Kershaw and Zero Tolerance Discontinued for 2017 List Released

KAI USA, maker of Kershaw and Zero Tolerance knives, released its discontinued for 2017 list to dealers, disclosing which blades won’t make it into next year’s rotation. 47 products are leaving the KAI catalog as the company paves the way for 2017’s product lineup. Among the models fans must say goodbye to are some surprising old favorites, as well as some newer knives that didn’t get enough traction in the market.

The list runs the gamut from outdoor knives to EDCs and mid-price folders to budget knives. While these models will be missed, the discontinuations also raise the question of what new products KAI will introduce to replace them. But some patience is required – fans of Kershaw and ZT will have to wait for our SHOT Show 2017 coverage in January to find out.

Long Term Collectability and Value?
Kershaw knives are not without collectability, but it’s hard to say that any of these models will gain in value as the years go on. If prices on the secondary market go up they tend to go up marginally. ZT knives retain much of their initial value, but historically it’s the prices of limited production models that skyrocket. A relatively young brand, ZT’s catalog is still too small to facilitate predictable speculation.

Unless you’re willing to put in the time scavenging the secondary market, if there’s a knife on this list that you’ve been eyeing, this is your last call. Here is an overview of six notable knives that will be missed the most. Below that you’ll find the entire discontinuation list, complete with links to make any last-chance acquisitions easier.

Shallot
The Shallot is part of the same Kershaw/Ken Onion line that brought us the Chive, Leek, and Scallion. Those three models are still active, but the more tactical Shallot didn’t make the cut for 2017. It’s the biggest of the original Kershaw Onion bunch, but retained the signature organic lines that make the Leek such a success.

Thermite
Rick Hinderer’s Thermite debuted at SHOT Show 2013. A solid mid-sized offering, the Thermite might have been more popular if it didn’t have to compete with the Cryo series, the perennial best-sellers in Kershaw’s Hinderer lineup.

Camber
The short-lived Camber was a perfect candidate to become a sleeper hit. With S30V blade steel, good ergos, and a great price, it had all the ingredients of a cult classic. It was almost a cross between the Knockout and the Blur. But despite (or maybe because of) the similarities to Kershaw greats, it looks like the Camber got passed over.

Strobe
Designed by Matt Diskin, the Kershaw Strobe offered users buttery-smooth flipping action at an entry-level price point. It also managed to pack a big drop point blade into a narrow handle, making it a slim, effective slicer. The Strobe, along with its fixed blade variant (called the Diskin Hunter), was around for just over a year.

ZT0801
An overbuilt beauty designed by Todd Rexford, the ZT0801 is an impressive hunk of titanium and Elmax steel. ZT released a striking bronze limited edition of the 801 earlier this year. As it turns out that knife was the swan song for what was once a staple in the Zero Tolerance line-up.

ZT0620
Ernest Emerson’s Zero Tolerance models have been popular. All of these collabs could work as self-defense tools, but the 620 was always the most tactical with its tanto blade. The narrower capabilities of the blade also meant that it was bound to have more limited appeal than its stablemates. Both the standard G-10/Elmax model and the CF/CTS-204P models are on their way out.

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Complete Kershaw / Zero Tolerance Discontinued for 2017 List

1006K AMPHIBIAN

1071BWX TINDER PERSONAL AXE

1073X SIEGE TOMAHAWK

1085 DISKIN HUNTER

1086 STROBE

1086X STROBE

1560SW WHIRLWIND, STONEWASHED

1560SWST WHIRLWIND, STONEWASHED, SERRATED

1600VIB RAINBOW CHIVE

1620VIB RAINBOW SCALLION

1660VIB RAINBOW LEEK

1678 CAMBER

1840 SHALLOT

1840X SHALLOT

1840CKT SHALLOT – BLACK

1840CKTST SHALLOT – BLACK , SERRATED

1840ST SHALLOT , SERRATED

1894 LONEROCK ZIP IT PRO

1894X LONEROCK ZIP IT PRO

1896GH LONEROCK LG. FIXED BLADE GUT HOOK

1896GHX LONEROCK LG. FIXED BLADE GUT HOOK

3880 THERMITE

3880X THERMITE

3880BW THERMITE – BLACKWASH

3880BWX THERMITE – BLACKWASH

1028GRNBCX ANTELOPE HUNTER&ZIP IT COMBO GREEN

1028ORBCX ANTELOPE HUNTER&ZIP IT COMBO ORANGE

1445ORBCX HALF TON ORANGE/BROWN

1446ORBCX 3/4 TON ORANGE/BROWN

1894ORBRNBCX LONEROCK ZIP IT PRO

1895ORBRNBCX LONEROCK SM. FIXED BLADE

1895ZIPBCX FIXED LONEROCK AND ZIPIT COMBO

1896GHORBRNBCX LONEROCK LG. FIXED BLADE GUTHOOK

1898ORBRNBCX LONEROCK FOLDING DROP POINT

1898GHORBRNBCX LONEROCK FOLDING GUT HOOK

2555BCX FOLDING SAW

7400DCX QUAX

7402DCX RAYNE

7418DCX TICKFAW

7420DCX DUNBAR

7422DCX BISLAND

DHKS0300 DC KITCHEN MK HD 3PC SET

DHKS0310 DC KITCHEN SI HD 3PC SET

0620 EMERSON TANTO

0620CF EMERSON TANTO CARBON FIBER

0801 FLIPPER TITANIUM

0801BW FLIPPER TITANIUM BLACKWASH

Knife featured in image: Zero Tolerance 0801