A question about the current state of ZT (and the 0452CF specifically)

el gigantor

el gigantor

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KAI's a company I keep forgetting about. I'm not a Kershaw fan, and although I've heard good things about ZT in the past, it's been a few years since anyone I know has mentioned them or their product. Still, I've been flirting with picking up the 0452CF every 6 months or so because it's a classy big boy just like me. The seller I buy from just received the variant with red carbon weave and my interest has been re-kindled.

Can you folks speak to the current state of Zero Tolerance's quality, and bonus points if you have experience with the knife I'm considering specifically. All input is much appreciated!
 
I've had 3 or 4 0452's, one of my favorite knives. Haven't bought 1 in years though so I can't comment on current quality but I'd be surprised if it wasn't great.

As to the knife itself, I say get it. The blade to handle ratio is amazing, the weight is stupid light. It's very durable, lord knows I abused mine in all kinds of ways, prying, throwing, cutting difficult materials and swimming in the ocean.

I gave them all way to friends, I need to buy another.
 
ZT’s inconsistent detent, lockbar pressure and blade centering, turned me away from the brand. I owned a lot of them back in the day, but they always had one of those issues I mentioned above.
 
Ive had a few 452's all have been perfect no problems, i just get bored with em and wind up selling them.
 
91bravo said:
ZT’s inconsistent detent, lockbar pressure and blade centering, turned me away from the brand. I owned a lot of them back in the day, but they always had one of those issues I mentioned above.
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Damn Jonny that sucks! Hell, I've had good luck. The beauty of brick and mortars is you get to hold them! That might be my suggestion to the OP. But I got all mine from the forum or online and they were good.
 
goldie said:
Ive had a few 452's all have been perfect no problems, i just get bored with em and wind up selling them.
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Unfortunately, this is true. Not a bad thing to get bored of them actually, mine were reliable and everything I mentioned above but the itch for something new always crept up.
 
I picked up an 0450 in July and I'm quite happy with it. The centering is slightly off but still well within my acceptable range. Other than that, fit and finish are great.
 
I can't speak to the current status of KAI, except to say that it is still in business and is still making/selling Kershaw & ZT knives.

Kershaw is seldom mentioned on BF because most of it's knives are "budget" knives which seem to be beneath discussion here but there have been many discussions of ZT on BF. A simple search will reveal them and there is a Kershaw/ZT thread for the fans of the brands.

I'm the owner/collector of over 60 Kershaws & 40 ZTs, all of which are "older" and mostly discontinued models, including 5 variations of the 0452 which obviously is one of my favorite ZT models. It's one of the older models that ZT is still making which I assume is because it is still selling well.

AFAIK, the quality of ZT's current production models has not been raised as an issue.

Most of the recent complaints have been abougt ZT's deviation it's prior tradition of buidling "proudly overbuilt" knives for use by military & law enforcement personnel, starting with the 0100, 0200, 0300, 0400, 0500 & 0560, to lighter & more impractical designs, like the 0707 & 0990, that seemed to focus more on form than function.

However, even when ZT made the effort to return to the older "overbuilt" designs, like the 0308 & 0600, after a couple of years with tinkering w/the more modern designs, the reaction was less than enthusiatic because ZT had already alienated its established customer base to such an extent that they (the customers) had moved on to other brands and because the "newly overbuilt" models really weren't much better than what ZT had produced in the past.

But, I think you will find that older ZT models (which were made to last) are still very popular and collectable knives.

Current production versions of older model likes that they still make, like the 0452 & 0562, are also still very popular & should be available for less than older collectible verions of the same models.

I've seen current versions of the 0452 going for around $125-150 which is a STEAL when you consider it retails for $272 and sells at a discount on AMZN for $213. So, if you have your eye on a 0452, I'd say buy it, especially if you can get it for as little as I've seen them selling for here on the Exchange.

Good luck!

OBTW, here's a pic of my collection of 0452s:

v7O2faL.jpg


In order from top to bottom they are:

1) 0452CF
2) M390BLU
3) M390GLD
4) 0452TI
5) 0452GL

I also owned a 0452TIBLU (all blue annodized handle) but I didn't like it and sold it long ago.
 
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el gigantor said:
KAI's a company I keep forgetting about. I'm not a Kershaw fan, and although I've heard good things about ZT in the past, it's been a few years since anyone I know has mentioned them or their product. Still, I've been flirting with picking up the 0452CF every 6 months or so because it's a classy big boy just like me. The seller I buy from just received the variant with red carbon weave and my interest has been re-kindled.

Can you folks speak to the current state of Zero Tolerance's quality, and bonus points if you have experience with the knife I'm considering specifically. All input is much appreciated!
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If you are looking for fidget friendly knives made in the usa, ZT is a good choice.

I've owned a number of ZT's over the years, but currently own two, and sold most of mine in 2015-16.


Most were very heavy. Since then, they have gone away from the "overbuilt tank" designs mostly. My 0095BLKS90 is one of my favorite production knives I own. It flips great, smooth action, and the heat treatment is on point. It's been sharpened a few times, and just comes back for more.

I like my 0470 too, but it gets passed up by other knives in its class frequently.

At current prices, ZT is pushing it in my opinion. If you want an American made, well made production flipper framelock its one of your only options, and because of that, you are paying for it. However, the Chinese brands are pushing north of ZT prices.

While the Chinese may have (subjective) better "action", in my experience, the ZT will have better heat treatment and are American made. Food for thought if you really use your knives.
 
I have mostly older ZT models, but my 801bw and my 0055 are some great knives, all of my ZTs have excellent fit and finish. I'm on the hunt for a 0920 currently. I think they are great value for the money (used of course)
 
That Sinkevich lineup starting with the OG 0454 are some of my favorite knives with the 0454 sitting at the top of my collection. It's an awesome design by an awesome knifemaker, and ZT does an excellent job in its production.

ZT0452CF_20150320_2_800x569.jpg


ZT0454_0452CF_1_800x413.jpg


ZT0454_0454204P_0452CF_4_800x287.jpg
 
I've been wanting to make this inquiry for months. However, I really didn't think it was worthy of a stand-alone thread. So, I thought I'd take advantage of the brain trust in this thread. I hope I'm not thread-drifting or co-opting. (* sgt1372 sgt1372 's post already shed some light on this for me)


I'm a "hard use fixie" guy. So, the "overbuilt folder" thing has always been a bit lost on me. However, this Forum has opened my eyes to some things that I'd never considered, and I opted to dip my toes in the robust folder pond.

Many moons ago, I scored a Cold Steel SR1, and promptly fell in love with it. After purchasing and using the SR1 for a bit, I wanted another overbuilt folder...and the ZT 0308 sounded like a good fit. (*I'd wanted one for years but just couldn't wrap my brain around the cost) Because of my positive experience(s) with the SR1, I decided to suck-it-up and take the leap.

It didn't take me long to fall in the love with the 0308. Admittedly, it had a coupla' little peccadilloes. If I hadn't used it for a few days, the first opening was a bit sticky. Beyond that, the blade didn't "perfectly" center. (*something that I couldn't give two sh!ts about, but had been made "villainous" by my acquired knowledge here) I solved the sticky action "thing" by opening and closing it before it went into my pocket for the day. That practice pretty-much guaranteed that it functioned flawlessly for the rest of the day. The 0308 quickly became a favorite and started to alternate pocket time with my SR1.


A few days back, I was watching a YouTube review of another "robust" folder (*that shall remain nameless for the purposes of this post) that didn't perform very well. The "lock" let go on a couple of occasions and really didn't inspire a buncha' confidence. In the "Comments" section, I remarked that I'd love to see a head-to-head test with an SR1 and 0308. Within 24 hours, someone opined that the SR1 had already been tested and was a "Beast", but that the 0308 was nothing more than "pocket jewelry". From my limited experience, I didn't agree. For me, the 0308 seems like a very well-built and robust folder.


So, I have to ask...

Is the 0308 just a fancy toy? Is it not the robust folder that I believe it to be?


As I stated above, mine has been flawless, seems very well built, and appears to be pretty robust, in my humble opinion. Was I wrong for buying one to fit into my robust folder "collection" plan?

I'd love to hear your opinions, and thanks in advance.
 
Alone said:
So, I have to ask...

Is the 0308 just a fancy toy? Is it not the robust folder that I believe it to be?

As I stated above, mine has been flawless, seems very well built, and appears to be pretty robust, in my humble opinion. Was I wrong for buying one to fit into my robust folder "collection" plan?

I'd love to hear your opinions, and thanks in advance.
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Sounds like you answered your own question. With the Demkos being so popular these days some people write off framelocks as not being “hard use”… I disagree. Plenty strong for a folding knife, and a much more premium feel compared to any triad lock. I really have no idea what folks are doing with their cutting tools if they need the lock to hold 800lbs
 
tony281sc2 said:
Sounds like you answered your own question. With the Demkos being so popular these days some people write off framelocks as not being “hard use”… I disagree. Plenty strong for a folding knife, and a much more premium feel compared to any triad lock. I really have no idea what folks are doing with their cutting tools if they need the lock to hold 800lbs
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I definitely didn't answer my own question...but you did. Many thanks.


Yeah, for me, the 0308 seems plenty tough and robust. The YouTube response, the other night, had me questioning my own opinion of the folder in my pocket. As far as I can tell, the 0308 seems to be everything I thought it'd be.
 
For some strange reason , i always referred my 0452 as a bread knife thats what the blade reminded me of 😅
 
I have bought and sold a bunch of ZTs over the years, starting with the big 220. I think they run their steel too soft and don’t generally offer anything in my favorite steel (M4) so I can’t fall in love. I do sort of miss the 0770cf I sold a few years back.
 
Alone said:
I've been wanting to make this inquiry for months. However, I really didn't think it was worthy of a stand-alone thread. So, I thought I'd take advantage of the brain trust in this thread. I hope I'm not thread-drifting or co-opting. (* sgt1372 sgt1372 's post already shed some light on this for me)


I'm a "hard use fixie" guy. So, the "overbuilt folder" thing has always been a bit lost on me. However, this Forum has opened my eyes to some things that I'd never considered, and I opted to dip my toes in the robust folder pond.

Many moons ago, I scored a Cold Steel SR1, and promptly fell in love with it. After purchasing and using the SR1 for a bit, I wanted another overbuilt folder...and the ZT 0308 sounded like a good fit. (*I'd wanted one for years but just couldn't wrap my brain around the cost) Because of my positive experience(s) with the SR1, I decided to suck-it-up and take the leap.

It didn't take me long to fall in the love with the 0308. Admittedly, it had a coupla' little peccadilloes. If I hadn't used it for a few days, the first opening was a bit sticky. Beyond that, the blade didn't "perfectly" center. (*something that I couldn't give two sh!ts about, but had been made "villainous" by my acquired knowledge here) I solved the sticky action "thing" by opening and closing it before it went into my pocket for the day. That practice pretty-much guaranteed that it functioned flawlessly for the rest of the day. The 0308 quickly became a favorite and started to alternate pocket time with my SR1.


A few days back, I was watching a YouTube review of another "robust" folder (*that shall remain nameless for the purposes of this post) that didn't perform very well. The "lock" let go on a couple of occasions and really didn't inspire a buncha' confidence. In the "Comments" section, I remarked that I'd love to see a head-to-head test with an SR1 and 0308. Within 24 hours, someone opined that the SR1 had already been tested and was a "Beast", but that the 0308 was nothing more than "pocket jewelry". From my limited experience, I didn't agree. For me, the 0308 seems like a very well-built and robust folder.


So, I have to ask...

Is the 0308 just a fancy toy? Is it not the robust folder that I believe it to be?


As I stated above, mine has been flawless, seems very well built, and appears to be pretty robust, in my humble opinion. Was I wrong for buying one to fit into my robust folder "collection" plan?

I'd love to hear your opinions, and thanks in advance.
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I'm a hard use fixed blade guy too, who has had an estranged yearning for a stout folder as well over the years. I'm not sure how many knives I've had over the years, perhaps several hundred.

The hard use folder conundrum is one that has racked my brain for a long time. I mean what even is a hard use folder lol, if I beat any folder like I do my fixed blades they'd crumble, triad lock included.

Nevertheless I sought tanky folding knives, from the adamas, sog seal xr, 3 or 4 demko ad15s, cold steel 4 max and many many more. Something that I found was I never actually did tasks that required the geometry of a 4 max or adamas. Nor the lock strength. And almost always having a fixed blade near by in a back pack, truck or house, why do I even need such a hard use folder? So I've gone back and forth between cutting performance and brute force multiple times lol

For me, if a lock is convenient and strong enough to not close on my hand if I inadvertently hit the spine, (like imagine cutting a specific tree branch and you accidentally pull the knife up and hit the spine on a branch above) chop through a pencil or sharpie sized branch if need be, and pierce things reliably, then I'm good.

I'm on a sebenza kick right now, so relatively thin blade stock compared to knives I've mentioned above, and framelock. I NEVER feel like "crap if only I could hang 800 pounds from my handle, I could accomplish this task!"

So, in closing this long winded pointless post, I think the marketing of hard use folders and locks are great. I love variety and robustness, I also like ease of actually the cutting materials. Find a balance that works for you and figure out if the lock suites your needs. Don't worry about what others consider "hard use".
 
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And to answer your question, yes the zt would be a hard use folder. So would the sebenza. The framelock is strong enough for the tasks I consider hard use.
 
flarp said:
That Sinkevich lineup starting with the OG 0454 are some of my favorite knives with the 0454 sitting at the top of my collection. It's an awesome design by an awesome knifemaker, and ZT does an excellent job in its production.


ZT0454_0454204P_0452CF_4_800x287.jpg
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I always wanted to score an 0454 but the timing and price was never right for me. 🤷‍♂️
 
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