Zt 0560 or 0350 which one and why?

[Lpd226]

Going to purchase one by the end of the night. They will be used in an esc/work capacity and I don't mind the bulk in my pocket. So.....let me know. And quick!

[hatchetjack]

If you like recurve blades, the 0350, straight-0560.

[flarp]

Those are pretty different knives. Just some of the differences...

                       0350                   0560
===================================================
Length (closed)        4.5"                   5"
Length (open)          7.75"                  8.8"
Blade Length           3.25"                  3.75"
Blade Steel         CPM-S30V                  ELMAX
Handles         Textured G10        3D Machined G10
Lock             Steel Liner          Ti Frame Lock
Opening          A/O Flipper         Manual Flipper
Pivot             PB Washers      KVT Ball Bearings

I have a 0350, and I like it a lot. I've never handled a 0560, but I really want one. If cost weren't a factor, I'd get the 0560. The feel of the 3D machined G10 and titanium frame lock (at least on my 0301) is something else.

[m6894]

never handled a 350 but I accepted a 560 in partial trade for an sng thinking I would sell it. Never got sold. I carry it more than any other knife now. really nice production knife.

[solidorange]

I am going to make this more complicated and vote for the 0550. Best of both worlds between the 0350 and 0560, as long as you aren't dead set on a flipper. E-mail kershawguy and ask for the price on a gen 1, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

[shandrydan1]

Out of the two I prefer the 560 over the 350 hands down. I've owned two 350s and have ended up getting rid of both. Now thats not to say that they are bad knives cuz they arent. They are fantastic for what you get. I've just been trying to stay away from recurves.

And I will also second solidorange on the 550. Its a great knife as well. I also prefer the frame lock over the liner lock.

[Lpd226]

I did consider the 550. Usamadeblade has it shipped for 199 and with an additional 20% off coupon code. The have the 560 for 280 and the 350 for 140. I was not aware that the 560 was a flipper only which will push me toward the 550. Does that seem like a good price?

[OvalmanPA]

If you don't mind not having one of the newest 550s, like someone said, email kershawguy about his pricing on one of the first generation knives. I think he can do better than that price.

[viper89]

I personally prefer the 0560 as I like straight edges over recurves. I also prefer to not have an assisted but rather have KVT system instead for a nice, smooth open. The 0350 looks a little too tactical for my tastes and the 0560 fit my personal preferences better. Lastly, I wanted to try out ELMAX

[Lpd226]

Which would you guys say is the more rugged of the bunch?

[solidorange]

Which would you guys say is the more rugged of the bunch?

I say it goes 0550 -> 0560 -> 0350. Of course the frame locks are always going to be more rugged than the liner lock, and the titanium locking side on the 0550 is noticeably thicker than it is on the 0560.

[hatchetjack]

TBH, I'd feel well heeled with any of them.

[Lpd226]

That's why I love this forum. Thanks for all the help guys its much appreciated. I think its gonna be the 550.

[solidorange]

That's why I love this forum. Thanks for all the help guys its much appreciated. I think its gonna be the 550.

Good choice! Of the 7 ZTs I own, the 0550 finds its way into my pocket most often.

[viper89]

That's why I love this forum. Thanks for all the help guys its much appreciated. I think its gonna be the 550.

Great pick! I am sure you will love it.

[Lpd226]

Been toting around a blur as my edc for awhile and figured it was time for an upgrade. I think the 550 will fit quite nicely.

[flarp]

I EDC'd a Blur for a while, and that's what actually pointed me towards the 350. The 350 seemed like a really overbuilt (in the best possible context) Blur with a flipper. If you like the size of the Blur, the 350 may be worth looking into. The 301 is quite a bit larger than the 350, and the 560 is a little bigger than the 301. The 550 also looks really awesome. It's half an inch shorter than the 301 (about from the butt of the handle to the first handle screw, if you want to compare to the pics below).

Blur and ZT 0350 side-by-side:


ZT 0301 and ZT 0350:

[solidorange]

I EDC'd a Blur for a while, and that's what actually pointed me towards the 350. The 350 seemed like a really overbuilt (in the best possible context) Blur with a flipper. If you like the size of the Blur, the 350 may be worth looking into. The 301 is quite a bit larger than the 350, and the 560 is a little bigger than the 301. The 550 also looks really awesome. It's half an inch shorter than the 301 (about from the butt of the handle to the first handle screw, if you want to compare to the pics below).

the 0550 is actually much closer in size to the 0350 than you would think, especially when closed.

[Lpd226]

Ended up going with the 550 because of the ti frame lock and the blade profile. Would've like the assisted opening on the 350 but it wasn't enough to win me over. I'm sure ill end up owning it too eventually

[flarp]

the 0550 is actually much closer in size to the 0350 than you would think, especially when closed.

Hmmm... Never handled a 550, so I was just going off the numbers on the Kershaw site. You may have just bumped the 550 up over the 560 on my wish list...