The Sandrin Monza is a fantastic knife. Compared to a ZT 0562Ti, the Monza is only slightly shorted, 0.34" vs 0.35", with also a shorter handle, 4.40" vs 4.75". In dimensions, the most noticeable differences are between the handle thickness and overall weight. Although both handles are of Ti scales with milled out interior pockets to reduce weight while maintaining significant strength. The ZT handle width is 0.51" vs. 0.34" for the Sandrin. This difference is very significant in both the hand and in the pocket. The weight is 5.45oz, for the ZT to 3.40oz for the Monza. This difference is enough, combined with the thinner width, that the Sandrin seemingly disappeares in the pocket (to the point of forgetting the knife is actually being carried).

Two other significant differences are the blade steel amd stock and the lock types utilized. The Momza uses what Sandrin calls the "Recoil Lock". Although this lock is unique to Sandrin Knives and is likely significantly different than Andrew Demko's 'Shark Lock' internally, functionally, these locks work very similarly. Both work ambidextrously and allow their knives to open smoothly and quickly by retracting the lock bar toward to handle's rear. I've found no scientific comparison of strength between the two designs but I'd guess the Demko design is superior in this aspect but the Recoil Lock likely compares well versus frame amd liner locks. The Recoil Lock, and well designed thumb studs, provide significant fidget factor for those of us who enjoy operating oir knives repeatedly for no apparent reason but to annoy others...

The biggest selling point of the Minza over the ZT 0562ti is the blade material. The zt 0562ti has a current premium stainless cpm 20cv, a steel knows for its strenght, edge retention, wear and corrosion resistance. Overall, an excellent steel. The Sandrin knife uses a proprietary Tungsten Carbide as its blade material. Through some design magic, they've made this material much stronger than drill bits on similar chemistry. Although I would bet on 20cv surviving multiple drops on tile or stone, the Sandrin blade has decent strength with some flexibility. This compromise aside, this material provides some significant advantages. First, the blade stock is much reduced, 0.05" vs ZT's 0.156". Some of the unneeded thickness of the ZT, a Hinderer design, is likely to accentuate the overbuilt reputation of these designs, it makes a difference in cutting abilities. With a thickness of over 3x that of the Sandrin knife, creating further resistance to cutting thicker materials. At 0.05" this blade is easy to contol in cutting, easy to maintain straight lines or to cut curves. The cpm 20cv has a decent hardness of between HRC 60-62. Their are less common super steel that increase this hardness to upto 67 for zdp-189 (though this steel may have odd rusting issues). Additional points of hardness are indications of greater resistance to wear, usually leading to greater edge retention (and sometimes less resistance to shattering). The Tungsten Carbid based blade on the Monza is at HRC of 71, a huge leap in hardness and reportedly in edge retention. The factory edge will last a very long time, much longer than even most other factory or even custom knives. Just don't mess around with it like I couldn't help doing, restoring the edge can require significant effort and diamond based sharpening equipment.

My copy of the Monza is comfortable in the hand. There is well designed jimping on the blade spine. The handle provides a significant enough 'guard' that there's little concern of slipping onto the edge. The 'choil' in mine is sufficient to prevent the edge from cutting my fingers when the blade swings a full 180 degrees, when held horizontally, blade down, when the lock is released. The thumb ramp is well designed uf necessarily narrow. The drop point, clip point is well executed with a seemingly strong tip. The blade action is excellent and very smooth. I'd personally prefer a flipper but this knife really doesn't need it. The titanium scales are finely milled which gives a decent amount of purchase to prevent slipping.

My only issue with the knife is the pocket clip. The triangular design seemed too pionty. This was my initial impression but this hasn't proven to be an issue. The clip provides very deep carry in the pocket.

Overall, this knife eclipses the ZT 0562ti. These knives have completely opposite philosophies to their design. The Hinderer/ZT is designed to be over built and let everyone know about it. The Sandrin maximizes performance efficiency. There is an intentionality to give more strength, material than strictly necessary, but not by much. With all of its uniquenesses, this admitted expensive knife has many advances over knives in its same price range, makes its purchase much easier if funds are available. It's a great knife.