When the best gets better: Zero Tolerance 0609 folding knife

Zero Tolerance’s new 0609 folding knife can trace its origins to the original Factory Custom 0606CF, although this new release offers a smaller and more concealable profile. Designed by RJ and Matt Martin, this knife is a stunner – both visually and functionally. It doesn’t offer any otherworldly steel or materials mined from Mars – just good old-fashioned CPM 20CV steel for the blade and 3D-machined titanium for the handle. It results in a sleek, strong, and mean looking flipper that can hang with any everyday carry knife.

The design and manufacturing on the ZT 0609 is absolutely perfect. Clean edges and grooves with lots of intricate details on the handle that not only look appealing but provide much-needed grip on the lightweight frame. The anodized bronze finish on the handle is a nice contrast to the blade, pivot, and screws. The drop-point blade is 3.4-inches long and features a two-tone satin finish on the grinds with a stonewashed finish on the flats. One of my pet-peeves is when a knife comes from the manufacturer and needs sharpening right off the bat to meet my standards. It happens more often than expected. The ZT 0609 is sharp. No need for a touchup on this one. I am supremely pleased with the durability and sharpness of the edge from Zero Tolerance.

A manual opener, the 0609’s ball-bearing opening system is smooth as butter. This flipper is not one that requires any extra effort to deploy. It also features an oversized see-through pivot that adds an interesting visual aspect to the knife. The pocket clip is sturdy and resilient. It has the right amount of flex but returns to position when not in my pocket or on my belt. When closing, the frame lock can be a bit stiff at times until it has been broken in but I’ve never had it malfunction. While I have not historically been a big fan of flippers, the 0609 is in my pocket virtually every day because of the ease of deployment it offers.

When you pay over $200 for an everyday carry knife, it better be something special. As someone who has many knives over that price level, the ZT 0609 is a keeper that I can confidently rely on. At a $275 retail price, you can rest assured that you are getting an excellent knife that is sharp, durable, lightweight, deeply concealable, and visually flawless.