Zero Tolerance ZT0804CF
Nick Clayton
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.