IMPORTANT INFORMATION

About Your NEW Zero Tolerance Knife

Cleaning & Oiling

Always keep your knife clean. Wipe away debris and, if needed, wash with a mild detergent and dry thoroughly. Do not let your knives sit in water. Due to the high carbon content of the quality steel in our blades, the blade may corrode if not properly cared for. Wiping a light coating of oil on the blade and hinge before storage is also important for keeping your investment in proper working order. Most household oils, WD40, 3-in-1 oil, or gun oil will work just fine for maintaining your ZT. We recommend using Kershaw Knife Oil.

If your knife does develop rust spots, you can remove them by using a light abrasive, such as Flitz metal polish or Bon Ami cleanser made into a paste with a little water. Use an absorbent soft cloth to apply the cleanser. If the rust is more than just surface, try naval jelly or WD-40.

Blade and Handle Coatings

The technologically advanced coatings on the blades and handles of some ZT knives are designed to add beauty to the products and to enhance specific performance features. Although ZT coatings are designed to stand up to continual knife use, in time, all coatings will show some wear. Scratches and other signs of wear should be expected and considered normal.

Adjusting Screws

Most Zero Tolerance knives require a Torx bit #6, Torx bit #8, or Torx bit #10 to fit into the head of the screws. The Torx #6 fits the pocketclip screws and the Torx #8 fits the handle screws on most current model Zero Tolerance knives. The Torx #8 fits most pivot screws though some models require a 3/8-inch hex socket.

Please be sure to use a Torx bit and not an Allen bit, this is a common error. The slight difference in shape will strip the heads of the screws. Torx tools are usually available for purchase at both online and brick-and-mortar hardware retailers at relatively inexpensive prices. It may be a good idea to have your knife with you when you are shopping to ensure you purchase the correct size bit/s. We offer bit sizes #6, #8, and #10 in our TX Tool.

If screws on your knife are coming loose frequently or you think the holes may be stripped, try using some blue Loctite and let the Loctite set up for 24 hours before using your knife. Please feel free to contact Zero Tolerance Warranty Service if you have any questions.

Sharpening

Your knife comes with FREE lifetime sharpening. Just send the knife into our Tualatin, Oregon facility, we’ll sharpen it and return it to you. You can also sharpen your knife with the Kershaw Ultra-Tek Sharpener.

1. Hold the blade against the Ultra-Tek at the original sharpened angle of 18°–22°.
2. Beginning at the base of the blade and tip of the sharpener, pull the blade down and toward you across the top of the sharpener in a slight arc as shown in the illustration. Do the same thing across the bottom of the sharpener as shown. This sharpens the top of your blade.
3. Repeat this “over and under” motion approximately three to five times on each side to fully sharpen your knife.

IT IS CRITICAL TO MAINTAIN THE CORRECT BLADE ANGLE OF 18° TO 22° WHILE SHARPENING THE BLADE.

Opening a ZT Automatic

For right-handed use, hold knife vertically in one hand with your thumb against the blade-release/lock button. Maintaining a firm grip on the handle, and fingers clear of the blade’s path, push the button. For left-handed use, use your index finger instead of your thumb to press the blade-release/lock button.

Closing a ZT Automatic

Hold the knife handle in one hand. Press the blade-release/lock button on the handle and hold it down. With your other hand, hold the back of the blade (away from the edge) and guide the blade back into the handle. Keep your fingers out of the blade’s path as you guide the blade back into the handle. Take your finger off the button.

Additional Information Regarding Automatic Knives

If you need service for an automatic, be sure to include the required release form with your knife, in addition to a warranty request form. Visit our warranty page for additional information, to read our warranty, learn about replacement vouchers, counterfeits, and more.

ZT Fixed Blade Knives

Many ZT fixed blade knives come with their own sheaths, which protect the blade during storage and make them easy to carry. In addition to storing them in their sheaths, fixed blade knives also benefit from the care and maintenance noted in the care instructions above.

Correct Pocketclip Usage

To ensure the knife remains closed until you open it, put the knife inside your pocket with the pocketclip to the outside as shown. The blade side of the knife should be snugged up against the seam of the pocket.

Using the pocketclip properly makes carrying your knife safer. A clipped knife will be less liable to open accidentally, even if the flipper is impacted by another object you’re carrying in your pocket, purse, or backpack. Not using the pocketclip may lead to serious physical harm.

Pocketclip Carry Options

ZTs come pre-drilled for a variety of carry options. See photos for the safe pocket carry positions for these various options. A tight pocketclip, combined with this placement will help ensure your knife does not open accidentally during carrying.

CAUTION:DO NOT clip the knife to your belt. Carrying a pocketknife loose in your pocket is not recommended.

Identifying The Parts of Your Knife

NOTE: Not every stud on a ZT is a thumb stud. If the stud contacts the handle when the knife is open, the stud is a blade stop and prevents the knife from over extending.

A thumb stud enables one-handed opening; the blade stop does not. In some cases, the blade stop may be used to open the knife—but the flipper usually works better.

Opening a ZT Manual Folder

With Flipper (including KVT)

Most (but not all) ZT manual folders feature the KVT ball-bearing opening system. Caged ball bearings surround the pivot so that even without a mechanical assist, opening is incredibly smooth. These folders also have a detent-ball-and-hole mechanism that biases the knife toward closed and keeps the blade from opening accidentally. Because of this, new ZT folders may be somewhat stiff when you first open them. As you open and close the knife, the mechanism will “break in” and the knife will become easier to open. If your knife has a frame lock, be sure you are not putting pressure on the lock as you open the knife; putting pressure on the frame lock holds the knife closed and will make your knife difficult to open. With Flipper Hold the knife handle in one hand with the butt end resting firmly in the palm of

Opening a ZT Assisted Folder

With Flipper

Hold the knife handle vertically in one hand. Place your index finger on the top of the flipper. Gently apply downward pressure on the flipper. The assisted knife opens quickly and easily, and the blade locks into place.

With Thumb Stud

Hold the knife handle vertically in one hand. Place your thumb on the thumb stud. Gently push outwards on the thumb stud. The assisted knife opens quickly and easily, and the blade locks into place.

With Flipper and Thumb Stud

Use either of the methods described above to open your knife.

IMPORTANT! When you open a ZT knife with assisted opening, avoid getting nicked by keeping your thumb and fingers on the handle and out of the way of the opening blade. All it takes is a pull back on the flipper or outward push on the thumb stud to open your knife.

Closing a ZT Folder

Here’s how to unlock a ZT knife so that you can easily close your knife. Be sure to keep your fingers away from the blade edge while closing.

With Frame Lock or Liner Lock (including Sub-Frame Lock and Inset Liner Lock) Hold the knife handle in one hand. Turn the knife so that you can see the interior of the handle. On the left side of the handle, you will see that one side of the handle (also called the “frame”), the steel liner, an inset piece of steel, or part of the frame is positioned behind the blade. This is the lock. With your thumb, press the lock to the left so that it is no longer blocking the blade. With your other hand, hold the back of the blade (away from the edge) and begin to guide the blade back into the handle. Move your thumb out of the way as you finish guiding the blade back into the handle.

LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY

Zero Tolerance knives from Kai USA Ltd. carry a limited warranty for the lifetime of the original owner, except when stated otherwise. We guarantee our knives against manufacturing defects in material and construction and to perform as advertised when properly used and maintained. The Limited Lifetime Warranty is non-transferable and does not extend to normal signs of wear, rust, damage, or breakage due to improper use, improper maintenance, accidents, loss, or theft. This warranty is void on products that have been modified in any way. Any product we determine to be defective will be repaired or replaced solely at our discretion. To receive warranty repair or replacement, the owner must send the product to be evaluated by Kai USA Warranty Services in our Tualatin, Oregon headquarters. In addition to the provisions of this warranty, the owner may also have other rights that can vary by state. The Limited Lifetime Warranty does not apply to the TX Tool, Kershaw Knife Oil, or Fire Starter. No other warranties are implied or expressed other than what is specifically stated here. Kai USA Ltd. reserves the right to determine what constitutes normal wear, improper use/maintenance, and modification.

We reserve the right to make changes to this warranty at our discretion and without notice.

For warranty information, shipping tips, and the Warranty/Service Form required for warranty service, please visit our warranty and service page.

Parts replacement

If you accidentally break your ZT folder’s blade, we can replace it for just $40, pending material availability. Blades that break due to a manufacturing defect will still be replaced under warranty, free of charge. Blades marked “XXXX” are factory seconds and are not eligible for replacement. We can replace other ZT parts like clip, pivot, spacer, screws, or washers for free. However, many ZTs have premium parts. Please see the ZT website warranty page for paid part availability and pricing. Replacement parts are offered as a courtesy for small repairs. They are not for resale, and we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone exploiting this program.

Vouchers

There may be cases when your knife has been evaluated and is eligible for warranty service but is not able to be repaired or replaced. This can be true with discontinued models of which we no longer have stock. In such cases, at our discretion, we will offer a voucher for a replacement knife of equal or lesser value, as defined by the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). The voucher can only be used through the Kai USA Warranty Department and some exclusions apply. If you prefer to have your original knife returned instead of using the voucher, please call our warranty team toll-free: 1-800-325-2891. We will retain the knife for 30 days from the date the voucher is issued. If you do not call us to let us know by then, the knife will be recycled.

LIABILITY DISCLAIMER

Zero Tolerance knives are intended and sold for legitimate everyday carrying, sporting, and professional purposes only. The purchase, use, and ownership of knives are subject to a wide variety of federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Always comply with all laws and regulations in effect in your area. Due to the complexity and constantly changing nature of these laws and regulations, it is the responsibility of the buyer to investigate and comply with the laws and regulations that apply in his or her specific area. You, and not Kai USA Ltd., are solely responsible for any claims resulting from violation of these laws and/or regulations.

WARNING!

Knives are extremely sharp tools and should only be used or handled with the utmost care and caution. Any use other than cutting (such as prying or twisting) is considered misuse and abuse—and will void your warranty. Zero Tolerance Knives/Kai USA Ltd. is not responsible for any injuries resulting from misuse or abuse of the product.

Do not use any ZT knife as a throwing knife or a stabbing device. Throwing knives and knives developed for stabbing have a distinctly different design and function. ZT knives are not intended for throwing or stabbing; they are designed for cutting purposes only.

We reserve the right to change shipping terms, specifications, materials, discontinue products, adjust blade replacement price and availability at any time, without notice.

ZT Products are covered by one or more pending and issued U.S. patents. Here is the list of past and present patents that we have utilized: 4,715,121; 4,741,106; 5,802,722; 5,815,927; 6,006,385; 6,397,476; 6,388,431; 6,412,130; 6,145,202; 6,223,372; 6,338,431; 6,378,214; 6,397,476; 6,427,334; 6,591,504; 7,086,158; 7,370,421; 7,395,599; 9,120,234; D303,748; D316,802; D317,390; D321,818; D329,185; D348,818; D351,328; D365,725; D366,605; D375,243; D392,131; D410,833; D437,197; D438,085; D450,228; D454,043; D454,768; D455,062; D467,783; D474,669; D479,104; D479,114; D484,770; D488,045; D565,918; D566,222; D569,212; D570,180; D572,542; D572,562; D575,614; D576,466.

If your ZT knife needs repair, please see information about the Limited Lifetime Warranty.