Zero Tolerance 0302 Knife Review

[DonnieCallister]

i totally love the ZTs. but you know what really pisses me off? you cant tell if the como-paintjob will be nicely done or look like total crap! why cant they just produce the same pattern on all knifes? ive seen blades that even looked like having S-letters on it.

theres deffinately room to improve.

[t333money]

@DonnieCallister The tigerstripes are created by the polishing of the carbon off the blade once it has been oxidized. The bladed is only blasted in looesly linear lines to give it the unique tiger look. Every blade pattern is different.

[adrianrubi]

Is this knife better than any Cold Steel?

[coletrane811]

@adrianrubi I'd have no problem saying it's better than ALL CS, but I'm not a fan of CS and have never owned one personally. It is much sturdier and has a much better fit and finish than any CS that I've ever handled though.

[rbhouse23]

sam adams .. rock on brodda

[Reaper87xx]

Where did you find a ZT 0302 for 200 bones?! I can't find anything less than 240.

[coletrane811]

I see them on the forums like blade forums and knife forums for around $180 - $200 every couple of weeks.

[Reaper87xx]

Ah, ok.

[JohnWayneColt45]

Check out KerShawGuy on Bladeforums, I got mine for $155 from him about two weeks ago.

[Forgoten214]

Tell ZT to put a 4-way clip on the 0400

[elphoenix23]

hey bro,why does my zt rattle when open?

[lazadar]

Call ZT.

[coletrane811]

it's the assisted opening spring inside the handle. when it's open, there is no pressure on it to stop it from ratteling.

[Reaper87xx]

Don't worry. My Leek, Scallion, and Black Out rattle too. It's sturdy.

[sk6mix]

thanks for the review...i love this knife

[agglutination]

The Sam Adams in the corner is a nice touch

[stealthyspider]

Great knife review thanks. Might have to look into one of them.

[tjsulli790]

I love this knife! I bought one and now I feel no need to buy a strider, this one is plenty good enough for me.

[SUFFOCATIONFAN]

thanks coletrain i really enjoy watching your reviews as I think your more knowledgable than most. I was looking at one of these and an sng,then i will be content...for a while

[Forgoten214]

Very nice knife. They don't seem too popular though. Wish they had a combo edge model on the 300 series.

[jeepnicc]

Good job Cole. Simple, and to the point. Great review on one of the coolest folders ever to hit the market. Keep it up bro, I live vicariously through you. (You've reviewed almost every knife on my "unicorn list"!!) Thanks a bunch!!!

[coletrane811]

thanks!

[wolfinside]

Nice review, thank you!

[dukehitchcock]

i got my zt o301 for $150 brand new.. neener,neener ,neener

[coletrane811]

yeah, i've seen them going for around $175 new. $150 is a steal though, nice score

[antixbush]

where!

[bighitter42]

If I'm in a situation where I can carry a BIG knife...I love my zt302. A lotta knife for the price...and it's expensive.

[coletrane811]

yeah, it's a great knife at a pretty good price.

[urbantact]

Good Review! Nice looking knife. I was thinking of getting one, but I read that it is a very heavy knife (8 or so ounces). Would you recommend it for an EDC?

[coletrane811]

Thanks!

I wouldn't personally, it's a little thick for me. A little big for my taste, but some like it. Only way to know is to try.

[brottarnacke]

So there is a liner on the G-10 side? Is it out of titanium or steel or what?

I just want to make sure, because I am left handed and I am a little sceptical to putting the pocket clip screws on the G-10 side, unless there's a metal liner under there to hold the screws.

Sure, G-10 is strong, but it still feels safer to attach the screws into metal.

[coletrane811]

there are nuts in the g10 side that the screws go into, so you're not screwing it into the g10. i thought the same thing until i took it apart.

[jkm130]

FOR GODS SAKE ZT IS NOT MADE BY KERSHAW!!!!!

Kai corporations is a company based out of japan, and IT owns KERSHAW, ZT, and some other kitchen knife company

U HAVE THEIR KNIFE, KNOW WHO REALLY MADE IT

[coletrane811]

Well, Kershaw/ZT is the name everyone is familiar with. That's who I'm gonna associate the knife with. Even if they are owned by another larger corporation, who gives a shit? When an Acura rolls down the street, I say, "Wow, that's an Acura." NOT, "Wow, that's an Acura that's made by Honda."

You must be one of those guys/girls that goes around looking for people on the internet that's wrong in some way, and then you get off because you get to correct them.

Get a life douche.

[jkm130]

dude im just jokin with u relax

[mongomondomongo]

Way to backpedal there, champ.

[nate3993]

Wow...wow...wow...wow..FUCK YOU

[Maverick5588]

ugh help me decide, do i get this or the strider ar?

[coletrane811]

Hmmm, very different knives. You wouldn't be dissapointed either way.

I carry both of mine equally, but lean towards the AR because of the blade shape.

[DonnieCallister]

@coletrane811 i'm sorry but i really don't see what's the deal with the AR. everyone is talking of it as it is the holy grail. but IMO it is to small, not ergonomic enough and has just ... no kick.

do i have a bad taste? i dont know. i just dont think some1 would ever need the "full toughness" of this steel - except you want to steel tanker ships in the harbour and cut of the chains.

[mongomondomongo]

Where did you get your sheath? I'm about ready to buy this but I don't want it to take up my whole pocket.

[coletrane811]

I got it from Lifter's Leather.

[BrownFuzz23]

I dont no weather to get the ZT 0302 or the kershaw tyrade. at the moment im leaning toward the ZT. What do you think would be a better choice?

[coletrane811]

Haven't handled the Tyrade, but I've heard it's a great knife. I personally like the looks of the ZT 0300 better.

[xxgriffmeysterxx]

where did you buy yours cause the cheapest price i found for one like that was 290 yikes

[JohnTheIrishMan]

I've been thinking about buying one of these but I'm concerned about it's size for EDC. What are your thoughts?

[coletrane811]

It doesn't carry in the pocket that well. It's very wide, making it difficult to get into the pocket to reach past the knife. I carry mine on a belt sheath, so that's not a problem for me.

[holdenccc]

ZT 302 or Strider RCC?

This look like a hell of a knife but are the RCC's more tough? SMF's are too expensive right now. Sng's are a little too small.

regards

[coletrane811]

SnG is similar in size to both the ZT and the RCC. That's what I'd go for if I was you. Between the RCC and the ZT, ZT all the way. I just picked up a 0300 (all black).

[holdenccc]

Thanks bro. ZT just got better.

Btw, Commander is very nice like you said, but I still carry mini Skirmish or 710 :)

For EDC that SnG tanto would be sweet.

[coletrane811]

Yeah, I think the SnG is as good an EDC as there is out there. 710 is another fav.

[chrisw40]

wher did you get it for 200?i paid 265 and thought i got a good deal.

[coletrane811]

blade forums dot com

[chrisw40]

cool was that like a one time deal or what that was a very good price!

[coletrane811]

it was a private seller. check it out, they have great deals on all sorts of knives in the for sale forum.

[chrisw40]

Good reviews keep it up.

[coletrane811]

It has nothing to do with taking the knife apart, it's a stop to make sure your frame lock doesn't get bent out when releasing it to close the blade.

[holdenccc]

mini Skirmish would use a stop frame

[amen1974]

Cole, How did you like the ZT vs the Strider SnG you just got? Didn't you just trade the ZT? I thinking about getting one. Which is more worth the dollar? Thanks and great review!

[coletrane811]

With the ZT, I think you get more knife for the money at around $200. That being said, I think the SnG carries better. It's not so wide. I did trade the ZT recently because I got the SnG and didn't have any real use for the ZT.

[amen1974]

Okay, thanks. I notice you do a lot of knife trading. Is it worth it to become a member on Bladeforums? I'm new there and just bought my first a few days ago. My user there is amen74. Thanks.

[coletrane811]

yeah, BF is pretty nice. somewhat strict, but still a great site for info and good deals on new and used knives. it's free to sign up, you mine as well!

[honeywell690]

yeah man, sweet review. I am going to get one today! I also agree that they should put some thumb ridges in the spine for grip.

You are not a rookie if you own ZT!

[coletrane811]

thanks for watching!

[coletrane811]

great minds think alike!

[holdenccc]

Cool loking knife bro!

I really don't have any more money after chinook and military, but i'm still hunting for the next one:)

this coluld be it

[coletrane811]

get it!! it's friggin sweet! they also have a 0300 that's digital desert camo.

[coletrane811]

thanks bro, i've been wanting it since the first time i laid eyes on it. tax season, i love it!

[gbuck1212]

crazy ass knife love it!