Zero Tolerance Hinderer 0561 Knife Dark Earth G10 (3.75" Stonewash) ZT

This is a sweet, practical, well-made, tactical EDC. This flipper has such smooth action, wrist movement is not needed with index finger deployment. Ergonomics of the handle are perfect. If anything, too much jimping. Suitable for heavy duty, military, or personal protection. Small pocket clip and deep pocket carry are perfect. Authoritative opening and zero blade play gives this puppy 5 stars. This has the easiest titanium frame lock to release with one hand. This knife is Americana at its best. Cheers to ZT for another quality product. One small issue: the opening is so sweet, the thumb stud works as good as any, and better than most - when using the thumb stud, the flipper could catch your index finger if held too close to the pivot. All things considered, this ZT is near perfect and a favorite in my collection.

It's big but well-balanced. And the blade shape is exquisite. There's a solid feel of quality and precision in the deployment of the blade. The only downside is the stiffness of the detent, where initial flipper action is tight. I've had the knife for a week. In that time I've worked with it to break it in. But my index finger is tender from all that stiff flipper action landing on the aggressive gimping. I'm considering sending it to KAI to see if something can be done to ease the detent. I'm wondering if the hole in which the detent rests can be slightly reamed and polished to relax the forces needed to overcome the detent and flip the blade open. I'm also considering lightly sanding one facet of the gimping, the corners facing the flipper, to make a smoother surface for my finger to land on. 11/26/21 - update, I was premature in my comment about the stiffness of the detent. It just needed to be broken in. This is such a fine piece of machined craftsmanship. I am totally satisfied with this knife. It’s a work of smooth, solidly built, refined art. I liked this knife so very much, the shape and contour of the blade, that I bought its little brother, the 0566CF. A smaller, assisted knife with the same blade shape made with S35VN steel instead of the Elmax steel. The smaller knife has carbon fiber scales and no titanium. But it sits in my pocket every day unnoticeably. Both knives are fantastic.

Love the knife. It is big in my pocket and carries very well with the deep carry clip. I use this knife constantly to cut anything needing cutting, even thin wire, and it has never let me down. I like it so much I've purchased a new scale to dress it up a bit. The only frustrations I have are the bearing system and the lockup. While it is flawless and smooth when clean, let a little dust and lint get into the bearings and this knife squeaks. It is easy to clean but be sure you keep care with the bearings out. They are not sealed and can be lost. The lockup is probably the most frustrating aspect to me. It is extremely hard to open the frame lock to close the knife. I get about 90% lockup on the blade and it takes a finger-smashing amount of pressure to unlock it. Aside from these two issues I love the knife and I'm certainly glad it is in my collection.