Big knife news this week, boils and ghouls: the dynamic KAI duo, Zero Tolerance and Kershaw, dropped some new models just in time for the big day (Halloween). There’s a lot to go over so let’s get into it.
ZT 0316
First up is the Zero Tolerance 0316, which the company themselves are positioning as an homage to their roots in big, durable folders. The 0316’s drop point blade is 3.5 inches long and fastened to the handle with a hex driver pivot assembly. The blade steel matches the tanklike build: it’s CPM Cru-Wear, a hard-working, hard-wearing super steel from Sweden.
ZT 0512DL
The 0512 is a tad smaller than the 0316 with a 3.45-inch drop point, but it’s still very much in the “folding tank” category and is also made from CPM-Cru-Wear. It is also the latest ZT to feature the KAI DuraLock, an ambidextrous Axis-like mechanism that is as fun to fiddle with as it is reliable in use.
Kershaw Launch 24
We were just singing the praises of the Launch series earlier this week, and lo and behold there’s a new member to the automatic family. The button-deployed blade here is made from 14C28N (another Swedish favorite), and measures 3 inches on the nose.
Kershaw Continental
The Continental is a bonafide premium model, with a hearty 3.35-inch blade made from CPM MagnaCut, textured aluminum scales with a handsome bronze ano, and a DuraLock under the hood.
Kershaw CF Bareknuckle
Speaking of premium, check out the latest iteration of the Bareknuckle, with dressed up scales and a CPM MagnaCut blade. There are a handful of cosmetic variants on existing knives in this drop, and we’re not going to go in depth on each one, but this one deserves a nod – while not a brand new model, but a brand new take on an existing workhorse.
Kershaw Conduit XL
Landing very much on the tried-and-true affordable user end of the spectrum, the Conduit XL is a mid-sized user with an 8Cr13MoV blade and textured GFN handle scales. It’s a liner lock, and comes with a reversible deep carry pocket clip.
Kershaw Hectic
New budget model no. 2 is the Hectic, a spring-assisted flipper with stainless steel scales and a frame lock on the off-side, complete with an overtravel stop. The modern-looking wharnie blade is a bit smaller than some of its stablemates at 3.05 inches.
Kershaw Beskar
Hello, trailing point! Price-wise, the Beskar lands above the Hectic and Conduit, but below the ZTs and the new premium Kershaw pieces. Its 3.35-inch blade is made from D2 tool steel and sports a handsome dark stonewash. One interesting element on this DuraLock folder is that those inlays are actually made from stainless steel – not something we’ve ever seen before.
The best part? All of these new pieces are available now.
Knife in Featured Image: Kershaw Beskar
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