Zero Tolerance G-10 Pocket Knife (0350SW); 3.25 In. S30V Stonewashed Finished Steel Blade with Textured G-10 Handle; SpeedSafe Assisted Open with Flipper; Liner Lock, Quad-Mount Pocketclip; 6.2 oz

1. Truly: "Proudly Overbuilt In The U.S.A.”: I have to QUALIFY me long review in that it’s me FIRST recurve and FIRST “premium steel” anything except the forged 8620 steel on me M1A receivers. Truly built like a TANK. This is a man's knife. Heavy work duty and a lethal backup should SHTF (now seems squarely ahead). Every component fabricated and assembled right here in the USA which is VERY important to me. INSTANTLY discernible quality right out of the box. Blade is a substantial piece of 30v steel, geometry exquisitely machined. Stonewash finish is evenly and beautifully applied. Blade has NO play, and aligns closed dead center when closed with enough of the liner lock's head blocking the butt of the blade insuring it stays locked. The reversible spring-steel pocket clip is solid spring steel which holds tight. One could EDC this tool even when wearing even a $500. suit (IF) carried HORIZONTALLY on a thick/quality dress belt – and (IF) you creatively modify one of the LOW profile leather "holsters" available to match belt color. In denim jeans I didn't even notice it was there when I stopped consciously trying to feel it when I got busy. Bottom line? One would have to be excessively querulous to find fault with this tool. I’m going to buy two more – one for each of our boys birthdays.2. CPM-S30V STEEL AND SHARPENING; This is me FIRST recurve and S30V steel. Also, no big fan of "designer” type steels feeling they're in part marketed to increase product margins and increasingly difficult to sharpen. But I stared at this 0350 for 2 months and finally bought it. I’ve had it for all of 5 days and thus far have: Cut ten, I tell you (10) equal sections of T3 paracord to secure grommets on my grill/smoker's canvas cover. Cut must have been near 20 old brittle 1/4" zip ties off clamp and screw secured conduit (using only the TIP). Sectioned out 8 rectangular panels of me neighbor’s refrigerator box to make silhouette targets I'll final shape with an Xacto blade. After the above, last night it STILL sliced through quality 8 1/2" x 11" paper stock.2(A): Have to figure out best way to SHARPEN a recurve. Called KAI direct and was advised the ANGLE should be between 18-22 degrees though KAI "FAQ’s" state 20-22 deg. Methinks 20 degrees would nail it. Thus far have it narrowed down to either me Whetstones with ROUNDED corners (for recurve section), or getting a Lansky Kit adding their Sapphire 2000 stone. Also use the 12"x 3" paddle STROP with slick and flesh sides... Stropping DOES make a difference. For cleaning me knives I use CLP from a couple of OTIS Kits as don't use CLP on me firearms. Wipe clean, then oil SPARINGLY with SLIP 2000 EWL which doesn’t run. I don’t use WD-40 on me edged tools or firearms despite that it's one KAI suggests.3. THUMB STUDS: I've read reviews citing them being "difficult" and/or "uncomfortable" (vs. flipper). Though using the flipper is obviously mechanically more convenient I find the thumb stud/s also easy to use though they are in fact almost touching the frame. The flipper is a (D)ream to use and its mechanism is almost (ALMOST) gives an auto-knife like response. Be CAREFUL breaking this knife in later/general EDC use as it will get your attention if your finger gets in the path when closing it (ask me how I know).4. G10 and JIMPING: I don't know how KAI could have machined either any better. The G10 etching is actually comfortable, as is the jimping, to the point both are actually comfortable to handle even after an hour of uninterrupted use. The best I've ever felt from this fiberglass composite/laminate and equally as comfortable when using a reverse (stabbing motion) grip. The G10 etching is perfect. A dead secure grip even when wet with water which I tried.5. SPEED ASSIST/TORSION BAR MECHANISM: I read comments about "removing the speed assist". Why the devil anyone would do this escapes (me). Though the torsion bar will eventually need replacing, KAI tests it to 10,000 openings. If you send it to them in OR. they'll change it for free less of course $hipping as they will for sharpening, but you can get a better than Factory edge, probably in part done to avoid liability claim/s by some moron’s self-inflicted stupidity, attaining competency in procedure, correct angle across stones where you can get a "hair splitting edge." I suspect many here already can, and do. Again, STROPPING does make a difference as the final step in sharpening. I've seen pictures of edge so clean and precise you can actually read reflected text on the edge held directly over a book's page.6. "FULLFILMENT”: I dealt with Wisemen Trading & Supply in AL. for a minor shipping issue by NO means their fault. They could NOT have been more professional or just plain Heartland America friendly. Kith and Kin always rise to the top. A family run business of standup American Patriots I will do business with again. Fortunately, they escaped the recent CAT4 tornado.

Received in about 48 hrs as promised. Thanks Amazon!The ZT0350SW is a handsome knife.very clean,simple and all business.has beautiful high quality G-10 grips with a denim like texture very similar to type used on some Spyderco models.and the stone washed blade really shows off the unique facets of the blade grind.really sharp.Its really put together too with thick full steel liners approx .080" thick,a large blade pivot shaft and (3) good sized build screws. Like other ZT models the 0350's thumbstuds do double duty as the blade stop as they contact the frame up near the thumb ramp. The 3.250" blade is .125" thick and is made from excellent CPM S30V.as delivered it is very,very sharp. Aided by the sexy,swoopy re curved and flat ground blade,it glides through the paper test and breezes through multiple layers of cardboard. Edge geometry is really good and the knife will make an excellent utility,outdoor/camp or even hunting/skinning blade .and of course would be a masterful self defense blade.The blade is nicely centered and the pivot is very smooth with no play. Deployment via the thumbstuds or flipper is very fast living up to the "SpeedSafe" moniker unlike my Kershaw Cryo 2.Blade lockup is very tight with zero play in any direction with the heavy liner lock engaging the blade to about 55% of the blade thickness or about 85% of the liner thickness.just about perfect IMO, taking advantage of the full strength of the lock design and quality materials while still allowing for many years of wear compensation. I do not abide by the idea that very early lockup is a sign of superior quality and craftmanship. Yes it does require great skill and excellent materials and heat treatment to set a lock like that and yes it will outlast a deeper engaged lock. But it also makes it much more susceptible to inadvertent unlocking due to rough handling or heavy use as the liner lock is perched precariously close to the edge of the blade tang. Ill take about 30%-60% engagement depth thank you very much.Besides,this lock will likely last a lifetime as is so what exactly are the advantages to a lock that is hanging by its toenails anyway???The balance point is right in the finger choil and although its not what id call a lightweight,it handles very well and is quick into action. Operation is smooth smooth smooth.from blade opening to unlocking and closing it just oozes solid smooth quality. Ergonomics are spot on.This has to be one of if not the most comfortable knives i own. The handle is just under .500" thick but is quite wide and hand filling at about 1.250" at the ring finger. Its just about perfect for my fairly large hands. The handle length is a little short as i can just get all four fingers on board but this allows the handle butt to nestle into the fleshy part of my palm and giving an extremely sure grip .the heavy but smooth jimping and the relatively shallow finger choil works together to really lock the knife in to my grasp and it does so very comfortably. Its actually a revelation bringing to my attention how incredibly uncomfortable some other knives are. The ZT0561 comes to mind here. Compared to this knife it is like gripping a cleated bicycle pedal with all the sharp edges and aggressive jimping. Overall this knife is just RIGHT.even the pocket clip is completely unnoticed in its stock position set for right hand tip down. Although i prefer tip up carry,because its so comfortable i plan to leave as is and adapt. Speaking of pocket clips,this one is very plain and boring looking but does a good job of securing the knife with a med deep carry.All in all i am in love with this knife. Its muscular and athletic.at once powerful and nimble.rock solid yet graceful.a bit intimidating but beautiful. And did i mention comfortable? This is now my favorite EDC out of dozens of knives ranging from budget to high end. I really wouldnt change much about this little beauty. Thanks ZT! 5 stars and 99/100. Really great knife and extremely highly recommended. Definitely one of about five must haves.Buy it!

If Benchmade and Cold steel had a baby, and then that baby grew up to kick his parents ass, this knife would be that baby! When I needed a rugged indestructible folder I used to look to cold steel. When i wanted a handsome, refined folder for an EDC I looked to Benchmade. ZT has managed to build a folder that encompasses all of these traits. The construction and materials used are of the highest quality, the blade steal is a perfect balance of edge retention and durability. Its heavy and rugged but still has a slim profile making it a great EDC or backup. The assist open is powerful and smooth and the liner lock is solid and angle cut so it will always remain tight. The thumb studs are ambidextrous and big enough to use with gloves, but also don't pass beyond the profile of the scales so it wont get hung up when removing from pocket or belt. The thumb studs also seat tight in a pocket of the handle when the blade is deployed adding reinforcement for stabbing or hacking, ( I'd even consider using as a thrower in a pinch)In summary this is a rugged working knife that wont fail you. to change it in any way would be to make it worse. The assist springs are heavy duty and the thumb groves are cut deep and sharp, the scales are aggressively textured so if you have soft hands and just want a fancy knife check out boker or benchmade.