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17 Comments

  1. I have a 0350 and OVERBUILT is not a bad description of it. It was designed not to fail – no matter what task is thrown it. I would expect nothing less from Zero Tolerance.

  2. Go to big-5 and everyday they have folders on sale for $9.99. Bet if you had one you couldn’t tell the difference except you would have an extra $170 in your pocket.

    1. You can swing a $9.99 hammer from Walmart and call yourself a carpenter, but there’s a reason the professional owns an Estwing.

      Cheap knives (let’s say under $30) may break, rust, fall apart due to shoddy materials or workmanship, have difficulty holding an edge, be unwieldy or uncomfortable to grip, have locks that fail causing injury, or otherwise leave you up sh*t creek without a blade when you really need one. If it has a clip, the screws may loosen or pull out. Cheap knives often have thin blades and use lots of plastic. Many are also be a knock offs or look-alikes that borrow heavily from someone else’s original design.

      A more expensive blade should be made with better materials, both in the steel and in the scale. It probably won’t use much plastic, at least not where it counts. It will take harder use and some abuse without breaking, failing, or falling apart. It should hold an edge well, have a full tang (if a fixed blade) and be ergonomically designed for comfortable carry and use. As prices rise above $200, the toughness should increase, the steel should improve, and you should have more options in blade style and finish.

      Find your personal sweet spot of cost and performance, but please don’t expect your $10 to give you the performance of a $50 or $150 blade.

        1. I own a Morakniv; I think its in my kid’s bug out bag if that gives you an idea of how I feel about it. I know they are considered great bushcraft knives, but I’d rather have a TOPS if I am going into the wilds with only one blade. I don’t own a Glock knife, but it looks like a good cost effective option — but it’s not a $10 knife.

    2. I’ll take that bet, Anon, just let me know the stakes. If you proclaim that I can’t tell the difference between a $9.99 knife and one that cost $179.95, I’m here to call your bluff. Put your money on the line and let’s have a contest. Some folks are satisfied with junk from China, others appreciate quality. I’m among the latter.

      1. I am 100% sure that in your mind you are correct. Nothing will change your mind. It is zero problem if you are rich. Some of us aren’t and we want value for our money not a name. Be my guest and buy the $179 knife.

  3. Very nice looking knife, and great review. Thank you!

    It is obviously a top quality tool. But like those above, I struggle to pay $180 for a pocket knife when I’m so hard on them.

  4. Hi Cool looking knife – kinda hard to justify when one can loose several working at different emergency/accident sites as a medic and you might respond to several in one day or night. . 10 or 20 dollars not bad but 200 + and leave at accident scene when time is critical – someone gets a good blade or someone might die if I have to look for my blade after using it to cut straps or seat. I live in very rural area and transport time is critical since choppers might not be available.. I’ve probably lost over 50+ blades since working sites etc.. amazon

    1. If your knives / tools are getting lost in accident sites, you my friend need a lanyard on your knife or tool. I keep several tools with a permanent lanyard and carabiner attachment for belt or belt loop. If you are an EMT, I suggest a look at the Leatherman Raptor.

      Not an EMT, but such an equipped tool is perfect for fishing in case of a dropped tool means a splash and a head slap :^). Or fence work – clip the biner to the fence itself and the tool is handy when making repairs. Just remember to retrieve it and you are good to go !

  5. I remember when a marine kabar was 19.95. I’ve always wanted one, but l’d say, “what for”.. Now I collect knives of all types. Balisongs, bowies, stilettos, kukris.The only thing I hold in importance is price. They should be cheap,and once you’re done with it, go get another one.

  6. Thanks for bringing this knife to our attention, Pat. The blade shape is quite interesting. I appreciate ZT’s attempts to make their knives tough, functional, and also eye-pleasing. I like the size of the 0393 too. It’s not too big for EDC.

    I appreciate that you review all sorts of blades for us. And I appreciate that you press on when you get so much guff from those that reply. If it’s a top quality US made knife, they scoff at you for reviewing a knife that they can’t or won’t afford to buy. If it’s a good but less expensive knife made in China, they berate you for being “un-‘merican.” Seems you can’t please everyone. But I think you already know that. Thanks for what you do for us!

  7. I have 2 of their models. Last one was 3” blade first
    One 4”. Nice product

    All knife manufacturers should make more 3” models to be legal in more states

    Affects me when traveling in Midwest. At home in Texas no problem on blade lengths

    I Wonder how many consumers even know legal length limits in their states?

  8. I purchased this knife because of this article. While I do enjoy it thus far, it was too much to pay and it isn’t flawless as I hoped. The lines don’t match up on one side and thus the point of the knife is not what it should be. I expected perfection from the article and the price I paid. I actually work a couple miles away from their office and attempted to exchange it for a blade without errors. Sadly, the nice corporate receptionist declined my request. I should have stuck with the aforementioned wisdom…don’t spend more than $20 on a pocket knife.

  9. While running out and dropping hundreds of dollars on the latest and greatest “super-steel” folder may be somewhat silly, carrying around a $10 flea market special and convincing yourself it’s “just as good” is even dumber. It’s not, there’s a reason it’s $10 and you’ll find out what the reason is as soon as you really NEED that knife. Buy quality once and you’re set, buy junk and you’ll be buying junk over and over.

    And buying a cheapo knife because you’re afraid you’ll lose it is like buying a crappy car because you’re afraid it’ll be stolen. Ever hear of pocket clips and lanyards?

    All you need to do in order to find a quality knife that won’t break the budget is to find “last season’s” super-steel. Nowadays CM154 and VG-10 are old news and you can get excellent knives that retailed for three figures a few years ago for a fraction of that price.

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