Zero Tolerance 0566
Feb 21, 2015 22:48:38 GMT
Post by Adrian Jordan on Feb 21, 2015 22:48:38 GMT
Introduction:
Hello again! Today I'd like to share with you my Zero Tolerance 0566. I've had this knife for a while, but have been trying to get my thoughts and feelings on it in order.
Being a huge Kershaw fan, I've been wanting to get a ZT blade for some time now but have always been too broke to be able to pay their prices. Also, if you've read any of my folder reviews you know that I like a smallish, lighter knife for carry. Well, ZT does not specialize in small and/or light knives, and that has turned me off of them. Some time back they released this one, the 0566. It's smaller than it's brethren, and thanks to a bit or wheelin' and dealin', as well as good timing, I was finally able to get my hands on one.
This knife was had for $119.50 with free shipping from Amazon seller ABCD Sales. Knife arrived well packaged and in good time.
Full Disclosure:
I paid full price for this knife. I have no relationship with the seller or KAI Industries.
Let's be real, Mountain Dew doesn't taste at all like it did 10 years ago. Now, it tastes like the odd not so good can that used to come in every pack. Regardless, I cannot stop drinking it. I think it's got cocaine in it or something.
Specifications:
Blade Length: 3.25"
Blade Material: ELMAX
Handle Length: 4.45"
Handle Material: G10 and stainless steel
Weight: 5.3oz
Lock type: Frame-lock
Country of Manufacture: USA
It's a little brute.
Blade:
The blade is 3.25" and in a drop point configuration. It has a swedge that runs down the spine that takes up perhaps two thirds of the length, reducing weight and giving the point a nice diamond shape. It is stonewashed ELMAX steel, of which I have seen many bicker about the quality of. I try not to abuse my knives, so I cannot attest to the resilience of the steel. I can say that this ones edge is super keen. It cuts extremely well, and the point's shape is superb. Etched on one side is the ZT logo, and on the other is the model number, designer, and KAI USA logo, as well as the blade steel. When opened, the flipper makes a very fine finger guard. The only flaw is that the edge grind isn't perfect. There is a spot about a third of an inch long on the belly just below the tip where it goes very slightly out of line. There is no effect on performance, and it took me a while to notice it, but it's there. You can kind of see it on the third picture below.
Opening:
This knife opens via thumb studs or flipper. The flipper's action is strong, but so is the detent. It takes some effort to get it going. The thumb studs are all but useless as an opening mechanism. It's very difficult to get them going, bordering on painful. Many have surmised that they are just another stop pin disguised as thumb studs, and I agree.
Handle:
The handle is comprised of a black G10 scale over a stainless steel liner on one side, and just steel on the lock side. There is zero skeletonization of either side, and all the metal parts appear to be stonewashed. It is a three pillar, flow through design. It features a Hinderer's lock-bar stabilizer. It's held together by six T9 torx screws and a T9 pivot(sizes are taken from my super-cheap, Wallmart screwdriver kit, and may be off. T8 also seemed to fit pretty perfectly). The pocket-clip is black, deep-carry and has the ZT logo etched on it. It is configured for up/down, ambidextrous carry. All hardware is black.
Just a plain, heavy-duty handle.
Lock-up:
Lock-up is achieved via frame-lock. The lock is extremely stout, and lock-up is very tight with no movement.
Centering:
Perfect. You can see that nice diamond shape tip here as well.
Jimping:
Fairly plentiful. Slightly grippy, but a bit too big to provide great traction. It's on the top of the handle spine and base of the blades spine, as well as on the thumb area of the lock and the base of the bottom inside handle.
Size Comparison:
Here it is next to a few other knives that I like to carry.
Kershaw Cryo G10:
Benchmade Mini Griptilian:
Spyderco Delica 4:
Spyderco Manix 2:
Final Thoughts:
So, did the years of pining, waiting patiently for a decent price(this knife usually goes for between $140 to $160 from a reputable seller), and selling of other knives to gain capital pay off? Sort of. This is a mean tank of a knife. It is made from quality materials. The fit and finish is good. It cuts like...something that was designed to cut super well. It is fairly well designed, and despite it's weight is not clunky in the pocket. Do I think it's worth the price I payed...not quite. Almost. The overly stout detent puts me off a little, as does the non-functionality of the studs. Also, a little bit of skeletonizing of the liners(slabs, really) wouldn't kill it. In the end, ZT bills it's knives as overbuilt and tough, and this knife is both.
Do I wish that Kershaw would put out a Cryo G10(basically a small, cheap version of this knife) with an S30V or VG10 blade and price it at $60 or so bucks so that people could have a great, smaller, cheaper copy of this knife? Yeah.
Hello again! Today I'd like to share with you my Zero Tolerance 0566. I've had this knife for a while, but have been trying to get my thoughts and feelings on it in order.
Being a huge Kershaw fan, I've been wanting to get a ZT blade for some time now but have always been too broke to be able to pay their prices. Also, if you've read any of my folder reviews you know that I like a smallish, lighter knife for carry. Well, ZT does not specialize in small and/or light knives, and that has turned me off of them. Some time back they released this one, the 0566. It's smaller than it's brethren, and thanks to a bit or wheelin' and dealin', as well as good timing, I was finally able to get my hands on one.
This knife was had for $119.50 with free shipping from Amazon seller ABCD Sales. Knife arrived well packaged and in good time.
Full Disclosure:
I paid full price for this knife. I have no relationship with the seller or KAI Industries.
Let's be real, Mountain Dew doesn't taste at all like it did 10 years ago. Now, it tastes like the odd not so good can that used to come in every pack. Regardless, I cannot stop drinking it. I think it's got cocaine in it or something.
Specifications:
Blade Length: 3.25"
Blade Material: ELMAX
Handle Length: 4.45"
Handle Material: G10 and stainless steel
Weight: 5.3oz
Lock type: Frame-lock
Country of Manufacture: USA
It's a little brute.
Blade:
The blade is 3.25" and in a drop point configuration. It has a swedge that runs down the spine that takes up perhaps two thirds of the length, reducing weight and giving the point a nice diamond shape. It is stonewashed ELMAX steel, of which I have seen many bicker about the quality of. I try not to abuse my knives, so I cannot attest to the resilience of the steel. I can say that this ones edge is super keen. It cuts extremely well, and the point's shape is superb. Etched on one side is the ZT logo, and on the other is the model number, designer, and KAI USA logo, as well as the blade steel. When opened, the flipper makes a very fine finger guard. The only flaw is that the edge grind isn't perfect. There is a spot about a third of an inch long on the belly just below the tip where it goes very slightly out of line. There is no effect on performance, and it took me a while to notice it, but it's there. You can kind of see it on the third picture below.
Opening:
This knife opens via thumb studs or flipper. The flipper's action is strong, but so is the detent. It takes some effort to get it going. The thumb studs are all but useless as an opening mechanism. It's very difficult to get them going, bordering on painful. Many have surmised that they are just another stop pin disguised as thumb studs, and I agree.
Handle:
The handle is comprised of a black G10 scale over a stainless steel liner on one side, and just steel on the lock side. There is zero skeletonization of either side, and all the metal parts appear to be stonewashed. It is a three pillar, flow through design. It features a Hinderer's lock-bar stabilizer. It's held together by six T9 torx screws and a T9 pivot(sizes are taken from my super-cheap, Wallmart screwdriver kit, and may be off. T8 also seemed to fit pretty perfectly). The pocket-clip is black, deep-carry and has the ZT logo etched on it. It is configured for up/down, ambidextrous carry. All hardware is black.
Just a plain, heavy-duty handle.
Lock-up:
Lock-up is achieved via frame-lock. The lock is extremely stout, and lock-up is very tight with no movement.
Centering:
Perfect. You can see that nice diamond shape tip here as well.
Jimping:
Fairly plentiful. Slightly grippy, but a bit too big to provide great traction. It's on the top of the handle spine and base of the blades spine, as well as on the thumb area of the lock and the base of the bottom inside handle.
Size Comparison:
Here it is next to a few other knives that I like to carry.
Kershaw Cryo G10:
Benchmade Mini Griptilian:
Spyderco Delica 4:
Spyderco Manix 2:
Final Thoughts:
So, did the years of pining, waiting patiently for a decent price(this knife usually goes for between $140 to $160 from a reputable seller), and selling of other knives to gain capital pay off? Sort of. This is a mean tank of a knife. It is made from quality materials. The fit and finish is good. It cuts like...something that was designed to cut super well. It is fairly well designed, and despite it's weight is not clunky in the pocket. Do I think it's worth the price I payed...not quite. Almost. The overly stout detent puts me off a little, as does the non-functionality of the studs. Also, a little bit of skeletonizing of the liners(slabs, really) wouldn't kill it. In the end, ZT bills it's knives as overbuilt and tough, and this knife is both.
Do I wish that Kershaw would put out a Cryo G10(basically a small, cheap version of this knife) with an S30V or VG10 blade and price it at $60 or so bucks so that people could have a great, smaller, cheaper copy of this knife? Yeah.