Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Blade Material, Overall Quality
Cons: Pocket Clip
My new favorite knife
For awhile I had been debating between this and the 0562CF, and not really finding the shape of this one particularly appealing (though not unappealing, just neutral) I ended up going with the Hinderer model instead. That is certainly a great knife, albeit a little on the heavier side but it didn't really stand out to me much above many of the other stellar staples I own like the PM2, Manix 2, Recon 1, and Griptillian (also in 20CV). So after a fair amount of time enjoying the 0562CF I decided for some unknown reason that I still needed to buy this one. Perhaps the shape had grown on me a little bit, but I really think it was the dark red accents in the carbon fiber that were calling to me. Anyhow, I bought it, and when I received it I had what was probably the most positive “YES!” impression I’ve ever had upon taking a new knife out of the box and handling it. Everything about it seemed just right for me. The size, the weight, the ergonomics, the construction, the handle material, the blade material (20CV and M390 are my absolute favorites), and of course the action. It just flew open with the small flipper and then basically dropped shut once the frame lock was disengaged. Handling this knife was (and is) simply a pleasure. On the con side (because nothing is perfect, right?) I had to list the pocket clip, not because this knife needs a deep carry clip, but rather for two other reasons: 1) the ZT branding on it—if only they had left it blank to match the clean look of the rest of the knife it would have been perfect, and 2) it doesn’t flair enough at the tip of the clip to allow it to slide over the edge of jean pockets. Also, I had to list blade sharpness as a con, not because it wasn’t sharp, but because the bevel is a bit uneven over the length of the blade, and because it just isn’t as sharp or as flawless a grind as any of the 20+ Spyderco knives I’ve received from their Golden, CO factory. With the name “Zero Tolerance” combined with the impeccable construction quality in every other aspect of the knife, you would expect that they would pay very particular attention to the part of the knife that truly allows it to function. That being said, my two cons are really pretty picky and very negligibly impact my perceptions of this amazing knife. The bottom line with this one is that if you have been coming back to this particular web page to view it multiple times in the past day, week, or month, do yourself a favor and don’t wait like I did. Out of the 60+ folding knives I own, this one impressed me more right out of the box than any other.