Zero Tolerance Sinkevich 0450 Flipper Titanium Knife (3.25" SW/Satin) ZT

I bought this knife about a year ago now and it's wonderful to carry and use. Edge is robust but still cuts reasonably well. Slim and lightweight, yet very well built and I have no doubts that this knife will outlive me. The only issue I had is that the edge bevels were very uneven from the factory. This made it a challenge to sharpen initially but was fixed after reprofiling with a KME. Overall, one of my favorite knives to date!

This knife has some very good pros and some distracting cons. If it was a sub $100 flipper than the cons would not really register, but at $201.63 after tax, the cons really fight with the pros.

Pros:
- aesthetically pleasing design
- full titanium construction with high
quality machining
- Good steel
- very light and small in the pocket
- You get a lot of edge for a small amount of knife
- fair ergonomics once opened
- Satisfying action
- Sharp out of the box

Cons
- awkward to open due to small size
- Can't open with any touching of the lock bar
- Clip can dig in sharply during opening

At this price point, there should not be any concerns or discomfort opening up the knife, but it takes a lot of conscious thought to make sure you are not on the lock bar due to the small size. On other frame locks that are larger I could see this not being as problematic because you have more area to rest your fingers while avoiding the lock bar area. This is a tiny knife, though and I wish ZT had taken this into account and maybe gone with a liner lock or upsized it a little bit to make the grip requirements more forgiving.

Additionally, the small size coupled with a firm detent means you may find the pocket clip digging in uncomfortably when you open. If this was sub $100 I would find that acceptable, but at $201.63 after tax, this should not be an issue, especially for a company that is built on providing premium frame lock flippers.

Edit:

After having this for for about 2 months the action has improved significantly to become satisfyingly crisp. The lock bar issue still exists, though after enough times opening it I don't need to consciously think about finger placement anymore. I still find this to be an overpriced knife with these issues such as the lock bar, but I place a lot of weight on a good action so I added a star. I am noticing with minimal use also that this steel has below expected edge retention yet poor sharpenability, likely due to a poor heat treat which I hear is common with ZT S35VN, just a heads up.

I love ZT and BladeHQ, but this one doesn't do it for me.

It's got some obvious quality to it, but it's too small and lumpy to fit well in my hands. The framelock often binds and makes it hard to flip open if you don't hold it just right.

I think I may try a 0452 instead.

The reasons I bought this knife
The S35VN steel,the KVT ball bearing pivot
smooth deployment and good lockup of blade
its a Flipper and closing the blade smooth.
The price was very good and ZT quality..

I first want to say that i love Blade HQ and will always for my knife needs. However this ZT has really been a letdown. When i first opened the box i was greeted with an uneven bevel. after countless attempts to sharpen the blade i am now stuck with something halfway sharpened knife that can barely perform basic cutting tasks.

This is my first ZT and I really like it. It is a bit smaller in hand than I imagined but does fit my hand well. The fit and finish is superb and the action is smooth. This is my new EDC in pocket. The red spacers give it a great eye “pop” in my pocket. Good buy.

BUT! It's a GREAT Knife! Perfect size to carry anywhere. Some think it's too plain.I love the function, high quality AND the fact it's not a flashy in your face knife.
It is a beautiful knife and feels good in the hand. The s35vn steel will hold up to heavy use. It will last a lifetime.
Buy it! You will love it!

Absolutely Amazing!
Super sold knife, amazing lock-up, no blade play at all. Buttery-smooth action. Razor sharp right out of the box. Wish the pocket clip was a deep-carry though. Feels good in the pocket also.

I have a benchmade 940-2. The Zt 0450 doesn't feel as good in the pocket as the 940 to me, but the zt is way more solid than the 940, The zt0450 lockup is just phenomenal. Was surprised at how solid it is. But the 940-2 to me feels better in the hand but the 940-2 quality feels cheaper in my opinion. No where near as solid as the zt 0450.

Grind is even. Blade came centered. Lockup is solid. Beefy blade fits well into a compact handle. Wish it came with a deep pocket clip, but ergonomic is good enough.

If this is your only ZT then you'll love it. It has a $300 action for $200 and titanium scales. However, my ZT 0470 is $100 more and improved everything about this knife, so if you have some extra cash I suggest getting a higher end model.

The quality of this knife is exceptional. Comes razor sharp right out of the box. Very hard steel though and won't take abuse but regular chores it just slices right through. It's slim, slippery, fairly light and I don't even know it's in my pocket. Pricey? Yes, but the quality build alone is justification enough.

Easy to carry, space efficient, light, nice design, best action at the pricepoint, if you are eyeing it, just buy it.

Super sharp out of the box but handle is pretty slim , action is awesome but handle Argos are not great

Great knife with fantastic materials. My only thing was that it didn't feel the best in hand and I found myself struggling to find that sweet spot.

This has an excellent minimal profile for everyday carry. Thin profile with a long well crafted blade. Locks up really well and comes razor sharp out of the box. The red standoff accents are a nice touch as well.

We all know the hallmarks for everyday blades. Spyderco pm2 and the Benchmade 940. Both of these knives have stood the test of time for good reason. They’re great. It takes something real special to become the next great edc. That’s what ZT has done here. The 0450 has to be one of the very best blades for everyday use. It’s light, slim, sharp and has absolutely beautiful construction/fit and finish. This was my first “big boy” knife and even after another 40-50 models I handled after it, the 0450 still remains my favorite. EDC perfection.

Zt doesnt make very many smaller size knives but this one is the perfect size! Smooth action! Wish it was 20cv steel but s35 is good enough

Buy this knife if you want to be disappointed in every other knife in the sub $200 price range. A bit tight at first but once it breaks in, it’s smooth as can be. I liked it so much I bought another.

If you want a quality flipper, get this. The action is perfect, no blade play, secure lockup, and it carries great. Just get one, you'll be happy you did.

I really love the knife, the S35VN blade, the Bering system, the titanium scales, and the red back spacers that make the knife pop! But the pocket clip is not good, the screws to put the clip on striped out a week after I got the knife, and the clip rusts relatively fast but I can’t take it off to clean it. Over all the knife is great but the clip isn’t.

I absolutely love this knife. The lock up is amazing with zero wiggle at all. And on top of all that it is made with a great blade steel that holds an edge very well (can go well over a month of everyday use and still be shaving sharp) and is very easy to sharpen ( can go from unable to cleanly cut paper back to shaving sharp within 5-10 min on a wet stone). I have had this knife for about 3 years and have only EDCed another knife while I'm hunting because I like a bigger blade for hunting.

This knife is awesome, it disappears in your pocket and handles every kind of task. If you have a larger hand or just want something larger check out the 0452.

Was looking to up my knife game. Have carried Kershaws for some time now. Wanted all around quality but something I wouldn't be afraid to toss around. Found it in this knife. excellent blade, handle, lock, and clip quality. After a few months of heavy use, other than a cleaning, can't even tell it has been used. Has stayed sharp and still smooth opening without assist despite the dirty enviroment. Also doesn't hurt that it isnt crazy bulky.

Of all of the ZT knives out there, the 0450 is my all time favorite EDC. It's the perfect size and weight, all teamed up with telhe excellent fit and finish that ZT always delivers!

Great little big knife. Good flipping action and high quality! Great job on an EDC.

After over a year in my rotation it is tied for my favorite EDC knife with the Benchmade 940-2. It’s perect size, buttery smooth especially for the price point, good steel, and very customizable. I have a deep carry clip and burlap micarda scales on her.

Update been kicked out of my rotation by higher end knives but at this price point is a very very competitive option.

This is a wonderful life, easy in and out of the pocket, I liked it so much I have Two, can’t go wrong with this one

As far as I know, this is the perfect EDC knife. I haven't had the chance to carry and use all of them, but I can't imagine one doing what I need to do better. Action is smooth, lockup great, terrific ergos, looks great, holds a good edge, and I'm confident the warranty would be great if I ever need to use it. Overall, just a great knife.

I've owned this knife for 1 year now. It came razor sharp. The way the blade deploys is crazy cool. It's a knife I can carry into the mountains or to church and it would fit right in. I do think it's going to work for smaller hands though. I love it

This is my first BladeHQ purchase and I will definitely be ordering again. The shipping was incredibly fast and the price was extremely competitive. I've been carrying a 940 for about two years and have elected to send it in for some preventative service. This prompted me to shop for another knife to have on-hand while mine is away. I decided on the 0450 because I don't like huge knives and have been impressed with other ZTs. Having said all of that, this knife is incredible. Right out of the box, I flipped it open and couldn't believe there was no spring. It's very very smooth, came set-up with no blade play, perfectly centered and very sharp. It's a teriffic EDC knife and I highly recommend it to anyone that loves 940s or really just smaller lightweight EDC knives in general.

I got the limited edition CF with ZDP189 and I love the knife. It is a great EDC and super lightweight. It has a snappy action, great quality, and is super functional so I would highly recommend it if you are looking for a lightweight ti frame lock flipper.

Best action ever. First purchased 0452cf & 0562cf. Fell in love. Actionnon 0452 in beautiful but a little big for daily use around the office. 0450 is perfect size. Has replaced all my benchmades also.

Smoothest action I have ever used. Superb ergonomics and very solidly built. My only complaint at all is how high it rides in the pocket, but that's just me being picky.

I was trying to decide between this and the 940-2, but you just cant beat ZT's bang for buck. The only company I can think of that can get this close to quality for the $ is Kizer, but you dont get the same amazing warranty, costumer service and USA made pride. The action is perfect and smoooooth, its not too hard to keep your fingers of the lock bar, just place them on the clip. Speaking of the clip, its ok but its the only thing that i dont like about the knife, it doesnt go with the design, but everything else is clean and pleasing to the eye. The ergos are great, that is if you have medium sized hands, and it came in wicked sharp. If $160 seems like alot, just remember you get $200+ quality for a great price with this blade. its worth it BUY IT!

This thing flips like a dream. Super smooth. Blade came razor sharp and that titanium is great.

Just wish the grip area was a fraction longer.

The quality of this knife is amazing! I was also impressed at how cheap it was considering the materials used! Looking at it online I thought it might feel fragile but when I got it in my hand... another tough knife from ZT! This is very comfortable to carry (I have medium sized hands) and the flip action is smooooth.

This knife is a definite must-have for anyone who might enjoy a flipper. The shape is great, aesthetically and functionally, S35VN is fantastic, the handles are nice if a bit plain, and the action is utterly flawless. It won't misfire even if I want it to, and it's a borderline finger guillotine on the close (despite the gory connotations, this is a good thing as long as you're careful). I thoroughly believe this knife deserves fame every bit as much as the 940, and would even say it's a step above in materials and quality.

This knife blows me away!! For the price and quality you revive from this knife is incredible! This knife was razor sharp out of the box and one of the smoothest knives I own (about 22 in the collection 95% being $150+-$300 knives) it’s life it’s sleek and you don’t know it’s in your pocket! Titanium scales s35vn blade steel and bearings for a sub $200 knife blows me away! I love it and carry it all the time. Only thing that bugs me just ever so slightly is the s35vn that zt put on this knife seems to be a little soft and loses that razor edge kinda fast, but other than that I have 0 complaints!!

The action on this knife is unbelievably smooth. Your wife will be annoyed, because you will be flipping this constantly. Fortunately, once it's open, it cuts well too, and it looks good doing it. It's a future classic for sure.

I picked this guy up back in November after the clip on the knife i had been carrying for 4 years broke and it gave me an excuse to get a new one. I have carried this knife for the past month and a half every day. Its sharp, its sleek, and it is acceptable with everything. I carried it in jeans and slacks, shorts, sweats, and a suit (ZT will send you a deep carry pocket clip if you request one). This knife will be part of my edc for the forseeable future.

Great size overall, lightweight, and fits in pocket with an iPhone 6 Plus. Recommended to anyone who is thinking about buying.

the zt 0450 is the perfect small-medium sized edc blade, it slots right inline to compete with the spyderco delica and the benchmade min-griptillian and in my opinion it is better. it looks killer, flips beautifully, locks up strong and cuts with confidence. zt has done it again.

Great knife. Watched several reviews before I purchased and chose this over a 940. Fits absolutely perfectly in my medium-large sized hands. Lock up and construction both rock solid. My only complaint is the grind from the factory was very uneven and very slightly wavy towards the rear of the blade. Otherwise not one bad word to say 100% happy with the purchase and will not be my last ZT.

This is my first ZT and it didn't disappoint. The knife is fantastic and stupid sharp. The shipping was supper fast! Thanks Bladehq!

Just recently bought the ZT 0450 and it has become my favorite EDC knife. The fit, finish, and blade centering is perfect, the grind lines are totally symmetrical, and blade lock up is rock solid both vertically and laterally. Blade deployment is fast and smooth, and it sits perfectly in my pocket without being bulky. All in all, I am extremely impressed.

This is a review mainly regarding the pocket clip. When I first received my knife it was very hard to open unless you held it just right. When I need my knife I dont want to think about exactly how I'm holding it, I just want to grab it and have it work. Needless to say I was quite frustrated. After a couple months using it and hoping it would break in, I gave up. Then I noticed after looking at other 0450's that my pocket clip didn't look the same. Mine sat directly on the lock bar where others sat on the frame. I loosened the 2 screws that secured the clip with a t6 torx bit and the clip easily pivoted off of the lock bar and up onto the frame where it should be. Turns out it was just slightly off from the factory. Frustrating that it came off like that but now it opens butter smooth and 100% reliable. I am so happy with this knife now, very glad I kept it and I would absolutely recomend it to anyone. If your having trouble opening your 0450 like I was, I suggest adjusting your pocket clip. Sometimes its really that easy

I had my eye on this knife for a long time. And I came close a few times to buying it but never did. And I am so glad I bought it. It's the perfect size for EDC. The flipping action is the best of any flipper I've owned. Fit and finish are perfect in every way. If you're on the fence about this knife. Do yourself a favor and try it out.

Very lightweight pocket knife. Extremely high quality. Titanium scales, CPM S35VN blade (3.25"). Flips without effort. Very elegant looking. I've seen some reviews about it being hard to open but my experience is quite the contrary. If you hold the knife without applying pressure on the lockbar it shoots open with authority. It's an EDC knife for carrying around town. I would not use it as a hardcore camping knife, not because it's not capable of hard use, but for $160 I'd rather use it for more urban tasks. I didn't go for the titanium and carbon fiber combination. For my taste, it seemed more sturdy with all titanium construction. The only complaint was the pocket clip. Looked great but it's not deep carry and a portion of the handle shows. I ordered a deep carry clip in titanium for $23 from MXG Gear and now it's perfect. No ZT logos on the clip, carries very deep and it's solid. As usual Blade HQ service is impeccable.

I would highly recommend this knife to anyone who isn't concerned by the price tag.

I've had this knife for about 3 months now, and it quickly found itself supplanting my mini-grip as my go-to knife. Smooth action on the flipper makes it almost hard to tell it's not assisted-opening, and it locks up solid. The only potential issue I see with the flipper action is that, if you put pressure on the locking bar, it puts pressure on the blade, preventing opening; however, it is very easy to hold the knife for opening without even touching the locking bar. The blade is still sharp after just basic maintenance (I like to strop any knife I've used in the week every weekend).

I don't like using pocket clips, so I can't speak to this one very much; however, without the pocket clip, the knife comfortably and easily sits in my pocket.

The titanium handle, as titanium handles usually do, feels great any time I need it.

As a final point, the knife LOOKS beautiful, and has garnered compliments from anyone who has seen it. I'm in favor of function over form in an EDC, but this knife has plenty of both.

Received this knife today. I currently carry the ZT 0900. Now that knife is an absolute beast. It has a shorter blade, and it's very thick. This knife, the 0450 has a longer, thinner blade. It's very lightweight and comfortable in the hand. The blade is razor sharp. Fit and finish is top-notch as we've come to expect from ZT. Honestly, there aren't any negative comments to make about this knife. Watch the video and read the reviews. I highly recommend this product.

Several things I like about this knife. The detent is strong, flips fantastic with the KVT bearing and is light. As others have said, pressure on the frame lock needs to be avoided. I wear a large glove so I almost returned it for difficulty opening. I'm glad I gave it a few days. The knife became really smooth and figured out how to not put pressure on the frame lock.

I highly recommend.

I have been wanting to go smaller with my EDCs and decided to purchase the small Sebenza Insingo. I also thought having a smaller flipper would be good too as a back up. After reading reviews online I bought the ZT 0450 and both knives came on the same day. As we all know that the tolerances of the sebenza is second to none however after carrying both knives for several weeks now, I enjoy carrying the 0450 more. The flipping action is extremely smooth and the knife has a great feel in the hand. I have medium sized hands and it fits perfectly without my last finger hanging off the back of the knife. My opinion is that it is a great EDC. The materials are excellent. It locks up rock solid and is extremely lightweight. A must have in your collection!

Love the design, blade and handle. My complaint is with the lock. It just catches leaving me with little confidence with the lock up.

I completely echo Preston's review. I like a light weight manual EDC, and this has caught my fancy right out of the box. The detent on this small flipper, with nice jimping, is Perfect.

Pros - Perfect blade shape and content and light weight titanium manual flipper makes this an EDC easily put into the rotation. Extreme ZT quality.

Cons - not as secure grip as the small Sebenza. Somewhat Spartan design. Not enough to take a point off. Enjoy.

I really love this knife, I'd compare it to a small sebenza. The fit and finish is excellent on this knife, sharp as heck out of the box I love the red back spacers, they add some pop to the knife. My only one and only gripe about this knife is if you put a small amount of pressure on the back spacer the knife is very hard to deploy. Other than that one of the best knives for the money. Great edc blade actually. Excellent blade if your a knife guy or gal. This is a must have!