ZT 0223 Knife Review

My buddy Stu at knife purveyor Stone and Steal sent me this Zero Tolerance 0223 to check out for a week after he heard me express an unfavorable opinion of it on the Knife Junkie Podcast. He thought I might like it once in hand, and he was right. I was delightfully surprised at how much I liked it, what I thought looked kind of overwrought on paper ended up being really quite sweet in hand.

[@OCD4EDC]

I'm waiting for it to go on sale due to everyone hating it!!! I have handled the 0223 and it is a fantastic knife!!!! Great review!

[@TheKnifeJunkie]

Thank you sir! And by the way, that i a great strategy.

[@timothybecker8605]

I didnt like it when it came out either. But this is second review that speaks highly of it. I also am waiting for Oct/Nov prices!

[@CASTRO45ACP]

Same here

[@CASTRO45ACP]

Honestly though they should've not put the g10 on there, I like the blade though.

[@NeevesKnives]

I dont know why this knife got any hate, I love it

[@TheKnifeJunkie]

I definitely had to see it with my hands before I fell for it. If it's a design you love enough to trade $240 for I say go for it!

[@lexis831]

I'm not a ZT hater or anything but this knife just looks like a gas station knife.

[@TheKnifeJunkie]

@@lexis831 I felt the same way -- It took having it in hand to change my opinion.

[@theknifewhisperer5667]

I thought the same about this. Handle looks like a Tootsie roll. Lol! But when its in your Hand it all works. And its sooooooo Smooth!

[@TheKnifeJunkie]

Tootsie Roll! I love it.

[@stuashley6220]

Bob, great review of a great knife. So glad you liked it.

[@TheKnifeJunkie]

Thanks Stu, I hope you get many years of solid service from it!

[@SOMNIOHM]

*_605 knives, and over $220,000 later & I will still tell you all that this was one of the best knives ZT has ever made! It was really a shame that so many people followed the cult of haters that never even gave this one a chance! Most who hated on it, never even owned it! Lowkey, this was one of ZT's true gems!_*

[@dualsportedc]

I have got to get me one of these!

[@Sharpbevel]

I think this is a great knife. The G-10 is done exceedingly well and because of the grooves in it it “almost” feels like K-Bar stacked leather handle. Almost. 😊. Did you decide to buy it?

[@TheKnifeJunkie]

No, I never did buy it. Cool damn knife though.

[@jtucci5711]

If it weren't a ZT we wouldn't even be talking about.

[@TheKnifeJunkie]

That may be true, but that could also be said about a lot of knives … especially the always ugly/pretty Spydercos!

[@daveeverett9341]

Actually, you don't have to love it hate something for it to be useful. Think about how many items we use daily that simply fit a purpose well. Yes this profile isn't common for ZT, but seems very useful and comfortable. Only thing that keeps me from buying ZT's as EDC's is the inflated prices, next to cost of good power tools, etc.

[@TheKnifeJunkie]

I cannot disagree, it's crazy when you compare the cost of a knife like a ZT to something like a power tool and then compare their relative usefulness and capability. But if you've crossed the price Rubicon and spend ZT money on EDCs, it has to come down to some sort of attachment beyond usefulness, maybe it's aesthetics, ergonomics or something more sentimental. The 0223 is comfortable, cuts great, rides great in the pocket and has a high level of fit-and-finish … like many other knives before it. So with all those bases covered, this is a knife you would buy because you love the design.

[@holdernewtshesrearin5471]

Im with you there. All the unnecessary angles and points turns me off. I love the blade and build quality but i just prefer simpler more traditional styling especially for military inspired designs.

[@holdernewtshesrearin5471]

I just want the butt straightened out and maybe lessen the angle or just clean up the front or ricasso area of the handle. Keep the blade, im indifferent about the wrap around G-10 but would probably prefer something more conventional. I want it but all those angles!

[@Toyotas_n__Tools]

Do you still have this knife? Some videos the g-10 looks like brown wood, some it looks od green, and others it looks grey... I wonder if im going color blind!

[@istvantoth7431]

What are those small holes for on the blade?

[@NoNamer123456789]

Faster cooling when you cut cardboard.

[@hovan1977]

Why why why did they have to put those holes in there and the cutout to show them off? Imagine how nice it'd be without those 2 things....?

[@dasklingenspiel4089]

I like your Mk.2 better