0550 vs 0560

I like the feel of my 0550 better but the 0560 is the overall better blade if that makes any sense ;)
I only recently got my 0560BW so I might just have to get used to it a bit more. Both are stellar blades and I use the thumbstuds on my 0560 just because I don't like the flipper.
 
I recently picked up a 0560 and love it. It is rather large in the hand, but that's OK with me. Flips effortlessly, solid, and beautiful. After having it for a short time, I couldn't be happier.
I chose it over the 0550 because of the extra size.
 
I have and carry both. The 0560 does see more pocket time. I think your cons on the 0560 are unfounded. Sure some people will like s35vn more than elmax but just as many will like elmax more than s35vn. Opinions on steel are just that, individual preference based on experience and usage. The cost of the 0560 you quoted is way too high. You can find them new for less and a lot less on the exchange. The bearings on the 0560 are super easy to clean. They are enclosed so they won't fly all over the place when you open the knife up. Also, if you are prying so much that you need to worry about bearing vs washer failure, you should be using a crow bar and not a knife.

ZT detents seem to be all over the place. I have 2 0560s and one is much tighter than the other but both are tight. My 550 is also tight. I had a 566 which while assisted was impossibly tight but perfect after removing the torsion bar. I like a tough detent but man that 566 was crazy. The good thing about buying on the exchange is you can get an idea of the aspects of a given knife from the previous owner. The reality of all things like centering, detent, lock up are usually well represented from an experienced well regarded seller here on the forums.

I am glad I own both but if I had to have only one it would be the 0560. I like the size and look more.
 
I have had the 0560BW for a few months now and love it. The only downside for me is the size...it is a large carry. I will say it is light for its size, and the knife is pretty narrow, not bulky. It is one of the only knives I own that came from the factory feeling already broken in...once you overcome the pressure of the detente with a flip, the blade glides effortlessly open and locks....it is quite an amazing feel. It does not have thumb studs...those are actually blade stops, and it does not open easily if you try to use them as thumb studs. The textured titanium on the frame lock side is also pretty incredible. The knife is very comfortable in hand, and the jimping on the spine of the blade very well done. The bearings should not be any issue...if you do use this knife for prying, I doubt any difference in durability due to bearings vs bushings. Its a tough knife and built like a tank. The ELMAX and its heat treatment are excellent at edge retention and take an edge readily. There are a variety of opinions both ways on ELMAX, but in my experience it is phenomenal. I think your decision comes down to two things: Carry size and flipper vs thumb stud for opening. If okay with a larger carry and flipper, try the 560. If you want smaller and thumb studs, go with the 550.
 
I also have both, and even though I like Elmax as a bladesteel more than S35VN, I prefer the 550. Sharpening-wise, neither one takes any more effort than the other, and edge-retention is pretty close. I am usually wearing more rugged shorts or pants when I carry stout knives like these and they feel about the same since both have deep-carry clips, with the 560 being a bit more comfortable in the back pocket due to the contouring.

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I'll take the 0550 any day of the week. The size is perfect and the washers work great. I use an 0551 and those only come with the Gen 1 lockside. The detent is stiff but that only makes it fire out that much harder. I had to adjust my technique at first, but it's definitely not like those horror stories I've heard.

The 0560 is still a great knife, though. ZT does great with their Elmax and S35VN. I haven't had issues with either steel from them.
 
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NetshadeX said:
It offers more blade at the same weight and there's a better overall balance to the knife. Elmax vs S35VN is up for discussion.
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This is why discussion boards can be good. Differing perspectives.

To me, the 0560 mostly delivers dead material. The .25" of extra blade is ok, but not really a difference maker when added to an already 3.5" blade. Then there's this:

Baby got BACK!

I wear large gloves. The 0550 sticks out about 1/2" from the hand when I hold it in a hammer grip. The 0560 adds another 1/2" beyond that. I have no idea why they did that. It serves no useful purpose, and actually pushes the pinky jimping and the fat part of the grip out a bit. Those parts contribute in a small way to leverage, so I don't get why ZT pushed them farther back.

Not sure how the balance of the 0560 is an improvement. If we're going to make it a big enough deal to talk about it, then I'll offer that I prefer a tasking blade to have heft slightly toward the blade rather than back toward the handle.

I totally agree about Elmax vs CPM S35VN. I have time with both, and I like both just fine.

Naturally, this entire post is hair splitting. After all, that is really what most of us do in comparison posts. When it comes down to it, we have a lot of in depth discussion about details that rarely influence user experience very much. The 0550 and 0560 are both fantastic offerings. I can't fault anyone for favoring either. It simply happens that I find the 0550 more practical, and the 0560 sexier.
 
grownstar said:
I'll take the 0550 any day of the week. The size is perfect and the washers work great.........
.....The 0560 is still a great knife, though. ZT does great with their Elmax and S35VN. I haven't had issues with either steel from them.
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I agree 100%. The 0560 just seems a little to big IMO I only have a 0550 tho so I might be a bit bias :p I may still pick up a 0560, but I like the size of my 0566 so I don't really think I will
 
Spyder328 said:
I agree 100%. The 0560 just seems a little to big IMO I only have a 0550 tho so I might be a bit bias :p I may still pick up a 0560, but I like the size of my 0566 so I don't really think I will
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Well I am coming from a benchmade 810 contego as an edc for the past 7 months. I don't think the size of the 560 is a turn off lol. I should have clarified that is the first post.
 
The 560 is much more pleasing in the hand, during use, and EDC. IMO.
It seems like my interest in the 550/551 just fizzled once the 560 arrived.
More blade and handle area, bearings, flipper, contoured ergonomics, etc.
The 560 just leaves the 550 in the dust.
 
If you handled a 0560 and you liked it, I would highly suggest going with that.

$165 is a helluva good deal, but If you look around, you should be able to find a 0560 in the $200 neighborhood, and I think the extra $30 is worth it.
 
I would take 0550 over 0560 any day. 0560 is a little big IMO, 0550 is perfect. I typically prefer non flippers also. My 0550 is smooth and detent is perfect. New 0550 Gen 3s added steel lock bar insert too.
 
uxo2 said:
Over the 2.

550 sucks. Terrible detent.

Get a 560
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NOT a true statement. Maybe you somehow got a lemon, but (and I'm not a fanboy), I've never had a ZT with a "terrible" detent.

OP, I think these are two very different knives. The 560 series is incredible. Great flipping action, perfect fit and finish, very easy to carry for its size.

The 550 is manual action, rock solid and also quite easy to carry. Really, this all just depends on if you want a flipper or not, because you can't go wrong with either. ZT rocks.
 
For me it's the 0550. I've had 2 0561's and I sent them back. One of them was a gen 3 with the steel insert.

Bought a gen 3 0550 and couldn't be happier. Once I opened it a bunch of times and figured out my opening technique is been flawless. Waiting on my custom scale from Shepard CC.
 
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