Every Zero Tolerance knife is designed, engineered, and assembled in Tualatin, Oregon, USA — the Kai USA facility that has produced premium American knives since 1974. Zero Tolerance has never produced an offshore model and has no budget line — every knife in the catalog is USA-made without exception. This is one of the most uncompromising USA manufacturing commitments of any production knife brand in the industry.

Zero Tolerance and Kershaw are sister brands under Kai USA in Tualatin, Oregon — same parent company, same engineering resources, deliberately different tiers. Kershaw targets accessible everyday carry at $30–$150 with steels from 8Cr13MoV to CPM-S30V, manufactured in both USA and Asia depending on model. Zero Tolerance targets the premium tier at $150–$400+ with steels including CPM MagnaCut and CPM-20CV, titanium and carbon fiber handles, and exclusively USA manufacturing.

The natural upgrade path is from Kershaw to Zero Tolerance — many serious collectors carry Kershaw daily and own one or two ZT knives as their premium pieces. The ZT 0350 with SpeedSafe® torsion bar is the most common first Zero Tolerance for Kershaw Blur owners — same assisted opening DNA, dramatically elevated materials.

For a first Zero Tolerance the ZT 0350 is the most natural entry point — Rick Hinderer design DNA, CPM-S35VN blade steel, titanium handle, SpeedSafe® torsion bar assisted opening, and the most accessible price point in the ZT lineup. It delivers the ZT experience — USA titanium construction and premium steel — with the familiar SpeedSafe® deployment that most Kershaw owners already know.

For buyers who want to go straight to the flagship the ZT 0562 in CPM-20CV titanium is the definitive answer — the most celebrated Zero Tolerance ever made and one of the finest production folders available at any price point in 2026.

Rick Hinderer is an Ohio-based custom knifemaker, firefighter, and EMT whose XM-18 folding knife is one of the most sought-after production and custom knives ever made. Hinderer's custom work sells for $600–$1,200 per knife with significant waitlists. His collaboration with Zero Tolerance produced the ZT 0562 — a production knife that delivers the same fundamental XM-18 geometry, the same flipper tab deployment, and the same titanium framelock construction at a fraction of the custom price.

For collectors who want Hinderer design DNA without the custom waitlist or the custom price — the ZT 0562 is the answer. It is not a simplified version of an XM-18. It is a production interpretation of Hinderer's design philosophy executed at the highest level Kai USA's Oregon facility can deliver.

CPM-20CV is a powder metallurgy stainless steel with approximately 20% chromium and 4% vanadium — one of the highest-performing stainless alloys available in production knives in 2026. Its combination of exceptional edge retention, outstanding corrosion resistance, and the ability to take and hold a mirror polish makes it the natural choice for a brand whose entire identity is built on uncompromising performance.

Zero Tolerance heat treats CPM-20CV to Kai USA's precise Oregon protocol — a process developed and refined across decades of premium knife production that consistently extracts edge retention performance above what the alloy specification alone would suggest. On a ZT 0562 or ZT 0640, CPM-20CV delivers an edge that stays sharp through weeks of daily use and holds a working edge longer than virtually any other production folder steel at a comparable price point.

Both the ZT 0562 and ZT 0640 use CPM-20CV blade steel in titanium handles at similar price points — the difference is design philosophy and intended carry aesthetic.

The ZT 0562 is Rick Hinderer's design — a 3.5" tanto blade with aggressive tactical geometry, a stonewashed titanium handle, and the unmistakable Hinderer flipper tab. It carries like a purpose-built tactical tool and makes no apologies for it.

The ZT 0640 is Dmitry Sinkevich's design — a 3.4" drop point with clean European lines, a more refined handle geometry, and a slimmer carry profile that works equally well in a suit pocket and a field kit. Same steel, same Oregon manufacturing — completely different personality.

Choose the 0562 if you want Hinderer DNA and tactical character. Choose the 0640 if you want refined European aesthetics and a more versatile carry profile. Both are among the finest production folders made anywhere in the world in 2026.

Yes — every Zero Tolerance knife is covered by Kai USA's limited lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship for the original owner. The warranty covers manufacturing defects — it does not cover damage from misuse, disassembly, or normal wear.

As an authorized Zero Tolerance dealer, Knifeworks supports the full warranty program on every ZT purchased from us. Contact our team directly for warranty assistance — we coordinate with Kai USA on your behalf for the fastest possible resolution. Zero Tolerance knives purchased from unauthorized gray market sources are not eligible for warranty service — another critical reason to buy from an authorized dealer like Knifeworks.

Knifeworks carries the full Zero Tolerance lineup as an authorized dealer — all sourced directly from Kai USA in Tualatin, Oregon and backed by the full ZT warranty:

ZT 0562, ZT 0562CF, ZT 0640, ZT 0350, ZT 0392, ZT 0470, and the complete Zero Tolerance Rick Hinderer, Dmitry Sinkevich, and Les George collaboration catalog.

Not sure which Zero Tolerance is right for your collection or carry style? Contact our team — we carry ZT knives and we are here to help you find the right one.