Mildly Disappointed

[bld522]

Sadly the 0562 didn't impress me too but perhaps its my personal preference for a certain spec when it come to choosing a ZT knives. The 0620 works better for me thou.

Yep. A true pocket brick from a company known for making pocket bricks. Perfect!

 

[stabman]

I still don't find any of the ZT's to be "pocket bricks."
I guess I didn't go to the Nutnfancy university of knife knowledge.

 

[bld522]

I guess I didn't go to the Nutnfancy university of knife knowledge.

Or the ZT School of Merchandising. Their products are "proudly overbuilt", you know!

 

[stabman]

Or the ZT School of Merchandising. Their products are "proudly overbuilt", you know!

I never really got the "overbuilt" thing either, to tell the truth.
Solidly built? Sure, absolutely.
Overbuilt...what would that even mean?

"Well, we're done making this knife."
"Hell no, keep building it!!!"

 

[RamZar]

Personally, I reserve the "pocket brick" label in the ZT folder line only to the 0200 & 0300 series at about 8 ounces. Other regular production ZTs outside of the 0770 series are not exceptionally light but at under 6 ounces manageable. Of course, it's all relative and subjective.

 

[exmaxima]

Now you're speaking my language! How about something with specs like this:

Blade Length: 3“
Handle Length: 4.125“
Overall Length: 7“
Blade Thickness: .140“
Lockside Thickness: .125″
Liner Thickness: .050“
Overall Handle Thickness: .425“
Weight 3.6oz

Would that get your attention?

Everything looked great except the blade is too small. I prefer something longer, like my Stretch and Para2 or Buck Vantage.

 

[RamZar]

Overbuilt...what would that even mean?

Hoover Dam!

 

[stabman]

Hoover Dam!

Ha, good point.
I don't think I want to carry that in my pocket.

 

[Divine_Madcat]

Personally, I reserve the "pocket brick" label in the ZT folder line only to the 0200 & 0300 series at about 8 ounces. Other regular production ZTs outside of the 0770 series are not exceptionally light but at under 6 ounces manageable. Of course, it's all relative and subjective.

Then you wind up with weirdos like me who thinks his 0200 is perfect, and has no desire to EDC smaller blades... ;-)

 

[oregonknifenerd]

Overbuilt...what would that even mean?

Built to perform beyond the tasks typically expected of a similar product. They cut just fine. I heard that the guy going by sticktodrum once used an 0550 to pry his way out of a stuck elevator. Overbuilt..

 

[RevDevil]

Or the ZT School of Merchandising. Their products are "proudly overbuilt", you know!

This is true. I gave up on trying to figure out why so many people expect something other than what is painfully obvious. By the same token maybe Chris Reeve will make toothbrushes, Harley Davidson will make kitty litter, and Colt may end up making diapers or beach wear too. One never knows, fingers crossed I guess - cheers to the improbable!

 

[bld522]

That's exactly what I said . . . right up to the point where ZT released the 0770CF.

Miracles CAN happen, even when they're packaged in boxes that would indicate otherwise.

 

[oregonknifenerd]

When the 0560 first came out people complained because it had milled out liners and everyone wanted the solid heavy feel of the 0300 series. Yet there are always posts like this complaining about weight. New models of the 0560 I hear now don't have those pockets milled out and a few people have noticed and complained.

No matter what a company does, there will be someone somewhere on the internet that will complain because it is X and they want Y, and if they make it Y, then other people will appear that wanted X and shout about why did they have to go and change it.

ZT makes Y. Your prefer X. That doesn't make Y a bad product.

With other companies, Y may be a bad product regardless of preference, but I have yet to see ZT make a bad product just the very rare minor single knife issues that they bend over backwards to take care of..

I've seen lots of posts with claimed issues, but nothing real, just the internet conspiracy theory BS ("burned" should only be used to describe what their momma was smokin when she was pregnant with those folks) and the personal preference complaints from the"4oz or die" cult.

 

[RamZar]

That's exactly what I said . . . right up to the point where ZT released the 0770CF.

Miracles CAN happen, even when they're packaged in boxes that would indicate otherwise.

They have changed from Zero Tolerance to Mildly Tolerant. ZT is certainly evolving to be something more than "built like a tank", "real beast", "overbuilt" and "hard use". When you go from 2006 to 2012 with such an image you get stereotyped and it becomes a little challenging to shake off that sole image and be more inclusive. However, I have no doubt that ZT will succeed as long as they continue with their design, engineering, manufacturing, quality, materials, warranty and customer service. On the other hand, the competition is not laying low and that includes some impressive stuff from China!

 

[bld522]

ZT is certainly evolving to be something more than "built like a tank", "real beast", "overbuilt" and "hard use".

Yes and no. The 0770CF has come and gone. It's old news now. What lightweight knives has ZT delivered since then? None. How many do I expect them to deliver in say, the next twelve months or so? None. Odds are the game is over. So if you're a member of the "4 ounce or less" cult as I am and you want to carry a ZT, better get an 0770CF while the getting is good. Otherwise, grab your suspenders!

 

[RevDevil]

I don't think the knives from China are going to threaten the hardcore US market as far as knives are concerned. SOme people are die hard USA Made only or nothing types. They'd rather carry a stick than a knife made overseas.

 

[evilgreg]

Yes and no. The 0770CF has come and gone. It's old news now. What lightweight knives has ZT delivered since then? None. How many do I expect them to deliver in say, the next twelve months or so? None. Odds are the game is over. So if you're a member of the "4 ounce or less" cult and you want to carry a ZT, better get an 0770CF while the getting is good. Otherwise, grab your suspenders!

Well, I'm a card-carrying cultist and I would suggest this one is also nice and light, though not dainty:

Sure, at 4.25 ounces it's a quarter ounce over, but it's also a very large knife to weigh as little as it does, and unlike most ZTs it's narrow shape makes it very pocket friendly.

 

[bld522]

Shhhh. Don't tell anybody, but I carry a 4.7 ounce Gedraitis Medium Puffin on occasion. Oh dear, what will the neighbors say?

 

[RamZar]

Yes and no. The 0770CF has come and gone. It's old news now. What lightweight knives has ZT delivered since then? None. How many do I expect them to deliver in say, the next twelve months or so? None. Odds are the game is over. So if you're a member of the "4 ounce or less" cult as I am and you want to carry a ZT, better get an 0770CF while the getting is good. Otherwise, grab your suspenders!

Won't happen overnight. Look at ZT from 2006 to 2012 and look at their releases from 2013 to 2014. For the last two years I'm including their Limited Editions. Look at 0777 and 0454 at about 4 ounces even with 3.75"-4.1" blade lengths. ZT 0801 although not light was a revelation in that it wasn't all black. Baby steps. Hoping for some killer announcements from ZT at the 2015 SHOT & BLADE Shows now that most of the 0200, 0300, 0550 and 0560 series have been discontinued.

 

[bld522]

From your lips to God's ear, my friend. It would be a good time for ZT to stretch out a little.