ZT 0900 thoughts?

[einsteinjon]

Hi all,

I'm interested in a ZT0900 but haven't really been able to find many reviews about how it performs at cutting, only reviews about build quality, etc.

Does it have good cutting geometry? I've had other ZTs that I didn't really care for the thicker edge and geometry. I have a Les George Talos that I love, so since it's his design I'm wondering what it is more similar to.

Thanks for the thoughts!

 

[TheGearGuy]

I have used mine from time to time. I took it for some Oregon wilderness fun a few months ago as well.

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First of all, I like "little big knives". I bought this one thinking it would be similar to my Techno with the added fun of the flipper.
It is a tough little knife ready for real work. The blade has a useful edge with quite a bit of belly. It excels at utility work where a small sharp edge or a point is what is needed. As for slicing, well... the thick short blade is rather wedge-like. For example, when I tried to slice an apple with it the blade could not pass through without breaking the apple, resulting in triangular wedges rather than slices.
The detent pressure seems to vary on these and most ZTs so while my detent is a little strong for my taste, others may have different experiences.
Overall I think it is a good knife that is built very well. If I directly compare the ZT 0900 and the Spyderco Techno I find they do just about everything equally but the Techno is the better slicer. For EDC utility use the ZT a is very nice knife.

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[Professor]

^ This is helpful to me, thank you! The most use-based feedback I've seen on this little guy as of yet.

 

[whitty]

Most of the ones we have had in the shop have had a strong detent. The ZT crew call it Horsepower, because the strong detent makes the knife fly out when you open it. I have found it helps a lot with this knife to lightswitch the flipper instead of just pushing on it. I carry one often and find it to be a great fun little knife. It cuts most things very well but as stated very well above, it is not a great slicer. I mostly use my knives around the shop for cutting boxes for shipping and slicing tape. It does well on these tasks but is not the best knife suited for it. I have taken about 30 of them apart for anodizing and can say they are incredibly well built. The tolerances on them are damn near perfect. They are tough to take apart, but go back together perfectly. Believe it or not, there are not many knives that this is true about.

Good luck in your decision!

Whitty

https://flic.kr/p/rA5uop https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/

 

[einsteinjon]

Thanks guys...this is about what I was expecting to hear. Good cutter but not the greatest slicer. I just wanted to make sure the cutting geometry didn't stink. :thumbup: