Zero Tolerance 0044 Review: A Real Challenger to the Malibu

The 0044 is 7.55 inches overall with a 3.20-inch drop-point blade, approximately 0.120-inch stock and a flat grind. Blade steel is CPM S45VN. The handle is 4.35 inches long and about 0.470 inch thick.

Titanium is one of the important differences from the standard aluminum Malibu I am comparing it with. It has a manual button lock, a flipper, reversible tip-up carry and a listed weight of 3.38 ounces. ZT manufactures it in the USA with American and global materials.

My review price was $340. That is not a small amount of money for a pocket knife, but the titanium construction, premium steel, American manufacture and action make it a price I can understand.

The Pro-Tech Malibu and Mordax are the natural comparisons for me: American-made button-lock folders in a similar role. The 0044 is very much in line with the Malibu’s size, while the Mordax has a little more length and that pronounced flare at the end of its handle.

For more affordable references, my Pyrite Light and CIVIVI Conspirator help show its footprint. The Conspirator is a good-sized knife, and the 0044 is not much shorter. This is a really useful size for me.

I have not enjoyed a ZT this much in quite a while. It reminds me of the excitement I felt about the earlier Rexford, Hinderer and Emerson collaborations. It has excellent action and a design I find exquisite without being overly complicated.

The drop point is simple and very good. A nice swedge adds a little visual interest, and the proportions feel right to me. The mark on the blade denotes an in-house ZT design rather than a named outside collaboration.

What I especially love is the combination of stonewashed flats and satin grinds. That is a subtle detail I have always enjoyed, and it looks great here. At this price, thoughtful finishing touches like that matter to me.

This may be the best pocket clip I have used on a ZT. It is simple, functional and comfortable for me, with enough space to get over a pocket hem. I have had problems with some older ZT clips, so this is a welcome improvement.

The screws are recessed, although the clip base itself is not. I am happy with that tradeoff here: I would rather have the tidy two-hole arrangement on the opposite side than a recessed clip pocket on both sides of the handle. It works well for the reversible carry layout.

The pivot has a different shape from the usual round screw or stud. It is not a wild reinvention, but it looks fresh, and there is no exposed screw hole on the show side.

The emerald-green accent is another nice touch.

The handle is not fully contoured, but the chamfering is wide enough that it still feels very good in my hand. It is a comfortable design, with those little details giving it character without making it busy.

The action is the crown jewel. The detent is super crisp and clicky, and the flipper works with either a light-switch pull or a push-button motion that really rockets the blade out. It is very snappy and satisfying.

I find it equally satisfying to the Malibu. I would not say the action is better, because I do not think it is, but it is every bit as good to me. If you are comfortable paying a little extra for the titanium construction, this is a serious alternative to that favorite.

The 0044 checks the boxes for me. The design, comfortable handle, improved clip and fantastic action make it one of the best button-lock folders I have handled. If this is within your budget, I think it is absolutely worth considering. I really hope to see more of this from ZT.