I currently have the Leek and have had the Bump. While they are good knives they simply are not as heavy duty as ZT knives. While it's true that there are options from other companies I really like ZT. I currently have the 301, 300, 350, 200, 550/551 and 560 so I do really like them. But I do travel to many areas that restrict blade length. I currently use either a Strider SJ-75 or Small Sebenza in those areas but would love a 3" version of the 560. Even Hinderer makes a 3" version. Just saying....
I agree that the Leek is not as heavy duty as Zero Tolerance knives, but it isn't supposed to be because it's a Leek. I would argue that the Ti Bump is built just as tough as any ZT. I cannot see how it would not be as tough considering it is just two big slabs of anodized Ti and a pretty thick blade of S30V.
Everyone who keeps bringing up CRK, Strider, and Rick Hinderer need to remember that when it comes to these maker's folders you are talking about a very small lineup. CRK's regular folder production are the Large and Small Sebenza, the Umnumzaan, the Mnandi, and I'm not even sure how many Ti Locks they produce each year. Rick Hinderer's midtech folder selection consists of the 3" XM-18, the 3.5" XM-18, and the XM-24. Out of all three, Stider produces more varieties of folders than the others. For the longest time, before the SJ-75, the only small Strider folder that one could purchase was the PT. The PT also is nowhere near as tough as its bigger brothers the SnG and the SMF. I know this from experience of owning these different knives at one time or another.
On the other hand you have KAI who has quite a bit going on between Kershaw, Zero Tolerance, and Shun Knives. Kershaw and ZT pump out such a variety of folder designs that it makes my head spin. You've got different sizes, different handle materials, different steels, different blade shapes, different handle shapes, different lock types, and different uses. They offer a variety that would pretty much suit anyone's knife needs or desires. They have very affordable knives for the layman and they have high end limited runs for those of us that cannot satiate our desire for "more and better".
People complain of the sizes and weights of the ZT lineup. They are supposed to be made that way, it is not an accident. If you start taking these same designs and make them smaller you are going to sacrifice the toughness that they are known for. That is just a fact. No one in here can tell me that a Strider PT, a 3" XM-18, or a Small Sebenza is just as strong and tough as their bigger counterparts. It just isn't true. You are sacrificing toughness for size. You are going to have thinner and smaller blades, thinner handle materials, and smaller pivots. So if you take that 0560 and make it smaller it is not going to be as tough as the full size 0560. You are going to have to thin out the handle material and the steel liner and the blade is going to have to become thinner. Basically you are going to neuter the knife. Will it still really display that ZT toughness after these changes? You also have to remember that KVT washers aren't exactly super thin. You can only make a knife using KVT so thin before you will not be able to mill the pockets out to hold them.
The other problem is that this will only fill a niche market for folks that like to carry smaller knives or are located in an area that does not allow larger blades. Most owners of the 0560/0561 love the size and it is a drawing point to them. The market is completely flooded with 3.5" folders. It isn't too often that a big tough 4" blade production folder is made that so many people really enjoy carrying and using.
As I said, I would also like to see a smaller version of the 0560, but I think some people's expectations are too high by wanting it scaled down to a 3" blade and thinner for less money. It sounds like people want a tiny knife at Kershaw prices with ZT toughness. As I also said, this knife just wouldn't follow in line with the ZT motto.
I know that a lot of you are asking why is this guy a buzzkill or why won't this guy shut the F up about this, but I'm just trying to make some sense. I apologize if I'm bursting bubbles. Damn, this ended up a lot longer than I wanted it to be.