First Look: Zero Tolerance ZT 0220

A Zero Tolerance ZT 0220 arrived today amidst much pomp and fanfare (I'm trying to learn the harmonica). The new folding flipper is one of the things I'll be using at Trails Found next week; I almost feel bad taking the chance of banging it up. This thing is pretty.

First announced in January at SHOT 2016, the ZT 0220 is a collaboration (the first one, actually) between Zero Tolerance and Danish knife and toolmaker Jens Anso.

As you can see it has a slightly recurved, stonewashed drop-point blade. ZT advises the blade is made of, “…premium S35VN stainless steel. This high-quality, powdered metallurgy steel is tough, wear resistant, and resists chipping.” The steel apparently contains niobium and vanadium carbides, the intention being to keep and maintain an extremely sharp edge.

Titanium handles are bead-blasted, it secures with a Ti frame lock and hardened steel lockbar, and the blade rotates on ZT's KVT ball-bearing system. The clip is reversible, which my preference, and described as “deep carry.” I'm not entirely sure what that last bit means, but okay. There is no thumb rank on the back of, nor thumb stud on the side of, the blade. This will be an issue for some; others won't care. As with pretty much every Zero Tolerance folder I've ever known, the ZT 0220 boasts noticeably heavy duty construction, though it's not as weighty as some of their other models.

Contrasting the blade and body are a decorative pivot and ZT logo medallion, with an orange anodized aluminum backspacer and lanyard attachment. Though some might be concerned the orange is garish, it's not, but neither is it orange enough to stand out at a distance — this will be significant if you, like me, tend to set phones and knives and things down on your gear and effectively lose them. Thankfully the stonewash finish will prevent this from becoming much of an issue.

I have long since purchased my last black, green or FDE knife. I might as well just buy one and immediately give it away.

Tech specs are below. More to follow in a few weeks.

•Made in the USA
•KVT ball-bearing opening system
•Flipper
•Reversible deep-carry clip (left/right, tip-up)
•Titanium frame lock, hardened steel lockbar insert
•Custom aluminum backspacer with built-in lanyard attachment
•Steel: S35VN, stonewashed finish
•Handle: Titanium, bead blast finish
•Blade length: 3.5 in. (8.9 cm)
•Closed length: 4.9 in. (12.4 cm)
•Overall length: 8.4 in. (21.3 cm)
•Weight: 6.2 oz. (175.8 g)

Learn more or buy one if you're so inclined right here.

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