0550 vs 0560

3

308shooter147

Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Messages
40
Hey guys.

I'm new here, but not really new to knives.

I am truthfully torn between these two models of knives.
I guess I'll break this up into what I consider to be the pros and cons of each knife so you guys can agree or disagree with me on my points if you own either knife.

0560 pros:
I have never owned a flipper but have played with my friends 0560 and loved it.
Longer blade.
Bearings are a pro and a con to me.
Flipper functions as a great finger guard.

0560 cons:
I've read that people like s35vn better than elmax steel.
Blade hq has them for $260.
Bearings are new to me and would make me nervous to take the knife apart.


0550 pros:
Better steel (maybe? I would like to hear your opinions)
Retracted.
Much cheaper. Blade hq has them for $165 shipped right now.
Thicker titanium used for the frame lock.

0550 cons:
No flipper:(
Shorter blade.



I would really like to hear all of your opinions on which knife you would get. Honestly if I could get a 0560 for under 190 I would probably get it. The extra $100 is really throwing me off.
 
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308shooter147 said:
0550 pros:
Better steel (maybe? I would like to hear your opinions)
Thicker blade stock.(I thrash my knives pretty hard though I don't think the 0560 blade stock would struggle in anything I would do)
Click to expand...

The blade stock is practically the exact same.
On my 0550, it is 0.156"
On my 0561, it is 0.157"

So the exact same, with manufacturing tolerances (the 0561 comes out 0.001" thicker in this case ;))

I don't know where the idea that the 0561 or 0560 had thinner stock...they don't.
 
stabman said:
The blade stock is practically the exact same.
On my 0550, it is 0.156"
On my 0561, it is 0.157"

So the exact same, with manufacturing tolerances (the 0561 comes out 0.001" thicker in this case ;))

I don't know where the idea that the 0561 or 0560 had thinner stock...they don't.
Click to expand...

My apologies. I do not know where I got that from either.
 
308shooter147 said:
My apologies. I do not know where I got that from either.
Click to expand...

Don't apologize; a lot of people have been saying the exact same thing. :)

The blade stock is the same.
The blade width is the same.
The pivot is the same.
The washers versus bearings might make the slightest difference for prying, perhaps, but most likely not.
The titanium starts at almost the exact same thickness, but the machining/contouring on the 0561 thins it out towards the edges. Still thick though.

I cannot see any task that one could handle that would be an issue for the other. :thumbup:
 
If you shop around you will find a 560 for around what you want to pay for it. Just go over to the production folders for sale section here on the forums. There are always some popping up. Elmax takes a VERY SHARP EDGE and is easy to sharpen. GOOD LUCK! Kevin :D
 
Both are great knives, just depends if you want a larger flipper or a medium non-flipper. I carry both often but the 0560 gets the nod as I prefer flippers. As for price, email member Kershawguy and ask for a price list, Great prices and fast shipping. You can also check the exchange, I bought a fair amount on knives from there.

 
Over the 2.

550 sucks. Terrible detent.

Get a 560
 
stabman said:
Don't apologize; a lot of people have been saying the exact same thing. :)

The blade stock is the same.
The blade width is the same.
The pivot is the same.
The washers versus bearings might make the slightest difference for prying, perhaps, but most likely not.
The titanium starts at almost the exact same thickness, but the machining/contouring on the 0561 thins it out towards the edges. Still thick though.

I cannot see any task that one could handle that would be an issue for the other. :thumbup:
Click to expand...


This was my thought as well.
I did read that bearings wouldn't be as good as the bronze washers for prying.
At the same time I've never read anywhere that someone's knife failed on them while prying due to the bearings.
cEdge said:
Both are great knives, just depends if you want a larger flipper or a medium non-flipper. I carry both often but the 0560 gets the nod as I prefer flippers. As for price, email member Kershawguy and ask for a price list, Great prices and fast shipping. You can also check the exchange, I bought a fair amount on knives from there.

Click to expand...


I will definitely do that. Thanks for the info.
uxo2 said:
Over the 2.

550 sucks. Terrible detent.

Get a 560
Click to expand...


Never heard that about the 550 before.
 
My 0550 has a decent detent. My 0566 on the other hand is abysmal. Getting a consistently good detent seems to be ZT's only problem in my experience. I try to handle them in my local store and cherry pick mine. The 0566 i got came down to one that took 2 hands to open or one that was a little easier. Looking back I wish I'd got the stuff one as it probably would have made a good manual flipper.

But back to topic, watch the exchange if you really want the 0560. You just missed uberknives good sale the other day. 0560bw for $169 shipped. Be patient and get what you really want.
 
I have both, and gravitate towards the 0560 more for carry, but I actually use my 0551 (limited elmax run).
 
Supposedly the issues with the lock and detent on the 0550 were fixed with the Gen 2. I have a Gen 2 and the detent and lockup are fine. The 0560 has a "strong detent" which is usually due to user error.

My 0561 gets far more pocket time than my 0550.
 
I have passed on the 0560 twice, getting a 0566 and a 0550 instead. The steels are both fantastic, I consider that even.

I dislike the grip length of the 0560. I have good sized hands and the butt sticks out a ways. This pushes out the part of the handle where it gets fat and has the bend on the back. With the 0550, that part of the handle is in my hand, which I prefer.

The detent on my 0550 is very strong. Once I got it broken in and figured out the right technique, I started throwing it open easily.

I am glad that I got the 0550.
 
I have both 550 and 560. There is nothing wrong with the detent on the 550, at least not on mine. Took a short period of opening to break it in, now flies out like a dream, but still enough detent that I do not have to worry about it opening unless I want it to. Did not think I could like a knife better until I got the 560. Feels great in my hand, light for its size, flips great (so long as I am not pressing on the lock bar) and looks great in the blackwash finish. I do not know enough about steels to speak to the elmax or the s30vn, but I think the issue with the ZT elmax was in early productions, so may not be an issue now. I have another 560 coming tomorrow. I really, really like both, and think you would really, really like both. As for price, the 550 can be had at a lower price point, but the 560 can be found for around $200, or a little under. As another post said, you may have just missed out on a great deal from one on-line dealer, but they can be found, either on the exchange or new. It may really come down to length, as the 560 is, at least for me, on the outskirts of the largest I want to carry, but you may be different. I can tell you the 560 has not left my pocket since I go it, except for the 550, and for my 350 the other day while doing some outside work. You will love either, and will probably end up with both at some point. Get out while you can.:D

P.S. - There is one big difference - the scales. I think the scale on the 550 is butt-ugly, just my opinion, as they say YMMV, but I eventually sanded it down to get the scale pattern out. If you like the scale, then not an issue, but it looks like an entire industry sprang up with some really talented artists just to make replacements for this scale! No such problem with the 560, at least for me. But there are a lot of talented folks on this forum who can do you a new scale in almost anything you want. Good luck.
 
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The 550 isn't a flipper. The thumb stud on my 550 can flip the blade out just as fast as the flipper on my 561 IMO. I liked the 561 better than the 550, but now the 550

is a better size knife for me. I was into big knives when I got the 561, not anymore tho.
 
stabman said:
The blade stock is the same.
The blade width is the same.
The pivot is the same.
The washers versus bearings might make the slightest difference for prying, perhaps, but most likely not.
The titanium starts at almost the exact same thickness, but the machining/contouring on the 0561 thins it out towards the edges. Still thick though.

I cannot see any task that one could handle that would be an issue for the other. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

^^^ Pretty much this. Regarding the washers vs. bearings, I'd imagine anything you could do to damage one would likely damage the other as well (eg. applying enough force to crush or deform a hardened steel ball bearing would probably also cause deformation of a bronze washer or the pivot itself).

So, it really comes down to: do you want a longer blade w/ flipper or shorter blade w/ thumb stud opening. FWIW, I find myself using my 0550 a bit more than the 0560.
 
308shooter147 said:
Bearings are new to me and would make me nervous to take the knife apart.
Click to expand...

No reason be nervous with 560/1's KVT bearings. If you haven't seen them, they are essentially a plastic or rubber washer with ball bearings encased within. I was surprised at how easy it was to take apart and put back together. Flips great without any lube but if you add some it feels telekinetic smooth. The one downside to lubing it is it will attract dust and lint.

I had a 561 and my bro had a 550, I preferred my 561 which is odd because it's a little bigger and I have smaller hands. The 550 felt a bit more blocky. You really can't go wrong with either though.
 
I thought this would be interesting to some to watch.
This is a crazy Russian!
http://youtu.be/AW0TVkcBFkw

And you all make very good points. I think I will try and pick up a used 560 in the next week. Hopefully more will show up on the exchange.

Thank you everyone for your input. I think I do want the flipper just to see if I actually like it or not. If I don't I can just sell it and get a 550:).
 
benchwarmer380 said:
No reason be nervous with 560/1's KVT bearings. If you haven't seen them, they are essentially a plastic or rubber washer with ball bearings encased within. I was surprised at how easy it was to take apart and put back together. Flips great without any lube but if you add some it feels telekinetic smooth. The one downside to lubing it is it will attract dust and lint.

I had a 561 and my bro had a 550, I preferred my 561 which is odd because it's a little bigger and I have smaller hands. The 550 felt a bit more blocky. You really can't go wrong with either though.
Click to expand...

That makes me feel better about taking it apart. Thank you for the clarification.
 
uxo2 said:
Over the 2.

550 sucks. Terrible detent.

Get a 560
Click to expand...

The detent on mine is perfect! Sorry yours didn't work out.

I vote for the 550. 560 is a bit big for my taste and I'd I'm a thumb stud guy more than a flipper guy.

I have absolutely no complaints about ELMAX I just like S35vn better.
 
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