ZT0452CF: Too big to EDC?

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sharkattacksw

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Aug 4, 2008
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I've been lusting after/wanting a ZT0452CF for a while now. I really like it, but I'm afraid that it'll be one of those knives that's fun to play with but just too large to edc comfortably & practically. But, on the other hand, it has a slim profile, so I'm wondering it will carry ok.

I'd love to hear from owners who have one or have had one. Please tell me what you like and dislike about it.

Thx!
 
I owned one and found it easy to EDC, even in slacks. It is so slim and light that the length is negligible.
 
Very slim and light. Unless your pockets are 1" deep, you won't notice it.
 
sharkattacksw said:
I've been lusting after/wanting a ZT0452CF for a while now. I really like it, but I'm afraid that it'll be one of those knives that's fun to play with but just too large to edc comfortably & practically. But, on the other hand, it has a slim profile, so I'm wondering it will carry ok.

I'd love to hear from owners who have one or have had one. Please tell me what you like and dislike about it.

Thx!
Click to expand...

I front pocket EDC'd it before when I had first gotten it without any problems (I don't carry knives in my back pockets anyhow). Fwiw, I'm about average size/weight and height. However, I've long since stopped EDCing it for a couple reasons not related to the physical aspects of carrying the knife. They are:

1) I live in Canada and up here, there are no laws regarding blade length for carry. However, you must have a reasonable justfication for whatever you do decide to carry with carry for the express purposes of self-defense being illegal. Given that I EDC my knives (outside of work) for light duty tasks such as opening packaging, cutting a loose thread etc. carrying a ~4" blade to accomplish those tasks may not fly with the police if they were ever questioning me as to why I have such a large knife on my person in public (which is why it's been relegated to being in my work EDC rotation and why I picked up it's smaller sibling the 0450CF). Ymmv.

2) Similar to #1, the social aspect of it with added benefit of the size and weight savings as a result. Knowing full well that 99.9% of my (if I'm being honest, relatively few) daily cutting chores outside of work could be accomplished with smaller (and more pocket friendly) knives, it quickly became apparent to myself and my immediate friends (who jokingly made fun of my choice to carry such an over-sized knife) that I didn't really need to carry it for what and how much I was actually using it. Is there anything inherently wrong with that? Not really, but it did kind of made me feel a little silly at times. And when I transitioned to smaller knives, I was saving myself a few ounces and I freed up some more pocket real estate.

So practically speaking, it physically carries just fine for me, excellently in fact, for its size. The reasons for which I personally have stopped carrying it outside of work are more legal and personal preference/social related.
 
I have a CF version and an all Ti version, both are very comfortable to carry. Whether or not such a relatively large blade is suitable and practical for your EDC needs depends upon your environment. As a city dweller, I find the size of the 0452 limiting so I carry it only on weekends when I'm playing in the woods.

On the positive side, I think the 0452 is one of the best flipper-frame locks in its class. I like using it to prep meats and salmon for the BBQ.
 
I don't think it's too big to carry, but I may be biased--as it happens, I'm carrying my 0454 today.
 
The issue would probably be less about how much space it takes up in the pocket and more about whether the knife is too big for your hands or not. Some knives nearing 4” are just outright too big for me to deploy confortably. Not all though. For instance, i have no problems having a Manix 2 XL in my pocket, but the size of it makes it awkward for me to deploy.
 
Not at all. That said, I've carried a 9oz Viper Rhino very comfortably for months at a time before so you may want to take my advice with a grain of salt. ;)
 
I agree with what was said, it carries very well and if you don't mind the looks a big blade gets go for it. I like mine but don't carry it often because I prefer a larger handle and unlocking/closing it is a bit finnicky to me (big thumb, if I am not paying close attention the fall shut action hits my thumb)
 
I'm not sure how we're supposed to know what your threshold for "too big to EDC" is? Can you give us some examples of knives that are too big? Some people think a PM2 is too big to EDC, if your in that camp, then yes it's too big for you.
I can't think of a single other knife with a 4" blade that carries smaller than the 0452.
 
sharkattacksw said:
I've been lusting after/wanting a ZT0452CF for a while now. I really like it, but I'm afraid that it'll be one of those knives that's fun to play with but just too large to edc comfortably & practically. But, on the other hand, it has a slim profile, so I'm wondering it will carry ok.

I'd love to hear from owners who have one or have had one. Please tell me what you like and dislike about it.

Thx!
Click to expand...

I bought one for my brother's birthday and gave it to him to carry. He loves it, wears it to work and while out and about! He is a Chicago Cop and works at CPD HQ.
 
It's the best little big knife I own. That knife made me rethink carrying a longer blade and at times there is advantages to having a longer blade. I say go for it, you won't be disappointed.
 
As a random suggestion, check out the Bestech Swordfish, it has a very comparable profile, it's a a quarter of the price. You could try that for a while, if you like it, get the ZT?
 
BigKurtHaze said:
I'm not sure how we're supposed to know what your threshold for "too big to EDC" is? Can you give us some examples of knives that are too big? Some people think a PM2 is too big to EDC, if your in that camp, then yes it's too big for you.
I can't think of a single other knife with a 4" blade that carries smaller than the 0452.
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I have a few PM2’s, i don't think they’re too large. I don’t like the wide profile of the PM2, however. That’s what lead me to think I might like the 0452CF since it seems slimmer.
 
sharkattacksw said:
I have a few PM2’s, i don't think they’re too large. I don’t like the wide profile of the PM2, however. That’s what lead me to think I might like the 0452CF since it seems slimmer.
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I think you would be pleased with how the 0452 carries.
FWIW, my 0452CF has dropped out of my carry rotation, and I think it really is because I prefer a wider, more handfilling profile. It hangs out on the kitchen counter, sees quite a bit of use there, as that extra bit of length is quite advantageous there.
 
That's why I bought the 0450. I don't think the 0452 has a DLC blade and visa versa.
 
For me it is too big, which sucks because i love mine...

It isn't large in the pocket at all, in fact is carries smaller than almost all my other knives because it is slim and light.

The blade is just too large and intimidation for me to pull out at work, where 98% of my use happends.

I do carry it on some days where i'm not working just because i like it so much.
 
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