Thoughts on ZT0609

[Shadowedhand]

Thinking about getting the zt0609 titanium bronze one. I have the zt0350 and enjoy it. I want to know owners’ thoughts, experiences and general perceptions on the knife. How it’s worn in, shortcomings and where it excels. I really appreciate the feedback!

thanks,

-S.

 

[Razor]

I really liked mine but the handles seem thin. It felt good in the hand, but I thought the lock up was real early and locked kinda funny to me how the lock, locked up against the blade tang. It didn't seem real heavy duty to me, but what do I know. I like the 393 better. It felt a lot stronger to me. The 609 would be light to carry and probably be plenty strong. Hay, it is a ZT. My favorite.

 

[sharp_edge]

Thought? The pivot tool should come with the knife.

 

[lzeplin]

Go for it, I love mine flips like a rocket. Blade centered perfectly, carries great in the pocket. I would call it a gentleman's ZT, but I believe it would take a lot of abuse if needed too.

 

[SavageSick]

Knife's dimensions, materials, and aesthetic really had me excited - however, the proprietary pivot design was a dealbreaker.

 

[evilgreg]

Knife's dimensions, materials, and aesthetic really had me excited - however, the proprietary pivot design was a dealbreaker.

100% this for me. The pivot annoys me. I hate stupid funky custom hardware so much. I have knives that I love despite their stupid custom hardware (e.g. Olamic Swish, MKT 187, etc.), but none that I like any better because of their stupid custom hardware. It baffles me that companies do this. I mean, make your pivot screw have whatever funky shape and decorations and whatnot but just drop a torx socket into the middle of it, or even cut a groove across it that fits a flat head screwdriver or whatever. Don't make me need a special tool just to tighten the pivot on a knife. The LionSteel key ring I carry has two little torx drivers on it that will work on something like 98% of my knives . . .

 

[sharp_edge]

100% this for me. The pivot annoys me. I hate stupid funky custom hardware so much. I have knives that I love despite their stupid custom hardware (e.g. Olamic Swish, MKT 187, etc.), but none that I like any better because of their stupid custom hardware. It baffles me that companies do this. I mean, make your pivot screw have whatever funky shape and decorations and whatnot but just drop a torx socket into the middle of it, or even cut a groove across it that fits a flat head screwdriver or whatever. Don't make me need a special tool just to tighten the pivot on a knife. The LionSteel key ring I carry has two little torx drivers on it that will work on something like 98% of my knives . . .

They surely know that but I think at the end of the day the idea of making a few more bucks out of a special pivot tool is just too good to give up.

 

[rileybassman1]

It's a cool knife - I enjoy mine. Fits my small-medium hands well and is a very good slicer with the thinner blade stock and the good, thin grind. I have the pivot tool, and I actually kinda like the pivot... it's only like 15 bucks for the tool... yea kinda lame that you need to buy it, but the magnetized pivot tool is nice, and the pivot doesn't seem to easily scratch (as opposed to my Olamic when I had it which scratched super easy).

Action on mine is ok... not the best flipper but definitely not the worst... it is getting better with time for sure.

All in all it's a great EDC and one of my favs from ZT... I also have the 0470 right now and slightly favor the 0470... but the 0609 called my name and I ended up with it as well

 

[BD_01]

I really like mine.
The blade shape is compelling, as are the overall lines of the knife.
Blade to handle length is great.
Stock thickness is just right.
I kinda like the pivot. Admittedly it’s gimmicky, but I think it’s unique and attractive.

The lockbar on my sample is a bit too tight. It fires well enough for use but not well enough for fidgeting. I haven’t tried adjusting the lockbar; I’m worried I’ll dork something up trying to get the insert off. In the end, I’d rather have a bit too much lockbar tension than a bit too little.

I replaced the pocket clip with one from MXG Gear. The OE clip is ok but nothing special; ultimately I wanted something with more ramp.

If my knife had the lockbar tension tuned a bit better it would be dang near my perfect EDC.

Here’s a pic showing the MXG clip.

 

[rileybassman1]

I really like mine.
The blade shape is compelling, as are the overall lines of the knife.
Blade to handle length is great.
Stock thickness is just right.
I kinda like the pivot. Admittedly it’s gimmicky, but I think it’s unique and attractive.

The lockbar on my sample is a bit too tight. It fires well enough for use but not well enough for fidgeting. I haven’t tried adjusting the lockbar; I’m worried I’ll dork something up trying to get the insert off. In the end, I’d rather have a bit too much lockbar tension than a bit too little.

I replaced the pocket clip with one from MXG Gear. The OE clip is ok but nothing special; ultimately I wanted something with more ramp.

If my knife had the lockbar tension tuned a bit better it would be dang near my perfect EDC.

Here’s a pic showing the MXG clip.

My lock bar was tight too... The insert popped off pretty easily with a small slot screwdriver. I suggest a light spine wack test after adjustment to ensure is not too loose to cause a lock failure... I found I had to make 2-3 adjustments to find a happy medium. Pretty happy with where is at now.

 

[lzeplin]

I really like mine.
The blade shape is compelling, as are the overall lines of the knife.
Blade to handle length is great.
Stock thickness is just right.
I kinda like the pivot. Admittedly it’s gimmicky, but I think it’s unique and attractive.

The lockbar on my sample is a bit too tight. It fires well enough for use but not well enough for fidgeting. I haven’t tried adjusting the lockbar; I’m worried I’ll dork something up trying to get the insert off. In the end, I’d rather have a bit too much lockbar tension than a bit too little.

I replaced the pocket clip with one from MXG Gear. The OE clip is ok but nothing special; ultimately I wanted something with more ramp.

If my knife had the lockbar tension tuned a bit better it would be dang near my perfect EDC.

Here’s a pic showing the MXG clip.

I love that clip, I had no idea that mxg made one for it

 

[Shadowedhand]

Go for it, I love mine flips like a rocket. Blade centered perfectly, carries great in the pocket. I would call it a gentleman's ZT, but I believe it would take a lot of abuse if needed too.

That’s my idea. I have a heavier duty use knife like the 0350 although for anything too crazy I’d use a fixed blade. The idea of having a very nice knife that is capable of slicing over a period of time is enticing.

 

[Shadowedhand]

I really liked mine but the handles seem thin. It felt good in the hand, but I thought the lock up was real early and locked kinda funny to me how the lock, locked up against the blade tang. It didn't seem real heavy duty to me, but what do I know. I like the 393 better. It felt a lot stronger to me. The 609 would be light to carry and probably be plenty strong. Hay, it is a ZT. My favorite.

Thanks a lot for the comparison to other offerings. I have looked at the 609 as well.

 

[Shadowedhand]

It's a cool knife - I enjoy mine. Fits my small-medium hands well and is a very good slicer with the thinner blade stock and the good, thin grind. I have the pivot tool, and I actually kinda like the pivot... it's only like 15 bucks for the tool... yea kinda lame that you need to buy it, but the magnetized pivot tool is nice, and the pivot doesn't seem to easily scratch (as opposed to my Olamic when I had it which scratched super easy).

Action on mine is ok... not the best flipper but definitely not the worst... it is getting better with time for sure.

All in all it's a great EDC and one of my favs from ZT... I also have the 0470 right now and slightly favor the 0470... but the 0609 called my name and I ended up with it as well

My sentiments regarding the pivot tool are the same; if you’re already spending that much on a knife, and in the name of the design- it’s not that big of a deal. A small sacrifice for the design. I was concerned regarding wear so your description is helpful. Do you find that the bronze titanium handles color changes or wears in a way that is unappealing with use? I saw a video where the owner showed a discoloration of sorts. The brightness of the bronze changed and seemed to dull. Just curious. Not a dealbreaker.

 

[Shadowedhand]

I really like mine.
The blade shape is compelling, as are the overall lines of the knife.
Blade to handle length is great.
Stock thickness is just right.
I kinda like the pivot. Admittedly it’s gimmicky, but I think it’s unique and attractive.

The lockbar on my sample is a bit too tight. It fires well enough for use but not well enough for fidgeting. I haven’t tried adjusting the lockbar; I’m worried I’ll dork something up trying to get the insert off. In the end, I’d rather have a bit too much lockbar tension than a bit too little.

I replaced the pocket clip with one from MXG Gear. The OE clip is ok but nothing special; ultimately I wanted something with more ramp.

If my knife had the lockbar tension tuned a bit better it would be dang near my perfect EDC.

Here’s a pic showing the MXG clip.

Do you think with time the action will improve as the knife gets broken in? I know my assisted 0350 continues to break in. It gets smoother and smoother!

 

[rileybassman1]

My sentiments regarding the pivot tool are the same; if you’re already spending that much on a knife, and in the name of the design- it’s not that big of a deal. A small sacrifice for the design. I was concerned regarding wear so your description is helpful. Do you find that the bronze titanium handles color changes or wears in a way that is unappealing with use? I saw a video where the owner showed a discoloration of sorts. The brightness of the bronze changed and seemed to dull. Just curious. Not a dealbreaker.

I've only had mine a month or so... so not very extensive carry or testing, but no, it hasn't really done anything weird. I too have seen reviews saying and showing an odd color... I think they just must be oily or something? Just now I added a drop of nano oil on the top of the scale and took a pic... second pic was after wiping it off on my shirt and now it seems back to normal.

 

[Shadowedhand]

I've only had mine a month or so... so not very extensive carry or testing, but no, it hasn't really done anything weird. I too have seen reviews saying and showing an odd color... I think they just must be oily or something? Just now I added a drop of nano oil on the top of the scale and took a pic... second pic was after wiping it off on my shirt and now it seems back to normal.

Wow the bronze looks so vibrant in your pictures. Good to hear that it retains the same color in your experience. Thanks a lot for the great pics and detailed explanation.

 

[rileybassman1]

I had a light above my desk... but yea that was no photo touch ups or anything. I have a benchmade anthem as well and the 609 is more vibrant then the anthem if that helps...

 

[BD_01]

Do you think with time the action will improve as the knife gets broken in?

Nah. It’s not an issue with smoothness or the ball breaking free of the detent. My knife is just a bit over sprung. I think it’s probably at the margin of spec. Had I bought it in person I would have just grabbed a different sample.

It bought it mail order via a group purchase program. A return would’ve been a PITA and honestly, it’s not so far off to make me not enjoy the knife. It just keeps it from being perfect. (My other ZT’s are perfect...it’s a high standard ).

Maybe I’ll try to adjust it so I can end up whining to the forum about a stripped screw or lock failure.

 

[Shadowedhand]

Ok so t

Nah. It’s not an issue with smoothness or the ball breaking free of the detent. My knife is just a bit over sprung. I think it’s probably at the margin of spec. Had I bought it in person I would have just grabbed a different sample.

It bought it mail order via a group purchase program. A return would’ve been a PITA and honestly, it’s not so far off to make me not enjoy the knife. It just keeps it from being perfect. (My other ZT’s are perfect...it’s a high standard ).

Maybe I’ll try to adjust it so I can end up whining to the forum about a stripped screw or lock failure.

Interesting. I’m thinking of blade hq. My other ZT is perfect too. Wonder if deployment not being satisfactory is a returnable offense according to Blade HQ. haha I’m sure you’ll be fine but then again I’m one to talk.