Zero Tolerance Will get Snappy – Testing the ZT 0512

Zero Tolerance (ZT) Knives was based in 2006. During the last couple of many years, they’ve earned a status for producing laborious use knives. Whereas they had been initially targeted on the regulation enforcement and navy markets, civilians shortly obtained their grubby mitts on these overbuilt blades and had been suitably impressed.

By 2010 or so, ZT Knives acknowledged that their supposed viewers had expanded enormously, and their choices did in order effectively. Right this moment, ZT Knives is named a premium knife firm that produces high-quality, strong reducing instruments which are just about bombproof.

Now the factor is that while you use phrases like overbuilt and strong when discussing knives, there’s an inclination to think about chunky, even clunky, designs. Handles that seem like you could possibly use one to smash aside a cinder block, that kind of factor. ZT has discovered methods to sidestep that challenge totally and ship knives which are robust as nails, but in addition glossy and good-looking.

The ZT 0512 is an ideal instance of that mixture. It’s a beast, however one which’s at all times beneath your management.

ZT 0512 Specs

• General size: 8.0 inches
• Blade size: 3.45 inches
• Closed size: 4.55 inches
• Metal: Cru-Put on
• Weight: 4.4 ounces
• Made within the USA
• MSRP: $320.00
• URL: zt.kaiusa.com

What’s Within the Field?

The ZT 0512 is a side-opening computerized knife. With the blade totally deployed, the knife stretches 8.0 inches even. The blade is 3.45 inches lengthy, giving it a closed size of 4.55 inches. The deal with is 0.53-inch thick. Whereas the ZT web site signifies the load of the 0512 to be 4.4 ounces, on my scale it’s 4.2 ounces. For perspective, that’s about the identical as two C batteries.

The deal with is an fascinating design, with one aspect pure canvas micarta and the opposite titanium. The micarta has been left just a bit tough, quite than polished. Whereas the scales are flat, the deal with is formed such that it offers a snug and safe grip. A bronze-anodized spacer provides some visible pop alongside the again of the deal with.

Trying on the micarta aspect of the deal with, you’ll see a small bronze button. That’s the place the enjoyable begins. Urgent it snaps the blade into place, and it does so with appreciable authority. The button is pretty recessed to scale back the danger of unintended openings. I’ve been carrying the 0512 on and off for a number of weeks and I’ve had zero worries about it opening in my pocket.

The 0512’s blade is a clip level design. It’s CPM Cru-Put on with a darkish bronze Cerakote coating to supply extra safety from corrosion. Cru-Put on is a superb knife metal, recognized for toughness, edge retention, and general hardness. The blade is razor-sharp proper out of the field. Having owned just a few different ZT knives beforehand, this was no shock.

The deep carry pocket clip is reversible, permitting for right- or left-side carry. Both manner, the knife is tip up within the pocket.

How Does the ZT 0512 Carry out?

I’ve lengthy had an affinity for computerized knives, and I’ve loved each different ZT knife I’ve had, so I knew getting in that the 0512 was prone to be a house run.

The motion on the knife is unbelievable. You must push the deployment button with a bit drive, which I presume is a security characteristic. However when the blade swings out, it does so remarkably quick and laborious. As soon as open, it locks into place. There’s zero wiggle entrance to again or aspect to aspect. Whereas no knife lock ought to be thought-about good, the lockup on the 0512 comes about as shut as I’ve ever seen.

Releasing the blade to shut it makes use of the identical button. Press it and fold the blade closed manually. There’s only a little bit of resistance because the blade closes.

I really like the micarta scale on the obverse or entrance aspect of the deal with. Now granted, I’m a sucker for pure canvas micarta to start with. I significantly prefer it when it’s left a bit uncooked, so there’s some discernable texture with it. It seems virtually classic, which I believe is absolutely cool. I’ve had one or two knives from Kershaw that related handles. Provided that ZT Knives and Kershaw are each a part of the identical firm, that is sensible I suppose. The micarta provides the 0512 some extra visible enchantment whereas additionally augmenting the grip safety.

This is a reasonably large pocket knife, although it’s each smaller and lighter than the venerable Buck 110 Folding Hunter. Make no mistake, it fills the hand. However on the similar time, it handles like a dream. The load lends a way of solidity quite than feeling like an anchor dragging your hand down. I don’t know that I’d go as far as to say the 0512 totally replaces the necessity for a set blade while you’re within the discipline, however it will probably positive do an terrible lot of the identical work.

The Cerakote coating is there for corrosion-resistance, nevertheless it additionally provides the blade a cool look. It has a matte end, so it serves to provide it a tactical look, in the event you’re into that kind of factor.

During the last a number of weeks, I’ve used the 0512 to course of numerous cardboard packing containers, slice up fruit and greens within the kitchen and on the path, and do some carving and whittling. The blade stays extremely sharp. The jimping on the backbone feels nice beneath the thumb while you’re carving, supplying you with a little bit of added management. There’s a slight swedge on the backbone nevertheless it isn’t wherever close to sharp sufficient to trigger issues in the event you’re making use of strain there together with your index finger whereas doing element work.

I’ve opened and closed the knife effectively over a thousand occasions at this level. The mechanism has by no means even come near failing. The blade deploys simply as reliably now because it did once I first took the knife from the field.

Computerized Knives and the Legislation

As soon as upon a time, possessing an computerized knife may result in severe authorized points if it had been found by regulation enforcement. Right this moment, many areas of america have loosened these restrictions. There are much more jurisdictions the place carrying an auto knife is authorized than areas the place it’s nonetheless verboten.

Nonetheless, it pays to do your homework. You can begin with the American Knife & Instrument Institute (www.akti.org/state-laws-regarding-automatics/). They preserve a really correct database on such restrictions.

Does the ZT 0512 Make the Minimize?

I can’t suggest the ZT 0512 extremely sufficient. It will get 5 stars throughout. This can be a real workhorse, and one which has zero stop in it. That is the kind of knife that from the second you decide it up, you’re searching for one thing to chop or slice. It simply desires to be put to work. This isn’t a secure queen. As a substitute, it’s extra just like the handyman who is aware of learn how to repair something and gained’t relaxation till the job is finished.

In regards to the Creator

Jim Cobb is a nationally acknowledged authority on catastrophe readiness, in addition to a lifelong knife nut. He has been concerned with preparedness for almost 40 years and has developed a status for his common sense method to the topic. Along with his quite a few books and a number of other hundred journal articles, Jim is without doubt one of the co-hosts of the The best way to Survive 2025 podcast. He affords a free weekly e-newsletter referred to as The Survival Weekly Dispatch (https://jimcobb.substack.com/).

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Written by Jim Cobb