ZT 0770 ALU/CF or ZT 0801? I could use som input.

sogflash

sogflash

Joined
Aug 28, 2011
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I'm considering getting either a 0770 (aluminum or CF) or the 0801.

I like that the 0801 has a flipper, KVT bearings and the titanium frame that I think brings some heft.

I like the 0770 for it's light weight and the blade shape. If I get one I'll remove the assisted opening.

Can those who have either one or both say something about them? What kind of washers does the 0770 have? Does anyone have pictures with both together? I'm especially interested in the width of the handles compare.
 
The 0801 is slicker than Leonardo DiCaprio's hair, and smoother than melted butter. Its one hell of a knife. It is a bit heavy, but not outrageous. I actually wish the made a "mini" version (0802 or what have you) as its a little big for my pocketses.
 
I have had an 801 and I currently carry a 770CF most of the time. The 801 flips better, but thats all it has over the 770CF in my opinion. Its also a framelock, which I generally prefer over liner locks, but I like everything else about the 770CF so much that it doesnt matter. I loved flipping the 801 but when it comes to actually using it, it left alot to be desired.

The 770CF is lighter, cuts MUCH better, is thinner (from what I remember), and carries more comfortably. I did try to remove the assisted opening from mine but I wasnt wild about the results so it is back to being assisted. Some people have great success removing the assist but I honestly didnt tinker with mine very much.
 
sogflash said:
I'm considering getting either a 0770 (aluminum or CF) or the 0801.
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If it's to fondle, get the 0801. It flips incredibly well, and it looks and feels great. That said, if you're going to be cutting things or if ever want to carry it in anything lighter or dressier than jeans, get the 0770cf. I love both, but the 0801 is a terrible cutting tool, comparatively.


sogflash said:
I like the 0770 for it's light weight and the blade shape. If I get one I'll remove the assisted opening.

Can those who have either one or both say something about them? What kind of washers does the 0770 have? Does anyone have pictures with both together? I'm especially interested in the width of the handles compare.
Click to expand...

Mine flips very well (no wrist required) de-assisted, but others have reported less success.

Here's a snapshot of the two near each other from yesterday:

cUHiRRZ.jpg


BradT85 said:
I have had an 801 and I currently carry a 770CF most of the time. The 801 flips better, but thats all it has over the 770CF in my opinion. Its also a framelock, which I generally prefer over liner locks, but I like everything else about the 770CF so much that it doesnt matter. I loved flipping the 801 but when it comes to actually using it, it left alot to be desired..
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This is my problem with the 0801, even thinned down and heavily convexed I find it cuts like a baseball bat, compared to other knives . . .
 
I love my 801s and have one of each - 801, 801CF, 801BRW. Even bought son an 801CF. Not a single complaint with any of them. That said....

The 801 is not one of my 3 favorite EDCs, but the 0770CF is. The 0770CF is great for EDC. Light, very easy on the pocket, nice slicer, great assist, good looks. The 0770CF, along with my BM 940-1 & my Spyderco Manix 2 S110V get the vast majority of my pocket time. The various 0801s get carried occasionally.

So, if the purpose of this knife is as a true EDC/user I'd have to recommend the 0770CF of the two choices in the OP.
 
I have 0770 aluminum, regular 0801, and 0801cf. I usually don't buy assisted opening knives, but made an exception for ZT. It's a good knife but the 0801 is currently my favorite production folder. Flips like you wouldn't believe and is as smooth as butter
 
801 all the way. That is like asking whether to buy pizza from a pizza place or get some crappy Tony's from the freezer. I have owned a 770 and 801, and I only own the 801 still. If the 770 was a better manual flipper it would be good, but it is barely adequate at best, while my 801 feels like the mold for all flippers to be based on. I have never seen a more perfect flipper.
 
I have both models in production and Carbon fiber and would pick the 0801. I would only take the 0770 if I was looking for a smaller light weight ZT to edc.
 
Even though flipping is fun and all, the description "it cuts like a baseball bat" makes me less interested in the 0801. It can't be that bad, but it's something worth noticing for me.

If I buy one of the knives I'll want to use it as a knife and cut stuff with it.
 
sogflash said:
Even though flipping is fun and all, the description "it cuts like a baseball bat" makes me less interested in the 0801. It can't be that bad, but it's something worth noticing for me.

If I buy one of the knives I'll want to use it as a knife and cut stuff with it.
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Don't buy it expecting a performance like an Opinel for slicing and cutting. It is moderately thick behind the edge, so it doesn't cut like a laser, but it isn't a sharpened pry bar. I EDC mine with no issues, it even cuts foam with little issue.
 
I have a 0770 in aluminum and a standard 0801. While I love them both if I could only keep one; I would keep the 0801 with out a question. Better lock up, smoother, zero blade play (which the 0770 has a bit of). The 0770 is really good but the 0801 is simply superb
 
I like my 0770 aluminum much more than I thought I would.

Solid knife with great steel.


granada_zpslmr9lgbm.jpg
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ZT 0770 Aluminum is a great EDC for about $120. I actually like the assisted opening on it. ZT 0801 can't be beat for the superb flipper action and full titanium for a great price these days. However, 0801 is two ounces heavier than 0770!
 
Have both, still love the 801 it is such a great knife. I've put it through its paces and it has held up extremely well. Its one of my favorites for the pocket of all time. Either way I'm sure you will be very happy with whatever you choose
 
sogflash said:
Even though flipping is fun and all, the description "it cuts like a baseball bat" makes me less interested in the 0801. It can't be that bad, but it's something worth noticing for me.

If I buy one of the knives I'll want to use it as a knife and cut stuff with it.
Click to expand...

It will cut stuff, but it's literally the worst-performing knife I carry with any regularity, as far as cutting things goes (and I say this as someone that loves the 0801). As I said previously, it looks, feels and flips great--it's just that the blade gets too thick too soon, and it gets wedge-ey for many tasks.

I thinned mine down and convexed it, and it's ridiculously sharp at the edge, but it still often seems to take more effort to cut things with it than with my other knives. YMMV, but that's my experience and I've used it a bunch:

vwzL3Pp.jpg
 
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I own both the aluminum and CF versions of the 770. I like the aluminum version better for a few reasons. Primarily I just like the solid feel of metal as a handle material. I've always preferred anodized aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel. Even though carbon fiber is a very strong material, I'm not convinced it's more resilient and as reliable as solid aluminum. The knife has a milled out section in the handles to allow for the torsion bar mechanism. Carbon fiber is quite flexible compared with aluminum and I can flex the handle near the stop pin where the CF is so milled out and hollow. This results in the stop pin being loose and I can wiggle mine back and forth. Even though I don't think it's in any danger of failure it's still not ideal to have the brace of the blade's lock be so loose. The stop pin on the aluminum version is rock solid. Also the cover plate for the torsion bar on my CF 770 was cut and fitted poorly in my opinion. The plate was rubbing the the flipper as the knife opened and it doesn't sit level on the carbonfiber. Once of the things that is curtail to a good folding knife is to provide a strong and perfectly parallel surface to back the washers. On mine the small washer on the non locking side was wearing unevenly on the blade. It self-polished on only half of the washer. The end result was poor non-assisted flipping action and poor blade centering. Bear in mind that this was just mine, I'm not calming that all are like this. On the other hand the CF version has a nicely stonewashed blade and it is lighter. But I like the profile, stand offs, and the hexagonal pivot anchor of the aluminum version. You'll need two torx screwdrivers for the fancy pivot on the CF version.

I plan on getting an 801. I had the opportunity to fondle one at my local blade shop and I was blown away by the smoothness and solid feel.
 
I couldn't replicate any of Moxy's complaints about the stop pin or cover plate on my 0770CF, so it's not a universal problem - it's possible he got a lemon. Mine flips beautifully de-assisted as well. The lighter weight and (in my opinion, of course) nicer look of the CF version makes it worth the little bit of extra money.
 
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