ZT 0452CF Knife Review

In this video we take a look at the Zero Tolerance 0452CF, one of the latest and greatest offerings from KAI USA and custom knife maker Dmitry Sinkevich. A toned down and less expensive version of the

[@kylestewart4444]

My first real knife was a 0562cf and I just bought a 0452cf. I absolutely love them both.

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Solid choices!

[@SharpChronofighter]

Such a slender, sleek & functional folder! Magnificent review.

[@EDKG]

I commented on Instagram I was looking forward to both your thoughts and this blade. No disappointment on either count - great review as ever and wow, what a knife! Love the styling cues (that cf! that pivot!!) and just the scale of the whole piece. Thanks for sharing.

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Thanks for watching. It certainly is an awesome knife from ZT. Wish I had the 0454 for the vid, but alas I can't acquire them all.

[@sneakypeteraider]

Thanks for putting up the video! Just ordered one this morning from Midwayusa

[@Alexshredss]

Great review and awesome looking knife from ZT!

[@Levidanielz]

Absolutely love the cut and dry aproche you have there wasting no time. I didn't fast forward once during this video. Subscribed to your channel and have the 0452CF on its was soon enough. Great review.

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Appreciate the kind words!

[@qlcmusic]

I just ordered mine, this will be officially the most expensive knife I will own. It's going to hurt me to use it... but you only live once...

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

+qlcmusic Well said!

[@soundped]

+qlcmusic Are you happy?

[@chrisdsx5]

+Michael Schwartz Best knife I have ever handled! 4.3oz knife with a 4.1 inch s53v blade. There is nothing that I know of that can match it when it comes to having premium material and keeping it light enough to EDC. It's bad ass! Too slippery to be tactical... people should consider that if they are looking for a SD knife.

[@soundped]

Do you think the 0450 would be too small for large hands? Did you get to try that one too?

[@qlcmusic]

+Michael Schwartz I always get disappointed when a knife seems to small and I think its more special to have one this large at 4.3oz so I wouldn't go small unless you don't want to be whipping out a huge knife all the time. There are so many options if you want a smaller edc...

[@g.medina3717]

Just got mine, have to say I LOVE IT, extremely well made and exactly what I was looking for, Zero tolerance is true to its name, this thing is very surprisingly lightweight. It's a keeper for me for sure, and for $240 what I paid for it, imho it far exceeds a lot of my other custom and midtech knives, if you are a fan of slim or slender longer knives you will be very happy with this knife, it is awesome! Flips like a dream,lightweight machine that is hair shaving sharp! thank you ESB for the review and insight, It was helpful in my purchasing it.

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Thanks for watching, glad you're enjoying it!

[@RivalDJ1314]

great video review , really liking your videos lately:-)

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Thanks Rival, much appreciated!

[@theplasticdesert2408]

Absolutely beautiful knife.

[@Gpknives]

Another solid review! Love this knife. Wish they would give us the 0452 in an ≈3.5" blade with G10 for a more utilitarian/EDC friendly version. For it's size it carries like a dream though.

[@emailrasco]

Cant wait to get mine on Monday!

[@dixieleeful]

i love the knife.the stiff detent is a bit much.tough on my finger tips.hope it breaks in with time.

[@mlentsch]

Just picked up one of these at my local Gander Outdoors (I'm bored and it's the only thing open) for $175 - I don't know where they got that price, but I like it. This is a great knife!! I didn't think that I'd be this impressed. Cheers

[@noeltage]

Dmitry Sinkevich is from Belarus not Russia. Very talented designer.

[@purpledc1]

Not sure if it was mentioned but that pivot made its debut on the kershaw ruby.

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Thanks for the clarification Tim!

[@oromoto]

I like the design, nice flow.

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

For sure, thanks for watching Tsu!

[@jln6701]

Sweet looking blade

[@DmAbrosimov]

Thank you for the video! Just a little correction, Dmitry Sinkevich is from Belarus :)

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Thank you for the clarification. My apologies to Mr. Sinkevich, should he ever watch this video.

[@k-dog7013]

Just looked up the dealer exclusive one you mentioned - which they are calling the 0454-204p. It is in stock but is $480, which sucks because it looks really cool with the machining on the handles. If it weren't for this knife at $220 I would have already ordered one :) Assuming the action is the same as my 0454 I agree that this knife is much more of a light switch action than a push button, but I actually prefer light switch if a knife has a good detent like this one or the 0454.

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

K-dog701 Only a pathetic knife addict would order one of the 0454-204p versions at that price.... with that being said... mine is coming. ;-)

[@pyaoliang]

Nice as always! Does the pocket clip just screw directly into the carbon fiber? No metal threading in the CF?

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Thanks so much! Just took a look with my flashlight, there are stainless steel inserts in the CF.

[@duroisgawd]

OH YEAH, the 0452 is en route to my house. Shame I never could get an 0454.

[@knifenutsdave]

Hmm, I need to handle one in person to see if it's worth selling my 0454 for. I do prefer the slimmer, flatter scales and the deep carry clip (the machined clip is so tight it's ridiculous). I'm still so curious about the useless jimping! I brought it up in my 0454 review too.

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Mine has a stronger detent than the 0454 I handled on multiple occasions. Have you seen the 204p version yet? I would consider that one a decent trade off for the 0454, although you may not like the clip.

[@knifenutsdave]

EpicSnuggleBunny Ooh, this is very good news. Although for the reasonable price they're asking for the 0452CF, I might just hang onto my 0454 and pick this one up as well. I have seen the Russian LE version, but at $480 I'm not sold on it. I like the steel and the satin finish, but I actually like the flat sides of 0452CF.

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Misanthropia Hmm... more is better! ;-)

[@SnareMan]

Did you have any problems with the detent? I tried 2 of them in a store today and the detent on both was so strong that neither I nor the sales guy could get them open. Finally had to use the edge of the counter. My finger is still sore from it. Felt great in my pocket though

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

+SnareMan I've handled 3 so far and all of them were perfect in my mind. With this model the fingers have to be off that lockbar otherwise it's crazy difficult to open. If you had had some time to mess with one I think you'd be able to get the correct form. Although it could be that both you tried had overly strong detents, anything is possible!

[@SnareMan]

+EpicSnuggleBunny Yea, I noticed that the knife is so slender that your fingers very easily rest on the lockbar

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

+SnareMan Absolutely, the 0450 is much the same. I ended up using the pocketclip as a leverage point when I owned and carried that knife.

[@calitovegas408]

+SnareMan i just got mine today and man my fingers are sore. the detent is super strong on mine even when off the lock bar.

[@SnareMan]

+calitovegas408 That's what is keeping me from getting it.

[@kennyd6388]

Which ZT should I get. I want the best available. 0452cf, 0562cf, 0450cf, 0909 or any of the new ones coming out. I want to get the best one for my collection. It will be my 1st ZT.

[@cukedaddy]

That jimping could be for using the knife in a closed position as a kubaton.

[@michaelniedorf8046]

You don’t have a video for the zt 0560 smoothest knife I own

[@koreamedia]

when available?

[@emailrasco]

Where do you shop for aftermarket standoffs? I'd LOVE to put some red ones on this badboy

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

You can typically find them on Ebay, sometime vendors on Etsy will have them. It usually take a little while after the knife comes out before they are available. But this knife is begging for some upgrades!

[@victornishimoto6029]

Agreed

[@stephenward6886]

Do know why there are 2 different pivots. A plain star and a star with a ring. I think the older ones had the ring.

[@TheStabbyCyclist]

Great review. But why'd you have to tell me about the Russian dealer exclusive 0454?! I've been so smart about not blowing too much money on knives recently. Looks like that's going to come to an end.

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Max D Who needs money when you can have ZT awesomeness in hand?!

[@TheStabbyCyclist]

EpicSnuggleBunny True. I've never been a huge fan of ZT knives up until this year. But somehow I've ended up with 3 ZTs in the last 3 months. I guess they're doing something right.

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Max D There is going to be a new ZT model at Blade as well... wallets beware!

[@fuzzuck]

Great Review. If it matters, you did convince me to pull the trigger on this one. I was stuck between the 0452CF and the 0620CF, since it does have the M390, which is a favorite of mine, and I like the tanto grinds; but it's not a flipper, and an Emerson design loses to a Sinkevich design anytime other factors are roughly even, IMO. P.S.: Zero Tolerance DID win at the 2014 Blade Show; in fact, they won one of the big three - 'Best American Knife of the Year 2014' for the Zero Tolerance 0562CF. The CRKT Hi-Jinx won the OKOTY (Even though Ken Onion designed it, Lion Steel made it, and CRKT just stamped their ugly-ass logo on it). After winning the 'Overall Knife of the Year' award at Blade Show 3 years in a row, for the 0454 (2013), and the 0888 (2012), and the 0777 (2011), they gave someone else a shot.

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Awesome, glad the video was helpful! Thanks for the blade award reminder, it seems I've forgotten more than I remember. :-(

[@_krakra_]

What would you recommend to buy. Difference between version is 25 USD. Zero Tolerance ZT0452CF / carbon / S35VN Zero Tolerance 0452G10 M390 Sprint Run / G-10 Thanks!

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

That is a tough call. Both great options. My preference would be CF with M390. But, it comes down to sharpening vs aesthetics really. You'll have to sharpen the M390 less than the S35VN, but you might prefer carbon fiber over G10?

[@michaelniedorf8046]

I have 2 one to collect and one to use

[@clapforboobies5892]

What's the deal with the torx screw on the lockbar?

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

It hold the stainless steel lock insert in place. A huge benefit to any framelock knife.

[@happycamper843]

Could you make a disassembly video on this

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Sorry my friend, this one is no longer in my collection.

[@happycamper843]

+EpicSnuggleBunny damn my action is really gritty on mine I have tried to was it out and oil it but no luck and the pivot is impossible to get out but thanks anyway

[@qlcmusic]

+EpicSnuggleBunny why did you get rid of it?

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

+qlcmusic I can't keep them all, and I generally prefer larger knives.

[@cryptomnesiac]

super psyched on this knife, but the detent is destroying my hand.

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Make sure you cover the entire flipper tab with your finger and not just a portion of it, makes the flipping perfectly comfortable, for me at least. Enjoy!

[@cryptomnesiac]

EpicSnuggleBunny my knife's detent must be screwed then because it is next to impossible to open. i pressed the flipper against the sole of my boot so hard to open it that it tore the rubber. luckily i took a ceramic file to the detent and have made a little progress. now i can open it with 2 hands, lol

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

cryptomnesiac Sorry to hear it's so difficult. I would recommend that you talk to KAI customer support about other options to relieve lockbar tension. Taking a file to it is something that cannot be remedied without a replacement. Usually adjusting the lockbar tension is the first step. I'd talk to KAI and see what they say about it. Best of luck!

[@cryptomnesiac]

EpicSnuggleBunny yeah even with helping along the break-in it's still ridiculous. i'll probably shoot them an email. cheers bud.

[@cryptomnesiac]

Chris D'oulmeth nope, no pressure at all. i ended up working the detent a bit with the end of a ceramic rod and managed to fix it just right. i'm glad it worked out, huge fan of the design.

[@metalevon]

Same pivot as the ruby it seems

[@duroisgawd]

5 days have elapsed. Still no 0452cf in the mail, even though it was shipped priority. I hate usps at times...

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

That sucks, I'll keep my fingers crossed it arrives soon!

[@stellagaia]

Any idea how many they produced?

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

It's a regular production item, so there is not a finite number as of yet and they will continue to produce many more.

[@Tellyfive]

Great vid. Too bad it will be almost two years before they are widely available.

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Thanks, perhaps not as long as before with the more widely available steel choice and less complex machining. They have certainly set a new precedent getting it into the wild so soon after it was announced. Didn't take a year or more this time.

[@PandaFPV]

Is there a video of people actually using their ZTs? I don't think I've even seen people cut open boxes with them😑

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Panda MiamiLocksmith There is a really cool torture test on KZbin of a 0350 from some Russian guy. Definitely worth a watch.

[@PandaFPV]

Thanks I'll check it out

[@zedisdead2785]

I use my 0452 just about every day at work.

[@duroisgawd]

Based on looking at the from russia with knives 0452, I think kai is making a business decision on exotic steels and milling. They used to add value and offer these materials in the 200 dollar price range, now they're trying to get into a production market of 400+ dollar knives and apparently with hold these offerings exclusively for this new price range. While my 0600 is a great piece, I'll never spend over 400 dollars on a ZT production offering. Screw your new map pricing and business decisions, KAI..

[@VfletchS]

Not peel ply. Solid.

[@RTRFriendorpho]

Sea Pig Peel-ply doesn't mean that this is a G10/CF laminate like Spyderco uses. Peel-ply CF is just CF with the same resin texture applied to the surface that is used on G10.

[@johnnyevans6488]

I have never commented on any board or anything else before. I have 4 ZT knives and was very excited about my new 452 for EDC. After about a month of regular use and cutting nothing more than the credit card paper in my restaurant the blade became very loose. I sent it back to ZT and told them what had happened and they just sharpened it and sent it back with no comment. It still loosens up every few days and I have to tighten the blade up. Never had this trouble with any other supposed quality knife. Like my other ZT knives but the 452 is a loser and I was very disappointed with the response, or lack thereof by ZT. Either a bad design or bad manufacturing, doesn't matter results are the same

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Blue Loctite will solve it.

[@fatalframe45]

Looks about the same size as a Spyderco Military.

[@benreidy5853]

E.S.B. great video...but we know you love your mudd. LMAOOOOOFF

[@Darkstar2520]

hmm this or the Sebenza 25 carbon fiber

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Tough call, very different knives in design, size and philosophy. My biased vote would be for the ZT ( I did make the vid after all). As long as you can handle a strong detent, also fondly called #horsepower

[@Claus-L.Mueller]

It's a bit too long for me. But I like the design.

[@daleandersen9579]

I really dislike the 0452CF!! The videos failed to address the poor design of the knife!! Way too light for my liking and rather difficult to open!! Not worth the money!! I picked up an Olamic Wayfarer 247 a couple months ago, which is hands down better then the ZT!! The 247 springs open and begs to be used as opposed to ZT which demands to be closed and asks you to turn out the lights!!!

[@EpicSnuggleBunny]

Yah... so this has been a best seller for ZT, so I'm missing how it's a poor design. But, always good to hear you found something you love in the Olamic 247.

[@daleandersen9579]

@@EpicSnuggleBunny The one they sent me is almost impossible to open. Wish the base was a little bigger so that I could provide more leverage. Not the easiest to unlock to close either. My Benchmades are far better! You mentioned "Best Seller for ZT"! I won't be looking at ZT's if this is what they offer!! I would rather spend more to find one that I love!!

[@patrickg8744]

Its titanium and carbon fiber... of course its lightweight...