With its subdued yet elegant looks, hard-use steel blade, and discrete carry profile, the Zero Tolerance 0512 automatic folder is a premium factory knife that justifies its premium price
by Dexter Ewing; photos by Marty Stanfield, Marty Stanfield Photography
Zero Tolerance Knives, better known as ZT, is a highly successful sister company to Kershaw Knives, which you may have heard of either through reading my reviews here or through your local retailers. Zero Tolerance Knives builds heavy-duty knives for hard use — knives that are constructed of superior materials with equally superior design and are built to go the distance. One such model is their 0512 automatic opener. While not the first in their line to be an automatic opener, it is a first in the ZT line to have a blade of ultra-wear-resistant CPM CRUWEAR steel. It’s also the first automatic they have released in quite a few years.
The blade measures 3.4 inches long and is of the classic clip point shape for high-utility use. CPM CRUWEAR is the blade steel of choice. For those not familiar with CRUWEAR, it is a tool steel that has the right balance of toughness, wear resistance, and edge retention. It is not, though, stainless steel. This means that it requires a bit more care to prevent corrosion. The full flat grind of the blade allows it to slice easily through a variety of materials. The clip point shape promotes easy penetration of the tip. If you plan to use your knife a lot, this is a great blade shape to have for cutting chores. As said before, the blade steel is not a stainless steel but a tool steel, and that’s part of the reason why the blade is given a dark bronze Cerakote finish — not only to ward off corrosion but also to give it a unique look, as most coated blades just use flat black.
As for the handle, the construction is a half-and-half style, where the presentation side is natural canvas Micarta and the opposite side is titanium. The handle shape is such that the front of the handle forms an integral guard of sorts to prevent forward slipping. The rest of the handle profile accommodates the remaining fingers comfortably. The titanium side features milled-in pockets for weight reduction.
Since this is an automatic, you’ll find the lock button in the handle has a brass-colored collar for a visual pop. One of the things I like about the button on the 0512 is that it is recessed a bit from the surface of the Micarta handle. The reason for this is to prevent accidental deployment of the blade while in the pocket or while handling the knife in the blade-closed position.
In order to fire the blade, there needs to be a deliberate effort on the user’s part to depress the button. When the blade does deploy, it does so swiftly and crisply. The blade rides on a pair of caged bearings, which makes it glide out smoothly — smoother than if the blade rode on phosphor bronze washers.
Carrying the 0512 is easy. A fold-over, deep-carry-style pocket clip is attached to the butt end of the handle, allowing the knife to ride comfortably low in the pocket, fully concealed, with minimal bulk. This is key to a great EDC folding knife. I don’t care how good the knife looks or that it has the most superior, wear-resistant blade steel or the most coveted handle material. If the knife doesn’t ride comfortably in the pocket, it’s not going to be used. ZT checked all the boxes with the 0512’s handle design. It’s comfortable in-hand as well as in the pocket.
Putting the ZT 0512 automatic to use is a joy. This is a knife that is designed and built for use, and it is quite evident once you put it to task. The blade shape, the particular handle design, and the chosen materials all converge. It is a tool to be used and is not some safe queen only to be admired for its good looks. Use it often and use it hard. That’s what it’s designed for.
The CPM CRUWEAR steel proves to be a long-distance runner since it’s capable of holding its edge. When lesser steels begin to peter out, the CPM CRUWEAR steel keeps going. It also takes a great edge when it comes time to resharpen.
The clip point blade shape seems to be the all-around best blade shape for a variety of cutting tasks. It has a robust belly to facilitate cutting chores and a well-defined point for close-in work or for scoring.
In the handle department, I didn’t find anything that would cause concern. Its shape accommodates your grip comfortably. I like how the edges are chamfered a bit to soften the profile and allow you to grip the handle more comfortably. As I said earlier, if a handle design isn’t well thought out, then the knife won’t get carried and most certainly won’t be used.
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed using and carrying the 0512. It’s definitely a high-performance cutting tool designed and built for the long haul. It is devoid of any eye-catching, shiny bits and instead relies on its rugged beauty to shine through, part of which needs to be experienced by putting the knife to use.
So, when you factor in the blend of premium materials like titanium, CPM CRUWEAR tool steel, and canvas Micarta, you get have a high-end tactical folding knife. The ZT 0512 has an MSRP of $400.00, which is kind of up there, but when you consider the materials and the precision build quality, it is justifiable and is priced in the range of similar-class factory folding knives.
