A closer look at the Zero Tolerance 0360TS.SKD Folder

This is the Zero Tolerance 0360TS.SKD folding knife (TS stands for tiger stripe). You may recall having seen it in Issue 8. The knife is a result of a year-and-a-half collaborative effort between Zero Tolerance and SKD Tactical; that could mean a lot or nothing, but in this case it appears the time was well spent.

At 5.6 oz. this knife is 30% lighter than its predecessor, the ZT 0350, which was manufactured back in 2010. The blade is S30V stainless with a Tungsten DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating that is, according to SKD, a “non-reflective, self-lubricating, corrosion-resistant finish.” The company goes on to say, “The high-protein, low-carb blade profile gives the 0360.SKD a leaner look than the 0350, without compromising strength…” The description is accurate, as you can (hopefully) see in the video below. The handle is textured black G-10. Blade length is 3 1/4 inches; closed length 4 5/8 inches, overall length 7 7/8 inches, and there is a carbide tip on the butt of the handle (more to the belly side of the folded knife than the back; you'll have to look closely for it). The carbide tip allows for glass-breaking, which I personally believe is something we should all be prepared for (specifically in regard to helping extricate someone from a vehicle accident under exigent circumstances). The tip is innocuous but definitely in the right place.

Though I expected good things from a Zero Tolerance knife (particularly if SKD was involved), I have to admit to being surprised by the 0360TS.SKD. The ZT SpeedSafe system really does make it easy to open the knife one handed, even wearing gloves. I performed numerous repetitions in several different styles of glove, each with different tactile qualities. The knife opened smoothly (and fast) with both Line of Fire ‘Pointman' and ‘Jedi' glove models, the 5.11 Tactical Screen Ops Patrol Gloves, Camelbak Impact Elites, a pair of thick winter/snow gloves I cannot identify (I don't even know where they came from), and of course good old fashioned Nomex pilot's gloves. I had more trouble pulling the knife from my pocket once it was latched onto a pocket with a thick hem than I did opening the blade — the retention clip is tight, which is very nice if you're one who wears it in a back pocket, particularly if you get in and out of a vehicle frequently.

I did not like opening the blade with the thumb-stud (of course that's a secondary option for deploying the blade anyway), rendering it superfluous for my needs. As you might expect, using the thumb stud was far more difficult than the SpeedSafe system, especially with gloves on. It could be done, but I would not want to wrestle with it under stress.

Aesthetically the 0360TS.SKD is very nice and the ergonomics are better than I anticipated with such a big handle. There are those who wouldn't prefer an EDC knife of this size, but after carrying it in various locations over the last month, point up and point down, I would hasten to reassure them. It comes with a quad mounting array and two pocket clips (which is great, because I will definitely lose one at some point) and factory Torx driver.

Overall impression: This is a great knife. It has heft without undue bulk, is ruggedly built, and performs well. I would need more time to adequately challenge the blade, but if you've been wanting one and couldn't quite pull the trigger, go ahead. This knife is worth the MSRP of $179, even without the Torx driver. Purchase yours here.

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