The Best Zero Tolerance Knives For Everyday Carry

While it doesn’t possess the same level of name recognition as outfits like Spyderco, Gerber, or Benchmade, Zero Tolerance is a knife brand that’s lauded by EDC enthusiasts for its super premium, over-engineered blades. As one of many high-end knife makers currently in operation, it can sometimes be difficult for those not in the know to wrap their head around why ZT is so heralded amongst knife and everyday carry aficionados. In an effort to shine a light on what makes this firm so special, we’re taking a deep dive into the company, unpacking its history and what sets it apart from other brands in the space, along with counting down our picks for the best Zero Tolerance knives for everyday carry. 

Though it already owned Shun Knives, conglomerate Kai was seeking to increase the number of products that it was exporting to America, leading to the inception of Kershaw Knives in 1974. As the years went on, the Kershaw would steadily evolve, gaining legions of customers while steadily introducing a host of noteworthy innovations and first — including the first liner-locking pocket knife in 1995 and the first assisted-opening folder in 1998. By the turn of the millennium, Kershaw had grown into a large and widely-recognized knife brand, though it was best-known for delivering quality mid-tier knives with exceptional value and accessible prices. 

Over the next few years, Kai started noticing a gap in the market for high-end, American-made knives crafted from super premium materials. Rather than producing more premium knives under its more value-focused Kershaw label, Kai opted to launch an all-new operation in 2006 focusing exclusively on top-shelf cutlery by the name of Zero Tolerance Knives. Upon its inception, ZT primarily produced tactically-focused knives aimed at military, law enforcement, and other first responders. Benefitting from Kai’s expertise and experience gained running brands like Kershaw and Shun Knives, Zero Tolerance experiences ample success right out of the gate, with its Model 0500 knife winning a “Most Innovative American Design of the Year” Award the same year it launched — marking the first of many illustrious awards that ZT would amass over the following years. 

The company steadily grew, releasing more and more knives like the Model 0100, the Model 0500 M.U.D.D, and the tactical 0610ST — all of which were over-engineered, over-built, and made from some of the finest materials that money can buy. In 2009, however, ZT really began to hit its stride and come into its own, unveiling the Model 0350 — a knife that became an instant classic in EDC circles, and one that would set the stage for what would follow. A little later in 2011 Zero Tolerance made waves once again in the knife space with the release of its groundbreaking Model 0777. The first knife to utilize ZT’s patented Sub-Frame Lock, the 0777 would ultimately be crowned with a coveted Overall Knife of the Year award at that the 2011 BLADE Show, and would go on to cement ZT’s status as a producer of some of the best EDC knives on the planet.

With this feather in its cap, Zero Tolerance would appear on the map of the larger knife world. The company’s popularity would allow it to invest resources into further researching and developing other knife components and systems that would enable it to remain at the forefront of its space — despite some very fierce competition. In the intervening years, Zero Tolerance has continued to innovate and release an ever-growing catalog of fixed blades and folders that are largely characterized by their thoroughly top-shelf yet immensely utilitarian nature. 

Zero Tolerance was founded specifically to produce super premium knives to ultra-exacting standards. And while there’s admittedly no shortage of boutique knife-makers churning out super high-end blades, Zero Tolerance stands out from the crowd for a few key reasons. While ZT’s knives are undeniably high-end, none of them are fancy simply for the sake of being fancy. The company’s knives are designed with function and utility in mind. This are purpose-built tools engineered for specific purposes. The fact that many of its knives sport attractive aesthetic designs is largely incidental. 

What’s more, you’ll pretty much never find Zero Tolerance knives sporting zirconium or Timascus elements. The materials that ZT uses are high-end but possess some objective benefit or strength over cheaper constructions such as the lack of weight and immense strength of titanium or the stellar edge retention of a top-shelf powder metallurgy blade steel. Often created using a spare no expense approach, Zero Tolerance’s knives are often penned by some of the world’s most renowned knife designers. Noteworthy names that have partnered with ZT include Grant and Gavin Hawk, Rick Hinderer, Todd Rexford, Jens Ansø, Ken Onion, Les George, and Dmitry Sinkevich, just to name a few. 

Made entirely in America, Zero Tolerance’s knives are also engineered and built to some pretty remarkable standards. With beefy blades, robust handles, and ridiculously sturdy, over-engineered locking mechanisms that can withstand enormous loads and amounts of pressure, Zero Tolerance knives offer stellar performance and can easily stand up to some of the world’s most hostile conditions — a fact that’s made them popular amongst military and law enforcement personnel. On top of utilizing high-end materials, these already robust designs are brought to life using a super meticulous domestic manufacturing process that crafts knives using ultra-tight tolerances. In fact, Zero Tolerance has long marketed its knives as being “Proudly Overbuilt” — which, as anyone that’s handled one of the company’s knives can tell you, is incredibly apt. 

This MO has not only made Zero Tolerance a bonafide institution in the knife space, but it’s also resulted in the company amassing a slew of accolades and awards including multiple Most Innovative American Design of the Year Awards, multiple Collaboration of the Year Awards, and multiple Overall Knife of the Year Awards (at the BLADE Show). These traits have ultimately allowed Zero Tolerance to carve out a special place for itself in the market. Because of the super high-end nature of its knives, the company will almost certainly never be as popular as outfit’s producing more accessibly-priced blades, however, those in the know are well aware of the next-level quality, durability, and performance of Zero Tolerance’s legendary knives. 

Zero Tolerance 0350TS

Best Tactical Knife: Designed by industry legend Ken Onion and first released in 2013, the Zero Tolerance 0350TS is a version of ZT’s existing 0350 knife that features a Cerakoted tiger-stripe pattern across its blade — a 3.25” CPM S30V drop point item that can be deployed using either its flipper tab or dual-thumb-stud setup. Regardless as to how it’s deployed, the blade rapidly fires from the 0350TS’s G-10 handle thanks to a spring-loaded assisted opening mechanism. Despite its obvious tactical influence, the 0350TS is actually an incredibly versatile knife, lending itself to workhorse duties and EDC use, as well as tactical and self-defense applications. The knife is also offered without the tiger-striped blade. 

Zero Tolerance 0230

Best Slipjoint: Designed by Jens Ansø, the Zero Tolerance 0230 is a thoroughly premium and unmistakably modern take on a traditional non-locking slipjoint pocket knife that sees this classic style of folder brought to life in America using top-shelf materials. Weighing less than 2oz, the Model 0230 features a nail nick-opening 2.60” sheepsfoot blade composed of ultra-premium CPM 20CV super steel. Also offered in a spear point profile — known as the 0235 — the 0230’s blade comes mated to a set of carbon fiber handles with a blue-anodized aluminum back-spacer and double detente balls in the liners. For anyone interested in a functional slipjoint for everyday carry duties, the 0230 is an obvious choice. 

Zero Tolerance 0770CF

Best Assisted-Opening: Just like Clark Kent putting on his glasses, even when Zero Tolerance attempts to make a simple EDC knife they’re still impressive. The carbon fiber handle is a comfortable feel that is less tactical or aggressive than most of their other options, and has an affable, stonewashed look that mutes it for work around the home or office. It bears the impressive CPM S35VN steel, which has been hardened so that once the ZT0770CF has a razor’s edge, it can hold it through several tough projects. Slim and svelte, it’s a nice back pocket piece.

Zero Tolerance 0022

Best Compact Knife: Small but mighty, the Zero Tolerance 0022 is a compact flipper knife that packs quite a punch. Equipped with an ergonomic handle design, the knife is constructed around a titanium frame-locking chassis with a  hardened steel lockbar insert, a carbon fiber scale on its show side. Top-shelf through and through, the ZT 0022’s blade consists of a 1.80” CPM 20CV clip point item with jimping along its spine that affords it ample grip under hard use. Tipping the scales at only 1.75oz and spanning just 4.75” overall, this compact Tim Galyean-designed flipper also features a reversible pocket clip and a blue-anodized titanium pivot collar. So, while it may be small, the 0022 maintains the ability to go toe-to-toe with much larger knives. 

Zero Tolerance 0450

Best Titanium Knife: The ZT0450 is a striking knife that will draw you in the moment you pull it out of the package. It shimmers like Excalibur, and at more than 7-inches when deployed, it can feel like it. Designed based around a limited edition blade that was part of a collaboration with Dmitry Sinkevich, it’s big and flashy. Its progenitor was a massive knife, strictly for display cases. For a mass-produced piece, this modern take is more than worthy of the name. The flipping action is tremendous, allowing it to come out fast, and the sheer size and stonewashed titanium handle that nearly glows make it a monster in a dark alley.

Zero Tolerance 0562CF

Best Overall Knife: Polish the stonewashed Carpenter CTS-204P steel blade up to a mirror’s shine, or keep reflectivity low for simpler daily use, this is a variation on the Hinderer that is more advanced and elite. Lockbar stabilization and scales with a carbon-fiber front and titanium back give this the materials to last a lifetime. Thick from tip to pommel, it can be used for prying or fighting as much as cutting and slicing. The drop-point blade is rugged and basic, offering a reasonably good point along with a large cutting surface for hunting or field work.

The Best Kershaw Pocket Knives For Everyday Carry

Want to learn more about Zero Tolerance’s more accessibly-priced sister brand? Then be sure to check out our extensive deep dive into Kershaw for a look at the company’s history, what makes it unique, and the best knives it currently makes.