- Joined
- Jan 8, 2007
- Messages
- 640
So the mail came and there was a box from Blade HQ. It was the Zero Tolerance Strider/Onion collaboration model 0301.
Specifications:
Steel: S30V stainless-steel with Tungsten DLC coating with Tiger Stripes
Handle: 3D machined, G-10 and Titanium
Blade Length: 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm)
Closed Length: 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm)
Weight: 8.6 oz.
This is one big beefy tactical folder. I've got some big old paws and this knife fills them nicely. The grip is extremely secure and the flipper makes a great finger choil. The knife is very comfortable in both the standard and reverse grip, to the point where it feels made for my hand. There's a thumb ramp with some deep notching which makes for a very secure "pinch grip". There's also a little dip in the back of the blade above the thumb stud that fits my thumb perfectly if I want more control. The texturing on the scales and in the titanium is really grippy but not abrasive like some brands. Fit and finish is very good, on par with any of the higher quality production companies. lock up is rock solid, bank vault feel, almost like a fixed blade. It's a big, heavy knife but it's not bad in the pocket. I can still reach past it without grinding the back of my hand. The clip is nice and tight so it'll stay secure. A big heavy knife plus a loose clip equals a lost knife. It came tip down, but I switched it to tip up because I like my hand to reinforce the frame lock. I feel it can do a better job of that with the clip on the other end. There are positions for tip up and tip down for both left and right handers. One thing I especialy like is that the pivot uses a 3/8" nut rather than a screw or torx head. Much less chance of stripping. The knife also uses a Hinderer frame lock stop to prevent over travel when depressing the frame lock. I don't know how necessary this feature is if you have a brain in your head but Its a nice extra. It may come in handy when letting non knife people use it so they don't screw it up. Flipper works well, it's not fast but it does the trick even if pushed very softly.
There are only two things that could use work. One is the thumb studs are impossible to use. They sit lower than the scales and are flush with them so you can't get any of your thumb between them to push. The tops of the studs are extremely smooth providing almost no grip. Luckily none of that really matters because of the flipper. So I'm gonna just call them stop pins and leave it at that. The other thing ZT could have done better was initial sharpness. It's barely shaving sharp. It cuts a few hairs but leaves more uncut. Not too big a deal since it's easily fixed but I like a knife to come from the factory scary sharp. And for people who can't sharpen this could be a pain.
This is my first ZT knife and I'm impressed. I've wanted a real tough folder for a while and I liked the strider RC but I didn't feel like spending that much money. This knife has killed the urge to buy an RC. So if you've been eyeing one of these knives go ahead and buy it, you won't be disappointed.
I just read something in the paperwork that came with the knife that I didn't know but I feel people here should. ZT donates part of the profits to PVA. This is the Paralyzed Veterans of America. I just thought that was an honorable thing to do and that it should be noted.
Specifications:
Steel: S30V stainless-steel with Tungsten DLC coating with Tiger Stripes
Handle: 3D machined, G-10 and Titanium
Blade Length: 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm)
Closed Length: 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm)
Weight: 8.6 oz.
This is one big beefy tactical folder. I've got some big old paws and this knife fills them nicely. The grip is extremely secure and the flipper makes a great finger choil. The knife is very comfortable in both the standard and reverse grip, to the point where it feels made for my hand. There's a thumb ramp with some deep notching which makes for a very secure "pinch grip". There's also a little dip in the back of the blade above the thumb stud that fits my thumb perfectly if I want more control. The texturing on the scales and in the titanium is really grippy but not abrasive like some brands. Fit and finish is very good, on par with any of the higher quality production companies. lock up is rock solid, bank vault feel, almost like a fixed blade. It's a big, heavy knife but it's not bad in the pocket. I can still reach past it without grinding the back of my hand. The clip is nice and tight so it'll stay secure. A big heavy knife plus a loose clip equals a lost knife. It came tip down, but I switched it to tip up because I like my hand to reinforce the frame lock. I feel it can do a better job of that with the clip on the other end. There are positions for tip up and tip down for both left and right handers. One thing I especialy like is that the pivot uses a 3/8" nut rather than a screw or torx head. Much less chance of stripping. The knife also uses a Hinderer frame lock stop to prevent over travel when depressing the frame lock. I don't know how necessary this feature is if you have a brain in your head but Its a nice extra. It may come in handy when letting non knife people use it so they don't screw it up. Flipper works well, it's not fast but it does the trick even if pushed very softly.
There are only two things that could use work. One is the thumb studs are impossible to use. They sit lower than the scales and are flush with them so you can't get any of your thumb between them to push. The tops of the studs are extremely smooth providing almost no grip. Luckily none of that really matters because of the flipper. So I'm gonna just call them stop pins and leave it at that. The other thing ZT could have done better was initial sharpness. It's barely shaving sharp. It cuts a few hairs but leaves more uncut. Not too big a deal since it's easily fixed but I like a knife to come from the factory scary sharp. And for people who can't sharpen this could be a pain.
This is my first ZT knife and I'm impressed. I've wanted a real tough folder for a while and I liked the strider RC but I didn't feel like spending that much money. This knife has killed the urge to buy an RC. So if you've been eyeing one of these knives go ahead and buy it, you won't be disappointed.
I just read something in the paperwork that came with the knife that I didn't know but I feel people here should. ZT donates part of the profits to PVA. This is the Paralyzed Veterans of America. I just thought that was an honorable thing to do and that it should be noted.
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