Zero Tolerance Knives

{{Infobox company

| name = Zero Tolerance Knives

| image = Zero_Tolerance_Knives_Logo.png

| founded = {{start date and age|2006}}

| location = Tualatin, Oregon

| key_people = Jack Igarashi, Chief of North American Operations

| industry = Manufacturing

| products = Knives

| homepage = https://zt.kaiusaltd.com/

}}

Zero Tolerance Knives (ZT Knives) is a knife brand of Kai USA, headquartered in Tualatin, Oregon, United States.{{cite book|last1=Eckstine|first1=Roger|title=Shooter's Bible Guide to Knives|date=2017|publisher=Skyhorse Publishing|location=New York City, NY|isbn=978-1-5107-1128-0|page=166|edition=2nd}} Both Zero Tolerance and Kai USA are members of the Kai Group, a global cutlery company.

History

The first ZT knives were produced in 2006 alongside Kai USA's longstanding, Kershaw Knives brand.{{cite book|last1=Kertzman|first1=Joe|title=Knives 2015: The World's Greatest Knife Book|date=2014|publisher=Krause Publications|location=Iola, WI|isbn=978-1-4402-4073-7|page=54|edition=35th}} The original line of ZT knives included collaborations between custom knifemaker Ken Onion and Strider Knives.{{cite book|last1=Shideler|first1=Dan|last2=Sigler|first2=Derrek|title=The Gun Digest Book of Tactical Gear|date=2008|publisher=Gun Digest Books|location=Iola, WI|isbn=978-0-89689-684-0|page=32}}Cascio, Pat."Kershaw's Latest Tactical Folders",Knives Illustrated, February 2007 Early products were combat knives, but Zero Tolerance later expanded its market to include more general use knives.{{cite web|last1=McCarthy|first1=Patrick|title=Zero Tolerance 10-Year Anniversary: Interview and Factory Tour|url=https://www.offgridweb.com/gear/zero-tolerance-interview/|website=Recoil Off Grid}} All ZT products are manufactured in Kai USA's Tualatin, Oregon facility.

=Awards=

Over the course of the brand's history, eight individual Zero Tolerance knives have won awards at the annual Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia. The following models have received recognition:

class="wikitable"
YearModelDesignerAward
2006Model 0500Grant and Gavin HawkMost Innovative American Design of the Year Award{{cite magazine |last=Shackleford |first=Steve |date=November 2006 |title=The Rich Just Got Richer! BLADE Magazine's 2006 Knives of the Year® Reflect The Finest in Factory Cutlery |magazine=BLADE Magazine |location=Iola, Wisconsin |pages=13–19}}
2011Model 0777Kai Original DesignOverall Knife of the Year Award{{cite web|last1=Sobieck|first1=Ben|title=2011 Knife of the Year Award Winners|url=http://www.blademag.com/blog/overall-knife-year-favorite|website=BLADE}}
2011Model 0560/0561Rick HindererCollaboration of the Year Award
2012Model 0888Kai Original DesignOverall Knife of the Year Award{{cite web|last1=Kertzman|first1=Joe|title=Kai USA Lands Four Knife-of-the-Year® Awards!|url=http://www.blademag.com/kitchen-knives/kai-usa-lands-four-knife-of-the-year-awards|website=BLADE}}
2012Model 0600R.J. MartinCollaboration of the Year Award
2013Model 0454Dmitry SinkevichOverall Knife of the Year Award{{cite web|title=Zero Tolerance 0454 Wins Overall Knife of the Year at Blade Show|url=http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/story/1371031288tj4w1qbffj8|website=The Outdoor Wire}}
2014Model 0562CFRick HindererAmerican Made Knife of the Year Award{{cite web|last1=Sobieck|first1=Ben|title=2014 BLADE Show Knife Of The Year® Award Winners|url=http://www.blademag.com/blog/2014-blade-show-knife-year-award-winners|website=BLADE}}
2015Model 0999Kai Original DesignAmerican Made Knife of the Year Award {{cite web|last1=Shackleford|first1=Steve|title=BLADE® Best Of Show Tribute|url=http://www.blademag.com/blog/blade-show-knife-of-the-year-awards-2016-change|website=BLADE}}

Products

File:ZT_Knives_0566BW.jpg

Zero Tolerance Knives manufactures USA-made folding knives and fixed blades. The brand has worked with custom knife makers such as Les George, Jens Anso, Dmitry Sinkevich, Todd Rexford, Rick Hinderer, R.J. Martin, Tim Galyean, Grant and Gavin Hawk, Ken Onion, and Gus T. Cecchini.{{cite web|title=Jens Anso Folding Knife From ZT Knives|url=http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/jens-anso-folding-knife-from-zt-knives|website=Motorcycle Cruiser}} ZT Knives has also collaborated with Emerson Knives.

References