Prediction For The Future Of The ZBT Mechanism!

[@sofakingphat8087]

I like that Manufactures are experimenting with mechanisms to make their product better. We will have to see if this one works out.

[@edged_mindset]

👊

[@BigT962]

I personally think it adds complications. The concept is cool, but I’d rather have a tried and true design with slightly looser tolerances and higher reliability. A lot of people wouldn’t be able to work on one without messing it up either. Can’t wait to see your tear down video.

[@Justaguy-e4w]

Agree with your assessment. Got mine with the thanksgiving drop and been carrying everyday since both work and home. Some things I like some I don’t. Use it as a light duty edc and carry a fastback with it for more abusive tasks. Use it probably 2 times a day on average. Zero problems so far it’s been 100% reliable. I plan on carrying it a few more months every day before putting in the rotation then I’ll probably carry it one a week or so maybe Less maybe more. Biggest complaints at this point are grip and pocket clip. It’s a very slippery knife when using. The clip works well but makes a loud snap when taken out of pocket and I personally find it annoying. Overall happy I have one but if you are going to actually carry and use one I would go with the older version. Maintenance is also a little annoying. If you carry it a lot you have to clean it a lot but that’s any otf so not a con for this particular knife.

[@ChippedMetal]

Great points! Definitely going to be interesting to see how it shakes out

[@dariocarafa3788]

I think the ZBT is absolutely amazing and it's one of the only things that would prompt me to purchase more micro techs in the future. I have the dual edge and the single edge and I absolutely love them they're easy to work on I've taken them apart just to see and I've adjusted the mechanism just to do it and it's incredibly easy. I think the ZBT idea should take off and it should be a part of all the knives that microtech makes and it should just set the standard instead of being something scary it should be something promoted

[@dustinwhitt5297]

I have my ZBT SE ultratech and its as solid as can be. I've owned 100s of knives and handled/sharpened at least a couple thousand. Speaking from my own experience, I don't think this mechanism will move to many other of their designs but I don't think it's a bad design at all. Of course there will be a few lemons and sadly since microtech is such a big name in the industry it will be made into a big deal.

[@bigglock5478]

Great points here. The fact that the tighter tolerances impact the reliability when debris getting into the mechanism is a dealbreaker for me. CBRx’s video demonstrates it well. I carry my OTF everyday as a LEO so that’s a big deal to me. Awesome video. Keep it up brother

[@edged_mindset]

I hear ya!

[@MattWeiss-s1y]

I think it’ll just be the two lines “Ultratech” and “Ultratech ZBT” idk I carry my UTs and I love them but they never fail because of what I presume is that slight blade play.

[@Chris_In_Texas]

Keep in mind, while I know they are not where near the numbers and were short limited runs for the most part, the Luminary and Atreus are both using the same lockup methods. So it will be interesting to see if it spreads past the UT. They are still producing the older design Ultratech's as well right now as well. Until they change over the entire line, it could be just like the Ultratech II that was short lived. Heck they are also making the older non-gen 3 CT's, Scarab's for example. 🤠👍

[@Flipptin]

Thanks for posting Carter 👍

[@edged_mindset]

You bet!

[@Chris_In_Texas]

Just heard from Tony that they are going to be releasing the Combat Troodon and Cypher II with the ZBT/ZBP as well shortly. Maybe they will have them out for Blade Show Texas. 🤠👍

[@edged_mindset]

Just saw that as well!

[@DirkaDirka-n9j]

Super helpful. Thank you. I have been trying to decide between the Ultratech and some high end (for me) flippers. Comparable cost between them. Since it is for EDC, I will go with RELIABILITY. Flippers it is.

[@kylehudson1395]

Definitely can see them moving it to the signature line and raising the price and lowering the numbers of available units if they end up with a ton of these coming back . I've been using mine quite a bit and for everything to see if it's gonna have any problems, but so far so good.

[@edged_mindset]

Keep me posted!

[@drewbarton3419]

The type of person who would be getting this was EXACTLY my first thought. Just like someone who doesn't know how to change oil, they won't know or have the mechanical ability to work on it. It's definitely particular people who understand what it is or is willing to put in the time to learn to work on it. I do hope they continue with the mechanism, it's pretty cool. I think microtech will handle it. They did make it pretty clear in a video that it will cost money if the user screws it up. As long as assembly is good at their job, they likely won't have many returns. Bet we'll see where the line is going twords the end of 2025.

[@Ab82903]

Either way you look at it, the knife should come to the buyer dialed in perfectly. It also shouldn't need adjustment after a couple of days.

[@drewbarton3419]

@Ab82903 exactly, up to assembly to get it right lol

[@stevengoddard5623]

@@Ab82903 Exactly Ab...Got my ZBT Ultratech on Sunday night. By Thursday it evidently already needs adjustment. MT are marketers for sure. "IF...it gets any tiny bit of blade play after YEARS of service...you can adjust it out." Years...or 4 days...your mileage may vary. I know it is a totally different animal, but Deadlocks can't be adjusted by the end user, and don't need to be. But honestly, I didn't expect the ZBT to blow my skirt up at the sub-400 price point.

[@griff7749]

Its definitely a knife-guy knife, and we'll see if only knife-guys buy it though. Mine quickly started failing to retract, and requires wiggling the blade or snapping the switch forward to free the blade. I'm sure a little tuning will fix it, just waiting on a T30 to do so. But not everyone will probably try to tune.

[@edged_mindset]

I think we are going to see that more and more. Some festures just don't make sense in a production knife

[@HighNoonSun.]

Good things to think about. I was planning on grabbing one when they released a red version, but makes me wonder if I should hold off and see if they release one with the new easier firing but without ZBT

[@AnEDCFriend]

Also, the tighter, the tolerances get, the more likelihood of a malfunction. That's not the biggest deal in the world, because most people aren't feathering wood and skinning squirrels with their ZBT. Edit: you got me covered at 6:45

[@UpstateOutdoors03]

I think time will tell 🤷‍♂️ I carry a scarab and ct

[@LoganLawrence]

I’m guessing Microtech is banking on the idea of people servicing their own knives by providing us the new Torx screws and the video of how to adjust the ZBT mechanism.

[@edged_mindset]

For sure, but only for those competent and comfortable enough to do it

[@justinhorn2864]

The ultratech 2 was from way back in the day, they brought back

[@mikeritter2979]

Only time will tell

[@Obsidian-One]

The reason a ak47 is so reliable is because it has loose tolerances... I think it's a awesome idea but not sold on reliability yet. Especially after all the problems with my BN Cypher 2!

[@yuriistetsenko5948]

I'll take a more familiar and simple design without ZBT any day. I don't trust these new technologies that overcomplicate the knife design unnecessarily (basically just to please the OTF couch clickers).

[@TalonConnor]

Fantastic video. You’re spot on.. do people really care??

[@edged_mindset]

Good question

[@sethprice241]

Stassa23 had a video yesterday on his channel titled, New knives of 2025, where they briefly touch on this subject.

[@edged_mindset]

Love his stuff, I will have to check it out

[@EastCoastMan603]

My mom gave me the same speech when I was a young lad…and now I made it. Commenting on YT and driving a semi. How do they know ?

[@edged_mindset]

🤣

[@IronButterknife]

When you’re right you’re right. Unless you’re wrong. 😂 I love mine, just not sure why. 😅

[@edged_mindset]

🤣

[@paullmight42]

When your average joe sends in their zbt that's jammed up with a floss pick....

[@edged_mindset]

🤣

[@franciscvarga1212]

I have no interest in ZBT whatsoever. Very poorly designed, unreliable and finicky. It’s nothing else a domed shape steel disc wedges in a 45 degrees aluminum wall. It will not maintain the zero blade play after a while. Deadlock is a mechanical marvel of engineering, Microtech is a half fast teenager drawn idea. It will fail by end of the year !

[@sprinkleddonuts6094]

Doubt it… we shall see. See you back in a year 👍

[@nenadcubric2663]

Same

[@AnEDCFriend]

I haven't punched play so hard in a long time

[@edged_mindset]

Thank you!

[@Boosted68firebird]

Intriguing Edged Mindset points as usual. I’m relieved that none of their gen3 pieces do it for me. Handles, clips and designs all look too similar and cheap for my taste. Elimination of OTF blade play is overrated and unnecessary imo. I’m more than satisfied with the minimal blade play in my Scarabs/Deltas. If anything Microtech needs to get their QC act together in regards to habitua loose switch free play. Far more of a simple fix then blade play.

[@edged_mindset]

I feel a lot of people share your sentiments