Zero Tolerance Knives

KnifeArt stocks the full Zero Tolerance Knives lineup and normally ships the same business day with free US shipping. We were one of the first authorized ZT dealers when the brand launched in 2006 and have carried every generation of the line since. Our relationship with ZT goes deeper than most dealers: we sold custom knives by Rick Hinderer, the designer behind the ZT 0562 and 0393, and by Dmitry Sinkevich, who designed the 0450, long before those production collaborations existed. We also sold Ken Onion custom knives in the early days before his original ZT work. When you buy Zero Tolerance knives from KnifeArt, you are buying from people who knew the designers before the production models did. We also stock the limited, special, and Damascus steel editions. We only collect sales tax on orders shipped to Arkansas and Florida, and every purchase earns points in our buyer rewards program.

About Zero Tolerance Knives

History and Heritage

Zero Tolerance Knives launched in 2006 as the premium division of Kai USA Ltd., built for military, law enforcement, and first responder professionals who demanded more than standard production knives. Every ZT knife is designed and manufactured at the Kai USA facility in Tualatin, Oregon, making it one of the few production brands where the entire process happens under one roof. Zero tolerance knives made in usa is not a tagline for ZT, it is the operational reality of how they build every model. ZT quickly earned a reputation for being "proudly overbuilt," building heavier, stronger knives from better materials than most production companies were willing to use.

Zero Tolerance Knife Models

ZT 0562 and ZT 0393 — Rick Hinderer Collaborations

The ZT 0562 is the flagship Hinderer collaboration and one of the most respected production tactical folders ever made. Rick Hinderer's XM-18 custom knife influenced the 0562's design, and KnifeArt sold Hinderer knife customs before the production model existed. The zero tolerance 0562 runs a 3.5-inch spearpoint blade in CPM-20CV at 59-61 HRC on a titanium and G-10 handle with a stainless steel frame lock and KVT ball-bearing pivot. The zero tolerance 0393 carries Hinderer's spanto blade, combining the spearpoint and tanto profiles for tip strength alongside a useful belly. For buyers looking for a Hinderer knife in production form, these two models are where to start.

ZT 0450 and 0450CF — Dmitry Sinkevich Collaboration

The ZT 0450 brought a different sensibility to the lineup. Dmitry Sinkevich's design is slimmer and more refined than the Hinderer collaborations, with a 3.25-inch blade on a titanium handle at just 2.9 oz. The zero tolerance 0450 and the ZT 0450CF, also called the zero tolerance 0450CF, carbon fiber variant, are the models we recommend most often for all-day everyday carry. We sold Sinkevich custom knives before the 0450 existed, and the production knife captures his design sensibility at a fraction of the custom price.

Zero Tolerance EDC and Everyday Carry Models

Beyond the flagship collaborations, zero tolerance edc models cover a wide range of carry preferences. The ZT lineup includes frame lock flippers, button lock folders, assisted opening knives, and the DuraLock platform. Every configuration uses the same premium steels and tolerances as the larger tactical models. The zero tolerance flipper mechanism across the lineup uses the KVT ball-bearing pivot system for fast, consistent deployment. A zt flipper opens with authority and locks up with no play.

Why Buy Zero Tolerance from KnifeArt

We have been an authorized ZT knives dealer since the brand launched in 2006. We sold custom knives by Rick Hinderer and Dmitry Sinkevich before their Zero Tolerance collaborations existed. That background means when we recommend a zero tolerance knife to a customer, we are drawing on a level of context that most dealers do not have. Every order ships from our inventory in Little Rock, Arkansas, with same-business-day shipping and the full Kai USA limited lifetime warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions About Zero Tolerance Knives

Where are Zero Tolerance Knives made?

Every Zero Tolerance knife is designed and manufactured at the Kai USA facility in Tualatin, Oregon. All machining, heat treatment, assembly, and finishing is handled domestically. ZT is one of the few production brands where the entire manufacturing process happens under one roof in the United States.

What is the difference between ZT and Kershaw - is a ZT worth the price?

The zt vs kershaw question comes up often. Both are Kai USA brands, but Zero Tolerance was created as a premium line for professional and hard-use applications, using higher-grade steels, tighter tolerances, and more expensive materials than Kershaw. A ZT knife costs more because it is built to a genuinely higher standard. For buyers who prioritize American manufacturing, premium steels, and collaboration designs from custom makers like Rick Hinderer and Dmitry Sinkevich, Zero Tolerance knives represent outstanding value at their price point. We have sold these since 2006, and the repeat purchase rate speaks to how they hold up.