The Zero Tolerance 0393
The ZT0393 is a full production model knife, not a sprint run, custom factory or limited edition model. It’ll probably be compared to the Hinderer factory customs that Zero Tolerance releases from time to time, but it should be thought of alongside the 0452 and 0452CF Hinderer models that are still being produced. The factory custom 0392 came with custom Rick Hinderer hardware, premium materials, limited edition runs, and a much higher price point. Not much is lost on the full production model 0393 apart from custom hardware and a hundred dollar bill or two on the price tag.
It’s a mid-sized folding knife with a 3.5 inch blade and a closed length of 4.75 inches. It weighs in at a very reasonable 5 ounces or 142 grams. The 0393 is no featherweight but it’s certainly no brick in the pocket. Size, construction and materials make it a solid work tool that’s not afraid to get down and dirty.
Think of the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 to get an idea of how it will fit in the hand. I also included a picture of the thinner and more compact Zero Tolerance 0450CF Dmitry Sinkevich flipper (one of my favorite EDC knives!).
For a more extreme point of size difference here’s a much smaller CRKT Squid and a much larger Cold Steel XL Clip Point Voyager.
It’s a beautifully designed knife that’s part stylish dress knife and part aggressive tactical knife. The harpoon / spanto blade grind probably pushes it more into aggressive tactical territory, but it’s a sophisticated tactical.
Blade Grind, Shape and CPM-20CV Steel
The blade uses the premium CPM-20CV by Crucible Industries out of the United States which has excellent edge retention, corrosion resistance, and good toughness. It has a thickness of 0.16″ or 4mm. Mine came razor sharp out of the box and sliced through paper with ease.
Black DLC coating has been used for the flats and a really nice satin finish has been used on the grinds. Dual thumb studs are left satin and add a bit of pop on the black flats.
The blade shape is a very distinctive harpoon with a spanto, a term coined and used extensively by the designer Rick Hinderer. It’s a hybrid of the spear point and the tanto point, making it both functional and beautiful.
Blade signage is similar to other Zero Tolerance knives. On the show side or the front of the blade is a simple ZT logo, while on the back (picture above) it has a serial number, the model number (0393), the designer (Hinderer Design), the company (KAI USA), and the blade steel (CPM 20CV). That all sounds like a lot of information to put on a blade but ZT still manages to make it look reasonable. I prefer minimal signage but I have no problem with how Zero Tolerance does their blades.
Knife Handle and Ergonomics
The handle on the ZT0393 is a thing of beauty. All the lines have been thought about to create a design that works with the blade as one united piece. A lot of folding knives make me think that one person has designed the blade and another has designed the handle and then threw them together.
Ergonomics have not been forgotten about though as there’s as much function as there is form. My average sized hands fit the handle like a glove. It really locks your hand in tight. My trusty assistant and professional hand model (lol) in the picture below has large sized hands.
There’s jimping on the bottom right of the handle for your two little fingers and some mild jimping on the spine of the blade for your thumb.
Technically it’s a frame lock folding knife but the G10 overlay is rather chunky and gives it more of a liner lock feel when disengaging the blade. The G-10 has a Rick Hinderer custom texture which adds to the grip and security of the handle. They also add a lot to the design of the knife as the curves echo and follow other parts of the knife. But I think it feels a bit cheap and plasticy (yes, plasticy will be a word from now on: something that feels like plastic). I just wonder if some nice carbon fiber would been a better choice? I know price is also a factor, but the G-10 is one of the few things that I would like to change about this knife.
The anodized blue titanium slabs are really nicely done. It’s like a matt blue, almost gray/blue that is daring without being too bright and bold.
There’s a hardened steel lockbar insert and mine locks up just right, no lock stick or any issues disengaging. Like many ZTs it has an early lock up at about ten or 15 percent.
The carry clip is reversible to allow left or right handed, tip up carry. Those who like their deep carry clips might have to look for an aftermarket clip as this one allows about an inch of your handle to stick out of the pocket. If you’re wearing black pants it wouldn’t be a problem.
Speaking of aftermarket parts, the 0393 was designed to accept Hinderer custom hardware, so you can pimp your little heart out if that’s your thing.
In the photograph below you can see the cut out for the thumb to sit when holding the knife. It transitions into the jimping on the blade which is chunky but not aggressive on the thumb. You can also see the thickness of the textured G-10 overlay and how it sits on the blue titanium slabs.
Flipping Action
Like most Zero Tolerance flippers the action is smooth and precise. Custom Hinderer flippers don’t always have the best flipping action but I’ve never had that problem with the ZT Hinderers.
There’s some mild jimping on the flipper tab for added traction but it would work just as well without it. You can use the push button or light switch action and the blade fires open every time with very little effort.
It’s a manual opening folder that uses the KVT ball-bearing system. The “Kershaw Velocity Technology” is an encased set of ball bearings that allow for a buttery smooth opening action. I much prefer it over systems that use loose ball bearings as they seem to grow wings when you open the knife up!
The thumb studs are also functional and can be used to open the blade one handed with ease.
Knife Technical Specs
Zero Tolerance 0393 Hinderer
- CPM-20CV blade with DLC coating on the flats and Satin finish grinds.
- Titanium handle, anodized blue with textured G-10 overlay
- KVT ball bearings
- Manual opening Flipper + Thumb studs
- Frame lock + Hardened steel lockbar insert
- Pocket clip is left or right hand reversible, tip up carry (with about an inch sticking out of the pocket)
- Blade length: 3.5 inches (8.9 cm)
- Handle length: 4.75 inches (12.1 cm)
- Overall length: 8.25 inches (20.9 cm)
- Blade thickness: 4mm
- Made in the USA
The ZT0393 comes with the Zero Tolerance cardboard box, a padded bubble wrap bag, and ZT literature.
The Verdict
Overall it’s a buy for me. I love the Hinderer styling and I love how Zero Tolerance makes knives.
I struggled with the G-10 overlay at first but it quickly grew on me. Just naked titanium handles without any overlay would be an improvement in my opinion, but I also think a carbon fiber slab without the texture might have worked better.
The clip is fine for me as I don’t care too much about how deep a knife carries in the pocket. I can see how some might find it a problem though. Perhaps they didn’t want to do too good of a job on the clip to encourage people to buy Hinderer custom hardware 😉
Pluses far outweigh the minuses on the Zero Tolerance Hinderer 0393 though and I’ll be keeping mine for quite a while. If the design does it for you, grab one yourself.
Directness Rating 7/10 (Buy one)
My rating is a very subjective score out of 10 for the type of knife it is. So I see the the Zero Tolerance 0393 as a higher end production folder that’s mid sized, uses premium materials, and is capable of a bit of hard work. It’s how I see it ranking in the style/category/use that it was made for. I want to rate a fish for how well it swims rather than how well it flies (a bird shouldn’t be rated on how well it swims).
Places to Buy Zero Tolerance Knives Online
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