I have probably carried the Zero Tolerance 0450CF more than any other folding knife over the past couple of years. It’s lightweight, slips into all pockets with ease, it uses materials that I like, and last but not least, it’s a cool looking knife! It’s not a perfect pocket knife but it’s a pleasure to EDC (everyday carry).
It’s probably not the best slicer in the world so I don’t reach for it when I have a few boxes to cut up but for all around, general everyday use it is more than adequate. Mine came hair shaving sharp out of the box and it keeps a pretty good edge on it. CPM-S35VN is definitely one of my top ten steels for pocket knives.
It comes in the blacked out stealthy 0450CF model and the titanium 0450 version. I really like both but I lean towards the carbon fiber black on black model as it’s just slightly lighter and fits into loose shorts and light pants without a problem. It’s so light that you forget that you’re carrying it and it takes up very little pocket space as it wears so narrow, yet still has a 3.25 inch blade. So you can start to see why so many people EDC this little flipper.
The Zero Tolerance ZT0450CF was designed by Belarusian custom knife maker Dmitry Sinkevich. It came about after the success of the award winning ZT 0454 which was based on his custom knife called the Cardinator. Zero Tolerance won Overall knife of the year with the 0454 at Blade Show 2013. Unfortunately for most of us it was a very limited edition knife and very few people could get their hands on one. It also sold for an MRSP of $500 back then and now sells for three times that and more. The ZT 0450 is a smaller version of the much lusted after Sinkevich design. Zero Tolerance also put out the larger 0452 which is closer to the original limited edition release.
In the picture below you can see the Zero Tolerance Sinkevich designs of the larger 0452 and smaller 0450 knives. Both the ZT0452 and the original 0454 have 4.1 inch blades so the newer 0450CF is more like a mini version of the first folder. If you simply don’t like smaller knives for whatever reason then definitely give the 0452 a try as it’s an equally great knife, just for different reasons than the 0450CF.
As a size comparison, here’s the Zero Tolerance 0450CF next to the super popular Spyderco Paramilitary 2 and the less popular but still very cool TOPS MSF 4.0 or Mini Scandi Folder. So it’s similar in length to the PM2 but it’s a much more narrow fitting knife which means it takes up less real estate in the pocket. This is an important box to tick for a lot of people when they’re choosing an EDC knife. For me it depends on what I’m doing and what I’m wearing but usually it’s not a deal breaker for me. I like knives of all shapes and sizes.
Below is a photograph of the ZT 0450 next to the more recent Sinkevich Zero Tolerance release: the ZT 0460CF. Stylistically I think the 0460 is the better looking knife but in terms of function I think the 0450 is the better knife. It just feels more solid and ready for work than the 0460.
Blade Grind, Shape, and CPM-S35VN Steel
The ZT0450CF uses Crucible Industries CPM-S35VN steel for the 3.25 inch blade. Designed with Chris Reeves as an improvement on CPM-S30V it is said to be about 15 to 20 percent tougher. This makes it less prone to chipping and still has a similar wear resistance. I love both steels but will always choose the S35VN over the S30V.
Zero Tolerance have DLC coated the blade giving it a mean matte black finish. Unlike traditional blade coatings that used to behave more like paint slapped onto steel, the Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating behaves as you would want it to.
I use my knives for mostly knife related tasks and my 0450CF black coating is showing no signs of wear. Obviously that would be different if I was battoning hard wood or hacking through sheet metal, but for box cutting and everyday general use it handles itself just fine. My much used example has a couple of dings on the titanium handle but the blade still looks brand new when I clean it off and sharpen it properly.
The drop point blade is super functional and looks great. The swedge along the spine of the blade adds to the aesthetic appeal of the design, making it meaner and more tactical looking. It steps in along the center and then back out when the swedge gets closer to the tip of the knife to keep as much material around the pointy end as possible.
I’ve got no complaints about the blade shape but I do wonder what a full flat grind would add to the 0450 design. This is my most used knife but it’s not my best slicing knife.
Blade signage is normal for Zero Tolerance as they pretty much stick to the same formula. All I want to see slapped on a blade is a small logo and maybe the blade steel hidden somewhere. I like a minimal, uncluttered look when it comes to blades. But ZT like to add a few extras and I don’t really mind too much.
So on the front side of the blade on the ZT0450CF is the ZT logo which I think looks nice. On the back side of the blade they have the model: 0450CF, then the company name: KAI USA, then the knife designer: Sinkevich, then the blade steel: S35VN, and then finally the serial number: Ser:1701. I would be happier if they just left the blade steel stamped on the blade but such is life. I can live with it.
Knife Handle, Lock and Ergonomics
Ergonomics are nice on the 4.1 inch handle. My average sized hands with chubby fingers allows for a solid 3 finger purchase, with the fourth (little) finger locking into the butt of the handle. It’s a comfortable grip and feels very firm and solid in the hand.
Zero Tolerance has used a frame lock mechanism for a secure lock up. I’ve heard of people whacking ZT knives on the spine and the lock failing but my 0450 seems just fine. I just gave it a few moderately hard whacks and the lock stayed firmly locked into place.
I know Zero Tolerance have a habit of selling their folding knives as hard working tools that can take a beating, but I’m a big believer in using the right tool for the right job. If you’re chopping, hacking or spine whacking a folding knife you’re probably using the wrong tool. You might want to consider an ax, hammer, or at least a fixed blade knife. Which doesn’t mean I don’t do stupid things with folding knives and break them, it just means I take responsibility for my stupidity and don’t blame the knife maker when I break a folder while using it as a heavy duty prying tool.
The ZT0450 has an open back construction handle for easy knife maintenance. The stand offs are anodized green on the 0450CF carbon fiber model, red on the 0450 titanium model, and I’ve seen a limited run model with blue standoffs. A friend had the blue and red models and swapped them around so that each knife had a red and a blue standoff which looked pretty cool. I love the little pop of color though, it’s a nice touch.
There’s less than an inch or about 2cm of the knife sticking out when you put it in the pocket. I’ve seen aftermarket clips that are deep carry if a knife sticking out of your pocket is a problem. Carry is left or right hand, tip up and the clip has just the right amount of flex in it. It doesn’t grab too tightly and it’s not going to let go of your pocket.
Opening Action
The 0450CF is a flipper and has a sweet action. I have heard a couple people complain about the opening action but it’s because they’re squeezing the lock in at the same time. If your fingers are resting on the handle and not on the lock bar then it is one of the nicest actions you could hope for. It runs on KVT ball bearings and is super smooth.
The flipper tab has jimping on the front and top of it to give your finger extra grip. The jimping is very rounded though so it doesn’t tear up your finger but gives you just enough to grab on to.
Knife Technical Specs
Zero Tolerance Sinkevich 0450CF, Carbon Fiber + Titanium / black blade model: ZT0450CF
- CPM-S35V
- Carbon fiber front handle scale, Titanium back handle scale
- KVT ball bearings
- Manual opening with Flipper tab
- Frame lock with stainless steel insert
- Left or right handed carry clip, tip up
- Blade length: 3.25 inches (8.3cm)
- Handle length: 4.1 inches (10.4 cm)
- Overall length: 7.4 inches (18.8 cm)
- Blade thickness: 3.1mm
- Weight: 2.4 oz. (68 grams)
- Made in the United States of America
The Verdict
The Zero Tolerance 0450CF is an amazing little flipper folding knife. When I was selling knives this was the most popular Zero Tolerance knife by far, so I’m not the only one who likes this little beauty.
At the price point that it is it’s definitely a premium folding knife, but I also think it’s worth the price. The materials used, the quality control, and the service provided by Zero Tolerance are all first class. And for those that care about it being made in America there’s also that.
So for knife enthusiasts I would definitely recommend the 0450CF just to see what a well made and designed little flipper looks and feels like.
If you’re not a knife nut and this is one of your first high end folding knives I would still recommend it. But, just understand that it’s more of a gentleman’s knife to be used for lighter duties. If you’re going to work it hard and beat on it, get a larger, more substantial knife.
Directness.com Rating 9/10 (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 0450CF with the CPM-S35VN blade as a higher end production folder that’s smaller sized and lightweight, very EDC friendly, uses premium materials, and is capable of general everyday light duties. 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 for how well it swims).
Let me know in the comments what you think of the Zero Tolerance ZT0450CF if you own one. Would you recommend it to a friend?
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