Zero Tolerance Knives

Zero Tolerance Knives (ZT Knives) is a knife brand of Kai USA, headquartered in Tualatin, Oregon, United States.[1] Both Zero Tolerance and Kai USA are members of the Kai Group, a global cutlery company.[1]

Zero Tolerance Knives
IndustryManufacturing
Founded2006 (2006)
HeadquartersTualatin, Oregon
Key people
Jack Igarashi, Chief of North American Operations
ProductsKnives
Websitehttps://zt.kaiusaltd.com/

History

The first ZT knives were produced in 2006 alongside Kai USA's longstanding, Kershaw Knives brand.[2] The original line of ZT knives included collaborations between custom knifemaker Ken Onion and Strider Knives.[3][4] Early products were combat knives, but Zero Tolerance later expanded its market to include more general use knives.[5] Currently, all ZT products are manufactured in Kai USA's Tualatin, Oregon facility.[1][5]

Awards

Over the course of the brand's history, eight individual Zero Tolerance knives have won awards at the annual Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia. The following models have received recognition:

YearModelDesignerAward
2006Model 0500Grant and Gavin HawkMost Innovative American Design of the Year Award[6]
2011Model 0777Kai Original DesignOverall Knife of the Year Award[7]
2011Model 0560/0561Rick HindererCollaboration of the Year Award [7]
2012Model 0888Kai Original DesignOverall Knife of the Year Award[8]
2012Model 0600R.J. MartinCollaboration of the Year Award[8]
2013Model 0454Dmitry SinkevichOverall Knife of the Year Award[9]
2014Model 0562CFRick HindererAmerican Made Knife of the Year Award[10]
2015Model 0999Kai Original DesignAmerican Made Knife of the Year Award [11]

Products
The ZT 0566BW was designed by Rick Hinderer.

Zero Tolerance Knives manufactures USA-made folding knives and fixed blades.[1][3] The brand has worked with custom knife makers such as Les George, Jens Anso, Dmitry Sinkevich, Todd Rexford, Rick Hinderer, R.J. Martin, Tim Galyean, Grant and Gavin Hawk, Ken Onion, and Gus T. Cecchini.[1][3][12] ZT Knives has also collaborated with Emerson Knives.[1][3]

References
  1. Eckstine, Roger (2017). Shooter's Bible Guide to Knives (2nd ed.). New York City, NY: Skyhorse Publishing. p. 166. ISBN 978-1-5107-1128-0.
  2. Kertzman, Joe (2014). Knives 2015: The World's Greatest Knife Book (35th ed.). Iola, WI: Krause Publications. p. 54. ISBN 978-1-4402-4073-7.
  3. Shideler, Dan; Sigler, Derrek (2008). The Gun Digest Book of Tactical Gear. Iola, WI: Gun Digest Books. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-89689-684-0.
  4. Cascio, Pat."Kershaw's Latest Tactical Folders",Knives Illustrated, February 2007
  5. McCarthy, Patrick. "Zero Tolerance 10-Year Anniversary: Interview and Factory Tour". Recoil Off Grid.
  6. Shackleford, Steve (November 2006). "The Rich Just Got Richer! BLADE Magazine's 2006 Knives of the Year® Reflect The Finest in Factory Cutlery". BLADE Magazine. Iola, Wisconsin. pp. 13–19.
  7. Sobieck, Ben. "2011 Knife of the Year Award Winners". BLADE.
  8. Kertzman, Joe. "Kai USA Lands Four Knife-of-the-Year® Awards!". BLADE.
  9. "Zero Tolerance 0454 Wins Overall Knife of the Year at Blade Show". The Outdoor Wire.
  10. Sobieck, Ben. "2014 BLADE Show Knife Of The Year® Award Winners". BLADE.
  11. Shackleford, Steve. "BLADE® Best Of Show Tribute". BLADE.
  12. "Jens Anso Folding Knife From ZT Knives". Motorcycle Cruiser.
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