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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.
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.
- 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.
look, look, look. I know knives are tools and are primarily designed to work. But good lord are these Sinkevich designed knives sexy! I’m not sure i’d be able to do any work with it, because i’d pull it out and flip it open and forget what I’d gotten it out for!
I can see how that could happen. 🙂
Great review, Chad. I am going to pick up one of these (was going to anyway), but your review makes me feel better about my decision.
Last paragraph – “doing yourself a favor by purchasing the ZT0453CF.” Yeah, you see it. 😉
Cheers
Oops! We’ll have to fix that typo. ?
As long as it’s been since this was 1st published, have any negative opinions been had on the sturdiness of the cf scale? One of my main criteria is a knife that is durable, and as far as I can tell, the only concern for me regarding that is the durability of the cf scale.
I’d be interested in a titanium replacement scale for the 0452cf, in any case.
I would not let the durability of the handle scale deter you. It is carbon fiber, which is EXTREMELY strong. Unless you plan on running over this knife with a tank, I wouldn’t worry about it.
The carbon fiber on this knife fell apart when I jammed the knife into my bedroom hardwood floor. It chipped off at the corner where the lock pin was embedded. The knife no longer works and is now considered by me to be a throw away knife. If you stab anything with this knife, even one that hasn’t fallen apart like mine has, the knife is likely to close up on your fingers. Even if you lightly throw it into a piece of wood the handle will snap shut. I have to admit it looks nice, but in the long run I would rather be able to continue to look at ten fingers than to have to look at this piece of crap for another day.
James, I’d say with the carbon fiber scale this is more of a light duty knife or a dress knife. Probably not best to throw it. That said, I’m sorry it broke like that and I might suggest reaching out to ZT to see if they will fix it under warranty.
Dan
Thank you for the review Chad, got my 0452cf from BladeHQ.
As we can’t buy firearms in Hong Kong, I carry folding knives for self defense.
I don’t really need to use it as a tool. I carry it only because of self protection.
Do you think I did a good choice? Thanks
I think you made an excellent choice!
Thanks for the review Chad. This knife is intriguing but how does it feel in your left hand.? Would the titanium be too slick against your palm for good control and is the clip reversible. I normally take the clip off but for a knife this big it might be nice to have one.
The clip is reversible. No, the titanium isn’t slick in the hand. It feels great.
Not sure if I’m dragging up a dead horse from its grave…. Lol, but I am curious about zt knives, I’ve read a lot about them, I like what I’ve read, but as a lot of folks, can’t really afford or justify the price tag, my EDC, is a Gerber, it’s tough for sure, but doesn’t hold an edge for shit, and I’m not really abusing it…. I wouldn’t trust it with a life in self defense, but, it has its merits, I’m looking at the zt 0560bw, it seems to be what looking for, but is a flipper, I prefer a fixed blade, like my combat knife, but, I can’t carry that where I work, or I would, so I have a few questions
1. How strong is the clip
2. Do the screws that hold the clip to the knife stay tight, that seems to be my biggest issue with folders, the screws come loose, or the clip bends/ breaks, and lose the knife and not realize it, which is dumb, since it is reversed in my pocket ( knife is in my pocket clip is out of pocket)
3. How durable is the edge, how often do I need to sharpen it, and what is best way to maintenance this knife???
4. What is a similar knife for the price, obviously, you get what you pay for, but, what is it that really sets it apart from say, a crkt knife, it was awesome, except for that damn clip/ and loss problem and I’m embarrassed to say my Bear Grylls knife, is so far the strongest ( other than my c.b. knife) but, it doesn’t hold an edge for shit, and I can’t really justify using it in an everyday carry/ need tool, and it’s a small fixed blade, and is attached to my belt.
5. My Bear Grylls knife has a cheap plastic ish sheath, but it has a good idea, it can be fitted for multiple ways to carry, conceal, and draw, I’m not a stranger to hold, carry, and deploy it, but, it’s a weak knife, at best I paid 30$ for it, but, it has outlasted every other one I’ve had, in my spring assisted Kershaw folder, the tip broke on that 3 days after I bought it, but it didn’t have a reinforced tip.
To answer some of your questions as quickly as possible, the clip is very sturdy and I haven’t had any issues with the screws coming loose. If that is a problem you face, I would throw some blue thread licker on the screws. That will nip that problem in the bud.
The blade is S35VN and will hold an edge incredibly well. I have yet to resharpen mine.
Hope this helps.
ZT not much on packaging. Comes with no box or leather sheath. Unbelievable at that price. Hopefully knife holds up for years to come. Looks good.