ZT kills off 4 models
- Thread starter aleforme
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 8, 1999
- Messages
- 5,094
I love the 0900, even though it is thick and heavy. The blade was under 3" and it flipped like a rocket. That works for me!
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
- Messages
- 28,946
If prices drop I'll have to get one. Agreed on the hard use direction. The 909 did not last long.Well, that sucks. I happen to love the 0909. Looks like they're dropping some of the more utilitarian "hard user" type models.
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2009
- Messages
- 44,314
You summed up what I was going to say. The 0909 is one of the best of the newer ZT knives. I need to pick up the 0804CF though.The 0909 is one of my favorite folders, and it's one of the nicest liner locks I've ever handled. Glad I bought a spare back when.I'm really sorry to see it go.
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2016
- Messages
- 6,630
First off, the zt 0804cf is one of my most favorite ZT's.
my only gripe with mine is that the lockbar goes all the way to the end of the scale. this doesnt happen with every one, but its a common issue that happened to a lot of folks as mentioned by alot of folks on the forum. it doesnt really make any difference in use.
While im disappointing they discontinued the 0804cf, its really their own fault.
ZT needs to implement CQi like spyderco does. but to be fair, its life cycle was rather short.
customers showed lots of feedback wanting things to be changed in order for them to purchase. alot of them said it was the blade, most didnt want a DLC coated blade or the blade shape.
it was also priced too high for most, so compromising was a good idea to sell to those folks. making the scale g10 or even just ti/ti would have helped reduce costs possibly and setting a different price bracket to sell to those who could afford it.
i bought mine under MAP pricing which is about the price they are going for now after they were discontinued. its worth it. i say if you dont like the DLC blade, have it removed/modified or get a regrind.
is the ZT 0850 its replacement? i have some issues with that, that i hope they address (see my videos on ig, if your interested) but ZT doesnt seem like they care about issues or changes that people want.
my only gripe with mine is that the lockbar goes all the way to the end of the scale. this doesnt happen with every one, but its a common issue that happened to a lot of folks as mentioned by alot of folks on the forum. it doesnt really make any difference in use.
While im disappointing they discontinued the 0804cf, its really their own fault.
ZT needs to implement CQi like spyderco does. but to be fair, its life cycle was rather short.
customers showed lots of feedback wanting things to be changed in order for them to purchase. alot of them said it was the blade, most didnt want a DLC coated blade or the blade shape.
it was also priced too high for most, so compromising was a good idea to sell to those folks. making the scale g10 or even just ti/ti would have helped reduce costs possibly and setting a different price bracket to sell to those who could afford it.
i bought mine under MAP pricing which is about the price they are going for now after they were discontinued. its worth it. i say if you dont like the DLC blade, have it removed/modified or get a regrind.
is the ZT 0850 its replacement? i have some issues with that, that i hope they address (see my videos on ig, if your interested) but ZT doesnt seem like they care about issues or changes that people want.
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2016
- Messages
- 3,211
You should, if the opportunity presents itself. Having seen pics of some of your other keepers and various things you've listed on the exchange, I suspect that you'd probably like the 0909 as well. It is a bit on the heavy side though.
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
- Messages
- 28,946
I've heard it is like a better flipping 200. I liked the two 200s I had, except the flipping.
- Joined
- May 9, 2002
- Messages
- 12,264
What a bummer. I have both the 630 and 909. I wish I could have found a 900 locally. The 630 is a tough as nails tactical knife. When I can't carry a pistol, the 630 goes in my pocket. The 909 getting axed is just criminal. Great flipping, hard use folder that was robust enough I rarely used a fixed blade for light hiking chores.
Honestly, as much as I like it, I'm kinda surprised the 456 didn't get chopped. Lots of expensive materials in a heavy little package.
Honestly, as much as I like it, I'm kinda surprised the 456 didn't get chopped. Lots of expensive materials in a heavy little package.
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2006
- Messages
- 20,593
All this stuff, by next year at this time or so will be high dollar.
I agree with one of the posters above, in that the loss of the 0909 and 0630 further show a trend that many have been noticing with ZT lately. Discontinue of these two knives, and the 0550 awhile back, mark a big shift in their target demographic in my opinion. Gone may be the days of ZT knives being a go to for rock solid tools. Not to say that the other ZT models aren't solid, but I know I'm not the only one seeing a departure from pure function in their offerings. I for one, would love to see a 2018 release of a mid size ti framelock flipper on washers, with a simple design, and perhaps even the wave feature (perhaps another collab with Mr. Emerson could give us a ZT model of the Sheepdog flipper). Just my two cents.
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2014
- Messages
- 4,914
The DLC killed the 804.
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2016
- Messages
- 294
For me it is the screw holes on the locking side scale (and lack of sharpening choil)... The knife has great materials and a good design but then they screwed up at the finish line by doing this...
Instead of this on both sides...
It just smacks of either cost cutting (which seems ridiculous on a knife this expensive), or lack of forethought, or imagination... I'm not sure the reason why honestly, but it just bugs the piss out of me. Also not sure why they didn't make a filler tab...
However, love the 0900, 0909, and the 0630(CF), sad to see them go. I definitely echo the opinion that the models being discontinued (even the 0804CF) are much better than some (all) of the 2017 models.
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2012
- Messages
- 1,886
Having spoke with ZT/KAI about the process; the only reason they discontinue models is because of weak or declining sales. It is not the company that is dictating the direction of the brand and offerings, rather the consumers voting with their wallets.
When ZT released the 0909, droves of people all over the internet talked about what a pure and functional design the knife was, "went back to their roots" ... yet it had the shortest life of any ZT in the last few years, because apparently no one bought it. Always interesting to see sales not line up with the group-think of the enthusiast community.
When ZT released the 0909, droves of people all over the internet talked about what a pure and functional design the knife was, "went back to their roots" ... yet it had the shortest life of any ZT in the last few years, because apparently no one bought it. Always interesting to see sales not line up with the group-think of the enthusiast community.