ZT Cardinator

rockspyder said:
I'm not feelin' it, at all. Not in the original form, nor the composite blade. Looks like a Kershaw to me, not Zero Tolerance. On the bright side, though, maybe I can pick up another real ZT knife, like the 303.
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Do you even hear the words coming out of your mouth...er keyboard? This piece looks rediculous and the shear size alone is case in point. Next thing I'll be hearing is the 0777 is not a real zt either!?

Like it or not there is a classy side to zt now.
I don't want to hear anymore of this "not a real zero tolerance". Capiche!? :cool:
 
I'll make him a Kershaw decal to put over the ZT on the blade if it will make him feel better. I don't understand what difference it makes. I've tried to figure out what OEM work KAI does and purchase those as well. If someone can present a cogent argument for why it matters then I'd be very interested. I just don't see it and think we ought to stick carefully to the new guidelines and not complain about ridiculous things as it is in all of our best interests to work toward changing the culture of this forum.
 
parfen said:
I guess now it is legal to say )
This beauty's name is ZT 0454:
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I normally am not in the habit of critiquing ZT designs, and I've grown on the composite pattern of the 0560cbcf after getting one. However, that blade pattern just confuses me - it does not flow with the lines of the knife, let alone its grind.
 
rockspyder said:
I'm not feelin' it, at all. Not in the original form, nor the composite blade. Looks like a Kershaw to me, not Zero Tolerance. On the bright side, though, maybe I can pick up another real ZT knife, like the 303.
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A good company evolves and attracts new customers as it continues to cater to its old customers.

The ZT that brought us the "beefy" 030x and 0200 back in 2006 is very much alive as too is its "overbuilt" motto and reputation.

However, in this world you don't get ahead sitting on your purely "beefy" laurels. A testament to that is the fairly early expansion and introduction of the smaller 0350 series which through the various model numbers has been a resounding success.

ZT has evolved into producers of great premium and general use knives and not just for hard use "combat" environments.

To say that a particular ZT knife is not a real ZT knife is the height of hubris.
 
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Apec said:
I normally am not in the habit of critiquing ZT designs, and I've grown on the composite pattern of the 0560cbcf after getting one. However, that blade pattern just confuses me - it does not flow with the lines of the knife, let alone its grind.
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prototype, homeslice. the patterning of the composite on the final version might be different. if not, and you decide you want one, there's always sharpie.
 
din said:
prototype, homeslice. the patterning of the composite on the final version might be different. if not, and you decide you want one, there's always sharpie.
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Sharpie, that's pretty dang funny! Made me laugh anyways!

The last sentence in Oregonknifenerd's post couldn't be any truer. It truly is in the best interest of all of us in our sub forum here to follow the new guidelines, not complain about non issues, and help make a positive change in here. Well said Kyle.
 
RamZar said:
A good company evolves and attracts new customers as it continues to cater to its old customers.

The ZT that brought us the "beefy" 030x and 0200 back in 2006 is very much alive as too is its "overbuilt" motto and reputation.

However, in this world you don't get ahead sitting on your purely "beefy" laurels. A testament to that is the fairly early expansion and introduction of the smaller 0350 series which through the various model numbers has been a resounding success.

ZT has evolved into producers of great premium and general use knives and not just for hard use "combat" environments.

To say that a particular ZT knife is not a real ZT knife is the height of hubris.
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The ZT0350 might be "smaller", but at 5.6 ounces it's still a pocket brick. To attract this customer, ZT is going to have to come up with something that doesn't appear to reflect their current design philosophy . . . a durable, lightweight folder akin to a 3" XM-18, for example. Don't get me wrong. I'm a fan of ZT knives. They're just universally too bulky and too heavy for me to EDC.

I think it's fair to say that ANY knife that weighs 4 ounces or less is NOT a real ZT knife.
 
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bad_juju said:
Do you even hear the words coming out of your mouth...er keyboard? This piece looks rediculous and the shear size alone is case in point. Next thing I'll be hearing is the 0777 is not a real zt either!?

Like it or not there is a classy side to zt now.
I don't want to hear anymore of this "not a real zero tolerance". Capiche!? :cool:
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Well, yeah, I know exactly what I'm saying. And since I have realized the size of the ... Uhhh.... 454?... I'll retract my statement about it not being a real ZT. Maybe. Depends on whether that big size is actually still a workhorse.

My understanding was ZT's reputation was built on big, tough, take no prisoners type of knives. Every one that I've picked up gave that impression, except maybe the 350 (don't have a 780, which I got the impression was kinda wimpy). Now I'm seeing knives come out from them that are starting to look like stilettos. If they are expanding their line into that, great, because it is obviously getting a lot of you excited. But if they are moving their line in that direction, they will lose my business, because then I don't see them being anything more than another maker of fancy collaboration knives. Course, they won't even notice the loss of my business. And I'm not saying I'll boycott them, or think they are bad knives. They just won't interest me. They won't be persuading me to give up my hard-earned money for a knife that isn't a real ZT for me.

To say what I said truly is hubristic, and I was out of place there. I apologize to ZT for that.

I see KAI going in the same direction I saw Benchmade go with their red, black, blue, and gold lines. Only black and blue ever interested me. I've seen Kershaw as the blue, ZT as the black. And no "gold." What I hope KAI is doing is adding gold, not moving from black to gold.
 
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bld522 said:
The ZT0350 might be "smaller", but at 5.6 ounces it's still a pocket brick. To attract this customer, ZT is going to have to come up with something that doesn't appear to reflect their current design philosophy . . . a durable, lightweight folder akin to a 3" XM-18, for example. Don't get me wrong. I'm a fan of ZT knives. They're just universally too bulky and too heavy for me to EDC.

I think it's fair to say that ANY knife that weighs 4 ounces or less is NOT a real ZT knife.
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For EDC weight doesn't bother me but bulk does to some extent. I have carried 0350 and 0550 quite comfortably.

What I would love to see from ZT is a solid 3" folder only because I can then carry it in Los Angeles (city laws).

ZT certainly has folders that weigh less than 4 ounces (not to say that it's a magical mark by any means): 0780 is 3.6 ounces and 0750 is 3.7 ounces.
 
rockspyder said:
My understanding was ZT's reputation was built on big, tough, take no prisoners type of knives. Every one that I've picked up gave that impression, except maybe the 350 (don't have a 780, which I got the impression was kinda wimpy). Now I'm seeing knives come out from them that are starting to look like stilettos. If they are expanding their line into that, great, because it is obviously getting a lot of you excited. But if they are moving]/i] their line in that direction, they will lose my business, because then I don't see them being anything more than another maker of fancy collaboration knives. Which is fine. But won't be persuading me to give up my hard-earned money for a knife that isn't a real ZT for me.
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Expanding the product line doesn't mean forgetting about your roots.

I was reading through the new ZT Catalog 2013 (REV1.indd 24) recently and it's worth quoting the following from it:

ZERO TOLERANCE KNIVES

Zero Tolerance builds the kind of premium-quality, professional knives that you can depend on every single day.

The brand made its first appearance in 2006 when Kai USA, the makers of Zero Tolerance, saw a place in the market for a made-in-the-USA line of hard-use knives that would meet the needs of professionals, such as the military, law enforcement, as well as other first responders, including fire fighters and emergency medical personnel.

The initial products were combat knives, but since that time, the line has expanded to include a variety of general-use and premium knives. Although Zero Tolerance knives are larger, heavier knives, many customers won’t have anything else as an everyday carrying knife.

Zero Tolerance incorporates the most advanced materials and technologies in a tool that has been with us from the beginning. And they’re still evolving…
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RamZar said:
ZT certainly has folders that weigh less than 4 ounces (not to say that it's a magical mark by any means): 0780 is 3.6 ounces and 0750 is 3.7 ounces.
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I stand corrected. The 0750 and 0780 aren't styles that particularly appeal to me, but when you're right, you're right. :)
 
RamZar said:
Expanding the product line doesn't mean forgetting about your roots.

I was reading through the new ZT Catalog 2013 (REV1.indd 24) recently and it's worth quoting the following from it:
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Right again, although I doubt anyone would accuse a knife like the 3" XM-18 of not being able to stand up to "hard use".

I remain hopeful that ZT will stop relinquishing the production, high-end, lightweight market to manufacturers like Spyderco and Benchmade. With guys like Rick Hinderer and Todd Rexford in tow, it would be a real shame if they didn't.
 
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din said:
prototype, homeslice. the patterning of the composite on the final version might be different. if not, and you decide you want one, there's always sharpie.
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Never said or thought that would be the final version. But I'd never sharpie a $200-300 knife other than for sharpening reasons.

I'd prefer a full satin/stonewash blade like the SiDiS original prototype.
 
I think I read someone this is going to be a limited edition. Anyone have confirmation on that ?
 
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