Aug
Ansø of Denmark was founded in 2001 by industrial designer Jens Ansø. Drawing inspiration from the beautiful and sometimes harsh environments of his native Denmark, his designs are eminently practical yet have a simplistic beauty that result in amazingly well crafted and usable knives and accessories.
The Zero Tolerance 0230 is the first slip joint knife they made and is bade on Ansøs ‘Monte Carlo’ knife.
The Ansø Monte Carlo, upon which the Zero Tolerance 0230 is based is a masterpiece of form and function and this aesthetic and attention to detail is evident in this amazing Zero Tolerance slipjoint knife.
This design legacy is fully apparent when you see the Zero Tolerance 0230 for the first time – the similarities are obvious, although the price of the Zero Tolerance 0230 makes it much more accessible.
The Zero Tolerance Ansø 2030 is a folding slipjoint knife. This means that is doesn’t have a locking mechanism and relies on resistance to keep the blade open. With the Zero Tolerance Ansø 2030, this mechanism has been improved upon by using a ‘double detent’ which means that there is a detent to help keep the blade in the closed position to prevent the knife from opening in the pocket and another at the half stop position to ensure a controlled open and close.
The result of this system is a two handed opening that feels safe and controlled – when the blade hits the detent with a satisfying and solid click, that you can actually feel, the quality of the knife shines through. This opening system, plus the size of the blade, makes this a ‘legal carry’ in many countries around the world including the UK.
Materials wise, the Zero Tolerance 0230 does not skimp on anything.
The blade is made from the extremely coveted CPM 20CV steel. CPM 20CV is famed for it’s hardness, and with five times the wear resistance of 440C steel, it has excellent edge retention and resistance to corrosion. CPM 20CV is often used in very high end (and very expensive!) knives and knife enthusiasts see it as a ‘super’ steel.
The 2.6″ blade is a sheepsfoot design, with a straight edge and a spine that curves to meet it. It has a finger nick towards the rear of the blade, but I found that it was easier to open using the flat of the blade closer to the tip.
The shape of the blade makes for a great pocket folder design, ideal for daily cutting tasks, with minimised piercing hazard.
In order to make the blade fit in with the overall clean design, the Zero Tolerance logo runs down the spine, instead of the blade flat. This gives a minimalist look and is entirely in keeping with the rest of the knife.
Out of the box the knife is razor sharp and given the premium steel used, this edge will stay for a long, long time.
The handle is made from carbon fibre for a tough yet light carry, perfect for a ‘gentleman’s’ pocket folding knife such as this. The handle is smooth yet has just a little texture to make it feel grippy.
The blue anodised backspacer with lanyard hole adds a brilliant design touch, it looks really attractive and breaks up what would have been a much duller affair if it were absent.
In the hand, the knife feels really nice. The cool, smooth handle has no adornments – no pocket clip or fixings – so it feels extremely comfortable and light. The lightness is a revelation too, it made me feel like I was in total control, you don’t need a tight grip with this knife to feel this way. This knife has a literal lightness of touch, it’s like a symphony in the hand, with everything playing a light airy tune that is really pleasing. In the pocket, you barely know it’s there.
My overall impression of this knife is one of quiet wonder. It feels like it has transcended knife design into something new and exciting, while at the same time being a solid, safe and reliable tool. If I were looking for a pocket folder of the highest calibre, I probably wouldn’t look anywhere else, the Zero Tolerance 0230 Ansø Double Detent has it all.
If you want a daily carry knife that features the highest quality materials, has amazing design aesthetics and will be a solid performer, the Zero Tolerance 0230 might be just the knife you’re looking for.
