Knife buyers have argued over fixed blades and folders for decades. The zyac z01s folding knife from Zyac Design tries to end that argument with a Grade 5 titanium folder whose handle shortens while the blade is open.
Zyac has pursued one idea across several knives: fit more blade into less handle. The original Z01 and the later Z05 both used sliding parts toward that goal, and the Z05 reaches close to a 1:1 blade-to-handle ratio on a compact frame. The Z01S makes that ratio adjustable. It offers a full-length grip or a stubby one, and it pairs that mechanism with Böhler M390 steel and a choice of drop point or tanto blade.
Compact tools that reward careful engineering are a theme worth exploring, and Zyac’s pocket-knife approach has plenty of company. Suwada’s Artful Bottle Opener for Elevating Everyday Pours shows how a small, well-made tool can feel special.
Two handle lengths and an extra lock
With the blade open, you press a release button and slide the rear section of the handle forward. It locks into a shorter position. Press the button again to extend the handle to full size. No tools, loose parts, or screws are involved.
The full-length mode gives a conventional grip for heavy tasks such as breaking down cardboard. The short mode moves your hand closer to the edge for controlled cuts. Zyac says the blade on the zyac z01s folding knife stays identical in both modes. Only the grip changes.
On the zyac z01s folding knife, a standard liner lock holds the blade open in either position. A second lock engages when the handle is shortened. Zyac says this interlock stops the blade from folding while the handle is short, even if the liner lock is released. Closing the knife therefore takes two steps: extend the handle, then release the liner.
Zyac also states that the release button cannot be pressed while the folding knife is closed. That design choice prevents the handle from sliding into the edge inside a pocket.
Exposed hardware and tritium-ready slots
Zyac calls its approach “deconstructed design.” The screws, frame, plates, liner lock, and sliding structure stay visible instead of hiding behind smooth scales. Visible mechanics make it easier to see which part moves when the release button is pressed.
Deployment options include a back flipper, a front flipper, and thumb studs that allow a middle-finger flick. Each side of the handle carries three slots for tritium or photoluminescent tubes, measuring roughly 0.06 by 0.24 inch (1.5 by 6 mm), for six slots total. Tritium glows without charging. Photoluminescent tubes recharge through exposure to light.
The zyac z01s folding knife ships without a pocket clip. It relies on a lanyard hole and a knife bead to keep its profile flat. An optional clip replaces the middle spine piece and integrates into the frame.
Materials and blade options on the zyac z01s folding knife
The standard handle is machined from Grade 5 titanium, an alloy of titanium with aluminum and vanadium. Zyac stonewashes the surface to help hide scuffs. The blade uses Böhler M390, a powder metallurgy steel with chromium, vanadium, and molybdenum for edge retention and corrosion resistance.
A drop point suits everyday slicing with its lowered tip and curved belly. A tanto has an angular, reinforced tip that favors piercing. The tanto’s geometry matches the knife’s machined, angular profile.
If the titanium construction caught your eye, you may enjoy this look at another machined metal everyday carry item. High-Precision Titanium Tape Measure with Smooth Curve Navigation applies similar precision to a very different pocket tool.
Beyond the standard titanium model, Zyac offers three premium editions. They include black zirconium with a gold titanium frame, full black zirconium, and a ZircuTi frame paired with a Damascus blade. ZircuTi is a layered laminate of titanium and zirconium that produces a striped pattern on each handle. Kickstarter pledges for the zyac z01s folding knife start at $299, with blade shape chosen in a post-campaign survey. Shipping is charged separately. The pocket clip and tritium tubes are optional extras.
Source: yankodesign.com
Frequently asked questions
How does the handle length adjust on the Zyac Z01S folding knife?
With the blade open, you press a release button and slide the rear section of the handle forward to lock it in a shorter position. Pressing the button again extends the handle back to full size, and no tools, loose parts, or screws are needed.
Does the blade size change when the Zyac Z01S handle is shortened?
No, Zyac says the blade stays identical in both the full-length and short handle modes. Only the grip changes.
How do you close the Zyac Z01S folding knife with its second lock?
Closing takes two steps: first extend the handle to full length, then release the liner lock. The second lock engages when the handle is shortened and stops the blade from folding even if the liner lock is released.
What steel and blade shapes does the Zyac Z01S folding knife offer?
The blade is made from Böhler M390, a powder metallurgy steel with chromium, vanadium, and molybdenum. Buyers can choose between a drop point blade, suited to everyday slicing, and a tanto blade, which has an angular, reinforced tip that favors piercing.
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