Buying Zero Tolerance knives...shows you just how much somebody really loves their knives. But, what about ZT knives? Are they all that or all hype? Some of their models just go for a hundred dollars or more over other top companies like Benchmade and Spyderco.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
ZT Knives, all that or all hype?
- Thread starter Heffeb
- Start date
- Joined
- May 9, 2002
- Messages
- 12,775
I liked their overbuilt beasts. Not so big on their pocket jewelry.
My favorites remain the 303, 350, and 909.
My favorites remain the 303, 350, and 909.
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2013
- Messages
- 15,047
ZT came out at the height of the overbuilt, tank knife craze. Now, they are the premium version of Kershaw, with a variety of designs. I've owned several, all very nice knives. I own 2 now, a 0470 and 0095BLKS90.
Well made. I'm not a big fan of overbuilt or plain Titanium knives, which is why most were sold.
I have no problem with their prices, and neither Spyderco nor Benchmade fall into the same category.
Well made. I'm not a big fan of overbuilt or plain Titanium knives, which is why most were sold.
I have no problem with their prices, and neither Spyderco nor Benchmade fall into the same category.
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2014
- Messages
- 11,432
The 0562 definitely has a fan base.
I had the 0560; so the 0562 held no appeal for me. I carried an 0200 almost exclusively for over two years (and it's in my pocket as I type this); but I think my favorite is the 0550. I don't carry my 0456 or 0095 very often; but I don't see myself getting rid of either one.
I had the 0560; so the 0562 held no appeal for me. I carried an 0200 almost exclusively for over two years (and it's in my pocket as I type this); but I think my favorite is the 0550. I don't carry my 0456 or 0095 very often; but I don't see myself getting rid of either one.
- Joined
- May 9, 2002
- Messages
- 12,775
The 0562 is a knife is one I forget I own. Nothing wrong with it. I bought one for my birthday maybe 3 years ago. Easy to carry. Nice action. Completely vanilla.
Solid knife in my collection that I need to find.
Solid knife in my collection that I need to find.
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2015
- Messages
- 2,927
ZT was “all that” but now “all hype”.
I’ve always felt ZT made quality knives. Regardless of design, old and new, the quality was always there as far as I could see.
ZT built a reputation and a brand, then in my opinion, completely abandoned nearly everything that made them great. They felt the need to compete in a growing sector of knives that were flooding the market. In their actions I felt abandoned as a customer. To me they became all hype. People still said the quality was there but all I see is hype.
Riding the coat tails of past successes is what kept them relevant. They were king of the hill. Then decided to fall in line and run with the pack instead of leading the way.
I have no pride of ownership anymore towards the brand. I’ve sold off all but one ZT. A 0566, which by the way was modified by me. Flipper delete and assist spring removed.
I’ve always felt ZT made quality knives. Regardless of design, old and new, the quality was always there as far as I could see.
ZT built a reputation and a brand, then in my opinion, completely abandoned nearly everything that made them great. They felt the need to compete in a growing sector of knives that were flooding the market. In their actions I felt abandoned as a customer. To me they became all hype. People still said the quality was there but all I see is hype.
Riding the coat tails of past successes is what kept them relevant. They were king of the hill. Then decided to fall in line and run with the pack instead of leading the way.
I have no pride of ownership anymore towards the brand. I’ve sold off all but one ZT. A 0566, which by the way was modified by me. Flipper delete and assist spring removed.
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2013
- Messages
- 109
Have a few still that are older models, but have to agree with the others. They are more hype than anything now, they haven't focused on making an over built knife in years. Wish they still made fixed blades and knives like the 909 and 0630, but they seem to be focused on making pocket jewelry.
Yo Mama
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2011
- Messages
- 6,231
For the pocket jewlery comments it's not a tank, I didn't get it to thump on it, but the 0990 is one of the best light folders I have ever had. The profile blade to handle ratio is a mark of engineering made better by excellent materials. I have collected blades for a while, this model is one of my prized pocket knives to do things a normal pocket knife would do.
- Joined
- May 29, 2004
- Messages
- 3,022
I like them.
I only carry a ZT or a Cold Steel folder these days. I bought the 0560 on pre-order and immediately waved it and put it in my pocket. It’s been my main edc since.
I’m not sure if it’s an ongoing issue (and I’m not sure how prevalent it was - maybe someone here can shed more light) but I believe there was a time several years ago when they were having geometry problems with some of their framelocks which made them fairly easy to disengage with a “spine whack”. I haven’t heard of earlier models having this problem, but I don’t know when it started.
I also got my wife a 0022 recently and made it even MORE like pocket jewelry with a propane torch. The quality and build was very good on this one as on my older models.
Like most of the folks above, I tend to prefer their early models.
I only carry a ZT or a Cold Steel folder these days. I bought the 0560 on pre-order and immediately waved it and put it in my pocket. It’s been my main edc since.
I’m not sure if it’s an ongoing issue (and I’m not sure how prevalent it was - maybe someone here can shed more light) but I believe there was a time several years ago when they were having geometry problems with some of their framelocks which made them fairly easy to disengage with a “spine whack”. I haven’t heard of earlier models having this problem, but I don’t know when it started.
I also got my wife a 0022 recently and made it even MORE like pocket jewelry with a propane torch. The quality and build was very good on this one as on my older models.
Like most of the folks above, I tend to prefer their early models.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2013
- Messages
- 2,577
ZT has one of the best machining quality in their price level
I used to have quite a lot of ZT but I sold them all
The older models were excellent but the move of the company into “pocket Hewlett” has turn me off
But you can still get excellent knives from their collaborations with Hinderer, Emerson or Sinkevich
From an user perspective my only complaint is that the grind of the blade is very (VERY) thick behind the edge
I used to have quite a lot of ZT but I sold them all
The older models were excellent but the move of the company into “pocket Hewlett” has turn me off
But you can still get excellent knives from their collaborations with Hinderer, Emerson or Sinkevich
From an user perspective my only complaint is that the grind of the blade is very (VERY) thick behind the edge
ShadyMethods
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2016
- Messages
- 3,465
They're a bit hit-or-miss for me. I've owned a bunch of them over the years but the only ones that stayed were the 0452 and a 0454. I still think the 0452 is one of the best flippers you can get in that range. It was the first folder I spent more than $120 on and my first knife with real carbon fiber. I wish I kept that original one but this modded one here still gets carried.
