Debut Automatic Is All Muscle, ‘Zero’ Fat: Zero Tolerance 0512 Review

As automatic knives proliferate in the outdoor landscape, more of us find benefits in using them when we head outdoors. An automatic knife offers a sure thing — it will open the same way every time. That peace of mind comes in handy when you find yourself needing a knife at the ready.

Since its inception in 2006, Zero Tolerance (ZT) has continually put out tough, overbuilt knives that are made in the U.S. and are designed for hard use. From their design to the materials and build, ZT knives have claimed a vaunted spot in the knife world, but the brand has never been known for automatic knives.

However, with the rapid growth of the automatic market among the EDC and outdoor crowds, the Oregon-based knifemaker recently bellied up to the bar with a few options worth consideration.

One of these knives is the fast, effective handful of a blade known simply as the 0512. Made from a few choice materials, the 0512 is a visual departure from what I’ve come to expect from ZT, but still dripping with the exceptional level of quality for which the brand is known. If the 0512 is how ZT plans on playing in the automatic knife segment, we should all pay attention.

In short: If you’re looking for a premium, U.S.-made automatic knife that is built for hard use, the Zero Tolerance 0512 is the right choice.

Zero Tolerance 0512 Review

Design & Features

At 8 inches in overall length and a 3.45-inch Cerakoted Cru-Wear clip-point blade, the 0512 is about as big as it gets in terms of pocket knives. As an automatic knife, it comes under legal scrutiny in a handful of states here in the USA, but that shouldn’t deter you. If you can legally carry one, please consider doing so.

Cru-Wear is a top pick for knife steels due to its toughness, superior edge retention, and ease of sharpening. Dipped here in Cerakote, this blade is also basically impervious to corrosion.

The 0512 is built off a thick slab of shapely titanium, which acts as the pocket side of the handle. The show side of the knife is made from Cerakoted stainless steel with a thin shell of natural canvas Micarta acting as its handle scale. This combination makes the knife not only incredibly strong but also plenty grippy. This feature is enhanced by the overall shape of the handle, which is ergonomically appealing.

Other features include a low-profile push button for opening and a reversible deep carry pocket clip for discreet and secure carry.

To add to the visual appeal of the 0512, ZT chose to add a bronze-anodized collar around the push button, along with a matching tube spacer near the butt of the knife for a lanyard.

First Impressions

Having tested and reviewed one of the brand’s biggest knives as well as one of its sleekest, I didn’t really know what to expect from the 0512. I was excited to see how ZT approached and handled the automatic aspect of the knife.

At first blush, it’s big. It fills my hands and then some. But this size also leads to opportunity — like not needing a robust belt knife as a workhorse option in addition to this pocket knife.

At 4.4 ounces, I assumed the 0512 would feel clunky. In the end, the weight is evenly distributed, giving it a nice balance. It’s also more purple than brown. I know that might sound a bit silly, but looks have their role in knives, albeit a lesser one compared to function.

Regarding its operation, there’s no doubt in my mind that ZT found the burliest spring available to get the blade to pop as significantly as it does. However, as impressive as it is, the button itself seems a little undersized.

Unfortunately, it’s about as big as it can be based on its proximity to the pivot. The plus side is that it’s nearly flush with the Micarta scale, so it won’t pop open in your pocket.

In the Field

Cru-Wear is an aggressive powdered steel that I would love to see on more knives.

It’s part of the reason the 0512 costs $320, but I’ll gladly pay more to experience a knife steel that performs this well.

Out of the box, the edge is so sharp that it’s tacky like glue. If you touch your finger to it, your finger will stick in place a bit, if only for a nanosecond. On a clip-point blade, this equates to silky smoothness when plunging and stabbing.

The combination of Cru-Wear and the clip-point blade also lends to smoother slicing, drawing, carving, and hacking. But I didn’t want to batton with the 0512. I suspect the lock mechanism could take that kind of shock, but I wasn’t willing to risk it. However, I was able to hack away at a dry log to break up some chunks for fire tinder.

I was never in a survival situation during testing, and I’m not sure I ever will be in my modern life. But I have little doubt that this knife is up to the task of subduing a charging animal if need be (perhaps even processing its meat).

Where the titanium on the pocket side of the knife handle isn’t overly grippy when your hands are wet or dry, the Micarta side is. So, if you’re left-handed like me, a majority of your grip is on the Micarta side. However, even in my right hand, my fingers wrapped around the Micarta. So, in either hand, rest assured that you’ll have an exceptional grip and control over the knife.

I eventually got used to the smaller diameter of the button lock. Even with gloves on, I worked it just fine. Yes, a larger diameter button would still be better. However, muscle memory kicks in, and everything balances out.

As far as carry is concerned, even at 4.55 inches when closed, the 0512 goes relatively unnoticed in your back or side pocket. That said, it carries much better in a side pocket. I found that it was digging into my hip while sitting with the knife in my back pocket.

In Conclusion

If you have $320 burning a hole in your pocket and you want a tough-as-nails work knife that you can use and abuse with little to no maintenance, you could do a lot worse than the ZT 0512.

Zero Tolerance put a lot of attention into the design, and it came across really well here. Even down to the choice of Cerakoting the handle, frame, and blade, it’s overkill that pays off in the end.

Just keep in mind that automatic knives are still frowned upon in many areas. Their aggressive nature can unnerve some people, possibly making it seem more weapon than tool. Save showing it off to your buddies out by the fire or when listening to some tunes in your garage.