Kershaw Analyst Exudes A Hard-Working Attitude

What’s your highest priority when choosing a pocket knife? Price? Versatility? Weight? We got our hands on the Kershaw Analyst to see where this affordable folding knife fits in the wide range of options on the market.

Kershaw Analyst Blade

The Analyst’s blade begins its life as 8Cr13MoV steel. Its highlights include easy sharpening and decent corrosion resistance. That corrosion resistance gets an extra boost and a more tactical look from Kershaw’s BlackWash coating. It earns a mid-range score for toughness and is on the lower end for edge retention. Overall, it’s a good material choice for a knife that needs to work every day while staying easy on your wallet.

The steel forms into a 3.25-inch tanto blade with its classic piercing tip and hard angle that forgoes a slicing belly. The back end of the blade features serrations. In terms of function, it’s a solid piercing and chopping shape with the serrations making rope/cord cutting easier. Without the belly of a drop point blade, it’s not as effective for slicing.

The blade quickly deploys with a finger flipper and spring assist. Jimping on the back of the spine helps secure your thumb or forefinger during use and there’s a notch cut out just in front of that.

Kershaw Analyst Handle

Kershaw turns to glass-filled nylon for the handle material, helping to keep the overall weight of this knife down to 3.5 ounces. With a length of 4.25 inches, it gives the Analyst an overall length of 7.5 inches with the blade open.

There is some light texture in select areas more for aesthetics than grip.

Inside the handle is a liner lock to secure the blade in its open position. While not as beefy as a frame lock, it avoids breaking up the look of the handle.

There’s a deep carry clip that can install in four positions. It comes on the tip-up, right-hand carry side. If you prefer something else, you can put it on the left or right for either tip-up or tip-down carry.

There’s also a lanyard hole if you prefer to tether your knife.

Kershaw Analyst Price

The MSRP on the Kershaw 2062ST is $53.99 and as usual, retail prices are a bit lower. We found it on Amazon for $36.49. Kershaw back this knife with a lifetime warranty.

The Bottom Line

The Kershaw Analyst is a great example of an affordable EDC that’s right at home on a jobsite. Its partially serrated tanto blade is highly functional and the material choices keep the price tag down. Throw one in your toolbox, another in your tacklebox, and one more in your truck for good measure. Wherever the day takes you, chances are that the Analyst is happy to go along.

Specifications

• Model: Kershaw 2062ST
• Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV with BlackWash coating
• Handle Material: Glass-filled nylon
• Blade Style: Tanto with partially serrated edge
• Opening: Spring assisted with finger flipper
• Lock: Liner
• Blade Length: 3.25 inches
• Closed Length: 4.25 inches
• Open Length: 7.5 inches
• Clip: 4-position (tip up/down, left/right)
• Weight: 3.5 ounces

The post Kershaw Analyst Folding Pocket Knife 2062ST Review appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Knowing how to use a whetstone to sharpen a knife helps you get close and intimate to the work. It also often results in a better sharpening—and, frankly, it just feels more satisfying!

You can sharpen your knives in any number of ways. There are electric sharpeners, filing systems, and belt systems. Many manufacturers even offer a sharpening service. Use that, however, and you have to mail your knives back to the plant and wait a few weeks for them to return. You could just learn how to do it yourself with a whetstone.

The Case for Using a Whetstone

We like using whetstones for several reasons. For one, they give you a very personal feel when sharpening your knives. Most whetstone kits make it very easy to pull out the stone, line up your blades, and get to work. You don’t need a lot of fancy accessories, the setup is immediate, and there’s no power required (except for your arm muscles).

Whetstones generally have two sides: coarse and fine grit. The coarse side works to pre-sharpen by grinding off the rough edge and any burrs. The fine-grit side finishes off the work by making large burrs even smaller and working that dull blade into a super-sharp edge.

Following, we have some simple step-by-step instructions for how to use a whetstone to sharpen your folding pocket knives, kitchen knives, axes, scissors, or other sharp tools.

Step 1 – Saturate the Whetstone

There’s not necessarily a consensus among knife sharpeners about whether or not to wet your whetstone. (If you want to have some fun—say “whetstone” to a knife enthusiast the way Stewey Griffen says “cool whip”.)

Some folks won’t use water and just go at it dry. Others like to use water or mineral oil. This reduces any heat caused by friction. We prefer to keep things lubed up. You could also simply follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

To use a whetstone, submerge it in water for at least 5-10 minutes. A longer time period just ensures saturation. Some people we know soak their whetstone for a minimum of 24 hours. That may be overkill.

Step 2 – Position the Whetstone So It Doesn’t Slide

After saturating the whetstone, place it atop a mat or towel. You need something to keep the stone from sliding around while also trapping wayward water. Some manufacturers make stands or integrated holders. Those work great as well.

If your whetstone has a coarse and fine side, begin with the coarse side. The same goes if you have multiple whetstones. Work from coarse to fine. That lets you progressively sharpen your knives by removing burrs and getting them progressively more honed.

Step 3 – Position the Knife on the Stone

Using a whetstone to sharpen knives takes a little practice. Most people, however, catch on quickly. Always hold the knife with the handle in your dominant hand. It makes for a safer whetstone sharpening experience. Position the knife across the whetstone at a 45-60 degree angle with the tip off the edge of the stone. The tip can either be towards you or away from you depending on your preferred grip.

Find the angle (pitch) of the actual knife blade edge. We see a lot of 15–20 degree angles for kitchen knives. Pocket knives can have angles up to 25 degrees or more. You want to start with the blade of the knife angled diagonally across the whetstone.

Remember, you’re sharpening a knife not grating cheese!

Step 4 – Draw the Knife Back and Forth Across the Whetstone

With the fingers of your non-dominant hand on the rear of the blade, pull or “draw” the blade towards you across the length of the stone. Maintain both the angle of the knife across the stone as well as the angle of the blade. This lets the whetstone work across the entirety of the knife blade, from tip to belly.

Work the knife up and down the whetstone in both directions. Repeat this several times—particularly if you’re working on a dull blade. Each stroke should allow the entirety of the knife blade to move across the whetstone. You don’t want to work on “sections” of the blade but rather the entire blade at once.

During sharpening, continue to apply water from time to time. As you work, particles from the stone will release. These small particles get trapped in the liquid and form an abrasive paste. Keep everything at a pretty runny consistency.

Step 5 – Flip and Repeat

When the first side has sharpened up, flip the knife over and repeat the process with the other side of the blade. Again, maintain the handle in your dominant hand—you aren’t switching hands. Keep that angle and continue working the knife across the whetstone as you did before.

It helps to count how many passes you make so that you keep things as even as possible. You don’t want to take off more material on one side of the blade than the other.

Step 6 – Finish With a Fine Whetstone and Strop (If Available)

After finishing the coarse grind, flip the whetstone over (or change it out) to continue sharpening using the fine grit material. Repeat the exact same process on this side of the whetstone. Remember to always keep the blade angled consistently. Some systems let you sharpen your knife using three whetstones. Either way, work your way down through the finest whetstone provided.

After that, if you have a leather strop, it’s time to get that finishing touch.

Stropping gets rid of those invisible-to-the-eye inconsistencies of the edge. It’s what gives you a true razor-sharp edge to your blade. To strop a blade, use the same angle you sharpened the blade with and then pull it along the piece of leather toward you. Just a dozen passes should do it—though more is better!

Wrapping It Up

Overall, knowing how to use a whetstone to sharpen your knives doesn’t take a degree in rocket science. However, it does take some practice to get it right. Maintaining the angle while moving the knife across the whetstone makes up the biggest learning curve of this blade-sharpening method. Once you dial in a technique, you can start adjusting your angle for specific applications and steel blends that you have.

If you’re an old hand at sharpening knives, and have any tips and tricks for how to use a whetstone, feel free to add them in the comments section below.

Using Power Tools to Sharpen a Knife

If you don’t want to deal with a whetstone, check out the following power tools that sharpen knives more quickly at the expense e of potentially removing more material from the blade.

Tormek T-4

Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition

The post How to Use a Whetstone to Sharpen Knives appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Kershaw Cannonball Transforms A Premium Winner Into An Affordable EDC

Some days, it amazes me that knife brands continue to come out with new models. It seems like there are only so many ways to combine materials and shapes. Then you get something in your hands like the Kershaw Cannonball folding pocket knife and know exactly why they never quit designing.

As soon as we took the knife out of the box, we had flashbacks to the Zero Tolerance 0095—a knife Clint still carries every day after more than 6 years. We dove deeper to see if Kershaw’s 2061 can be just as epic.

Kershaw Cannonball Blade

Kershaw moves toward the upper half of blade material selection with D2 steel for the 2061. In terms of edge retention, it’s significantly better than 8Cr13MoV that comes on Kershaw’s entry-level knives but not as good as the super steels. It remains easy to sharpen and has decent corrosion resistance. Overall, it’s a step up from value steels without getting into the pricing of premium blends.

The D2 is shaped into a classic drop point design with a big belly that’s great for slicing. The spine gets some additional angling and a grind that adds visual interest before finishing off with a section of jimping. It’s 3.5 inches long and gets it no-nonsense look from a BlackWash coating. At 0.112 inches thick, it’s not the beefiest blade we’ve ever used, but it’s plenty strong enough for nearly anything.

To deploy the blade, there’s a substantial finger flipper that makes up a generous finger choil when the blade is out. The opening is spring assisted and quick.

Kershaw Cannonball Handle

The handle is stainless steel and contributes significantly to the knife’s 5.4-ounce weight. It features a similar angular design to the ZT 0950 rather than the smooth curve of the Blur. It’s 4.5 inches long and just over an inch tall, filling your hand and offering a secure grip.

Rather than sharing the scratch-hiding BlackWash coating of the blade, the handle receives a grey PVD (physical vapor deposition) coating instead.

Set into the side is a strong frame locking mechanism. While there’s nothing wrong with a good liner lock, I personally prefer the security of a frame lock and I don’t mind that it breaks up the look of the handle. It gives the knife a look that matches its strong overall personality.

On the back of the handle is a deep carry clip that comes pre-installed for a right pocket, tip-up carry. If you prefer it in your left pocket, the clip is reversible to the other side.

Kershaw Cannonball Price

The retail price of the Kershaw 2061 is $86.99 and online prices are running closer to $54.99. For a D2 knife with the look, feel, and function the Cannonball has, that’s a good price. Kershaw backs it with a limited lifetime warranty and also offers a mail-in sharpening service.

The Bottom Line

If you’re obsessed with knives, you know your favorites by name. The Zero Tolerance 0095 has been one of ours for years. The Kershaw Cannonball takes what we love about the 0095’s design, gives it a Kershaw makeover at an affordable price, and we freakin’ love it! Get your hands on this model if you’re looking for a hardworking EDC built to take whatever your day has in store for you.

Specifications

• Model: Kershaw 2061
• Blade Steel: D2 with BlackWash coating
• Handle Material: Stainless Steel with PVD coating
• Blade Length: 3.5 inches
• Closed Length: 4.5 inches
• Open Length: 8 inches
• Lock: Frame
• Opening: Spring assist
• Clip: Reversible deep carry
• Weight: 5.4 inches

The post Kershaw Cannonball Folding Pocket Knife Review appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Having a dull knife can cause both cutting problems and safety issues. Those issues can be over if you start using a Lansky Knife Sharpening System. These systems give a consistently sharp edge every time you use them. Is it the best knife sharpening system out there? That would be a loaded question. With an easy-to-use multiple-angle guide and a series of varied grit honing stones, almost any knife can be sharpened. This system ranks among the best knife sharpening methods that we have used.

Lansky Standard vs Lansky Deluxe Sharpening System

For this review, we received two different test kits. One of the kits includes 5 different man-made hones and the other set included 3 diamond hones. Each of the kits arrived packed in a handy custom-molded carry case. It keeps everything nicely organized and in place. Also included is a 1-ounce bottle of honing oil and easy-to-follow directions. Once disassembled, all of the parts in the kit fit neatly into the hard case. Both assembly and disassembly seemed easy when setting up for sharpening.

Each of the hones comes with a color-coded and marked handle. The handles have finger grooves molded into each side, making them easy to grasp. There are small details that make this kit durable. For example, Lansky provides a metal sleeve insert for the threaded thumb screw and guide rod so that doesn’t wear out the plastic. The included honing oil works great with the Lansky Sharpening Systems or any other sharpener. Lansky offers several different knife sharpening configurations and systems. We chose two of the more popular for review.

Lansky Knife Sharpening System (Deluxe)

• Hones Included (man-made stone): Extra Coarse, Coarse, Medium, Fine & Ultra-Fine
• Model Number: LKCLX
• Price: $44.99

Lansky Knife Sharpening System (Standard Diamond)

• Hones Include (diamond): Course, Medium & Fine
• Model Number: LK3DM
• Price: $79.99

Lansky Knife Sharpening System Testing and Use

To test the Lansky Knife Sharpening System, we, of course, sharpened a few different knives. We took a 12″ long Farberware kitchen knife, an 8″ Colman hunting knife, and a 6-1/2″ Kershaw pocket knife and put each to the test. To start off, we took the blade clamp (which also doubles as the angle guide) and attached it to the midpoint on the backside of the knife blade. We then took the appropriate hone grit that we needed and attached the guide rod to it. We chose the hone grit based on the condition of the blade to be sharpened.

All of the knives we had to sharpen had a clean edge and retained a small amount of sharpness; therefore we chose the fine diamond and the fine stone for our starting points. The next thing we did is insert the guide rod into each of the possible angles in the guide. Using our eye, we checked which one best matched the existing angle of the knife blade.

Setting Your Blade Angle

The angle the blade edge is sharpened to is critical to the final use of the blade.

As a guideline, Lansky has the following recommendations – and their guide follows these same angles:

• 17° Angle – A severe angle recommended for razor blades, X-Acto blades, scalpels, or similar tools. This angle provides an extremely sharp, but delicate edge.
  
• 20° Angle – A commonly-used angle for higher quality blades and provides an excellent edge for kitchen cutlery and fillet knives.
  
• 25° Angle – The recommended angle for most knives that need a durable, sharp edge. This angle is ideal for hunting and outdoor knives.
  
• 30° Angle – An outstanding angle for knives that see the heavy use of cutting cardboard, wire, or carpets. Recommended mostly for heavy-duty use knives.

Sharpening Our Knife Blades

After we determined the angle, we added some honing oil to the stone and started to sharpen our Kershaw Zing folding knife. Once we sharpened one side of the blade, we flipped the knife over and did the same thing on the opposite side. Both systems let us comfortably sharpen each of the different size knives we tried. Both of the clamps fit on the blade without difficulty. The guide rods also proved long enough to let us reach the full edge from tang to tip.

As with any tool that requires some physical activity on the part of the user, there is some technique and skill needed to sharpen knives. Of course, with the Lansky Knife Sharpening System, most of the guesswork is taken out of the process. With a little practice, you can have all your knives restored to tip-top shape.

Conclusion & Value

While the Knife Sharpening System might not be a new tool out on the market, we figured it was well worth the time to test and review it. This system is among the best knife sharpening system we have used. It doesn’t take away tons of material like some belt-driven systems. It also helps with finding and maintaining the proper sharpening angle—another common issue among less-experienced users.

Made with quality materials, really anyone can use either of these Lansky knife Sharpening Systems to hone any knife to a razor-sharp edge. Priced between $43 and $80, you should be able to locate a set that works for your particular needs and budget.

The post Lansky Knife Sharpening System Standard & Deluxe appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Premium Quality ZT Knife with an Affordable Price Tag

We’re pretty well-acquainted with Zero Tolerance at this point, having reviewed a number of these knives already. The ZT line always uses quality components and top-quality stainless steel. We feel the brand consistently designs rock-solid EDC knives that look good and just work. However, when getting the kind of quality that comes with the ZT name, the price tag can wind up proportionally high. That’s why, upon inspecting the Zero Tolerance 0357, we found ourselves a little surprised this knife retails for under $150.

Pros

• Under $150
• Black G10 machined on both sides for solid grip
• CPM20CV steel holds edge well
• SpeedSafe assist feels very lively

Cons

• Liner lock feels pretty stiff even after a few weeks of use

Zero Tolerance 0357 Blade Design

The Zero Tolerance 0357 features a 3.25-inch drop point blade that has enough of a belly to tackle any slicing applications with ease. Around the shop, it’s among our favorite blade shapes. The tip comes to a fine point that does make it good for piecing, though you’ll want to be careful to avoid drops as tips this fine—regardless of the steel used—are prone to breaking.

CPM 20CV Blade Steel

Speaking of the steel, ZT uses a CPM 20CV steel for this blade. This is a hard steel that resists corrosion and wear. It also holds its edge really well. If you’re a steel nut—here’s the breakdown:

• Carbon 1.9%
• Chromium 20.0%
• Vanadium 4.0%
• Molybdenum 1.0%
• Tungsten 0.6%

This mix comes in with the same hardness of 440C but with considerably more wear resistance and additional corrosion resistance. The downside is that it can be a bear to sharpen, but with the right sharpening tool and enough time on your hands, keeping an edge won’t cause you too much of a headache. ZT has given the 0357 a working finish, which hides any scratches you’ll put on it.

At the blade’s spine, it measures in at 0.121″ thick. This gives it a sturdy feel without making it super beefy. It also keeps the overall weight of the knife to 4.3 oz. I’d say it feels solid without feeling heavy.

For those of you who need to adhere to carrying laws, when the 0357 is open, it measures 7.625 inches long. Check with your local ordinances to make sure you can legally carry it.

Black G10 Handle

One of my favorite things about this knife revolves around the handle. The ZT 0357 features black G10 on the front and back of the handle. This is a dent-resistant, moisture-resistant material made from compressed fiberglass sheets and epoxy resin.

In this case, it’s been machined for a texture that feels similar to 320-grit sandpaper. It’s not so rough that it’s uncomfortable to handle, but it has enough texture that using it with damp hands won’t cause it to slip. It has something like a matte black finish that I find a lot more attractive than something shiny and flashy.

The Zero Tolerance 0357 has a lanyard hole in the butt end of the handle so you can tether it, minimizing your chances of dropping it from heights. The pocket clip, which feels robust, can be swapped to the left side for southpaws. You are limited to tip-up deep-carry, however.

The handle design feels good ergonomically, with the clean lines matching the shape of my hand. Gentle indentations guide my fingers to where they ought to be rather than forcing them to a particular location. Some jimping on the back of the blade gives my thumb or pointer finger a secure place to press when I need to bear down on something.

Opening & Closing

The Zero Tolerance 0357 features SpeedSafe, the brand’s spring assist system for opening the blade. Pressing down on the flipper results in blade practically jumping out of the handle. While I generally prefer a knife with a bearing in the pivot, the spring-assisted open on the ZT 0357 feels very lively. It snaps open quickly and without requiring an inordinate amount of applied pressure.

You are, however, limited to the finger flipper at the back of the knife. Personally, I don’t usually care for thumb studs or a blade hollow, so I don’t miss that they’re not here.

The 0357 features an inner frame-style liner lock to keep the blade in place while in use. When it drops into place, the whole width of the liner lock butts up against the back of the blade, securing it against inadvertently folding over on my fingers while the knife is in use.

When disengaging the lock, we have noticed that the liner lock feels pretty stiff and requires a bit of wrestling to fold the blade back home. We’ve been using this ZT for a few weeks, and it hasn’t loosened up yet. We can close the blade with one hand, but it’s a little uncomfortable to do so. Still, all things considered, we’d prefer the knife err on the side of having a stiffer blade lock over a flimsy one.

Price

You can pick up the Zero Tolerance 0357 for around $148. Considering the vast majority of the ZT catalog generally retails for $200 or more, this price makes it feel like I’m getting the employee discount or something.

And, of course, Zero Tolerance offers a Limited Lifetime Warranty against manufacturing defects. They also offer free sharpening service if you’re not willing to do that yourself. For more information about warranties, replacement parts, or sharpening your Zero Tolerance knife, click here.

Shop Amazon

Recommendation

The Zero Tolerance 0357 has the kind of design that I find particularly appealing: it’s not flashy, it feels exceptionally solid, it has an effective grip, and it features a blade design that’s useful for a lot of tasks I take on on a daily basis. The fact that it retails for around $50-$150 less than most of the other knives in the Zero Tolerance catalog makes it an especially compelling option.

Zero Tolerance 0357 Specs

• Blade Steel: CPM 20CV
• Blade Length: 3.25 in. (8.25 cm)
• HRC: 60-62
• Blade Finish: Working finish
• Blade Thickness: 0.121 in. (0.31 cm)
• Closed Length: 4.4 in. (11.2 cm)
• Handle Material: G10
• Handle Thickness: 0.47 in. (11.2 mm)
• Overall Length: 7.625 in. (19.4 cm)
• Weight: 4.3 oz. (122 g)
• Price: $148

For more information about the Zero Tolerance 0357, click here.

The post Zero Tolerance 0357 Hands-On Review appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

As the Smallest Knife in the Line, the Zero Tolerance 0022 is Growing on Me

Every knife in my collection earns its place with a combination of genuine functionality and unique design. When the Zero Tolerance 0022 showed up, its miniscule size made me see its uniqueness right away. But functionality? I was skeptical. After carrying for a couple of months, there’s no chance I’m giving this one up!

Pros

• Highly concealable
• Incredibly lightweight
• Outstanding edge retention
• Excellent corrosion resistance
• Excellent hardness and toughness
• Highly useful clip point blade design
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Tougher steel to sharpen
• Size takes some time to get used to

Size Matters

I normally start my knife reviews with a focus on the materials, and we’ll get there shortly. However, the size of this knife is what’s going to make or break your decision to buy one.

Closed, it’s 3″ long and the blade adds another 1.75″. With the blade deployed, it’s smaller than many folding knives are closed. It’s no surprise that it’s lightweight at this size. You’re looking at just 1.7 ounces, making this one of the easiest knives to carry and conceal when you don’t want to advertise you’re carrying one.

Another upside is that it’s an option in states that have blade length restrictions.

There’s no doubt the Zero Tolerance 0022 takes some getting used to with its size. I never really hated it, but I didn’t think I’d learn to enjoy it. 2 months later, it’s in an elite few knives that I prefer to carry.

Deployment

It’s a matter of learning how to make the shift from a medium or full-size handle. When you deploy the blade, the butt of the knife sits much higher against your palm. The natural move is into the fat part of your palm instead of resting to the side of it. In fact, as I was learning how best to open the blade, I gave myself a small cut in that area.

Ideally, shift the handle against your thumb. That gives you plenty of clearance from your skin and great traction for your forefinger to accelerate the flipper.

Because of the blade’s size, it doesn’t have as much mass as most blades. ZT includes a bearing to assist the opening and that gives it enough momentum to snap securely in place with the frame lock.

Blade Design

It’s tempting to look at the size and think it’s the big story. However, there’s much more that makes the Zero Tolerance 0022 special. The blade is formed from CPM 20CV steel—a blend we’re seeing more often from ZT.

This is a tough, hard steel that has outstanding edge retention and excellent corrosion resistance. The trade-off is that it’s a tough steel to sharpen. If you’re not super-confident in your sharpening abilities, take advantage of ZT’s sharpening service.

Designer Tim Galyean makes the perfect choice in blade shape. 1.75″ isn’t a lot to work with and Tim gets the most out of it with a clip point that offers excellent piercing characteristics and a full-length belly that’s great for slicing. There’s almost nothing I run into on a day-to-day basis that it’s a bad choice for.

It’s not a replacement for larger blades in every environment, though. There are still others that I prefer for my outdoor adventures. But it’s amazing just how many times a day I pull the 0022 without wishing for something else.

Handle Design

The Zero Tolerance 0022 has a somewhat unusual combination of titanium and carbon fiber for the handle. We’re used to a carbon fiber overlay, but this model uses full carbon fiber for the front side and titanium for the rear.

In addition to reducing the overall weight, it also gives dual personalities depending on which side you’re looking at. The carbon looks sleek and modern with a blue pivot ring that pulls off a very handsome look.

The opposite side is very utilitarian with its frame lock and native clip position. You can flip the clip to the opposite side for left-hand carry at the cost of breaking up the carbon fiber’s look. Both clip positions are tip-up carry.

Price

Zero Tolerance lists the 0022 at $250 and we’re seeing prices closer to $200 and even lower on Amazon. That’s on par with what we expect considering the materials ZT uses in the build and the fact that it’s a Made in the USA knife.

The Bottom Line

It takes a little time to make the shift from carrying a standard length knife to one as small as the Zero Tolerance 0022. Once you do, you’ll find a blade that’s incredibly versatile for day-to-day tasks around your home and office. It does its best work as a gentleman’s pocket knife that’s among the most concealable you can hope for.

Zero Tolerance 0022 Specifications

• Blade Steel: CPM 20CV
• Handle Material: Carbon fiber front, titanium rear
• Locking: Frame lock
• Opening: KVT bearing
• Blade Length: 1.8″
• Closed Length: 3″
• Open Length: 4.75″
• Weight: 1.7 oz
• Price: $200.00

The post Zero Tolerance 0022 Knife Review appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Zero Tolerance 0223 Blends Classic Military Style with Premium Modern Materials

The Zero Tolerance 0223 is a military-inspired design from Tim Galyean. It’s a large EDC made from premium materials right here in the USA over in Tualatin, Oregon.

Pros

• CPM 20CV blade steel with DLC coating
• Titanium handle with DLC coating and G10 overlay
• Military-inspired design
• Frame lock
• Left or right-hand tip-up carry
• Butter smooth deployment
• Made in the USA

Cons

• 3.5″ blade may be too long to carry in some areas—check your local laws

Blade

Material

The Zero Tolerance 0223 continues ZT’s trend away from the S30/S35 steels with CPM 20CV on this premium model. It has outstanding edge retention with very good corrosion resistance and toughness. The tradeoff is that it’s a bear to sharpen and you might want to take advantage of ZT’s sharpening service when the time comes.

Compared to the S35VN, you get better edge retention, but it’s quite a bit tougher to sharpen.

The blade gets a black DLC treatment (Diamond Like Coating), giving it a hard outer coating that’s also low friction.

Design

Tim Galyean’s overall design goes for a Bowie-style look and has its classic clip point blade at the business end. The top features aggressive squared jimping to help with your grip. The edge moves from the clip point’s piercing tip straight into a section of slicing belly before straightening out for the last 2/3 of its length.

With a blade length of 3.5″, be sure to check your local knife laws before carrying this one.

Deployment

The 0223 uses a finger flipper and KVT bearing system for deployment. I highly prefer a finger flipper to a thumb disk, so that’s a big win in my book.

The blade is 0.156″ thick and has a solid amount of mass, making it butter smooth to open with the bearing system. You could add a spring assist, but it’s really not necessary on this knife.

Handle

Material

Zero Tolerance sticks with premium materials for the handle, going with a black DLC coated titanium and brown G10 overlay. The G10 gives the knife a visual look similar to a Bowie with a leather strap for a handle. It doesn’t look nearly as good as an actual leather strap handle, but I do like the contours that help with the grip.

Locking

The blade snaps securely in place with a frame lock that partially hides behind the G10 overlay. Personally, I like the aggressive, all-business look of a fully exposed frame lock. If that’s something you’re not crazy about, the extra attention to the handle’s aesthetics should help.

Clip

ZT’s deep-carry clip leaves roughly 1/2″ of handle exposed out of your pocket. You can flip it between the left and right sides in a tip-up carry position only. With the exception of folks who prefer tip-down carry, the design hits most everyone no matter which side you like to carry on.

Price

The Zero Tolerance 0223 has an MSRP of $375 and retail prices are currently running right at $300. With the amount of CPM 20CV steel and titanium being used, it’s not a surprising price point in the premium knife sector, especially for a Made in the USA knife.

The Bottom Line

Once you take the Zero Tolerance 0223 out of your pocket, there’s nothing subtle about it. It has an aggressive look with a highly functional design, just like its military foundation. As a folder, it works great as an EDC on the larger side that’s comfortable with a life full of day-to-day tasks or as a defensive carry.

Buy it if you prefer an EDC with military history in its blood, an aggressive look, or an “I don’t give a **** what the day throws at me” attitude. Pass if you need something on the subtle and smaller side or have laws restricting blade lengths to less than 3.5″.

Zero Tolerance 0223 Specifications

• Model: Zero Tolerance 0223
• Blade Steel: CPM 20CV
• Blade Length: 3.5″
• Opening: Finger flipper with bearing assist
• Handle Material: Titanium with G10 overlay
• Lock: Frame lock
• Closed Length: 5″
• Open Length: 8.6″
• Clip: left/right reversible, tip-up only
• Weight: 4.7 oz
• Price: $375 $300

Shop Amazon

The post Zero Tolerance 0223 Review: Military Inspiration for Every Day Carry appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Kershaw Seguin Traces its Roots Back to the 1800s

The Kershaw Seguin is a Les George design tracing its roots back to the Texas Revolution in late 1835 to early 1836. Among many military achievements before and after, Juan Seguin accepted the formal surrender of Mexican forces at the Alamo as a representative of the Republic of Texas at the end of the conflict. There are many institutions, places, and even a WWII Liberty Ship named after him, mainly around Texas.

Pros

• Smooth, fast spring assisted opening
• Unique look
• Excellent value

Cons

• No major drawbacks

Blade

Material

Kershaw sticks with their popular 8Cr13MoV blade steel. Its easy pricing and sharpening pair with its reasonable corrosion resistance and edge retention. It’s comparable to AUS-8 but a little lower on the corrosion resistance. 440C gives you a little more edge retention but isn’t as easy to sharpen. Overall, it’s a solid choice for knives on the value side of the price scale that you don’t need a bladesmith to sharpen for you.

Design

The cutting edge is a pretty standard drop point, giving the Kershaw Seguin excellent qualities for piercing and slicing as a do-anything EDC.

The gunmetal gray PVD coating sits in pleasing contrast to the lighter gray handle.

Deployment and Locking

Kershaw’s SpeedSafe assists the opening with a smooth, fast action you initiate with the finger flipper. There are no thumb studs on this model and I’m completely okay with that since a flipper is my preference.

I also prefer a frame lock over a liner lock. I don’t mind giving up a sleeker look for a more secure lock. The Seguin’s frame lock is about as solid as they come, fully engaging the blade right out of the box.

Handle

Material

Les George selects a simple and classic stainless steel for the handle material. That gives it some heft, especially over models like the Fraxion that nearly feel weightless in your hand. Its 4.9-ounce weight is something Chris Boll and I like, but that Tom Gaige feels is too much. With our office split on this point of preference, it’s something to consider yourself.

The handle gets a bead blast finish and has a series of notches all the way around the handle. More than just decoration, they improve with your grip security. Jimping on the rear blade spine, backspacer, and rear handle also help.

Clip

First, the bad(ish) news—the clip is a single position only, securing via the backspacer. The good news is that it’s a tip-up carry that’s set for right-hand carry (sorry, lefties).

The slim clip curves up away from the handle, making it very easy to slide onto your pocket without making a fuss. Despite its thin profile, it still has pretty good strength to it.

It’s a deep carry clip (some might call it ultra-deep) that’s flush with the butt end. You can hardly tell whether you’re carrying a pen or a knife unless you really look.

Price

MSRP on the Kershaw Sequin is $59.99 and online prices currently run $31.98. That’s right on par for a knife with these materials and features.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for an EDC with roots deep in the heart of Texas, it’s going to be tough to find a more attractive option than the Kershaw Seguin. Its functional design, unique look, and a nod to Juan Seguin are enough to pique plenty of interest and the price is easy enough on the wallet to put it in reach of almost any budget.

There are just two things to consider before buying. Are you good with a tip-up, right side carry only clip? Do you like a little heft in your knife? If you answer yes to both, give your freedom-loving self an EDC treat with the Seguin!

Kershaw Seguin Folding Knife Key Features

• SpeedSafe assisted open
• Flipper
• Frame lock
• Single-position deep-carry pocket clip (right, tip-up)
• Custom pivot and backspacer

Kershaw Seguin Folding Knife Specifications

• Model: Kershaw 3490
• Steel: 8Cr13MoV, gray PVD coating
• Handle: Stainless steel, bead-blasted finish
• Blade Length: 3.1 in. (8 cm)
• Closed Length: 4.25 in. (10.8 cm)
• Overall Length: 7.25 in. (18.3 cm)
• Weight: 4.9 oz. (139 g)
• Price: $31.98

Shop Amazon

The post Kershaw Seguin Folding Knife Review appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

ZT Adds Some Flair To Their Already Succesful 0393 Model

When ZT introduced the 0393 last year, it was an instant success. This time around, the Made in the USA Zero Tolerance 0393GLCF brings the same Rick Hinderer design, premium steel, and build quality as the last model, with a couple of new features as well.

Pros

• Rick Hinderer design
• Made in the USA
• High-quality CPM 20CV steel
• Titanium handle has glow-in-the-dark carbon fiber overlays
• Hard-use “working finish”
• KVT ball-bearing opening system
• Reversible clip
• 5 oz. total weight

Cons

• Glow-in-the-dark needs sunlight to charge – something that doesn’t happen in your pocket

Features

Blade

The ZT 0393GLCF uses Crucible’s CPM 20CV steel. CPM 20CV steel is exceptionally hard, resistant to corrosion and wear, and takes quite a bit of force to break. It also holds an edge really well.

There’s both good and bad news with this: your knife stays sharper for longer, but sharpening it can be a real pain in the neck. If you have experience with a whetstone, it’s a time-consuming process compared to other steels.

If you’re a novice in the sharpening department, you’re better to send it back to ZT for sharpening to get it done right. Use your lower-grade steels to hone your craft for now.

This Rick Hinderer-designed knife features a harpoon-style “spanto” blade – a cross between a tanto blade and a spearpoint. This means that it offers solid slicing abilities as well as a good tip for piercing. Additionally, the blade punches in at 0.156″ thick, which offers a bit more “meat” than the typical folder.

The blade features a “working” finish. This means that an abrasive material was used to tumble the blade, similar to a stonewashed blade. This finish is great at hiding scuffs and scratches.

A word of caution though: before ordering the ZT 0393GLCF, double-check with your local laws to make sure that owning this knife isn’t breaking any laws. It has a 3.5″ blade, and when opened, this knife measures in 8.25″. Sorry, Canada, this one’s off the list for y’all completely.

Handle

The standout feature of the handle is undoubtedly the glow-in-the-dark carbon fiber overlay. ZT opts for a phosphorescent handle on this edition of the 0393, with the idea being that if you take it into a dark room, you’ll still be able to see it.

Phosphorescent materials need to be charged—either by the sun or some other light source—to be effective. Assuming that your knife spends the vast majority of its time in your pocket, access to sunlight will be sparse at best. It’s debatable if it will have had the requisite charging time to glow when you move into a dark room. There’s no doubt that it looks pretty freaking sweet, though.

Back to the practical: the rest of the handle is also legit. ZT has opted for a titanium handle with a working finish that matches the blade steel. It includes a titanium frame lock with a hardened steel lockbar insert. The result is a knife that feels very secure in the open position. The frame lock takes a little more effort to unlock than liner locks, but I like the extra security.

In its closed position, the ZT 0393GLCF measures in at 4.75″ and fits into my front right pocket really well, despite my also using that pocket for my cell phone. Perhaps I opt for jeans with a lot pocket space, but the knife feels unobtrusive when stored away. In any case, the sturdy clip can be reversed to store away in your left pocket as well, though you are limited to a tip-up carry for this one.

The 0393GLCF weighs in at 5 oz. This is a little bit beefier than, say, ZT’s 0470‘s 3.2 oz. This is just a generally beefier knife. Even with the extra heft, this knife is comfortable to hold onto with its contoured handle and it has good balance. While it doesn’t ever feel heavy, it does feel… present, if that makes any sense.

Jimping

One of the things I really appreciate about the 0393GLCF is the amount of substantial jimping around the handle to help with your grip. There’s some on the spine of the blade for your standard carry, as well as some on the front side of the bottom of the handle in case you need to use a reverse grip.

Deployment

ZT uses a KVT ball-bearing opening system which has a smooth enough opening action that you don’t really need a spring assist when using the finger flipper. It has enough substance to provide the leverage to flip out the blade quickly without needing to enlist the help of your wrist.

Using the thumb studs doesn’t feel quite as smooth and actually takes a little bit of effort. However, those thumb studs do double as blade stops here, which adds to the overall build quality of the knife.

Price

The ZT 0393GLCF has an MSRP of $350. We’ve managed to find it around $280 with a minimum amount of research, but it’s still priced where you might think twice about using it as your every day carry. Whether you’re adding it to your collection or for a premium EDC it’s not overpriced—it’s a premium knife at a premium price point. It uses a fantastic, durable steel alloy, and has a really solid, balanced build with a smooth, easy open.

The Bottom Line

The upgrades that make the ZT 0393GLCF what it is are halfway helpful. The working finish looks nice and hides wear and tear, and it adds to what the original 0393 was. The glow-in-the-dark handle, on the other hand, will probably be nothing more than a novelty for most of us. It could be a nice feature to have, but if it spends the day in your pocket, don’t expect it to light up when you drop it at night.

That said, the Zero Tolerance 0393GLCF, at its core, is an exceptional folding knife. ZT doesn’t make crappy knives in our experience and this won’t be the knife to break that particular mold. It will stay sharp, looks great, feels comfortable, and opens smoothly and easily. It’s a little pricey, and you might not want to horse around with sharpening it yourself, but it won’t disappoint you.

Zero Tolerance 0393GLCF Specs

• Model Number: 0393GLCF
• Steel: CPM 20CV, working finish
• Handle: Titanium, working finish
• Blade Length: 3.5″
• Blade Thickness: 0.156″
• Closed Length: 4.75″
• Overall Length: 8.25″
• Weight: 5 oz.
• MSRP: $350 $280.00

Shop Amazon

The post Zero Tolerance 0393GLCF Glow -in-the-Dark Pocket Knife Review appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

The Kershaw Duojet is one of the latest spring-assisted knives in their late 2018 lineup. From design to price, there are plenty of talking points, so let’s jump in.

Pros

• Excellent value with current online prices
• Very attractive, sleek design
• Finger flipper and thumb stud opening appeals to both preferences
• Secure frame lock

Cons

• Single position, tip-down clip leaves no other carry options

Blade

The Kershaw Duojet starts with their standard mid-grade 8Cr13MoV steel and shapes it into a standard drop point blade. The steel is a good balance of edge retention, ease of sharpening, and corrosion resistance. Kershaw improves the corrosion resistance and defines the look with a titanium-nitride coating.

The 3.25-inch drop point blade features a decent piercing tip followed by a prominent belly to help with slicing.

The coating gives the blade a gray finish rather than silver or black. It’s a theme that will run through the entire design.

Handle

The Kershaw Duojet handle is made from stainless steel and comes to a more angular peak on the back. This departure from a steady curve gives it a profile that you might easily mistake for a Zero Tolerance model.

The steel enjoys the same titanium-nitride coating as the blade and completes the full gray color scheme. Over the non-slip side are two carbon fiber inlays that contrast with the gray in a classy style and give the handle a subtle holographic look.

On the opposite side, the single position deep carry clip highlights a more utilitarian look. The clip sits in a tip-down carry position that you can’t move. That’s going to be an obstacle for you like to carry a knife with defense in mind and want the quick deployment that tip-up carry promotes.

Deployment and Locking

Now we come to where (I assume) the Kershaw Duojet gets its name. You get the best of both deployment worlds with a combination of a finger flipper and thumb studs. Personally, I’m a finger flipper guy and I don’t mind the thumb studs hanging out on the blade as decorations.

If you’re a thumb stud fan, this one is a mixed bag. I initially thought that the finger flipper might get in the way of a smooth thumb stud deployment, but that hasn’t been the case at all.

The issue is for Southpaws. The clip gets in the way of the left thumb stud a bit. It’s certainly still possible to open the knife, but you’re going to have to work with it for a bit and develop a feel for working around the clip.

A solid frame lock takes up 2/3 of the handle and this is really my preference between frame and liner locks. It’s a more secure feel and I like the tougher look of a handle with a frame lock.

Pricing

With an MSRP of $47.24, the Kershaw Duojet comes off as a nice mid-priced, mid-grade pocket knife. However, online prices are just over $25* right now, and that’s pretty much a steal for this build. If the single clip position isn’t a deal-breaker for you, buy several of these – one for your truck, one for your toolbox, and one for your tackle box.

*Price at the time of writing (early January 2019)

The Bottom Line

The Kershaw Duojet is a subtly handsome assisted folder that’s an excellent value. It’s an easy recommendation for an inexpensive EDC as long as you’re okay with a single position clip.

Kershaw Duojet Specifications

• Model: Kershaw 8300
• Blade Length: 3.25 inches
• Open Length: 7.75 inches
• Closed Length: 4.5 inches
• Deployment Mechanism: SpeedSafe spring assist with finger flipper and thumb studs
• Locking Mechanism: Frame lock
• Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV with titanium-nitride coating
• Handle Material: Stainless steel with titanium-nitride coating and carbon fiber inlays
• Clip Positions: 1 – tip down
• Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Price: $47.24 (MSRP), $25.78 (Amazon)

Shop Amazon

The post Kershaw Duojet Spring Assisted Knife Review appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.