Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/861022
DESIGN Both tested pieces visually correspond with the mili- tary style, although it is highlighted in a different man- ner in each of them. The Zero Tolerance 0095BW features a very modern, geometric design yet nicely harmonized by the smooth transitions between the knife lines. While considering a BlackWash™ finish, homogeneous for the entire structure, this linear fashion is a perfect solution, constituting about an attractiveness of the design. A sight automatically finds a connection between a col- lapse of the grind in a place, in which it passes into a false edge with a beveling edge in the upper part of the handle. An optical extension of the edge is, in turn, a border of the lower beveling, which begins after an indentation for releasing a lock. These two waves run- ning along the unfolded knife cuts in a half a diago- nal, indicated by the arranged in one line: cut heads of the cladding, a beginning of the grind and a flipper. An elegance manifesting in a form of this knife perfectly harmonizes with the black polished finish, which em- phasizes its military character. In aesthetic terms, it is one of the best designed tactical knives as I have seen. It's the only one weakness is, from my point of view, a pivot screw, which gaudy ornamentation con- trasts with a spare style of the whole. Zero Tolerance 0909 made a different impression on me – it resembles more a Soviet tank than a modern folded knife from the top materials. The associations with the coarse achievements of the Eastern engineer- ing solutions are arisen first of all by a screw of the main axis with the hexagonal nut. At first sight, Les George's design seems to be very simple; a lightweight spear point with the false edge, the G10 handle, thick corrugations. Visually it is just a quintessence of the "knife is a tool" phrase – it would be perfectly embed- ded with a picture with a crowbar and a case of am- munition. The knives are made very precisely, both the exits of the grinds, and a fitting, as well as the finish of the elements are impeccable. I have not noticed any apertures or not grinded completely places on any piece. Blade The blades of the knives have been made of S35VN, powdered steel, which is a version of the well-known and favored S30V enhanced with niobium, developed in 2009. A non-standard blade profile of the 0095BW is hard to be classified and it is the closest to something of the modified spear point, but probably a harpoon suggested by the manufacturer is the most relevant term. A pointed point, a small false edge and a cut visible just after it on the spine really reminds slightly a harpoon blade with its characteristic jagged edge. The 3mm thick blade measures nearly 200mm, and its cutting edge has been lead along its entire length, not counting a notch, which makes it easier to sharpen. The edge itself is rather thin, what in a combination with a high grind promises the excellent cutting prop- erties. The blade has been coated with the non-corro- sive DLC abrasion resistant coating. The Zero Tolerance 0909 ihas rather classical blade of the same length, but thicker (4mm). Its shape can be described as a subtle spear point, but with a rath- er protuberant belly and the small false edge fulfilling rather a decorative function. On the spine, there is also a small, thickly corrugated batten under the thumb. Similarly, as in the 0095BW, the cutting edge enables to use the blade as far as possible. The high, flat grind already at first sight makes a n impression of the util- ity one and gives chances to compensate the blade thickness while cutting wih it. The blade is non-coted and features the StoneWash™ finish. KNIVES