ZT Knives’ 0470 & 0460TI

Dmitry Sinkevich is one fellow I would really like to meet. He designed both of these knives for ZT Knives, and I just can’t get enough of them. The feel in the hand and the utility of the blade shapes are perfectly matched in these two knives that are both excellent every day carry options. They are utilitarian works of art. Let me introduce you to the 0470 and the 0460TI.

CPM-20CV Stainless Steel Blades

The blades are made from exceptional steel: CPM-20CV. At 58 HRC, it’s amongst the hardest steels used in knives and very corrosion resistant. I’ve been impressed with its edge retention. A month into use and they still cut tomatoes with ease.

After using one to butcher some rabbits, I used a cheap ceramic quick sharpener and the blade responded nicely. This steel is what you’re paying for in these knives, and it’s very good.

Drop-point & Trailing Wharncliffe

The 0470 has a drop point blade that is highly utilitarian. This blade shape does so many things well. It’s wide and easy to manipulate and intuitive to use–you just naturally know how to use this blade shape. It’ll whittle wood, cut rope, and there’s enough rocker to cut veggies in camp. The straight back has jimping at the base for a solid purchase. It’s 3.4″ long and 0.121″ thick.

The 0460TI’s blade is a…trailing point Wharncliffe? It’s swept back with a fine point and a gentle radius along the whole of the spine while the blade follows a tighter radius. The two knives are about the same size, but that gentle radius cut out of the back makes the 0460TI appear a lot slimmer. The blade radius glides into the shape of the handle and then reverses lending a very Persian look and making it fit your hand marvelously. The blade is utilitarian but the fine point is especially good for piercing cuts. I’ve used it for hunting, and it’s excellent. The narrow point and swept-back shape may take some getting used to; try not to poke yourself. This blade is 3.25″ long and 0.121″ thick.

Titanium & Carbon Scales

Titanium scales on these knives is a nice bonus. Titanium is 45% lighter than steel, and you can really feel it when you wear these in your pocket all day. They are significantly more comfortable to carry. The first time I picked them up, not knowing they were titanium, I was surprised at how light they were and thought they must be aluminum. But the titanium weathers much better than either steel or aluminum.

The 0460TI’s scales are both titanium, while the 0470 has titanium with a marbled carbon insert on one side. This insert is unique to each knife. Instead of weaving the carbon fibers as you’ve seen a million times, ZT poured the fibers and sealed them with resin, resulting in a random marbled pattern with the classic carbon sheen. The 0460TI’s scales have a stone-washed finish that gives a pre-patinaed look so you don’t look like a poser with a pristine knife.

Both knives feature a 3D texture on the scales. Similar to the jimping on the back of a blade, they give a little more positive grip on the edges. The details of each are very cool with subtle waves and undulations. Both fit your palm very well with a tapered end. The more you look at these, the more you see the artistry of the designs.

Titanium Pocket Clip

These knives also have a black anodized aluminum back spacer with jimping and a black titanium pocket clip. The pocket clip is wearing nicely, and although the finish has scraped off a little, the clip remains smooth — I like that it doesn’t snag on upholstery.

They ship with the clip mounted for right-pocket use. The 0470’s clip can be swapped to the other side with an Allen wrench, but the 0460’s clip can be removed but not swapped.

The clip is good, but the only thing I would change on these knives is to make it the deep carry style that keeps the knife from protruding from the top of your pocket. Still, these deploy quickly.

Ball Bearing Flippers

Both the 0470 and the 0460Ti feature ZT’s KVT ball bearing and a flipper for quick and easy opening. They both open fluidly. I’ve been carrying both for several weeks and they continue to open as smoothly as the first time I picked them up.

For right-handed users, there’s an indent which makes a good indexing mark for your finger when flipping. If you haven’t used a flipper before, it may surprise you how easily this knife opens and locks in place. The ball bearing makes it smooth and continuous. Both have a titanium lock with hardened steel lockbar insert

The knives ship with the clip mounted so that if you carry in your right-hand pocket, then the knife draws with the flipper in position for one-handed operation.

Terrific EDC Knives

Although most of us will primarily use these knives for opening packages, they are ready for much heavier use. The steel is so good and the edge lasts so long, that these have become my go-to kitchen knives when sharpness really counts. Slicing tomatoes is a joy with these blades. They both fit in your hand very nicely. The MSRP for the 0470 is $325, while the 0460TI comes in at $275. Full specs below.

If I had to choose one, I’d choose the 0460TI. There’s just something great about the way the curve of the blade flows into the dropped shape of the handle. It’s the perfect size for EDC. The only thing I’d like better is a little larger form factor for outdoor adventures — and it’s like ZT read my mind because they also offer the 0462 with a 3.75″ blade.

Specs

For more information visit ZT Knives website.