Zero Tolerance

Zero Tolerance 0900 Review

Last Updated: May 20, 2019
Alright, peer pressure, you win. You finally got to me. After holding out for god knows how long, I finally jumped on the titanium-flipper-framelock (henceforth TFF) bandwagon. Not just any TFF, mind: if I’m challenging my own tastes, I’m going all the way. Full bore. Thus, I decided to pick up a Zero Tolerance; my first ZT, excepting my brief flirtation with one of their pens. The only concession I granted to my own predilections was blade length, and that’s in part due to workplace regulations.

Buy the Zero Tolerance 0900 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

The Zero Tolerance 0900 is a design by Les George that’s based on his “Mini Harpy”, but which also bears a ton of similarity to his ESR series. Les’s design aesthetic is tough to pin down, but his fascination with drop points and simple lines gives me the warm fuzzies inside. Honestly, I’m glad ZT picked a relatively conservative designer for their first sub-3” knife. No tanto point, no funky recurve. Just a solid design.

One of the reasons I steered clear of TFF’s was that I (persnickety a-hole that I am) could always find something to complain about. Whether my excuse was the lack of a lock-bar insert, the steel not being quite good enough, or the blade length being a touch too long for polite company, there was always an excuse. Not anymore. All of the reasons that otherwise would stop me from reviewing a TFF are gone, and my pretensions are crumbling around me. On that note, let’s get into the review.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

Neither Zero Tolerance nor Les George are known for dainty designs, so it should come as no surprise that their collaboration – though short in the blade – is a bit of a tank, weighing in at 4.3 oz. The 0900 has a 2.7” blade, a 3.9” handle, and an overall length of 6.6”. Most of the time I don’t feel the need to mention weight ratios, but this is a lot of weight for such a short blade. It’s shorter and heavier than the infamous Kershaw Cryo. The balance point of the 0900 is perfectly set in the first (and only) finger scallop, so the knife isn’t poorly weighted, just dense. Very dense.

Although this is my first ZT, it isn’t the first I’ve handled. A good friend of mine is firmly in the Zero Tolerance camp, and more than a few of their offerings have passed through his collection at one point or another. Handling those set my expectations pretty high. For the most part those were met; apart from one fatal flaw, that is. The secondary bevel is slightly asymmetric at the tip of the knife. I don’t know how ZT could let this leave the factory in such condition.*

*please don’t kill me KAI, that was sarcasm

I’m a bit of a stickler for thin grinds, so the chunky blade of the 0900 made me hesitate to pick one up. Fortunately, those fears were unfounded. The 0900 is a much better slicer than expected; the wide blade and high grind gets it thin enough behind the edge to do some real work. So in that sense, it outperformed my expectations. Sadly, it’s still a thick chunk of metal, and the high flat grind can only do so much to help. When compared to other knives in its class – notably the Spyderco Techno and the DPx HEAT/F – the 0900 falls closer to the Techno than the HEAT. That’s a good thing in my book.

The blade is S35VN, which is probably one of the most well-rounded steels on the market. It’s easier to sharpen than its predecessor S30V and it chips less. Mine arrived with an edge so keen I felt it on my finger before my eyes registered contact. I’ll grant that I haven’t been able to maintain that level of sharpness, but I’m not exactly a gifted sharpener. Infrequent stropping has kept it sharp enough for my needs.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

Les George tends to use fairly simple lines in most of his designs. As a result, Zero Tolerance didn’t have to flex outside of their comfort range – at least, not far out of it – to produce this for a mass market. A good comparison is the ZT0220, designed by Jens Anso. Anso’s aesthetic is more avant-garde and less likely to appeal to a broad market. You can see some of his design aesthetic in the 0220, but it’s so muted that his touch isn’t immediately clear. By contrast, Les’s design aesthetic is much more conservative, and thus easier to translate. Ultimately this feels like a Les George produced by Zero Tolerance, not a Zero Tolerance designed by Les George.

In my experience, ZT knives have had good (but not great) ergonomics. I’ve occasionally been blown away: the contoured handle of the 0454 and the thumb placement on the 0392 come to mind, but those are the exceptions, not the rule. As such, I expected the 0900 to be solid in the hand, but nothing to write home about. That was a mistake on my part. This knife melts into my hand in a way that I never would have expected. It almost sings. My error lay in assuming that the contours were simply for visual appeal, and that otherwise it would feel like any other slab-handled knife. Photographs did the design no favors. The contours are deep and well chamfered, allowing your palm to wrap around the handle without feeling like you’re holding a slab of metal.

Sadly, this knife carries about as well as expected: by that I mean that you need the right pants to carry it securely. Part of the problem is the clip. What makes it great in the hand makes it a bit unreliable in the pocket: allow me to explain. The 0900 (like many modern ZT’s) uses KAI’s deep carry pocket clip. It’s unobtrusive and matches the lines of this particular knife, but has a very thin point of contact on a very wide handle. This problem is exacerbated by the placement of the clip, as around half of the point of contact hovers over the lock bar, which means it’s hovering over empty space when the knife is closed. In work pants, this hasn’t been an issue, but in dress pants, quick-drying shorts, or other thin materials, it’s lead to some anxiety.

Deployment and Lockup

This is the part where I eat a healthy dose of crow. As much as I dislike the market’s obsession with flippers, I have to admit that the 0900 is significantly more fun to fidget with than any other knife I own. The deployment is crisp, clean, and requires zero wrist flick. No weird problems with the lockbar were experienced. Keep everything well-oiled, keep grit out of the bearing race, and you’ll be perfectly satisfied. It’s worth noting that I haven’t seen any of the odd lockbar issues others experienced on the 0450.

What can I say? There’s no stick, and lock up has consistently fallen around 40%. The replaceable steel insert is a very nice touch. In addition to warding off lock stick and making potential repairs less onerous, it also functions as an overtravel stop. To date, I haven’t experienced lock rock or blade play, and I don’t expect to. Would I like a lock that keeps my hands out of the blade path? Yeah, but this is as close to perfection as a framelock can get, so I can’t bitch too much.

Zero Tolerance 0900 Review – Final Thoughts

My complaints are pretty minor: I’d like a thinner grind, a different clip, and maybe a bit of weight off the whole package, but those are wants, not needs. It’s exciting enough that Zero Tolerance took a step into the sub-3” category. I hope the 0900 – and the 0450, and the 0808, for that matter – sell well enough that ZT pays more attention to this share of the market. If the recent runs in blue and gold are any indication, that’s exactly what’s happening.

There is some stiff competition for the 0900. The “little big knife” concept has been around for awhile, and other companies have been doing a lot to refine their own offerings. Spyderco’s Techno and DPx’s HEAT/F are fairly popular and fall in the same price bracket. How does the 0900 stack up to those two? Pretty well, actually. The ~~hollow~~ full flat ~~how is this not a hollow~~ grind of the Techno beats out the flat grind of the 0900, but the George design has better ergonomics and the benefit of a steel lockbar insert. While I’m sure the HEAT/F makes for a great rescue knife, it’s far too chunky for everyday tasks, so I think the 0900 has the edge here as well.

I’ve pigheadedly prided myself on steering as clear as I can from the whole TFF market. I don’t like it when a meta (to use gamer jargon) is solved; in my view, it leads to more iteration at the expense of innovation. My problem is that the 0900 is good enough to shut down any objective complaints I have about a titanium flipper framelock. When those issues are solved, my recalcitrance rings less of legitimate criticism, and more of hipster-ism. If you like flippers already, chances are you’ll like the 0900. If you don’t, this is a great (albeit expensive) way to test the waters.

Zero Tolerance Les George Titanium KVT Folding Knife (0900); Manual Open, S35VN Stainless Steel, KVT Ball-Bearing System, Frame Lock, Reversible Pocketclip; 4.3 oz., 2.7 In. Blade, 6.6 In. Overall Length

Durable S35VN stainless steel makes the smaller, classic drop-point blade tough, chip resistant and razor sharp
Stonewashed finish gives blade and handle desirable roughened, scuffed look and helps hide scratches
Reversible, deep carry pocketclip convenient for left or right handed tip-up carry and sits low and comfortably in pocket
Ideal EDC; sleek, easy folding pocket knife essential for everyday tasks—survival tool, cutting boxes, self-defense, home protection, tactical use or the perfect gift
High quality, general all-purpose knife perfect for EDC or use while hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, working, utility or outdoor activities

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Zero Tolerance 0900 at Amazon and BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

Zero Tolerance 0888MAX

by Dan Jackson 2 Comments

First of all, this is not really a review. The 0888MAX is a pure collectible for me. A collectible I was able to acquire through a trade with my good friend Andrew of the Edge Observer. The knife has been admired and “fondled” (as much as I hate that word – it’s right up there with “hubby” and “moist” for me), but certainly not carried and used. Given the value and rarity of a knife like the 0888MAX, I hope those who came here for a rough and tumble review can look past that and enjoy the knife from the same collector’s mindset that I have.

It seems as if Zero Tolerance has lost their way in some respects with their recent limited editions. To me knives like the 0777>, the 454CF, and this 0888 represent the pinnacle of ZT’s limited editions: bold and innovative designs that are beautifully and meticulously executed, featuring feats of engineering largely unseen in their regular lineup, yet the knives are still timeless and universally appealing.

A 0392 with “toxic green” hardware doesn’t get me going in the same way an 0888 does. The 0427 is cool, but a little busy. It is more of an acquired taste, than a timeless classic. I have similar feelings about the 0999. To me they just gratuitously layered on more stuff, like a chef at a fancy restaurant simply piling on more expensive ingredients.

There is something about the 0888 that places it the top my favorite ZT LE’s. Maybe because it is an in house design, so simple and elegant yet so meticulously and beautifully rendered. The gentle play between the open blade and handle, the fully contoured titanium scales, and the ingenious one piece pocket clip that flows seamlessly with the rest of the knife, all serve to elevate this design from the rest. There is something almost magical about the 888, made even more etheral by the limited quantity: a mere 250 pieces of the 0888 and 250 of the 0888MAX. These days Zero Tolerance limited releases even seem to be less limited. But that’s OK, this only serves to make the 0888MAX more special.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 0888MAX has an overall length of 9.125″, a 3.75″ blade, a weight of 7.56 ounces, and is made in the USA. I will use “0888” and “0888MAX” interchangeably throughout this article except for when specifically discussing the steel below. With that said, the difference between the 2 is that the 0888 is uncoated and comes with a composite S110V and 14C28N blade, while the 0888MAX is black DLC coated and approximately half of the 0888MAX knives feature Maxamet steel, and the other half have M390 steel blades after Zero Tolerance realized it would be too difficult to finish out the entire batch in Maxamet. Also the fuller on the regular 0888 does not extend the length of the blade like the 0888MAX.

The 0888 was apparently the 2012 Overall Knife of the Year. Although I agree with Tony that this is an award of dubious distinction, in this case I think they got the award right, and the 0888 is certainly worthy of the Knife of the Year title.

The 0888 features a modified drop point blade. It’s almost a spearpoint, and that spear shaped blade is further accented by a dramatic fuller that runs the length of the blade before transitioning into the handle. The knife is flat ground, with the grind running half the height of the blade. There is no swedge.

The “MAX” in 0888MAX signifies ZT’s choice of Carpenter’s Maxamet high speed powder tool steel. Here is a link to Carpenter’s datasheet. Here is a link to ZKnives always informative Composition Analysis Graph, Equivalents and Overview.

After reviewing Carpenter’s datasheet, it looks like Maxamet is to be hardened to anywhere between 66-71 HRc, which is super high on the Rockwell C scale for knife blades. For reference, steels like S110V and ZDP 189 are taken up to the low 60s (maybe as high as 65 for ZDP-189). According to Zknives, ZT had trouble grinding the Maxamet blades after heat treat, and experienced issues with warping if they ground the blades before heat treat. That is why they did not make the full 250 piece run of 0888MAXs in Maxamet, and that is what makes a “real” Maxamet clad 0888MAX so special.

This all sounds great, but since I have not used this knife I cannot comment on the real world implications of a knife with a Maxamet blade. I can’t imagine it being easy to sharpen.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The 0888 comes with a 3 piece titanium handle. I love the absence of visable hardware except for the custom pivot on the show side. The end result is an exceptionally clean and elegant knife; especially when you consider that this was released several years ago. These days we are seeing more integral designs hit the market, but at the time that wasn’t the case. The handle has a full titanium backspacer tastefully engraved with the “Zero Tolerance” wordmark.

The overall fit, finish, and execution of the handle is fabulous. Your fingers catch on the fine, almost herringbone, machining on the handle. The backspacer and handles are almost seamless, and the lockbar is precision cut. The all black MAX version is especially seductive, lending the knife a stealth fighter feel.

The 0888 is a large and comfortable knife. It’s simple shape provides the end user with excellent ergonomics. Again, I haven’t cut with this knife, or carried it, so I can’t offer much besides impressions after handling it. If you were to use it my best guess is that it would feel great. There is no jimping to speak of.

The pocket clip is also quite special. It’s a one piece ambidextrous tip-up pocket clip. Again, it is beautifully finished and 3-d machined from a single piece of titanium. This is easily the most elaborate clip I have ever seen on a knife. It is secured by a single phillips screw hidden from view unless you look down into the inside of the handle. I haven’t carried my 0888MAX. It’s a big heavy knife, and my guess is that you would really feel it in the pocket. Not my choice for an every day carry piece, but definitely a cool collectible.

Deployment and Lockup

The 0888 is a bearing equipped flipper. The action is crisp and smooth, and the knife opens with a distinctive metallic click. After disengaging the lock you can shake the blade closed. Blade centering is perfect on my knife. As with some ZTs, you need to keep your finger off the lock bar when using the flipper.

The 0888 is a titanium framelock with replaceable steel blade insert. I think having a steel insert is especially prudent with this Maxamet blade. If the blade is truly hardened to 66+ HRc, it will chew through a titanium lockbar. A steel insert is essential here. Lockup on my knife is early and secure. There is no blade play, and the lock does not stick. Typical ZT quality here. They have the 0888 dialed in just as good as any other Zero Tolerance framelock I have handled.

Zero Tolerance 0888MAX Review – Final Thoughts

It is a privilege to share a knife like the 0888MAX with you. I occasionally run into some cool stuff, but largely stay within the realm of normal production folders. I don’t own many custom knives, nor do I spent a lot of time in the midtech market.

With all that in mind, the 0888 is a special piece unlike anything else I have reviewed. Even compared to my 454CF or Shirogorovs this 888 is a totally different knife. I think it is especially interesting that this is an in house design. That is a testament to the team they have built over at Zero Tolerance. Given the somewhat “funky” nature of the new ZT LE’s I think they should consider another in house design. Clearly they have some talent over there, and I think an overreliance on custom maker designs may be a step in the wrong direction at this point.

The 0888MAX is no longer available at retail, and they rarely appear on the secondary market, but if you are in the market for a Zero Tolerance knife, please consider purchasing it at Amazon or BladeHQ. By purchasing things through any of the links on this website you support BladeReviews.com, keep the website free of annoying banner ads, and help produce future reviews. Thank you very much.

Zero Tolerance 0452CF Review

by Chad McBroom 15 Comments

When it comes to folding knives, I am extremely selective in what I choose to carry, especially if it is a blade that I am going to carry for self-protection. It has to be light, reliable, sharp, and geometrically efficient. These are just a few of the qualities I look for in a folder. After all, a folding knife is already at a disadvantage over a fixed blade, due to the fact that it has to rely on mechanical functions.

Buy the ZT 0452CF at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

I had been a fan of Zero Tolerance’s quality and construction ever since they came on the market a few years ago, but I wasn’t crazy about their designs. They built tanks, but I wanted something that was as tough as a tank, but as sleek as a Ferrari at the same time. Finally, I discovered the 0452CF.

The 0452CF is a streamlined, mass production version of the award-winning 0454, designed by Dimitry Sinkevich, who is an artist in the realms of both beauty and function. I was instantly drawn to this knife because of its long, narrow blade and slender profile. I had finally found a Zero Tolerance that would suit my personal needs. It was destined to become one of my favorite EDC knives.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 0452CF has a blade length of 4.10”, a handle length of 5.17”, an overall length of 9.27”, and is made in the USA. The knife weighs in at 4.64 ounces, which is extremely light considering the size of the knife. In fact, if it were any lighter, it would probably be too light. This knife has just the right amount of weight to it. Plus, it is perfectly balanced right at the first finger grove.

The blade of the 0452CF is a flat-ground, drop point design with a satin finish. The blade is constructed of 0.16” CPM-S35VN. This is an excellent steel made by Crucible and designed specifically for knife making. This steel has excellent properties in the areas of edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance, which make it an excellent choice in for an EDC blade.

One of the primary reasons I chose this particular knife as an EDC defensive blade is the blade geometry. The long, narrow drop point with the ¾+ false edge is an excellent thrusting blade. Of course, it does a fine job cutting as well and came razor sharp right out of the box. The 0452CF is just a great all around defensive blade.

The first thing I did when I took the knife out of the box is do some cutting tests. First, I did a paper test and the blade sliced off slips of paper with laser precision. Then I set up a couple of full 12-ounce water bottles and slashed away at them one at a time. The knife cut almost completely through each water bottle. Very impressive for a 4.1” folding knife!

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the 0452CF is carbon fiber on one side and titanium on the other side, which is the reason this knife is so light. It has a slender profile with very subtle finger groves where the index and pinky fingers rest. The curvature at the back causes the handle to sit comfortably in the hand, giving it a subtle forward cant for perfect wrist alignment. When closed, the blade sits so deeply inside the handle that it adds very little to the handle’s profile, resulting in a slender package that tucks nicely along the seam of the pocket.

One of the things I love about Zero Tolerance is their deep pocket clips. This knife is no exception. The deep pocket clip mounted low on the handle allows this knife to sit almost completely concealed inside the pocket. The clip on this knife has a very small signature as well, causing the knife virtually to disappear in the pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

The 0452CF has a flipper mechanism for quick, one-handed opening. Unlike its 0454 predecessor, the flipper mechanism on this model has some nice jimping to ensure positive finger contact with the flipper. A strong detent system not only locks the blade in place when it is in the closed position, but also adds counter resistance so that the blade launches open when the pressure on the flipper breaks free of the detent.

When I first got the knife, the detent was pretty stiff. I had to use a hard wrist flick to open the knife. During the 2016 SHOT Show, a product rep stopped me and asked if he could demo some of his micro-particle oil on my knife. He put a small drop on the detent pin using a needlepoint dropper, and that was all it took to make the blade deploy with a simple flip of the index finger. It has been silky smooth ever since.

The 0452CF employs the KVT (Kershaw Velocity Technology) ball bearing system, which rotates around a large, beautiful five-spoke pivot pin. The titanium side of the handle provides a durable frame lock. Combined with a hardened steel locking bar, the titanium frame lock ensures a solid lock up. I feel very confident with this knife’s locking system.

Zero Tolerance 0452CF Review – Final Thoughts

I am not at all displeased with my Zero Tolerance 0452CF. This knife is everything I expected it would be and more. It has become a regular part of my Every-Day Carry kit. I typically carry multiple knives, but this is the one knife that always goes with me. I have been carrying this knife every day for about 4 months now. It has held its edge like a champ, and the opening has only gotten smoother over time.

I cannot say enough good things about this knife. If you are looking for a high-quality, tactical folder, then you would be doing yourself a favor by purchasing the ZT0452CF. I’m very glad that Zero Tolerance decided to run this production run of the Dimitry Sinkevich collaboration. In fact, not to diminish the artistic beauty of the 0454 in any way, but I would even go so far as to say that some of the features of this production run (i.e. the jimping on the flipper) are upgrades over the original. I have no doubt that others will enjoy this knife as much as I have.

Zero Tolerance 0452CF; Pocket Knife with 4.1” Dual-Finished S35VN Steel Blade, Carbon Fiber Front and Titanium Back Handle Scales, KVT Ball-Bearing Opening, Frame Lock, Deep-Carry Pocketclip; 4.6 OZ.,Large

4.1-inch S35VN steel blade shows amazing toughness and resistance to edge chipping, with improved edge retention
Handle features carbon fiber front and titanium stonewashed back for comfortable in-hand feel, increased strength and excellent size/weight proportion
Handsome, dual blade finish with a non-reflective satin finish on the grind and stonewashed finish on the flats and blade thickness is 0.156 inches
Great companion for hunters, business professionals, wilderness guides, survival experts, first responders, military, law-enforcement and more
Ideal gift for any special occasion such as birthdays, holidays, graduations, anniversaries, promotions, weddings and more

I recommend purchasing the ZT 0452CF at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Zero Tolerance 0808 Review

by Dan Jackson 9 Comments

Last Updated: August 3, 2019
Zero Tolerance has had some interesting releases in 2015. What especially intrigued me was their addition of a few smaller folders to the line up. The 0450, 0900 and 0808 all feature 3.25″ and smaller blades and come in under 5 ounces. This may not seem like much of an accomplishment, but considering the brand’s origins – monster folders like the 0300 and 0560 – these new offerings are much smaller and more pocket friendly.

Buy the Zero Tolerance 0808 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

Of course there is still plenty room for monster truck knives in their roster. Designs like the 0999 assure us that ZT has no intentions of cutting short the freak show any time soon. But at least part their line up is trending towards smaller, more practical daily carry blades.

The 0808 was designed by renown custom knife maker Todd Rexford. Todd also designed the 0801, which was a successful knife, but seemed a little plain. The 0808 strikes me as a much bolder design.

When originally commenting on the knife on an episode of Gear Geeks Live, I said that it reminds me more of a surgical instrument than a pocket knife. I still feel that way. The spare design, shiny hardware, and monochromatic color scheme all lend a futuristic feel to the knife. It was one of ZTs more intriguing offerings for the year, and with 2016 fast approaching I felt like it was high time to examine the 808.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 0808 has an overall length of 7.625″, a 3.25″ blade, weighs 4.3 ounces, and is made in the USA. It is a good deal smaller than the 0801 and is noticeably lighter. Personally, I like that, and the knife is bound to appeal more to the urban Every Day Carry (EDC) crowd then some of ZT’s older offerings. Still, the knife has some heft to it, thanks to full titanium construction. This isn’t a gent’s folder or ultralight EDC.

The blade of the 0808 is what I would describe as a modified clip point, although I think you could also argue that it is a modified wharncliffe. Regardless, it’s an atypical and angular blade shape that seems more at home on the set of Aliens than it does in my pocket. It has a very fine tip and a high flat grind. There is a non-functional swedge that adds to the visual appeal of the knife and follows the line of the handle. The grinds are all “belt finished” satin while the flats are lightly stone washed.

Zero Tolerance selected S35VN for the blade, a USA made steel forged by Crucible. I have taken a shine to S35VN over the past couple years. I like it more than its predecessor, S30V, largely because I have found it easier to sharpen. S35VN displays all of the other characteristics I am looking for in a higher end steel, including decent edge retention and corrosion resistance.

The 0808 cuts well. The stock is thick for a smaller knife, but the flat grind gets thin behind the edge and the needle fine tip is excellent for detail work. I had no problem breaking down boxes, although the absence of belly made it less ideal for food prep. I have had no issues with rust or corrosion. The edge is easy to maintain and so far all I have needed to do to strop the knife and occasionally run it on the fine stones of my Spyderco Sharpmaker.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the 0808 features titanium handle slabs, and a chunky polished titanium backspacer. Everything is held together with stainless steel hardware. I like the clean look of the 808 and the details are (mostly) subtle. The faceted handle and high polished pivot and backspacer lend to the knife’s futuristic look. I could do without the engraved “Zero Tolerance” logo on the show side, but it isn’t too bad and I suppose they have to place their logo somewhere. The handle slabs have been stonewashed, which helps hide wear. The fit and finish is excellent.

The ergonomics of the knife are simple and comfortable. I am able to get a full grip without any issue. There are no finger choils and there is no jimping except for 5 grooves on the flipper tab. Some may bemoan the apparent lack of traction. Admittedly, I have not used this knife to skin a deer or engage in hand to hand combat, but I had no issues with the knife slipping out of control under normal use. I didn’t notice anything in the way of hot spots either. But if you are looking for a serious “traction plan” then you will need to either bust out the skateboard tape or mosey on to stickier pastures.

I do want to mention that the titanium backspacer is substantial, and the knife does feel slightly off balance. This isn’t a chopper or a fighting knife, and it was not a big deal for me, but it is worth noting.

The pocket clip of the 0808 is not my favorite aspect of the knife. It shares some interesting similarities to the Hinderer XM-18’s clip, but leaves a lot of the knife exposed when it is in your pocket. That said, the handle looks like it will accept ZT’s deep carry flip found on knives like the original 0560.

I am not necessarily a deep carry clip snob, but I don’t like having a 3/4″ of a knife poking out of my pocket either. Retention is OK, but because this is a smooth titanium handle, and because we have a relatively heavy knife, I also have some concerns about the 0808 falling out of the pocket when the clip is used with lighter fabrics. While the clip isn’t a death knell for the review, it is my biggest gripe with the knife.

Deployment and Lockup

For my money, Zero Tolerance makes some of the best flippers. This 0808 is no exception. The knife comes with a caged bearing system and a dialed in detent. The blade flies open without fail every time, and is extremely secure in the closed position. My bearings are incredibly smooth and the blade falls shut upon disengagement. It is worth noting, that in the past ZT has used a blue nylon cage for their bearings. This time there is a metal cage – perhaps to accommodate the smaller footprint of the 808.

The 808 is a titanium framelock with a stainless steel lockbar insert. ZT makes a lot of titanium framelocks with steel lockbar inserts, and lockup is on my knife is early and secure. No blade play and no stick. This is how a framelock should be. My blade is not perfectly centered, but it is close.

Zero Tolerance 0808 Review – Final Thoughts

Once again Zero Tolerance has managed to deliver the goods. This is a design from one of the hottest knifemakers in the industry right now, and Todd’s design has been executed brilliantly with top notch materials and superior fit and finish. The knife is also priced reasonably when you consider that you are getting a USA made folder with premium materials and all the bells and whistles.

I like that Zero Tolerance decided to embrace smaller knives in 2015. Yet the 0808 isn’t short on quality or detail, and this is probably my favorite knife from ZT for 2015. The pocket clip is my biggest gripe, and that can be fixed with an aftermarket clip (I have seen some on Ebay for around $30, as time goes on the prices on these will likely drop). Besides that, I find little to complain about when it comes to the 808. I will be curious to see if Zero Tolerance continues in the direction of these smaller blades.

All in all, if you are at all interested in the 0808 I can safely recommend it. At the time of writing this review Amazon is selling these for around $150. At that price the 0808 is unbeatable if you are looking for a titanium framelock flipper. Not sure if that is a pricing error or what, but it’s a heck of a deal.

Zero Tolerance Kershaw KVT Pocket Knife, 3.25” Stainless Steel Blade with Manual Opening and Flipper, Titanium Handle with Deep-Carry Pocketclip, Small Folding Knife

FOLDING POCKET KNIFE: Made in collaboration with Todd Rexford, the Kershaw Zero Tolerance Titanium pocket knife is the perfect everyday carry. KVT ball-bearing system offers smooth function.
STAINLESS STEEL 3.25" BLADE: Made from S35VN stainless steel, the Zero Tolerance blade takes a sharp edge and is easy to resharpen when needed. Blade resists chipping and provides excellent edge retention.
COMFORTABLE, ERGONOMIC HANDLE: Textured and contoured for a secure grip, the Zero Tolerance’s titanium, stonewashed finish handle is prepared for any cutting action.
MANUAL OPENING mechanism and convenient flipper offers quick and easy access with simple, one-handed opening. Frame lock secures the blade when not in use.
ATTRACTIVE, INDUSTRIAL DESIGN: Stonewashed and satin finish on the blade and stonewashed finish on the titanium handle presents a stylish look. This EDC pocket knife is sure to turn heads wherever you go.

I recommend purchasing the 0808 at Amazon or BladeHQ.

Zero Tolerance 0620CF Review

by Dan Jackson 13 Comments

Last Updated: August 3, 2019
I have given Zero Tolerance over the past year. So I actually had to pause and think when my pre-order for the 0620CF popped into my inbox. I try to feature a variety of knives from different manufacturers. Would I purchase and review this knife? I slept on it for a few days, and decided that this collaboration with Ernest Emerson was special enough to justify another Zero Tolerance review.

Buy the Zero Tolerance 0620CF at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

I’m glad I made that decision, because when this knife arrived I could immediately tell it was significantly different from the other ZT offerings I have sampled.

General Dimension and Blade Details

The 0620 has an overall length of 8.5″, a 3.6″ blade, and weighs 6.2 ounces. While the Kershaw / Emerson collabs are scaled down offerings, the 0620 more like a full size Emerson. This thing is large and in charge. It suits the nature of the collaboration well, but relegates the knife to a more dedicated defensive role or collector’s item. At least for me. I don’t doubt some will every day carry (EDC) this knife, and there is nothing wrong with that if you can manage the size and weight.

The blade has always been one of my favorite aspects of an Emerson. The crisp grinds and beautiful finishes of the blade contrast oddly with the often crudely finished handles. I am pleased to say that ZT did Ernest right by the 0620. This is an immaculate American tanto complete with Emerson’s 2 tone finish: satin bevels and stonewashed flats. The multi-faceted grind has been beautifully done and the blade catches the light almost like the real deal.

Where this collaboration departs from a real Emerson is that ZT decided to V-grind the edge. Say what you will about chisel edges… easier to maintain “in the field”, cut better, blah blah blah – I’ll take this standard V-grind edge any day.

I have never been a huge tanto fan, but this version features a subtle curve between the tip and secondary point. It speaks to me the same way the Lum Tanto did – a tanto blade for guys who don’t prefer tantos.

The natural geometry of a tanto blade is excellent for stabbing, and this one with its clipped point is no different. While this is a beefy slab of steel, the flat grind is lean enough to make this a reasonable slicer, and the edge has been expertly applied.

If you aren’t a modified tanto guy, ZT is releasing the 0630, featuring a modified clip point blade, much like the CQC-8 Horseman that may be more to your liking. Personally, I have been enjoying the tanto as I currently don’t have a lot of tantos in my collection.

Much like the 0562, ZT is offering the 0620 in two flavors: M390 blade with a carbon fiber handle scale (shown here), and an Elmax blade with a G10 handle scale. M390 is a super steel and I have always treated it with a little apprehension because super steels have a reputation for being difficult to sharpen. I put my big girl panties on for this review and have been actually, like, using both my 0620 and my Benchmade Valet which is also in M390. Edge retention is exceptional and so far the steel has responded well to light stropping. This is all I have had to do over the past 8 weeks or so of use. This is excellent stuff and I look forward to continuing to evaluate M390 in earnest.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The 0620 has as thick titanium locking side and the show side is carbon fiber (or G10) over a full stainless steel liner. Construction is robust, to say the least. This is an extremely solid knife and it’s difficult to describe the feeling you get in handling the 0620. Each edge is rounded, the liners and carbon fiber are seamless. Beefy hardware sits securely in the handles. The heft of the thick titanium lock side adds to the gravitas of the knife. It is impressive.

While ZT didn’t include Emerson’s signature flat head pivot and Phillips head body hardware, they did borrow the oversize hex head pivot from the 0300 and included some beefy torx hardware and stand offs. They also included a lanyard post, which seems redundant placed next to the two stand offs, but looks to be removable.

In hand the 0620 feels like a beefed up Emerson – not a bad thing at all. The simple handle design is Emerson ergonomics at its finest. A forward finger groove indexes the finger nicely, and the wide thumb ramp is gently jimped for control and tactile feedback. The rest of the handle is simple and accommodates a wide variety of hand sizes. The 0620 is a pretty thick knife – not amazing in pocket, but excellent in hand. After working with the 0620 for several months I haven’t noticed any hot spots. Job well done by both Ernest and ZT.

The pocket clip looks almost as if it were plucked from the Emerson parts bin – it’s a carbon copy of what you would find on the real deal, except of course for the Zero Tolerance Logo emblazoned on it. It is a blackened steel clip, much like what you would find on a Benchmade Griptilian if you have never handled an Emerson. The handle has been drilled and tapped for ambidextrous tip up carry. It’s not super deep carry, but fairly deep. The 0620 is neither small, thin, nor light, but the sturdy clip holds the knife securely in pocket. It carries well for what it is.

Deployment and Lockup

Like a real Emerson, the 0620 makes use of both a Wave and thumb disk. Perhaps the most notable point regarding the deployment is the detent – it’s very strong. While it’s possible to flick it open with the thumb disk, the detent is so strong that flecks of my thumbnail often depart with the blade. The wave works well, although frankly waves have never graduated beyond a novelty for me. ZT went with classic phosphor bronze washers for the 0620. Bronze washers are all well and good, but it would have been cool to see them put KVT bearings in like on the 05620.

I have said it before and I’ll say it again, ZT has really dialed in the lockup on their frame locks. Like the past few titanium framelocks from Zero Tolerance I have reviewed, this one comes with a stainless steel insert. Lockup is early (~30%), rock solid, and without stick or blade play. It’s perfect. The 0620 in particular inspires a lot of confidence. The blade slides in to place with a satisfying snap and I wouldn’t hesitate to use the 0620 for harder tasks if necessary. Blade centering is perfect.

Zero Tolerance 0620 Review – Final Thoughts

The 0620 is arguably the best “Emerson” ever. The 0620 is built better and finished better than a real Emerson. It lacks quirks like chisel edges, and a right side tip up carry only pocket clip, but it has been upgraded with carbon fiber, M390 blade steel, and a beefy titanium frame lock. Most astonishing is that the 0620 is still made in the USA and priced for about what a similar size Emerson would cost. Case in point: the Emerson Roadhouse, probably one of my favorite Emerson patterns retails for around $230. This ZT collab comes in a at $240, and is right at $200 if you opt for the less-fancy version with Elmax blade and G10 handle scale.

There is little to nothing I would change about the 0620. In a perfect world I’d mill out the titanium frame lock to try and lighten the knife, and possibly add bearings to make this indulgent piece even more over-the-top. These are minor quibbles. Sure, it is big and impractical for normal person daily carry, but so is a real Emerson.

Zero Tolerance has once again delivered a superior product: high quality materials, beautiful construction, and designed by a legend in the industry. I highly recommend the 0620 for Emerson fans and fans of big, well made folding knives.

Zero Tolerance 0620CF Emerson Tanto Knife

Made in the USA; Wave shaped opening feature; Thumb disk for manual opening
Reversible clip (left/right); Frame lock, hardened steel lockbar inserts
Steel: Carpenter CTS-204P, stonewashed and satin finish
Handle: Carbon fiber front, bead-blasted titanium back
Blade Length: 3.6 Inch (9.1 cm); Closed Length: 4.9 Inch (12.4 cm)

I recommend purchasing the ZT 0620 at Amazon and BladeHQ.

Zero Tolerance 0562CF Review

by Dan Jackson 47 Comments

Last Updated: July 14, 2019
By this point we have seen quite a few of Hinderer / KAI collabs hit the market, and I have covered them extensively on the blog. We started with the heavily built 0550, moved to the critically acclaimed 0560, a knife that raised the standard for high end production pieces, spent some time with the controversial Kershaw Cryo, and recently the EDC-friendly Zero Tolerance 0566.

Buy the ZT 0562 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

The KAI/Hinderer collaborations on go back a couple years, and surely by now everyone has had their fill of folders that resemble the XM-18. But still Zero Tolerance has insisted and recently released the 0562cf and the 0562.

“So what?” You might say, pointing to a drawer full of ZT boxes. You may be sick of hearing about ZT and Rick Hinderer pairing up. Well, the problem with the 0562 is that it may very be the best Zero Tolerance / Hinderer collaboration yet.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 0562 has an overall length of 8.25″, a 3.5″ blade, and weighs right around 5.5 ounces. The knife is smaller than the 0560, and bigger than the 0566. I know that a 3.5″ blade is a sweet spot for a lot of people’s daily carrys and it also happens to be the same footprint of the 3.5″ XM-18, which I consider the flagship XM for some reason. The 0562 carries discretely in blue jeans, but is big enough to be used as a work or self defense knife.

This is a good point in the review from me to distinguish the 0562 from the 0562CF. The 0562CF (pictured in this review) is the upgraded version of the knife with a carbon fiber handle scale and satin finished M390 blade. The 0560 is more of a working man’s version with a G10 handle scale and stonewashed Elmax blade.

For a detailed comparison of the two with beautiful photographs I invite you to check out my friend John Holbrook’s article and review of both knives here. Of course I’m only reviewing the 0562CF here, and went for the 0562CF because it was only $50 more and I was feeling fancy, but I think 95% of this review will apply to both models.

The blade on the 0562 is classic Hinderer drop point, modeled closely after his XM series of knives. The interesting thing about this particular model is that it has been given Rick’s “slicer” grind. The slicer grind is a slanting high flat grind that shaves quite a bit of material from his standard “spanto” grind. The slicer grind on this 0562 is actually pretty slicey, easily cleaving cardboard and rope. I find that Rick’s slicer grind on the regular XM is still pretty thick. This 0562 is the best slicing Hinderer collab I have handled.

The 0562 comes in either M390 or CTS-204P steel. My 0562 came in M390. M390 is a powered super steel by Bohler, and is capable of both being heat treated to 60-62 HRc and taking a beautiful polish. I have found edge retention to be excellent on M390. M390 is also relatively easy to sharpen for a super steel, making it a practical choice for someone that wants to regularly use the knife.

I am less familiar with CTS-204P, having only experienced it with my Spyderco Southard. In my experience CTS-204P also holds a nice edge and is reasonable to sharpen. I have had no problems with rust or corrosion. The jury is still out in terms of my long term opinion on 204P, but my gut reaction is that you will be fine with CTS-204P.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

Just like a real XM, the handle of the 0560 is slab carbon fiber/g10 over a full stainless steel liner and then a titanium frame lock. You don’t have the extreme 3-d machining found on the 0560, which is fine by me because I think it’s part of the reason why they were able to keep the price down on these, but the edges are all chamfered.

Handle construction is very good. Zero Tolerance is no stranger to the world of high end production pieces, and they have struck a nice balance here of providing us with a sturdy knife with simple high end finishes like blackened barrel spacers, an oversized decorative pivot, and very good fit and finish. Compared with a real XM-18 3.5″, the 0562 is a much slimmer knife.

I really like the way the 0562 feels in hand. Gone is the terrible overly sharp jimping on the 0560. In its place you have a short row of tasteful and practical thumb jimping on the spine and a little recessed jimping by the pommel. The rest of the knife is smooth as a baby’s butt, although you do have a couple finger choils in the handle. I think they struck a great balance here and the 0562 feels very good.

For lovers of deep carry pocket clips, the clip on the 0562 is a triumph. It’s a very deep and discrete stainless steel clip that mates to a standoff at the very back of the knife. The end result is a fully ambidextrous clip that doesn’t leave a lot of holes in the handle. I am impressed ZT went this more stayed route rather than a flashy “ZT” branded clip. This level of restraint and classiness isn’t always found on their models so I gotta give credit where its due.

The spring action on the pocket clip is nice and strong and it holds the knife in place in your pocket. The 0562 is over 5.5 ounces, but it’s still a relatively thin knife and carries well for its size. All said I’m very pleased.

Deployment and Lockup

I am also pleased to report that the action on the 0562 is very good. Once again ZT has dialed in their detent and the blade explodes from the handle with the push of a finger. It doesn’t hurt that the blade rides on their proprietary “KVT” caged bearing system. Deployment is fast, reliable, and fun, and the blade falls back into place upon disengagement. The “thumb studs” are actually blade stops and I was not able to use them to open the knife.

For lockup we have a titanium framelock with a stainless steel lockbar insert. This is just like the lockbar insert found on the recently reviewed ZT 0808. It has been very well done. Lockup is early and confident, and there is no blade stick, lock rock, or any other malady that sometimes effects a framelock knife. Blade centering is dead on too. Rounding things out is a Hinderer lockbar stabilizer.

Zero Tolerance 0562CF Review – Final Thoughts

I have handled all of the Zero Tolerance / Hinder collaborations prior to the 0560 and I also recently broke down and finally picked up a Hinderer XM-18, so I thought that I have pretty much seen it all. The 0562 is still a very impressive knife. They have done a great job combining fixing the things that I didn’t particularly care for about the original 0560 (the oversize knife, sharp jimping) and added some nice subtle refinements and upgrades. I think they also did a good job not bringing over some aspects of the XM-18 that I could avoid (the 3.5″ XM-18 is very heavy and the action isn’t particularly impressive). The end result is a practical and well made knife at a competitive price point.

I know that some will want to know if the 0562 is as good as an XM-18, or whether will replace an XM-18. I’m here to say that those are still two very different knives. My 3.5″ XM-18 is an absolute tank. It’s over the top in many ways. I prefer the 0562 because it’s slimmer, more pocketable, cuts better, and flips better, and can be had for a fraction of the price of the XM, but I still appreciate the XM-18 for what it is: a finely tuned overbuilt hunk of G10, steel, and titanium.

I realize that I’m somewhat jaded by running this website, but I thought $250 for the Zero Tolerance 0562CF was very reasonable for what you are getting, and the G10 version retails for right at $200. I know a $200+ folding knife isn’t for everyone, but if you can justify buying a $200+ pocket knife then I’m here to say the ZT 0562 is awesome.

Zero Tolerance 0562CF Hinderer Slicer Folding Knife; 3.5” CPM-20CV Stonewashed and Satin Steel Blade, Carbon Fiber Front Handle, KVT Ball-Bearing Opening, Frame Lock and Reversible Pocketclip; 5.5 OZ, Black

Ultra-premium, durable CPM 20 CV stainless steel blade with stonewash and satin finishes offer outstanding edge holding capability and corrosion resistance
Hinderer flat-ground “slicer” grind provides both slicing efficiency and a tough point; handle has carbon fiber front scale and stonewashed titanium back
Reversible deep-carry pocketclip for left or right-handed, tip-up carry
Ideal EDC essential for everyday tasks—slicing, survival tool, cutting boxes, self-defense, tactical use or as the perfect gift
High quality, general all-purpose knife great for EDC or use when camping, fishing, hunting, working, utility or outdoor activities.Handle Length:4.75 inch

I recommend purchasing the ZT 0562CF at Amazon or BladeHQ . Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.