Zero Tolerance is coming out with new folding knives for 2019. Three new knives were introduced at a recent trade show, and three others came out recently.
ZT knives, made in the USA, are typically strong, durable, and built to handle very demanding use. They’re over-built for casual use, which is true for many knives of similar sizing these days, but the quality and performance are well-liked by anyone looking for a more premium knife.
While contractors, tradesmen, and other tool users will usually use utility knives for general purpose tasks, a good folding knife can be indispensable, with different blade profiles serving varied purposes and preferences.
Advertisement
See Also: ToolGuyd EDC Knife Reviews
Zero Tolerance 0393GLCF
The new 0393GLCF flipper knife is very similar to the 0393 knife that was introduced last year, but with two major differences.
First, the blade has a new “working finish,” similar to what’s found on Rick Hinderer knives. It’s described as a “no-nonsense finish” that hides scuffs and scratches better than a stonewashed finish.
The frame is made from titanium, and the handle is made from a glow-in-the-dark carbon fiber material. After being charged with light, the lighter parts of the carbon fiber weave will emit a soft green glow.
Zero Tolerance says that the glow makes the knife easy to find in the dark, and also makes the 0393GLCF knife a conversation piece.
- Blade Length: 3.5 in. (8.9 cm)
- Steel: CPM 20CV
- Blade finish: Working Finish
- Titanium frame lock with hardened steel lockbar insert
- Reversible pocket clip
- Handle: Carbon fiber
- Closed Length: 4.75 in. (12.1 cm)
- Overall Length: 8.25 in. (20.9 cm)
- Weight: 5 oz. (142 g)
Zero Tolerance 0022
The new ZT 0022, designed by Tim Galyeon, is the smallest knife they ever made.
Zero Tolerance says that the 0022 practically disappears in your pocket – until it’s needed, and that it’s still capable of meeting a full range of cutting tasks around the home and office.
Advertisement
I don’t think that ZT has ever talked about their knives’ usefulness around the home and office, but it’s an interesting emphasis. They also describe it as an office-appropriate EDC or even as a backup knife, although personally I think its looks are still a little too aggressive. Something like the ZT 0450 I reviewed here has softer looks, in my opinion, or the Spydero Techno that I reviewed.
The blade is under 2″ long, and the handle has a stonewashed titanium frame with carbon fiber front scale. A decorative blue-anodized pivot ring and matching spacers give it a little color.
- Blade Length: 1.8″ (4.9 cm)
- Steel: CPM 20CV
- Blade finish: Stonewashed
- Titanium frame lock with hardened steel lockbar insert
- Reversible pocket clip
- Handle: Carbon fiber
- Closed Length: 3 in. (7.6 cm)
- Overall Length: 4.75 in. (12.2 cm)
- Weight: 1.7 oz. (50 g)
Zero Tolerance 0470
The ZT 0470, a Dmitry Sinkevich design, has a marbled carbon fiber insert, creating by randomly dropping carbon fibers onto a plate and then adding resin. It looks to be more of an inlay than the carbon fiber scales you’ll find on some of the other knives.
The 0470 is designed to be a highly practical and easy-to-EDC design.
- Blade Length: 3.4 in. (8.6 cm)
- Steel: CPM 20CV
- Blade finish: Two-tone satin and stonewashed
- Titanium frame lock with hardened steel lockbar insert
- Reversible pocket clip
- Handle: Bead-blasted titanium with marbled carbon fiber insert
- Closed Length: 4.4 in. (11.2 cm)
- Overall Length: 7.8 in. (18.8 cm)
- Weight: 3.2 oz. (92 g)
Zero Tolerance 0640
The new ZT 0640 is a collaboration with Ernest Emerson, sporting an Emerson-style thumb disc for easy one-handed opening. It’s a manual opener, with brass washers at the pivot.
It features a green carbon fiber composite overlay on both sides of the knife.
- Blade Length: 3.75 in. (9.6 cm)
- Steel: CPM 20CV
- Blade finish: Satin on the grinds, stonewashed on the flats
- Titanium frame lock with hardened steel lockbar insert
- Reversible titanium pocket clip
- Handle: Machined and stonewashed titanium with green carbon fiber inlay
- Closed Length: 4.75 in. (12.1 cm)
- Overall Length: 8.5 in. (21.6 cm)
- Weight: 4.4 oz. (125 g)
Zero Tolerance 0562Ti
The 0562Ti is a variation of the original ZT 0562 that was announced in 2014. I purchased a ZT0562 back in 2015, intending to review it here, and it’s a very sturdy and well-designed knife.
The new ZT0562Ti is nearly identical to the 0562, also featuring the Hinderer slicer grind-style blade, but now featuring a fill titanium handle. The 0562 had a titanium frame, but with a textured G-10 handle scale.
The 0562Ti is a flipper, with KVT caged ball bearings pivot. There are pocked machined on the inside of the front handle scale to shed some weight.
- Blade Length: 3.5 in. (8.9 cm)
- Steel: CPM 20CV
- Blade finish: Stonewashed flats, machine-satin grinds
- Titanium frame lock with hardened steel lockbar insert
- Reversible pocket clip
- Handle: Titanium with stonewashed finish
- Closed Length: 4.8 in. (12.2 cm)
- Overall Length: 8.3 in. (21.1 cm)
- Weight: 5.3 oz. (152 g)
Zero Tolerance 0460Ti
The new Zero Tolerance 0460Ti, a Dmitry Sinkevich design, is a variation of their ZT 0460 knife, but with full titanium handles. The original 0460 featured a carbon fiber front scale.
The ZT 0460Ti design is just as polarizing of a design as the 0460, but those who liked the geometry but not the carbon fiber now have an all-titanium handle choice. The ergonomic handle curve features partial 3D machining for dimensionality and enhanced grip.
- Blade Length: 3.25 in. (8.3 cm)
- Steel: CPM 20CV
- Blade finish: Machine satin grinds, stonewashed flats
- Titanium frame lock with hardened steel lockbar insert
- Reversible pocket clip
- Handle: Titanium with stonewashed finish
- Closed Length: 4.4 in. (11.2 cm)
- Overall Length: 7.5 in. (19.1 cm)
- Weight: 2.9 oz. (83 g)
Koko The Talking Ape
Some nice, pricey knives.
I notice that the grind area (not the edge, but right above the edge) is not polished on any of these knives. Is that a trend? I wonder if that would increase friction when cutting some materials.
Stuart
It looks to be an aesthetics choice. Stonewash first, then machine or grind down the blade, then sharpen the blade edge. Most of the time, the stonewash is done after the blade faces are machined or ground to their final shape. (At least that’s how it seems.)
I believe that the blade thickness is generally a much more important factor when it comes to cut-resistance.
I grabbed a ZT 0220 in front of me now (not the same as the 0022 discussed here), with a stonewashed blade finish, and a 0456 with two-tone satin-finish and stonewashed.
The 0456 satin-finished blade has a semi-shiny appearance with grind lines visible (but not tactile), and it is about as smooth as glass, except where I need to clean some stuck-on stuff at the tip. The 0220’s stonewashed blade feels to have greater friction when doing a “finger glide” test.
If I had to say which would cut easier, and ignoring blade thickness for a moment, it would be the satin-finish blade.
Koko The Talking Ape
I’m sure you are right. It does look kind of cool.
I’m intrigued by that Hinderer slicer grind. It is steeper near the pivot, and grows thinner or flatter toward the tip. So you have more material where the blade connects to the handle, and less where the blade would be used for piercing or slicing. Clever!
Michael Veach
I would have liked to see Elmax, M390 or even s35vn. I’m sure this will not be a popular opinion, but. ….
Stuart
Why? CPM 20CV is generally believed to be comparable to M390. Have you seen or heard of performance differences between the two?
Adam g
Cpm 20cv also is american steel which has benefits as well. No shipping or tariffs and the draw of an american made knife in american steel.
Will
M390,20cv and CT’s 204p all identical when it comes to carbide. Also please no more s35vn steel on $200+ knives.
Joe framer
Interesting knifes.. appreciate seeing the different types…not my expertise, only having a few… Spyderco paramilitary 2 g10..and paramilitary 3….. Benchmade Griptilian 550 and Bugout 535..couple more and of course the finest..Sebenza 21 large and small…….at these prices they are almost at a Chris Reeves price…..
….. people say overpriced but, like in woodworking a highly crafted product fetches more money,it’s not about function,it’s about Craftsmanship…we charge 40/50 % more then anyone around us to build a house, because it’s a better product, same with decks…it would be the same with furniture….your paying for talent…
Robin
I’m actually a knife fan, but I have to wonder what I forefathers would have thought about an entire industry devoted to making high quality tools that nobody actually uses.
Robin
That said, the guys in the shop claim I don’t use my tools, but I just keep them clean and take care of them. I’ve got pliers with more life experience than some of those whippersnappers. The pliers look better doing it too.
Bruce
Maybe you don’t use yours but sure has heck use mine. Rarely a day goes by that I don’t pull out my pocket knife 3 or more times.
Jonathan Chung
Does the handle on the 0022 also glow in the dark?
Stuart
No, that should be their regular carbon fiber.
Bryan
I currently own 21 ZT knives and with the exception of the 0562ti (which imo is overpriced for what it is by about $60, and it hurts me to say that because it’s a knife so many including myself have wanted) I’m interested in zero of their new offerings for the second year in a row. I mean really, a glow in the dark scale? The 0022 being priced at $200? Sadly ZT has lost me with their new offerings.
MichaelHammer
I hear you. Ther is a lot to like, but they are pushing it price-wise. I was also hoping to see more out of them. Really the 0022 is the only new knife they are offering this year. I don’t count revamping old models. I don’t blame them for getting what they can get, but it counts me out.
Popgun42
Do you guys buy knives that cost this much for EDC.. WOW, I carry everyday but not this expensive. I have knives that are years old and have a good edge on them
If you can afford it go for it…
Stuart
I think that part of what makes ZT popular is how many (if not most) of their designs are collaborations with other knifemakers and designers. For example, although $200 for a Hinderer co-designed 0562 is a lot of money, let alone $280 for the 0562Ti, it’s less pricey than a Hinderer XM-18.
As far as EDC goes, if not for ToolGuyd encouraging and even necessitating my exploration for the sake of being a more competent reviewer, I’d probably be limited to a $55-$135 price range.
In 2010 I bought a Benchmade mini Griptillian for $60, and in 2011 (10 months later) I bought a Spyderco Delica for 55.
Mini-Grip review is here: https://toolguyd.com/benchmade-mini-griptilian-knife-review/
Upgraded Mini-Grip review is here: https://toolguyd.com/benchmade-mini-griptilian-knife-with-cpm-20cv-g10-handles-review/
Frankly, those knives would have been enough. My next natural upgrade might have been a Massdrop/Ferrum Forge Gent https://toolguyd.com/massdrop-ferrum-forge-gent-edc-knife-color-options/ , which was $80.
You don’t need to spend a lot on an EDC knife, but it becomes a hobby for many enthusiasts.
https://toolguyd.com/im-not-sure-why-but-i-am-interested-in-knives/
Wayne R.
I can’t get my head around spending that amount on a single knife, let alone accumulating a drawer-full.
Though they are beautiful…
Bart
$200+ knives really aren’t EDC for me. Too great of a chance of it being misplaced. I’ll stick with my $60-70 Kershaws, thanks.
Bruce
Most of my daily carries are in this price range. Some are much more. I’ve used knives as daily carry pieces all the way down into the $20 range. But I spend too much time using them to not want one that is a joy to use. I’m not a big ZT fan, but they make very nice knives. Just not my taste.
You should hold your knife and ask “Does it spark joy?” LOL
Yadda
Great article! Not in my current plans to buy any of these, but nice to have a place to start if the need or desire arises.
Bobby
Really like the look of the 0562, but not for $280. Happy with my 0350 for now.
Toolfreak
It’s fairly obvious that ZT stuff is farther down the road of being just fashion cutlery for collectors.
Which is too bad, there really is a market for USA-made knives that would actually see everyday use.
Sadly, what happens is no-name companies copy these designs, use cheaper China-made steel, and people wind up getting a knockoff that cuts ok but isn’t up to major knife manufacturer standards.
Even if Kershaw or some new KAI brand released similar designs without the exotic steel and carbon fiber I think they’d still do ok with the originals and probably even the collectors would buy the less expensive stuff to actually carry around and use.
Stuart
ZT knives are more than capable of handling everyday tasks. I don’t really see them being “shelf queens.”
MichaelHammer
Agreed. These knives are made to be used.
Fancy_Dan
Over two hundred dollars for a knife?!
I’m obviously missing something, because I don’t understand the interest in knives. I’d rather buy a Swiss Army knife, which at least has useful stuff like scissors too.
If something’s genuinely EDC, then it’s at risk of being dropped, falling out of a pocket, etc. So a $200-300 knife seems like a crazy idea on National Crazy Day.
John
I spent $1000 on my EDC pistol, and have carried it nearly every day for a decade, so what is so strange about $200 for an edc knife?
Adam
I’m not in the market for any of these anyway, but why do none of them have a reversible clip?
I strongly prefer knives to be tip-down in my pocket, and I can’t be the only one.
Frank D
I can’t even remotely relate to those price points.
James F Duncan
Just an FYI the working finish and 20cv steel on the 0393 are top of the line for a hard use knife and a real hinderer knife (the designer of the ZT) costs north of $650 so $260 retail for the ZT is a steal.
James F Duncan
sorry i meant $450 but thats still half the price for essentially the same knife .. I have several hinderer ZT collaborations (3 zt0562’s ) and i beat the snot out of them and never had an issue also ZT guarantees their knives forever and sharpens them for free.. they even replace broken blades and offer free pocket clips and parts.. you get what you pay for .. id rather have one really nice knife that will last forever vs buying 15 crappy $50 walmart knives
Chris Fyfe
I like the 460 Ti , I have it’s Carbon fibre brother ,very nice gent’s carry , and a super competent cutter !The Little sub 2” is kinda neat , but I would need to handle one , before I make up my mind !
Chris