Considering aviation and knives don’t usually go hand-in-hand, it may not surprise you that we don’t get very many aircraft-inspired EDC blades. But why shouldn’t we? Both typically specialize in hardwearing yet lightweight materials, and both deliver beautiful curves despite their utilitarian designs.
Zero Tolerance, one of our favorite made-in-the-USA knife brands (and owned by the same parent company as Kershaw), just came out with a carbon fiber folder that takes serious inspiration from one of the most iconic jets of all time.
Skunk Works at Its Finest
Back in the ’80s, Lockheed’s secretive Skunk Works division unveiled the F-117 Nighthawk as the world’s first operational stealth aircraft. It featured faceted surfaces and radar-absorbent materials that made it nearly invisible to enemy defenses. Those angular lines were stunning but were still engineered with a specific purpose.
Zero Tolerance clearly paid attention to those design principles when developing the 0117. The knife’s drop-point blade features a two-tone finish that mirrors the aircraft’s utilitarian sophistication with stonewashed flats paired with satin-finished grinds. That sweep along the spine echoes the Nighthawk’s cockpit curvature.
Weight Savings Without Compromise
At just 1.9oz, the 0117 achieves weight reduction through thoughtful engineering, using carbon fiber scales, partial inset liners, and blue-anodized titanium tube spacers. The flow-through construction keeps things airy and doesn’t sacrifice structural integrity.
The 3.3-inch blade uses CPM MagnaCut steel, which has quickly become the go-to choice for premium folders for its incredibly edge retention and corrosion resistance.
DuraLock Crossbar Mechanism
Lastly, Zero Tolerance equipped the 0117 with its DuraLock system, a crossbar lock that debuted on the Kershaw side of the family before making its way to ZT’s 0203. The mechanism gives you ambidextrous deployment via thumb stud, complemented by a reversible deep-carry pocket clip. For smooth action, the knife employs KVT ball bearings, while the precision-machined locking dowel gives you a secure lockup.
Spec Sheet
Model: Zero Tolerance 0117
Blade Steel: CPM MagnaCut (62-64 HRC)
Blade Length: 3.3″
Blade Finish: Two-tone stonewashed flats, satin grinds
Closed Length: 4.57″
Overall Length: 7.87″
Handle Material: Carbon fiber
Lock Type: DuraLock (crossbar)
Weight: 1.9 oz
Made in USA: Yes
Pricing & Availability
Priced at $240 (down from $300 MSRP), the Zero Tolerance 0117 is available now through ZT’s website and authorized dealers like Blade HQ.
Recap
Zero Tolerance 0117 Knife
Zero Tolerance’s new 0117 folder draws inspiration from the F-117 Nighthawk stealth aircraft, translating those angular lines and lightweight engineering principles into a 1.9-ounce EDC knife with a MagnaCut blade and carbon fiber handles.
