ZT, what have you done???

M

MIGUY

Joined
Jun 27, 2014
Messages
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So, up until about 3-4 weeks ago, I had mainly owned CRKT knives, enjoyed them, used them, loved them, whatever... I decided to jump to a ZT, I had saved up and decided to spend it all on one, instead of a few less expensive ones.... anyway, ever since owning a ZT 560, now looking at my CRKT, I am noticing more an more flaws in them... fit and finish that leaves more to be desired, grinds that don't match perfectly, or line up... I still love those knives, but in comparison, they are not up to standards, and while worth what I spent on them, it seems better to save up and buy higher quality now... Will I ever be able to go back? or am I so totally ZT spoiled that only other ZT's and higher end knives will satisfy me?
 
Congrats on the new ZT. You are now headed down a road from which there is no return. You can't have just one. Enjoy and use the hell out of it.
 
This is only the beginning...wait until you get your hands on a Hinderer, instead of a Hinderer design.:D As previously stated...there will be no returning. I started out similar to you only with Gerbers/Benchmades. I still appreciate knives from both companies (as well as ZT) but more often than not I have CRK/Hinderer/Customs residing in my pocket.
 
Welcome to the club. That first step onto this slippery slope is a doozy. Now you Will need to try a benchmade, or a spyderco or an Emerson...the list goes on. Enyoy your new zt.
 
Nope, you will never go back. Once you cross over and understand what the difference is, you'll be willing to have quality over quantity. In the end, they all cut, some better than others. It's like an insurance policy, you can get by with the bare minimum or you can get a better policy and have peace of mind. With the better quality come peace of mind that the knife will perform without issues.
Before you know it, you'll be one of those knife snobs that everyone dislikes because of your rant of how well your knife is. Welcome to the club, and enjoy the ZT you snob:)
 
Cheers MIGUY!! You have crossed the line!! Welcome to the sickness and enjoy the ride!

I have had a few ZT's and had no complaints about any of them. One was a 301 that had been really used! The tiger stripes had almost faded away and the handle had been worn from hard use. BUT, the patina of all the wear actually looked really nice and the operation of the knife was perfect. Kind of like Campagnolo road bike derailleurs. The more they are used, the better the performance gets.

I only have one ZT now, a 566 that is a favorite hiking companion. I like a quality knife that I can lose or break and not cry about. The 566 fills that role perfectly.

Go sell your CKRTs and start plotting your next purchase!! There are plenty of great knives that are not too expensive to get used… I have been in this knife gathering game since 2002 and I currently have a LionSteel SR2A green knife in my current rotation. I also like the Microtech Mini UDT because of its Elmax blade (I looooooooooooove the Elmax!) And, then there is the HTM Gunhammer! I bought a Spyderco Manix 2 XL that I threw in the car and I used every opportunity to put it to work and I can say it is a spectacularly well made knife!!! Everyone should have one in their car!

Have fun and see you around!
 
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Yep yep.. my ZT has shown me a new world. I used to be impressed by my CS Recon 1... but after the 0200 i just got, i am far less impressed now. The feel is incredible, and the build rocks. There is still a place in my heart for knives like my elmax blur (i consider it a ZT in quality, if not name), but i now appreciate a higher quality
 
I think it's sad. There are so many great knives out there that can be had at bargain prices. You would be able to play with so many more knives if you hadn't crossed that line. Possibly have more money in the play account. You may be heading towards "knife snob" territory. It's a sickness which few can be cured. I wish I were one of those people. So does my girlfriend.

Welcome to the darkside. *slides thumb across the spine of my sexy CPM3V blade*
 
Buy what you like. Always be true to your self.
I bought a $900 knife and then a $10 knife all in the same month lol
 
ZT ruined me too. I was always a single knife edc type guy, with a backup just in case, until I found this site and the zt550. Now I have a full blown addiction.
 
CharlesIV said:
Buy what you like. Always be true to your self.
I bought a $900 knife and then a $10 knife all in the same month lol
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On some weird level...I'm jealous of you...I can't even look at $10 knives now...there was a time when I thought $100 was ridiculous...now they're looked at like gas station knives. It would be nice to be able to go back to that time...life would be easier.
 
Truth in this thread. You get what you pay for. You want quality? you pay for it. Is it worth it? Yes. Are there other knives on this earth? Yes. Are they all ZT's? No, but if they make YOU happy, nothing else matters. I'm happy to say that once you have entered what has been called the "knife snob" territory it will vastly decrease the number of random knives on your want list, the down side of this... is that the knives that currently populate your 'want list' are now better quality more expensive!

If you think your 0560 is great... wait until you get your hands on an 0801, 0562, or a LE :D your bank account now hates you.

Congrats, and Welcome
 
Lol, I usually carry anything from $9 to $200. Rough rider makes some of my favorite cheap but good quality user knives. Because are grind matters the $9 traditionals will outslice most knives. The only thing that suffers is edge retention. My opinel is the same way. I love em all though!
 
I guess a lot of us think along the same lines, because buying my first ZTs was a game changer for me. I bought a 0160 Shifter while in my combat fixed blade phase, and that made quite an impression, but it was the impulse purchase of a 0801 that raised the bar in terms of my expectations for quality. I still buy the occasional inexpensive folder if I like its design, but its rare for one to impress me anywhere near as much as a ZT. (To be fair, that's true of many USA Kershaws as well. Just sayin'.)
 
ZT's and US made Kershaws in general seem to have very nice fit and finish, even when compared to other knives for the same amount or more. I'm not even a big KAI fan but that's just the truth. I won't name any names but some other makers could learn a thing or two in the QC department.
 
MIGUY said:
So, up until about 3-4 weeks ago, I had mainly owned CRKT knives, enjoyed them, used them, loved them, whatever... I decided to jump to a ZT, I had saved up and decided to spend it all on one, instead of a few less expensive ones.... anyway, ever since owning a ZT 560, now looking at my CRKT, I am noticing more an more flaws in them... fit and finish that leaves more to be desired, grinds that don't match perfectly, or line up... I still love those knives, but in comparison, they are not up to standards, and while worth what I spent on them, it seems better to save up and buy higher quality now... Will I ever be able to go back? or am I so totally ZT spoiled that only other ZT's and higher end knives will satisfy me?
Click to expand...
That is part of the journey my friend; to find what is it that you truly enjoy about a knife. You will get more "refined" as you find your way ;-)
Enjoy
 
i went down that road as well. i will say that there comes a point of diminishing returns. that sweet spot varies for each but def try a sebenza to calibrate yourself
 
Had an acquaintance once, the guy swore by his brand (good brand so I'll leave it out not to offend anyone here), kept talking about how it was basically god's gift, showed me all of his knives and I did compliment them... Then he finally asked me what my cup of tea was and I showed him a few of my ZT knives. After close inspection (which he took his time with in complete silence) he finally slowly let out just two words: "holy s$@t". Last I heard of the guy he sold all of his knives and switched exclusively to ZT.

Not that there aren't other great knives out there. You can go higher but ZT IMHO is that sweet spot. That's just for me - your experience may vary.
 
I realize that is will likely turn into a ZT fan boy thread. But I also took the plunge this spring with a ZT 0770CF. It was both my first ZT and my first carbon fiber handled knife. I have been really impressed. I tend to not carry assisted opening knives, but this one I like and have carried since I received it. I use it frequently. I have been mating it with my trusty Vic SAK daily. I still tend to grab the sak, but I really like the ZT. And yes, I am considering another one now. So, as others have said, once you step over the invisible line on higher end knives, there really is no turning back.

I will continue to buy less expensive knives. But I have been very pleased with the ZT. I have been trying to talk myself into a ~$200 Spyderco. The closest I have come there is a Native 5 in S35VN and G10 handles. I like this one a lot. So, yes.... once you cross the $100 line, there is no turning back.
 
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