ZT0470 Final Diagnosis -- The Best Kershaw I've Ever Owned

[@TheKnifeGuy]

CPM 20CV is one of my favorite blades along with M390 - I've heard they are very similar in characteristics; Zero Tolerance knives are A+++ quality, ergonomics, stable mechanism, just superb American quality knife-making.

[@VicariousReality7]

20CV is just crucible copying a european blade steel

[@TheKnifeJunkie]

“Regurgitative Design” ... thank you for finding the right words!

[@timcummings8062]

It's evident that they had a lot of S35VN steel left over and did not want to discard it, so they made knives.

[@mannyz5307]

Why not marbled carbon fiber on both sides? Not on the frame lock.

[@CedricAda]

Those sprint runs are surely just then using the knife blades they’ve premade or the extra s35vn stock they have too much of. I also think this is the best of the ZTs this year, its been an awkward year for them thats for sure.

[@kingjgregory]

I seriously love this knife. One of my all time favorite knifes, and definitely not my most expensive! Great value. I love Sinkevich designs. This one in particular reminds me of a Liong Mah and there's nthing wrong with that!

[@bill3117]

Thanks for your comment on ZT's knife introduction almost being a sprint run. This one is going to be my next knife. I'm passing on the 0850 and 0640 due to your informative reviews.

[@DoctorFrunkey]

Thank you! This is the one to get!

[@outeredge6483]

I’d love it with a darker stonewashed handle like the 0450 with the same look an maybe a different back spacer. Great review as always Doc!

[@b16crxt]

I love this and have been wanting an upgraded Atmos for some time, but damn it's a lot more than I was wanting to pay.

[@JacobVichique]

Still Loving my ZT 0462... Thought about purchasing this model but the blade style didn't do it for me. 20cv is a bit easy to chip and with how thin the point comes to I decided not to pick it up. Broke off about an 1/8 of an inch of my 0462 and just took it to a bench Stone to reprofile... With that 1/8 gone I felt a lot more comfortable using it to pry since it has a bit more girth behind the tip. ZT is doing well with this lineup! Also not a fan of the S35vn Sprint runs but i did pick up the variations of the 0462 just for the scales. Lol

[@alittleolder]

I own this knife too and just did a review of it and also compared it to the Atmos and it really is just a bigger Atmos but that's really said in a good way, just like you said. It is really great quality and has the few finers things that Kershaw couldn't do on the budget.

[@docthunder1881]

I'm a fan of the design, but mine was a lemon. The detent on mine was nearly non-existent. I can easily shake it out. My pivot was free spinning. I sent it back to KAI. They worked on the detent, but it still shakes out with ease.

[@dogonmountain6445]

Nice design. I don't like the "backwards" clip either. I've never held onto a ZT for long but I'm willing to give this one a try.

[@robbed18]

So are you a fan of the s35vn blades? I acknowledge your point that those sprint runs seem strange, but not sure if you think that is a good thing or not. I think I missed the boat where folks became bored with s35.

[@Rothbardy]

robbed18 20CV is just a better steel. Doesn’t make sense to make a limited run with an inferior steel, when the base model comes with 20CV

[@JesseLJohnson]

@@Rothbardy I imagine they had a lot of s35vn left over since they are using 20cv now, so they are using up the old steel in sprint runs. Lot of sprint runs discontinued on sale now just got a couple in the mail today, ordered 5 ZTs from 3 sites the past 2 weeks not all were sprints though but one sprint was s90v. Would like to see more variety in steels offered though. Maybe sprints that are $50-$100 less then the standard 20cv model with s30v, CPM154, VG10, D2 whatever and maybe G10 or something cheaper for scales to keep the prices to $100-$150 range and then some sprints with M4, Maxamet, Elmax whatever that would cost similar to what the standard 20cv cost and maybe Damasteel that cost a bit more then the standard model.

[@jonathanou8122]

ZT really hasn't blown my skirt up in a while, which is a shame as I love the few I have. Nice work, Doc. Thanks for aharing.😎

[@Snapper314]

I like my ZT 0470. The only issues are the weak detent and the hotspot from the pocket clip.

[@abc456f]

Does the lock hold up to a spine tap? Not a whack, just a tap. Many of my zt's don't. Very disappointed with my former favorite brand.

[@IrishDevil78]

I’m not a fan of ZT’s heat treat on S35VN, so none of the “lesser sprints” tempt me. I’ve had 5 knives from ZT with S35VN and only one of them has had decent edge holding.

[@dogonmountain6445]

I had a ZT with S35VN. Terrible edge holding. Edge would roll easily. Clearly too soft.

[@ChuckBeefOG]

I rolled an edge on my 450 pretty bad. Still not sharpened out.

[@d4mdcykey]

Beautiful knife, no doubt. A bit small for what I like to carry, but aesthetically, it is a winner. My favorite ZT is the 0452, with the 0452TiBlu being the King of the Mountain in my mind. Seeing this model, in my dream of all dreams I hope one day they will come out with a 0452 in that marbled carbon fiber, I freakin' love that stuff.

[@everydaycarry1328]

I have a 0452TiBlu in M390 and you are correct it is freaking awesome!!

[@gustafari6241]

Thank you for the thorough review.🍻

[@NMBSUMMER]

The Atmos feels as you'd expect from a Kershaw but otherwise it wouldn't even be in the same sentence as the ZT (mileage may vary) . The mistake or tradeoff of the 0470 is the internal milling making the action feel cheaper.. If it was solid Ti scales I'd compare the ZT to CKF but at a better price point. Like the ZT0456 heft for example. The biggest difference in the ZT not obvious by looks is solid lockup, which is huge!, what you are paying for and of course USA made, warranty, material upgrades

[@BMfins]

This one and 0393 are very nice. Good slicers

[@nathannalley8470]

The backspacer is s hot spot but other than that I love mine

[@rpttrsn1]

Don't like when you lightly touch the frame lock the flipper is almost impossible to use. Have to be very aware how you are holding the knife when you try to open it. Only complaint.

[@aarondoucette8671]

Have/did you disassembled the knife for cleaning?

[@petergalione9704]

This one, or the Kapara?

[@AndyMcGehee]

I’m not ashamed to admit that I bought both. The Kapara is a better slicer, probably the best I have seen and certainly the best I own, but the 0470 is a better choice for general EDC tasks. The usual caveats of imho, ymmv, etc., apply as always.

[@mycapitalvice]

Kapara is unique enough to be a winner for me.

[@DoctorFrunkey]

In almost every aspect except fidget factor, Kapara is the better choice.

[@Keith_the_knife_freak]

Thanks for sharing.. nice blade for sure..

[@12345678927164]

Getting one

[@smellslikepurple233]

Have you tried using the same screws that secure the clip for both sides? As in reverse the screws with the clip

[@gustafari6241]

I've tried, still no go. All the screws are the same length.

[@DoctorFrunkey]

Yes this doesn't work. As mentioned, screws are the same length

[@lanehoward4466]

20 CV is a work horse 👏👏👍

[@johnstuglik1381]

You like this better than the 0393 ? I thought your 0393 was fantastic..

[@DoctorFrunkey]

I do indeed. The 0393 had some faults but was a spectacular knife for the price. This is just better all around for carry and use. Same blade length, vastly different profiles.

[@brianf9619]

Very confusing,I would have bought a few "Sprint Runs" , if they were cheaper , because of the down graded steel , but ZT wants the same or more money , which doesn't make any sense . I think a "Budget Friendly" alternative for about $40 - $ 50 cheaper would be a great idea...

[@JesseLJohnson]

Lot of sprint runs been on clearance last couple weeks. Bought a few of them, just had 2 arrive today actually. One was S90v though the rest were all s35vn. Alright with me. I never buy anything unless its on sale or discontinued though unless I guess its something I just have to have which is hardly ever. Most I paid for any of those discontinued sprint runs was $179 and most I just paid for any of the discontinued models was $198 but that was the 393 but that wasn't a sprint. I have no problem with them offering different steels with the sprints but I would like to see more of a diverse selection not just s35vn for them all. The tiger striped 095 was s90v. If they are going to be s35vn though they should be a little less then the standard 20cv that they seem to be using now with all new models. I wouldn't be against them making some that are in the $150 range that have something like cpm154, s30v, N690, D2 whatever with G10 or something a little less expensive for scales of some models that are $250-$300 why not make a cheaper sprint run version for $100-$150 or have some that cost just as much as the standard model with M4, Elmax,, Maxamet, or some other higher end steel maybe a little more money with Damasteel.

[@JesseLJohnson]

Also, since they are changing over to 20cv they probably have a lot of s35vn left over. Maybe that is why they have been using it in the sprint runs to use up all the old steel they had sitting around.

[@killabee-2384]

I got a buddy that wants to trade my bento box shop exclusive blue G10/M390 spyderco paramilitary 2 for one of these. I was not planning on ever selling or trading it but man I'm a sucker for a sinkevich and that marbled cf looks outstanding. You think I should do it frunkey?

[@everydaycarry1328]

Did you??

[@killabee-2384]

EveryDay Carry yes and while it's a great knife. I had to send it in to ZT which was quite the shit show. The pivot screw was loctited so badly that the pivot became free spinning.

[@everydaycarry1328]

Killabee-23 That sucks! Did it get fixed/resolved?

[@CASTRO45ACP]

You need to send this to Nick to review

[@kerryrwac]

If you're going to keep it , get apurvisblades to make you a clip :)

[@willieboy3011]

Good steel, good lock, and good look. I was going to get one this year. And then you said it is a Chineese made product. Can't do it.

[@everydaycarry1328]

All ZT’s are made in Oregon

[@willieboy3011]

@@everydaycarry1328Ok. Thanks. The video says at about 9:14 that "they are a Chinese-made knife from Kershaw the US company." Very confusing.

[@everydaycarry1328]

willieboy3011 Jonas I think he was trying to say that Kershaw is a Chinese made knife , which is kind of true , there are Kershaw knives made in the US as well.

[@hugoredka]

The 0470 and the Atmos are based on the W Flipper (sinkevich custom) the 0470 isn't based on the atmos. Just look #wflipper on IG.

[@Youtuber14Edelmar]

Cool knife

[@mt_baldwin]

I don't get why people have such a hard time understanding with these ZT s35vn sprint runs over 20cv. Spyderco does it all the time and no one fails to get it then. So any spyderco model that comes in s110v or zdp-189 as a standard option should only get sprint runs in steels better than these two? No more pm2 sprint runs unless the steel tops s110v? "Well I don't like s110v or the scale color or the extra cost..." Yes all reasons why a ZT s35vn sprint run make sense (people like s35vn, a different scale color and less cost). Vtoku-2 is a far inferior steel to zdp-189 yet everyone gobbled up the sprint run and no one said it was strange.

[@DoctorFrunkey]

I just find it odd that the "standard" model comes with an arguably better steel. I understand the need for variety, but it feels like they are using the "sprint run" descriptor to sell knives that are less desirable to some.

[@jeremymurasso7579]

MORE ROB CARTER VIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@tacticalcenter8658]

Oh ZT. nothing this year was good enough to get for me. im fairly done with art/fidget knives like ZT. to thick behind the edge, very bad lock geometry failing light spine whacks or prying. poor overall designs for users. All they have now is quality of materials imho.

[@habibfeghali1261]

I hear you on that man. Ever since the ZT shift to ball-bearing flipper fidget-toy pocket jewlery, basically almost everything after the 0562, I haven't been nearly as into their designs and knives as I once was. Some exceptions were the 0850, 0630, but not much else. This 0470 at least seems like a good cutter and is probably quite effective for lighter use but that's not what initally put ZT on my radar... That being said, the 0640 looks like a positive step in the right direction; a return to form for ZT's "overbuilt like a tank" ethos that pulled me in back in 2010 when I bought my first ZT, a 0350 LE composite blade (Elmax cutting edge and D2 spine section if I remember correctly)...I was just getting into bladeforums back then and had never heard of ZT (or Elmax) quite yet, but upon handling it at the store, the quality and solid feel was such that that knife became an instant favorite. Ok. That's enough rambling for now...

[@MPerry-ox9qb]

I haven't purchased a ZT for a lot of those reasons. However, this knife does not have a "hard use" blade stock and isnt thick behind the edge. Nice slicer and excellent size overall. Takes up very little pocket space. Not sure why you would be worried about spine whacks, or use a knife as a pry bar. That seems silly.

[@tacticalcenter8658]

@@MPerry-ox9qb it's funny cause they have this problem but the marketing says it's built like a tank. Lol. In any case they have done nothing to fix there bad lock geometry in over 5 years if not longer. But hey if you want to support them for that problem still existing... Go ahead.

[@MPerry-ox9qb]

@@tacticalcenter8658 the built like a tank thing was pretty ridiculous. I havent bought one in 3 yrs until now. The built like a tank thing was gone. They had some other goofy saying. Im mostly about traditional knives and feel like lock strength is a gimmick. You should never bang on the back of your knife. There is no reason to. Anyway, I found it to be excellent knife and Im not a fan of bearings and flippers overall.

[@nopiola]

i am really curious about what you recommend / use then. I do not understand the poor overall design you are claiming when they work with some of the best designers out there for collaborations....

[@jacknemo8021]

Sinckovich designs look like steak knives on EDC handles.

[@VicariousReality7]

This looks pretty bricky and hurty to actually use

[@jeremymurasso7579]

more customs

[@DoctorFrunkey]

They are coming haha. I like to have a balance.

[@Sasquatch214]

Doctor Frunkey honestly i would enjoy listening to this man reviewing a mtech.

[@chrisjaskulski8613]

... but look at what happens when ZT doesnt regurgitate... 0022, 0223... gross

[@gearjunkie3412]

Pointy stabby??? Do you mean acute And you call yourself a doctor.

[@coleprivett4651]

Action is terrible. I got a bad one i think. Extra extra weak detent.

[@VicariousReality7]

Looks like a shitty knockoff of my 0462