ZT 0545 Folding Knife - Full Review

Full review of the ZT 0545.
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[@metal_complex]

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[@terryboylstein472]

I love it personally. Clean simple. Nothing crazy way to go ZT

[@Sal_car88]

It looks freaking sweet. It's on my list now. It makes a great EDC knife.

[@njo9966]

MC, please name another knife with MagnaCut, titanium and CF for a lower price. Especially USA made.

[@charlesdudek7713]

Personally I think a lot of people have been waiting for ZT to make an EDC like this, including me.

[@joshuastomberg3295]

It’s a direct attack on the Benchmade Narrows and at a way better price!

[@willblake72]

I picked one up for 220ish when everyone had ZT on sale in Nov. That feels like the right price. It fills the space that a stock bugout or deka definitely do not for me, and I'm really enjoying it. Go-to knife for outdoors stuff as a companion to the fixed blade. Not every knife needs to be exciting or even interesting, some of them just get used...like 5% of the collection LOL BTW - I sliced the tip of my thumb real good the first time I went to see if it would drop shut.

[@Below-Average_Joe]

I think the new ZT is really nice. To me, it is an overbuilt gents knife. I wish it were closer to $200 or $185, but such is life.

[@terryboylstein472]

Just got this today and I love it. Literal no weight. Perfect around the house knife. Can't tell it's there and the materials is everything I love. Not displeased for sure

[@DarnGood1]

I love it actually, for what it is. I bought it for when I want something smaller and lighter to carry, like at work. That thin Magnacut blade takes a wicked edge. When I can I carry beefier knives, but when I need something small, light and sharp this fits the bill perfectly for me

[@RenedeDon]

Already owning Bug Out's and Deka's there are just too many downsides with this to peak my interest with this size range. Thanks for the honest review as usual!

[@adammunger2288]

I’ve watched so many of your reviews, I knew just from the tone of your voice kicking this off it was going to be a no go

[@lindsayselby3647]

My personal preference in a EDC is a thin knife .It fits unintrusively in my pants pocket . I have a couple of bulkier EDC knives for heavier jobs , but my go to favorite is a Ken Onion Ripple .

[@Magooblium]

Well shit, thought I was done spending money this year. Thanks MC

[@mcsquirgle]

I think this knife is sweet. With all the hoopla over heat treat and geometry it makes sense to me what ZT is trying to do here. This is a performance EDC slicer. Maybe not as interesting as I'd like but still a performance pocket knife and that's super important to me. I don't think it's really fair to say Benchmade has the bugout market covered either, especially with the Deka being super popular

[@hoya4448]

Just ordered & it will find its way! Summer time!

[@LarryGanz]

@10:24 it's only 85 thousandths, not 185 thousandths, LOL (approximately 1/12th inches thick). Also listed as 2.3mm elsewhere so actually 90 thousandths.

[@ryanyoung3890]

Its actually 85 hundredths. 85 thou would be stupid for blade stock

[@clintcrosby6337]

Thanks MC.

[@Robs_Nerdy_Knives]

7:25 it in this case, it is something obvious once you open it. The pocket clip goes under the screw to secure it with the stand off.

[@Cid_1]

I feel like this could have been a more premium Kershaw model. I do agree with a lot of what you saying and I think there are a LOT of us that just waiting for ZT to drop something amazing again. And want ZT to do good. I know they rereleased the 2 Sinkevich models in Magnacut along with this model, which is cool but it's still models that are 7 years old with new paint.

[@Sgt-Droopy]

Looks like the pocket clip can be lefty mounted as well. That is why there is a hole that you called a pocket clip mounting screw. The clip is held in place by the stud with the screw all the way through. If you mount the clip on the lefty side you use the same screw and stud to fixate it.

[@bulbchangingmonkey]

Wholeheartedly agree with everything you said about this knife. I like ZT and own many models and probably will continue to buy from them. That said If I find this on the secondary market for a good price I may pick it up

[@151ncoke]

Man you really cant beat the price. Stocking stuffer for myself for sure.

[@deadpoollee9497]

MC pretty funny my 6 month old granddaughter loves your reviews. I put u on and she calms down.

[@SOMNIOHM]

*_Thank you for this one! This video spoke "justice" in my mind! You said everything I would have, and I am with you on this one... ZT is still one of my all time most favored manufacturers. I am not giving up on them yet!_* _Onto this specific knife.. it should have been released along with, or shortly right after the 707 back in 2020!_

[@emmettcutter]

For lefties this knife is amazing the cutout on the ti side is amazing your thumb falls right into it keeping it off the frame lock and even though I hate the pocket clip cause it’s too tight and difficult to remove it is reversible so it is a very lefty friendly knife

[@realdeal5940]

It’s much better then plastic Bugout

[@piperkennard1039]

I know that's a great knife. I love zero tolerance knives but me personally I'm not into that knife I want the 301 model to come back😂😂. I just love their over built knives . I think it's good that they are trying new things but I wished they wouldn't do away with the awesome knives they've made in the past. Thanks for sharing brother . Awesome video 🤙

[@lucasgolden2115]

Great looking knife

[@user-sv2rt8kx4x]

Makes more sense to me than benchmade narrows.

[@eric21881]

Interesting take on the action I got one on layaway and the thinness and action and blade sold me The one I got on layaway is drop shutty too

[@B_Pizzle_4_Shizzle]

If you throw a rock Benchmade's direction you can find a really thin knife for over $500 😂

[@ajpend]

Hilarious.

[@austinbridge]

I am right there with you. When I think about ZT, I imagine an old office building with half of the lights on and boxes stacked up in a few of the rooms. 3 people work there and try their best to stay working by adding magnacut and titanium to Sinkevich designs that have been out for a decade. With the amount of products that other companies are releasing, I just don't understand what the thought process for ZT/Kai is... Everyone has their foot on the gas, speeding down the highway, and ZT is still in their parking spot adjusting the mirrors.

[@chrisrosado215]

ZT is much like Glock in the pistol space. Does Glock innovate? Do they make some cool, design intriguing stuff? No, not really. Glock makes tools that work. ZT makes tools that work.

​@@chrisrosado215the Glock was extremely innovative its literally the modern handgun

But this is a new design and he argues he wants the old stuff back you're not making sense.

[@wurmageddon]

Kai is a $300mil company with almost 3000 employees, to put it in perspective, that’s almost as big as Victorinox. The largest knife company in the world.

[@austinbridge]

@@wurmageddon You're only making the point more. ZT should be putting out way more knives than they are currently. They should be leading the market with that many employees and that much financial backing. Kershaw is doing it. ZT seems to just be puttering along with a few releases a year.

[@mrdoughface]

Make it a Kershaw with some g10 or micarta and im good. I like the knife. Seems a great carry knife.

[@ILLMARILLON]

This really should have been a kershaw release

[@Tom-cp6yj]

Agree! I'd take at half the price..

[@isshikishrankmypp7802]

Slap a “Z” and a “T” on it and double the money - Kershaw, probably

[@Stahlwerk88]

Unfortunately you’d have to pay the piper in the form of SpeedSafe if this was a Kershaw…

[@justindiehl7272]

If it was made by Benchmade it would cost 500 though 🤷🏻‍♂️🤦🏻 For titanium, carbon fiber, magnacut and running on bearings I think this is a good knife for an ok price but should be closer to 200-230 rather than closer to 300.

​@@Tom-cp6yjKeep dreaming

[@stuartrollings602]

I still love the 350 TS and it sure isn’t slim or light!

[@awdtw]

If they release a full ti version of the ZT 0545 I will pick it up, especially if they match the pivot to the screws.

[@scrick7112]

MC. In my opinion your right on all accounts about the ZT. For that price point I’ll shop TRM. The ZT and the Bench made Narrows. Really don’t care for either. Thx

In what world is the zt not a much better deal than a trm? Sounds like you are a knife Hypebeast.

[@craigharkness4410]

I had to seat the BB deeper into the lock bar and put and ever so slight bevel on the detent hole on the blade to get this action as smooth and easy as it should be for a ZT, Was not impressed at the start, Now its a dream.

[@MichaelR-kl6hk]

I think that's a very nice little knife, and you hit it with the target consumer for it, the suburban office warrior, who is opening office depot deliveries and such.

As if any of their other knives are used in a different way

[@davanti8580]

Didn’t have a magnacut blade yet and picked this up yesterday. Don’t have a bugout either so this spoke to me somewhat. Will be interesting to see how it feels in person when it arrives in a day or two.

[@wurmageddon]

It is a direct attack on the Bugout, the Bugout model is 535 The ZT is 0545, not a coincidence, they are known for cheeky moves like this, look up the saga of the “Natrix”.

[@joshalmighty1901]

Kershaw is the Top American Knife brand. ZT is just for rich folks. I've no problem with that.

[@everydaycarry1328]

Maybe ZT should have done this in a clutch lock design

[@mattdagger1480]

63-64 is what I'd prefer in this knifes heat treat. If it was a 63-64 I'd buy it personally.

[@Obsidian-One]

Put a Benchmade logo on it & it will only cost $739.95!

[@Kilt_Camera_and_Carry]

My only ZT is my 0055 ... But this one seems interesting 🤔

[@toadstkr]

Standoff screw holds in the clip there isn’t another screw in there…

[@Whitepinoy]

Can you do a top 10 ZT knifes

[@johnk6453]

reminds me of the small inkosi

[@bronco1199]

For 300 bucks I want good action. You were just being honest. I love ZT but I can't justify spending the money anymore. Wish it weren't so...

[@bryanbartelt3988]

Quick question. Sorry, im new, but how long do you play with a new knife to "break it in"? This means your knives seem so smooth but just bought a spyderco Para 3. Love the weight, but just... how do I break it in?

[@TXFarmRoad]

Play with it👍🏻

[@ronmutch6404]

What flashlight are you using there?

[@twissted1277]

I have the ZT0450CF and I like it better. This is going to be a hard sale!

[@shanecoursen]

Wait! Let's talk about the letters by the power on/off button on your scale....

[@ajpend]

Saw that, too.

[@Barney_Greenway]

What about a topical video "best knife bevels on production folders"? Not to be confused with sharpest knives. Had a lot of wonky bevels this year... 😵‍💫

[@ajpend]

Yeah. This is urban western office-carry chic. It’ll see some play ‘cause of that vibe, also ‘cause it’s US made. Something I picked up from you: if this were put together in China, you know it would cost a $100 less.

If it was a we knive it would cost 100 more. If it was a shiro it would cost a 1000 so I don't understand where you are going with this.

[@alejm8a]

I literally, out loud, said "what?" When you said the price. I'm confused as well.

[@paulyoshida1747]

Speaking from my experience, I am drawn to the blade design(thinness, clean execution, full flat grind). I have 2 "complaints": 1. price. It's too expensive. This should be under $200. 2. I want a longer blade(I may be the only person, but I like a thin 4" blade). I'm probably in a weird niche minority, but my favorite edc is the original WE miscreant(4" blade). It's an extremely thin and light weight knife, and I love it. I wish I had more options, especially ones at a reasonable price point. There are next to no blades that fit my favorite niche(thin-handle and blade, very light, sturdy, deep carry clip, simple classic ffg 4" blade without a fragile tip). This ZT does interest me, but I'll have to wait for it to go on sale. Too expensive.

[@d_sharon_design]

I think it looks sweet & the overbuilt transformers style enthusiast market probably isn't as big as the lightweight edc style crowd. I really don't know though cause I'm kind of dense tbh 😅

[@d_sharon_design]

I don't think they'll struggle to sell them is all I'm sayin.

[@craigrj232323]

I think ZT forgot what made them so popular. It's cool they're trying new things in different sizes, but we want to see them make a sharpened foldable I Beam that we can barely fit through the front door. Tons of other companies are making huge tank knives and ZT is missing out on that market while microtech and others are pumping out new models and variants of tried and true models. I feel like ZT is fading away.

[@markbrown1548]

I totally agree - the ZT 0545 is totally underwhelming! Honestly, I don't want the knife as any type of user (it will stay in one of my knife drawers and collect dust). After one or two times opening the knife, my index finger hurts and has an indentation from the stiff flipping action. That alone is enough for me not to like or use this knife. If it had the flipping action of a 0450CF or the new 0450BLUCF it would be a TOTALLY different story. The clip is functional but does not work esthetically. Not sure what ZT was thinking on this one.

[@the_knights_edge]

This is totally off topic but it would be badass if ZT did a strider colab and made a ZT version of the Strider SMF...don't even know if thats in the realm of possible but in my dreamworld I can pay $300 bucks for a ZT/STRIDER SMF

[@michaelupchurch4783]

The ZT Narrows lol

[@rjg02005]

Is this essentially just a magnacut version of the 0707?

[@YuhNinja]

much different blade shape. 0707 is skinnier and more warncliff

[@claytonthecountryboy3272]

Basically, what you’re trying to say is “It is Knife. Works.”

[@patrickmccrea3455]

I have the 0357 i like it better😊

[@mosab643]

That's my kinda knife.

[@bobster_lobster6479]

they marketing to me lol.

[@freeride200]

its expensive, if they priced it around 200€ it would be great I like the small size, and the thin blade, i think the most pocket knives have to thick knifes

[@johnwetzel3392]

If it has no personality, does that make this one a ZP?

[@Obsidian-One]

I gotta say I would much rather spend my $ with zero tolerance than benchmade, I feel you get more for what you spend. I hate the plastic toy feel for $300!?

[@w.ericwatt2987]

The increase cost for Titanium puzzles me...the push for Magnacut in so many knives is astounding. Nice knife...but nothing super special.

[@SuperSteelSteve]

I hear that alot about Magnacut, but how is it any different than m390 before it and then s35vn before that, s30v before that, 154cm before that? New better all around steel gets created, companies adopt it. Kinda standard practice right?

[@southwestedc]

@@SuperSteelSteve well magnacut has higher toughness than m390 which is a huge thing for me personally. S35VN also has higher toughness, tbh m390 kinda sucks

[@SuperSteelSteve]

@southwestedc I'm not knocking Magnacut. I like it. I've made probably 4 dozen knives in it. From a makers perspective it's very consistent in heat treat, had great edge stability and is very easy to sharpen. The guy above said the "push for Magnacut is astounding ".. my question is how is it any different from every other steel?

[@southwestedc]

wait MC are you saying you wash your pants every single day? what happens in a day man? Why you wash your pants so much?

[@the_knights_edge]

Plain jane vanilla knife, if what I was wanting from ZT was a home run, this barely cleared 1st. The MSI is way better american made for way cheaper. I guess we can give up on ZT coming out with bigass, beefy, overbuilt, tank knives.😢

This is a way higher quality knife from every angle what are you smoking. Microtech is just a hype company.

[@jakefromstatefarm1405]

The blade shape and thin-ness interest me, but everything else is kinda lame to me 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@thatrealba]

Lightweight and compact are exactly the opposite of what many of us want from ZT. We continue to be sad panda because of this bolony.

[@onemanhisdub1969]

Are you sure it's not manufactured by the James Brand! That's exactly who it's aiming for. It's boring at best. 🎄💥🎄💥🎄

[@TorlingJarl]

cutting paper tells nothing about cutting geometry, the literal only thing it shows is the condition of the apex.

[@metal_complex]

I point that out in almost every video. You aren't teaching me or anyone else

[@TorlingJarl]

well you said cutting geometry is good and it slices well.... cutting paper.

[@metal_complex]

​@TorlingJarl the geometry of the blade is thin and it's flat ground. The factory edge is good enough to accentuate this. In a generic sense, the blade will be "good" at slicing materials that thinner blades like this are meant to slice as long as the user maintains a good edge over time. The way I present this is meant to avoid this type of back and fourth, but every now and then I have to explain myself. Like right now. The paper cut test isn't meant to demonstrate anything outside of the quality of the factory edge. Any comments about geometry are meant to relate to the actual blade geometry. My viewers know this which is why no one else is trying to have this conversation

[@k5bgg1229]

You talk too fast and hearing the knife names is bad. Plea se post the names of the knife names in type when you show the screen..frustrating to listen too. 2:35

[@michaelinsc9724]

Really not a fan of asymmetrical designs: either both scales Ti or CF.

[@jonathanwatson268]

Kinda seems like ZT is trying to appeal to the urban lifestyle EDC crowd.

[@mikereese15]

Meh

[@landontreinen3062]

I would criticize ZT for doing something if they actually did anything. They’re so far behind everyone else it’s embarrassing. It’s basically a meme at this point. They’re dead man. It’s over. They should just give up instead of disappointing the entire community year after year.

[@multimargejta123]

Overpriced.

[@bubbapeppers4354]

Yet another ho-hum, boring in house design. ZT has totally forsaken the OG ZT community by refusing to do the collabs that put them on the map via the OG's. Someone needs to wake up, these "play purdies" are getting old and monotenous... bring back "Overbuilt" and "Built Like a Tank" for God's sake, sheesh!

[@leavingarizona3345]

I guess the one positive about it is that if it had a butterfly on it and was called Bugout it would be 983 dollars instead of 270