Zero Tolerance has introduced several new folding pocket knives this year, at the 2018 SHOT Show.
I’m a big fan of Zero Tolerance knives. Their products are strong, durable, and built to handle much more than I could ever expose them to with my usual everyday use. Zero Tolerance knives re top-notch.
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That said, this year’s new ZT knives look a little too stylized for my liking. But that’s no reason not to mention them.
I think my favorite Zero Tolerance knife is the 0450, reviewed here. It’s a slim and compact EDC knife that’s nicely designed and manufactured.
Zero Tolerance 0609
The new 0609, based on the larger ZT 0606CF from RJ Martin and Matt Martin, is said to offer a clean, streamlined look yet also has highly detailed handle machining that adds both grip and visual impact.
The 3.4″ blade is made from CPM 20CV, which according to Crucible’s data sheet (PDF) provides for exceptionally good wear resistance as well as outstanding corrosion resistance.
CPM 20CV is considered to be a premium powder metallurgy stainless steel that gives knives good toughness and high edge retention.
The 0609 is the smallest and lightest of the new Zero Tolerance knives for this year.
It’s a manual opener with KVT ball-bearing flipper opening system. The large pivot is hollow, allowing you to see through the center.
- Blade: 3.4 in. (8.6 cm)
- Steel: CPM 20CV
- Blade finish: stonewashed & satin finish
- Frame lock
- Reversible pocket clip
- Handle: Titanium, anodized bronze
- Closed Length: 4.25 in. (10.8 cm)
- Overall Length: 7.4 in. (19.1 cm)
- Weight: 3.3oz. (95 g)
Street Price: $220
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Zero Tolerance 0393
The new ZT 0393 knife is based on Rick Hinderer’s Maximus knife, and features a harpoon-style “spanto”-like blade shape.
The blade shape is said to offer maximum cutting power, with the tip being sturdy enough for piercing tasks.
It features a G10 overlay handle on top of a blue-anodized titanium handle.
Zero Tolerance says that the 0393 will accept certain Hinderer accessories, allowing for some user customizations.
- Blade Length: 3.5 in. (8.9 cm)
- Steel: CPM 20CV
- Blade finish: Two-tone satin/BlackWash DLC finish
- Titanium frame lock, hardened steel lockbar insert
- Reversible pocket clip
- Handle: Titanium, blue anodized, with machined G10 overlay
- Closed Length: 4.75 in. (12.1 cm)
- Overall Length: 8.25 in. (20 cm)
- Weight: 5 oz. (142 g)
Street Price: $240
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Zero Tolerance 0462
The new ZT 0462 is the new big brother to last year’s 0460 knife. It features a 3.75″ CPM 20CV blade with an upswept shape.
The front handle is made from colored carbon fiber, with a “deep-red weave of color” that doesn’t seem to show up very well in online product images.
The 0462 seems to be fairly lightweight for such a long-bladed knife.
- Blade: 3.7 in. (9.3 cm)
- Steel: CPM 20CV
- Blade Finish: Stonewashed & satin finish
- Frame lock
- Reversible pocket clip
- Handle: Red carbon fiber composite front, stonewashed titanium back
- Closed Length: 5.25 in. (13.3 cm)
- Overall Length: 8.9 in. (22.5 cm)
- Weight: 3.7 oz. (107 g)
Street Price: $240
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Zero Tolerance 0801TI
I recommended the Zero Tolerance 0801 back in December of 2013. I hand’t reviewed it, because there were other knives at the time that I thought were of greater reader interest.
The 0801 was and continues to be a nice knife.
Last year, Zero Tolerance updated the design, with the 0801Ti. Them main difference seems to be a new handle design with cut-outs and grooves near the edges.
I think I like the new look. You do save a bit of weight, too, but the 0.2 ounce difference, or 3.45% reduction in weight, will likely be hardly noticeable.
- Blade: 3.5 in. (8.9 cm)
- Steel: S35VN
- Blade Finish: Stonewashed finish
- Frame lock
- Reversible deep carry pocket clip
- Handle: Titanium, bead-blasted finish
- Closed Length: 4.7 in. (11.9 cm)
- Overall Length: 8.2 in. (20.8 cm)
- Weight: 5.6 oz. (158.6 g)
If I were to buy a new Zero Tolerance knife this year, it would be this one, the 0801Ti. But since I have taken more of an interest in smaller knives, that seems unlikely. Unless there is very strong interest in a review of this model, I’d rather use the same review sample budget on 2-3 more affordable knives.
Street Price: $200
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Adam g
Plus zero tolerance and Kershaw are of the same parent company, great products with many made in USA offerings.
Stuart
I believe that ALL Zero Tolerance knives are made in the USA.
Some Kershaw knives are made here, but not all of them.
Adam g
Have yet to buy a at yet but, now that I’ve found the perfect spyderco it’ll be that or benchmade. I lean toward beefier knives so probably zt.
Adam g
For the record the perfect spyderco for me happened to be the manix 2 in s110v with g-10
Jonathan
All ZT knives are Made in Oregon (knife making capital of the US).
That said Stuart, with all the knife reviews you do, I know that you’ve been to different tool factories/many and trade shows.
You should visit Oregon this summer work/play. I bet that you could get 4-5 manufacters or even a single one to subsidize a trip and give you a factory tour.
Leatherman’s HQ is just 5 minutes from PDX airport.
The Portland metro is HQ to
Buck, Kershaw (KAI, ZT), Benchmade, CRKT, Coast, Gerber, Leatherman, and more.
All in all more than 36 knife manufacturers employing several thousand people here in Oregon.
Just a thought, but I know that I enjoyed your and Bens Milwaukee factory tour and videos.
Stuart
I wish!
With small kids at home now, I don’t travel to as many media events or trade shows as I’d like to.
There are a bunch of tool brands I’d love to visit, even on ToolGuyd’s dime. Maybe in a few years I can travel more.
fred
Once the kids get a bit older its good to travel with them.
Despite the demands of business, my wife and I tried to get away with the kids 2 or 3 times per year. We only pass this way once – and you can not get back opportunities that you pass by.
Some friends and relatives might have thought us crazy – or wondered why we always took the kids (what no romantic getaway vacations?). Some advised me that the kids would never remember – but experience tells me that my “advisors” were wrong. What’s more, my wife and I remember their reactions – like the fist time in Disney World, seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time, coming through the tunnel into the Yosemite Valley, riding the cable cars in SF, watching whales off the San Juan islands, sitting at the Grand Ole Opry, attending the NM state fair, learning a bit of French in Quebec and then in Paris, tossing coins in the Trevi fountain, gondola rides in Venice and then again in Providence RI, etc.
I was never in a sole proprietor situation – so nothing shut down in my absence. Some of my compatriots and/or subordinates might have even said that things ran better without me. If I could combine some business with vacation – so much the better – but that was not my main goal – nor did it happen often.
fred
BTW – just a note based on 25 years ago:
My wife liked Portland – rose gardens not knives.
The Kids seemed more impressed once we got to Seattle and then on to Victoria.
My wife (always the gardener) loved Butchart .
Doug in Post Falls
Props to the knife culture in Oregon. I’ve own a number of their fine products. As a Post Falls, Idaho native, I can’t help myself. When Buck Knives escaped the People’s Republic, they landed here in the Idaho panhandle.
Jonathan
Stuart,
oops forgot to include the link about Portland Oregons robust knife industry.
https://www.outdoorlife.com/meet-insanely-talented-blade-makers-portland-knife-capital-usa#page-16
Jonathan
@Fred/Stuart,
Yeah, when I was a kid we did a ton of travel, it changed me for the better when travelling in “developing nations” seeing how great we have it living in the US.
So we are now doing the same with our kids, we are going to Hawaii as treat for my eldest after graduation this spring, it will be harder to travel when she’s in college and working, I know it was for me.
I try when ever I can to combine trips and writing off even a portion of travel expenses helps to make it more affordable and allows us to take more trips, then using credit cards rewards to cover the families airfare.
That is why I suggested a work/play trip for Stuart (even partially subsidized for Stuart/Ben makes it more affordable esp, with a family). Travelling w/small children can be a challenge, but the memories are worth it sorta of like the lack of sleep with newborns, it only seemed hard at the time. sometimes traveling with small children can have extra perks, advance boarding, we’ve been bumped upto business, an one time to first class (because of our kids).
Portland’s great (in the Summer), we moved here from Atlanta in 96.
Stuart
Eventually, maybe.
Both of my kids have been to local media previews and meetings. But I don’t think I would want to mix work travels and family trips.
It would compromise both what I could do work-wise, and what I could do with my kids.
fred
The very few combined trips that I did happened to be to places my wife wanted to visit (who doesn’t like Paris or San Francisco). I got my business done during the day – while my wife had the kids in tow – then we’d meet for dinner and evening activities. When the few days of business were completed – we’d extend the trip for family time – like a loop around SF to Monterey, Carmel, Yosemite and Lake Tahoe. My accountant and I were quite circumspect about what was appropriate business expense – so the financial benefit from combined travel was always rather modest- but I did cover my airfare. Now retired, I notice lots of teachers who say they travel for educational purposes. I guess if you teach Spanish then sitting on the beach in Marbella and conversing with the locals in Spanish does have some merit.
Bryan
Really disappointed in ZTs offerings for 2018. Hopefully they’ll release some more new designs before Blade Show.
Charles
Agreed. Wish there were other options besides frame lock and blade lengths closer to 3.0 inches.
I appreciate design compromises but every single user interface with a knife is the handle, that should be priority #1.
Tim
Same here. Haven’t bought a ZT in a few years because I haven’t like much since the 0562.
James R.
Really liking the 606 and the 801TI.
I EDC a 350ST, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with a knife.
Diplomatic Immunity
Well no go for me. All are tip up carry with no option for tip down carry so it seems. Not to mention the smallest blade is still breaking the knife laws around here. Good to see companies moving past S35VN at least for $200 knives.
Tim
I like knives designed around both, but if they had to choose one, I think tip up is the more popular option.
Don
I have been sitting on the fence to buy one for a while. I really like the ZT0450
overall. Just trying to justify the cost vs the benefit of having an expensive knife
instead of something sturdy that does the job and is more cost effective.
Stuart
If you can describe what you’re looking for in a knife, I can see if I have something to send your way. Generally, though, I don’t often like parting with knives like the 0450. =)
There are plenty of highly recommended knives that are more affordable than these. But sturdier? I think that only a fixed blade knife could be sturdier than the average ZT knife.
Don
I would be happy just to get your recommendations for a good EDC knife that is a folder , can take some abuse, holds an edge or is easily sharpened.
Something about 4-4.25 inch balde size.
The day will come when I treat myself to a ZT in some form or another but just cant justify spending that on myself at the moment.
Stuart
Did you mean 3-3.25″ blade size?
3.4″ to 4″ offers a lot of options in “large folder” EDC territory.
Don
I was looking at large folders. Thanks
Adam g
Spyderco resilience would be by vote. 47.77 at Wal-Mart. In stock at the store near me.
Adam g
The Ontario rat is also a great knife around that size available at walmart.
Michael
I agree with Adam. The Rat 1 is an absolute tank for a very budget friendly price.
Don
Ended up with the Ontario Rat. Very happy with it. Thanks for the suggestions.
Alick
No classics among these designs 🙁
Pete
How would a classic knife be a new knife?
Toolfreak
Ugh. I used to like ZT stuff, it was functional and looked like it.
This stuff is close to being gaudy fluff for collectors, which seems to be the direction ZT is heading in instead of making stuff to actually use.
I get that they just want to sell knives no matter what, but I really think if they came out with more variations on the functional designs, they’d sell well and they’d sell more since people would be able to pick a variation that works for them, not just be forced to either pick up one design or find something elsewhere, and the collectors would still buy more because they’d buy every variation.
Tim
ZT has always had gaudy fluff.
Great quality, but mostly designed for collecting more than using. Much of the knife industry is this way.
Toolfreak
The early knife designs were pretty functional and more “tactical” than “tacticool”.
Like Kershaw, ZT does a lot of collaborations with known knife designers, and it seems both companies do so much that they’re really just catering to those designers and their fanbases and are no longer after the regular consumer who just wants a high-quality, functional knife.
I get that there’s a LOT of fluff for collecting and to keep the knife designers in business, but it’s pretty sad when you can’t get a basic knife at all from a USA-manufacturer.
Bryan
The ZT 0909 fit the bill as a hard use folder, but they ended up discontinuing it. Though they are still available from some sellers. ZT has really gone away from its roots.