Zero Tolerance ZT0804CF

The 0804CF is a Todd Rexford design built by Zero Tolerance Knives in Tualatin, Oregon and based of Todd's Gamma custom. (Product page here)

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Todd Rexford's past collaboration, the 0801, was one of my favorite ZT knives of all time, (He also has designed several Kershaw models) so suffice to say, this is a great design. 

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Rexford is known for his clean straight lines and work that is among the top tiers in the custom knife world (I have seen them sell at auction for as much as $20,000 to collectors). The 0804cf is no exception. With clean purposeful lines, the knife is attractive and utilitarian at the same time. 

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The handle is composed of one side carbon fiber, and one side titanium. The carbon fiber show side is liner-less (there's really no need for one) and creates a lighter-than-expected feeling in hand (5.1oz). There is a cutout for the pocket clip for those lefties out there. I would have liked to have some kind of filler tab but I know that's nit picking. The pivot is adorned with the words "USA MADE". I don't mind it but I have heard some people offer criticism, which is fair, you can't please everyone with something like that. 

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The titanium locking side is DLC coated to match the all-black aesthetic of the knife and it really does look good. There is a stainless lock insert, as there should be on a Ti flipper and the pocket clip is a machined titanium and really looks great on the knife. It is, of course, DLC coated to match. The backspacer is a machined aluminum and is, you guessed it, black. Back in the day, I would have called this knife "murdered out" but I'm more refined than that now. 

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Rexford is known for his attention to detail and the flipper on this knife is very well laid out. First off, it's in the proper geometry. I feel, in this day and age, proper flipper geometry should be a given but I have been let down by offerings from other companies that shall not be named. Secondly, there is a unique aspect that I have noticed on a few other knives, like the 0900, where there is traction cut into the flipper tab both in the "push-button" and the "light-switch" positions. This leaves the preference up to the owner and allows for easy manipulation either way. 

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The action is, as you would expect, very well tuned. The blade pops out with authority and locks up solid every time due to the use of Kershaws caged bearing system known as KVT. Speaking of the blade, it is a nearly 4" long (3.9" to be exact) piece of CTS-204P (data sheet can be found here), a very high wear resistant and corrosion resistant super steel. The shape is a classic drop point and should perform very well in a large number of tasks. The blade is tungsten DLC coated but this is really for design purposes as the steel does not need protection from corrosion with it's 20% chromium content. It looks great, so I have no complaints. 

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The knife does sit a little high out of the pocket but I don't mind that in a larger knife. The mur... all black design helps keep things discrete enough despite that if you are concerned. 

Overall, I have to say I am very enamored with this knife. The clean straight lines, the blacked out aesthetic, and the flawless execution have created a compelling package. 

Spyderco Rubicon

The Spyderco Rubicon was a surprise to me. Upon it's release, I had written it off due to it's high price tag and lowly S30V steel (for the price that is, I know S30V is just fine). Even when handling one in a shop, I was unconvinced. It took me a while but now I understand. I not only understand the knife but it has helped me understand something about Spyderco as a whole; Spyderco doesn't so much make "collaborations" as much as they make production versions of customs. Looking at the features and design of the knife, along with some of Spyderco's own language on this and other models, I don't think they get in the way of the maker's vision very much. It is more that they take a design and make it. If they can't, they work on it till they can. Case in point is the new Brian Tighe design the Tighe Stick. They stated that they have had that design for years and only now are able to produce it true to Brian's design. That is what makes the Rubicon so attractive to me now. I don't see it as a Spyderco designed by Peter Carey so much as I see it as a production version of a Peter Carey. Anyway, let's get on with the review. 

The knife is a short and stubby. I am able to get four fingers on the handle but just barely. The scales are carbon fiber on both sides and are nicely rounded for comfort and polished to a high sheen. They are very attractive and a highlight feature of the knife. Additionally, the orange g-10 on the pivot and backspacer really set off the knife. The finish on them is top notch as I've come to expect from Spyderco's Taichung factory. 

The pocket clip is a custom design. It holds the knife in just fine but it's not my favorite. I appreciate the effort put in here, though.

The liners are titanium and the knife is held open with a liner lock. If I had one complaint, it would be that there is no cutout to allow easier access to the lock bar. It's a minor complaint though as unlocking becomes easier with practice and there is traction cut into the lock to allow for a better purchase. 

The blade shape is quite unique. The best way to describe it is a modified spear-point with a recurve. The blade is fairly short at just about 3" but it is wide. The grind is a double hollow grind that works well and adds to the look of the knife. There is a modest tip that could be a little pointier but it works fine. 

The blade rides on bearings and is very smooth. It doesn't quite drop free on it's own but, for a small knife, it is very good. The flipper tab is expertly designed. It is set up to guide you in which way to use it as it is flat and directional with traction cut into it. The detent is fairly mild but the knife fully opens every time. If the detent were any stiffer, It would be too difficult to operate the lock. It is well balanced. 

As I see this knife as a production version of a Peter Carey custom, it is fantastic. I think they nailed the execution and design. I don't know if the knife holds up on it's own as a pocket knife, for me, but there is no doubt it is a very nice piece. 

Zero Tolerance ZT 0900

The ZT 0900 is an offering in a new spirit for Zero Tolerance. ZT used to be a division dedicated to the overbuilt and the oversized. The smallest knife they had at one point was the not-so-small 0350. Then last year, the company released two models that somewhat bucked that trend. The 0566 and the 0770 were two knives that were smaller and more pocket-friendly than the established group. I'm willing to bet those models were very successful for ZT because this year we have knives like the 0900 and the 0450. 

The 0900 is the shortest knife ZT has ever produced. With a blade length of 2.7", it is significantly smaller than the previous record holders, the 0770 and 0566 (both around 3.25"). The knife is interesting, though, in that it is not necessarily small. Yes it is short, but it is pretty heavy for that length (4.3oz) and is much thicker than, say, the 0770 for example. It is firmly in the "little-big knife" category. That is not a bad thing, though, as similar models (like the Spyderco Techno) have been favorites in the knife community. 

The 0900 is designed buy Les George of Les George Knives. Les is known in the knife community for his customs, "mid-tech's", and production collaborations. For the 0900 he brings his Harpy model. The blade shape is purely Les' with a simple drop point with a good amount of belly and a spine that meets a row of thick cut traction. The chunky jimping pattern is a signature of his designs. The blade material is Crucible S35VN, a fine powdered steel that is great for EDC uses. Going along with the overall theme of the knife, the blade stock is a hearty 4mm. Taking 4mm down to the edge and tip of such a small blade using a flat grind is naturally going to result in a relatively thick cutting edge and tip. Filet knife, this is not. 

The handle of the knife is composed of two titanium slabs with a frame lock cut out for right hand use. The lock cutout does have a unique pattern that adds a little something to the design. The handle is larger than the blade and enough to get a good solid grip on the knife. 

There is a little milling on the slabs that break up the flatness and It looks good. Going along with ZT's new more sterile look is the addition of the words "ZERO TOLERANCE" on the show side of the handle along with the subtraction of any markings on this side of the blade. I like. 

The pivot  closely matches some others we have seen but this one is not black but satin. In fact, the hardware on the knife is all the same satin. I prefer this to the black coated parts as it will wear much better over time. 

The action..... The action is amazing. The combination of a great flipper design, smooth pivot bearings, and lightweight blade make this a rocket of a flipper. 

With pressure, it will fire with authority and without is just as addicting. My "touring test" for flippers is if my wife can operate it. She carried this knife for weeks and absolutely loved it. Not only could she flip it, but could do so effortlessly (My wife is 5'4" 105lbs). This is one of the best designed flippers I've ever used, it's really that good.

Rumor has it that Les is working on another offering with ZT and I really hope is is a larger version of this knife. That would be a home run if this knife is any indication. I think the trend towards smaller designs is a good one for ZT. I love my 0452cf and I wouldn't trade that knife for this, but I appreciate the design and function of this knife so much, I want them to keep doing it.