ZT (Zero Tolerance) 301

J

jhughes

Joined
Feb 2, 2007
Messages
8
As an actual “user” of the knives I purchase, I waited with great anticipation for this collaboration. I have been an avid collector and user of Strider knives for many years, and I have come to expect a hard use no nonsense blade from them. I like the idea of assisted open, as I agree that the complex design of many automatic knives seem to “tempt fate” with regard to the potential for failure under hard use. I will admit that I have many MOD and Microtech automatic knives that I have employed in hard use environments without any failures, but I have always worried about getting some trash in the internal mechanism and causing a failure. The ZT301 seems amply proportioned to handle just about anything I can ever throw at it. I would like to see a more robust fastening screw employed on the pocket clip (I stripped one of the tiny little heads out of one of the screws on mine attempting to change the position of the clip for my preference). I also find the thumb stud to be poorly situated, forcing me to use the ridge on the back of the blade at the base for opening. I also noted the absence of the locking mechanism found on other Onion assisted openers that prevents the blade from opening when engaged. Everything else on the knife is so well conceived, I can’t imagine how these details slipped the minds of the designers. I would also like to see this particular model offered in a 50/50 blade configuration – under “hard use” it is easy to dull the non serrated blade, limiting its usefulness until such time as it can be re-sharpened. With a 50/50 blade, the serrations can ensure that the knife is up to the task even after hard use. Overall, I find the knife well suited for Military, Police, and Emergency services use.
 
I love Zero Tolerance. The 301 is the first one that I bought. I carry and use all of my knives. Since I can't think of anything that I don't like about my 301, I'll go straight to what I love about it. It has a massive S30V blade. I find that it holds an edge better than most. I would not hesitate to cut a VW Bug in half with this thing. The blade is thick and wide, and so is the G10 handle. The frame lock inspires confidence as it engauges more as it is gripped tighter. The sharkfin opens the blade with Speed Safe A/O. I have taken many Speed Safe knives apart and I have complete confidence in it's reliability and durablity. I do not need assisted opening: I have been clacking blades open long before thumb studs and pocket clips. I viewed A/O as an unneccisary gimmick that would eventually fail at just the wrong moment. I have since embrassed the advance of knife technology.
The multi-postion clip is one of the things that encouraged me to buy this knife. At the time I had mostly Cold Steel knives and was used to Tip-up clip position. Since then I have fallen in love with Ken Onion Designs and have readjusted to Tip-down clip position. I sold all of my Tip-up knives, but was able to keep my ZT0301 because of it's ability to change with me. This knife functions far beyound reasonable expectations. I would not hesitate to bet my life on it. It is also a thing of beauty. The blade grind is musical and haunting.
It is one of those knives that if you are not in law enforcement, and you do get searched, the officer is sure to respect your taste in knives, and be just a little bit jealous.
"Zero Tolerance?! This is a nice knife." turning to his partner, "Hey Jerry, have you seen this one?"
Only once have I had a "nice" knife taken away, and that was before I learned the value of politeness. Enjoy.
 
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