Oh Shoot

Just a quick mini-review before I stick this in the mail for Erik: Zero Tolerance 035. 3.25" blade, S30V steel, coated with black "Tungsten DLC (Diamond Like Carbon)" Textured G-10 scales "SpeedSafe" assisted opening, framelock 4 option pocket clip Flipper with thumb studs Absolutely a stellar knife, certainly worth the C-note or so for those who want what this baby offers. Really built, with wide (but thinner than you would assume) blade. Feels super in hand with conventional grip, reverse fist grip, but so so with forward fist grip. Once opened, the flipper adds to a deep handle choil that will certainly keep your hand off the blade. Has strong jimping on top of handle to add in thumb control, and additional jimping on butt for thumb in reverse fist grip (although most will probably tend to wrap thumb around grip). One other interesting feature is that the blade stop is built into the liner, does not use a horizontal bar through frame. The only other knife I've handled with that design is the Buck Vantage series, of which I am a big fan. (edit: Seems I may be wrong on this in that the blade stop is actually done by the thumb studs?) The frame is very thick, almost as thick as the blade, the frame lockup fits perfectly right on first third of beveled blade back, allowing room for it to move across as it wears over time. Oversize pivot bolt/screw. There is absolutely no vertical play in blade. However, surprisingly, there is a tad of horizontal play in blade, and is present unless the pivot screw (Torx T8) is tightened down to point that it won't automatically open with the assist mechanism. I adjusted it as tightly as I could and still have auto assist do its thing freely. Of course, it opens with almost an afterthought with the flipper. The thumb studs are less useful since they are flush with the edge of the scales, and don't offer easy purchase, forget about using them with gloves -- but again, since the prominent flipper is so effective, not sure why they're even there. All of these robust features add up to 5.7 oz on my digital scale, not an issue for me, but do realize this is not a featherweight knife. So, yeah, I'm impressed, truly. It's a bruiser and should serve well as an all around utility blade; it's plenty sharp, too -- now I didn't put it through any cutting chores beyond paper and cardboard, but both the edge taking and holding properties of S30V are all well documented, so I'm sure it's no slouch at most any normal task you'll encounter. Now, there are a few reasons I wouldn't choose this baby for my EDC, and certainly YMMV: - First, I'm just not an "assisted opening guy". (1) I just don't need that technology to get a blade open quickly enough (2) even though they are federally legal (and I assume legal anywhere in the US by state law) I don't need the extra scrutiny and questions should push come to shove with LEAs and (3) it is something to break in time, as many are reported to do (yeah, I realize the knife would still likely be functional even if that happened.) While I might be a few nano seconds slower with either my Spyderco with thumbhole, or Buck with manual flipper, they're plenty quick enough, with nothing to wear out, or be questioned by a knife ignorant small town LEO. - Second, I don't use pocket clips on hardly any of the knives I've ever carried. Generally all my life, I've just snuggled a big folder in back left pocket upright against wallet. There's a Spyderco Military there now (clip removed). For two reasons: (1) don't want to advertise I'm carrying and (2) almost all clip designs have at least part of the knife sticking above edge of pocket, which further advertizes the knife (and often even identifies its make). Also, in rear pocket it prevents the flap on cargo pants/shorts, my usual attire, from laying flat down to pocket and securing. This ZT extends about 1.5" above pocket with clip in the current tip up position, and looks like about .25" less if moved to the tip down position. Now, there is one, only one, clip design I've found in a knife I liked otherwise that doesn't have this drawback, and that's the aforementioned Buck Vantage, which allows the top of the knife to ride flush with the top of the pocket, and indeed, I'm currently carrying a Vantage Pro, clipped, in my OTHER back pocket (it also has S30V blade and the frame based blade stop): Lastly, I'm really not a fan of the ZT's blade shape, ie, a recurve mini "Bolo" design. In a big work knife, such a design is great for chopping, but I don't see a real advantage using it in a smaller one. It effectively divides the blade into three separate entities, and the transition from base up to thick middle, and big sweeping bend to tip. One advantage of it is that the thick middle portion certainly lends itself for tremendous power in a forward cut, but the shape overall is not as conducive to a smooth slice from base to tip or tip to base. Also, for the remote possibility of umm...close social work, the ZT tip is far from being an effective piercing point. All that being said, though, it's mostly a matter of preference, and of course almost any quality blade design will well suffice for most of what it will be called upon to perform. So, all in all, I am indeed most impressed with the knife overall, think it's a very good value indeed for the price, and Willis, thank you so much for allowing this to find it's way into my hands, however temporarily! - OS

It's ironic that according to 39-17-1351, you could have had a DUI conviction the day before you apply for HCP and still receive the permit. Yet, after having the permit, a Class A 'meanor conviction revokes the permit for the duration of the sentence, (generally 11/29 "suspended" but on probation). So is this interpreted to mean that your permit would not be revoked, since the qualifying infraction occurred before the permit was issued? Or must they issue it and then revoke it all in one fell swoop? - OS

I have two current Mini 14's with the improved barrel, certainly accurate enough for me. They've both been very reliable on feeding and ejecting ('course they eject about 100 yards ). I have had two steel cases stick in chamber (not in same shooting session). Had to tap against piece of wood on bolt lever to drive them out. Could have used the ole Garand Foot Wedge, but wasn't positive they weren't live rounds and didn't want to get that close to end of barrel, which would have been pointed up. - OS

Well, it's 8 miles round trip, so I do pay some dues. Anyway, it was impressive as always, only light sprinkle/drizzle all the way there and back. Due to heavy wet air and slight breeze, the opening waterfall effect and barrage made huge smoke cloud that didn't dissipate very well and semi obscured the first five min viewing from the UT side of bridge. Similar show to usual, Lee Westwood's Proud to Be An American, Tennesse Waltz, Rocky Top segments big hit, Dolly had a friggin' advertisement section for the new ride which I thought was rather gauche (they were projecting an eagle logo on smoke for first third of show too, explained by the new "Eagle" ride), but guess she paid for it. Climax always blows ya away, almost literally, wow. - OS

Extractor might be gummed up from sitting, depending on what was used for cleaning. Improper extraction often seems like failure to feed. Clean it well and try again. Make sure rails are lubed so that there's no resistance as slide blows back. - OS

Good luck toting a couple thousand rounds for those puppies. - OS

Actually, think I'll walk over there, wet or not, glad you posted, was thinking it was tomorrow night. - OS

Point of thread is, though, that you could still found guilty of federal offense. - OS

Mag springs under tension should not degrade in tensile strength, assuming that they are not made of substandard steel. Only compression and decompression wears them. What is the make of gun? Sure there's not corrosion from humidity or something involved? - OS

I was afraid of that; so sorry to lose him. - OS

Good catch. Though I've read the statute any number of times, I have overlooked the "porch" specific part of the definition. I stand corrected. Fire away. - OS

Well, you can go see the fireworks display while technically being completely legal carrying, you just have to stay off the park/greenway system and university property to do it. - OS

In TN, your HCP is an exemption from that federal law, for both handgun and long gun. As discussed in another thread however, it is not an exemption from the federal law in other states. Just another federal law that is there to be selectively used at the convenience of the government to make a criminal out of a law abiding citizen when it suits the government to do so. "There's no way to rule innocent men.The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals.Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them.One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws." - Ayn Rand - OS

Porch, even with lock on door, might be iffy, gents. Unless you are on it at the time of the break in. If it's a porch that has been enclosed to make a living area, probably different story. I'd advise wait till actual domicile proper is breached, then it's pretty clear cut. - OS

No, but if applicable, they are charged with DUI and driving on revoked license, etc., both charges stemming from the same act, ie driving. Certainly, if would be normal to charge a felon with both illegal carry and possession of weapon by a felon. Or a non HCPer toting an unlicensed short barreled shotgun or pistol with silencer with illegal carrying of a weapon and possession of an prohibited weapon. Casey Anthony was charged with both first degree murder and aggravated manslaughter etc etc. - OS

"outburst" model or non? - OS

Yah, I dunno. Tell ya the truth, I've always sort of assumed that 1359 was aimed only at HCP holders, but since that other discussion trailed off, I actually more closely read and considered the statute. And see no reason why someone without an HCP might not be charged with it as an additional count. Folks are routinely charged with multiple criminal charges all related to the same act, some with more severe penalties than the other, not just the most serious one. There seems no question that one would be guilty of both. Up to the arresting officers and the DA's office, always, so I wouldn't necessarily expect any consistency across the state in such a situation. - OS

This almost passed last time around. Or was it a Senate bill, I disremember? I have mixed emotions about it -- I'm extremely leery of ANY new federal law regarding firearms. What can be given, can be taken away, and then some. Also, there's no doubt that many states would file lawsuits in opposition to this. Especially the states who would have many more permit holders visiting than even live there. If Congress thinks Cali and Hawaii, for just two, would knuckle under to this short of Supreme Court decision, they're dreaming. I'm all for Congress repealing firearms laws, not adding to them. - OS

Without a permit, it's 1307 for a non HCP holder, Class A misdemeanor (place open to the public where 1 or more folks are present). The posting is immaterial in this charge. One without HCP would also be guilty of violating 1359, an additional Class B misdemeanor. - OS

(regarding Scruggs BBQ) .. I get ribs to go every 2-3 weeks since they opened in '71. Last trip was maybe 2 weeks ago. Always the same, ie, great. I don't know of anywhere else in Knox area that has the big meaty fall off the bones style they do. - OS

It's not. Law says owner is "authorized to prohibit the possession of weapons by any person", so person without an HCP is guilty of this also, as I read statute. HCP holders are mentioned specifically to be clear they are included in the "any person" category. So a non-license holder could just be convicted of 1359 in addition to 1307. - OS

The fireworks are on the railroad bridge this year, since the Henley Street Bridge is under construction. The railroad bridge is a couple hundred yards downriver from the Henley Bridge, but viewing locales should be about the same. It's a helluva show, one of THE premier fireworks displays you'll ever see, used to be the biggest in US, maybe still is -- bring a radio, as it is coordinated to music (FM 102.1), and you generally can't hear the actual PA system well from most areas. Knoxville is exempt from the TN park carry statute, but carry in city parks is prohibited by city ordinance (with no postings). The greenway along Neyland Drive is part of the park system. One of the easy viewing areas is on the bank beside Neyland behind parking garage next to Thompson Boling arena -- all the property on that side of Neyland is university property. I go maybe every third year, but I walk several miles from my place down Neyland, so can't help with any parking tips. Never have gone early to see any of the other happenings before the actual fireworks. - OS

Very few states seem to have preemption for knife laws. I've never quite fathomed the reasoning, but that fact sure makes a daunting task for orgs like KnifeRights. - OS

It already is. Gun-Free School Zone Act of 1990. - OS

One guy, the infamous Voldemort Kwik, was responsible for all Costco stores in TN posting. - OS