0551 arrived today.....my first ZT.

KLJTech

KLJTech

Joined
Aug 26, 2005
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I've read reviews about it, watched all YouTube videos about it yet I was STILL very impressed when my very first ZT knife arrived today in the form of the 0551. This knife is everything I heard it was and a bit more. The 0551 feels very nice in the hand, the build quality is first rate with fit and finish that is just as good as more exspesnve knives that I own. My son owns a Strider SNG and though I haven't used it in a while this knife feels every bit as stout to me as the Strider and I don't mean that with any disrespect to Strider. The 0551 has certainly made me a fan of ZT Knives.
Great job ZT!

When blade touch up time comes what angle have you guys found to work the best or what is recommend? I use the Spyderco Sharpmaker to sharpen my knives the majority of the time. Thanks.
 
Congrats. Mine ships tomorrow. Thanks for feeding the fervor.
 
I hate you all, just so you know. :D

Moose
 
Congrats, you will only enjoy it more with use.

When it comes time to sharpen I'd recommend a 15 degree straight bevel, you will have noticeable improvements in cutting performance without any loss in edge stability. Elmax sharpens nice with many abrasives but I'd put diamonds and ceramics above the rest for edge quality and finished sharpness. Also because the steel is very clean & pure it has excellent edge refinement at a wide range of grits, it takes a nice high polish too but I would suggest stopping at the brown ceramic or a 1200 mesh diamond hone.
 
knifenut1013 said:
Congrats, you will only enjoy it more with use.

When it comes time to sharpen I'd recommend a 15 degree straight bevel, you will have noticeable improvements in cutting performance without any loss in edge stability. Elmax sharpens nice with many abrasives but I'd put diamonds and ceramics above the rest for edge quality and finished sharpness. Also because the steel is very clean & pure it has excellent edge refinement at a wide range of grits, it takes a nice high polish too but I would suggest stopping at the brown ceramic or a 1200 mesh diamond hone.
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Thanks for the information, I look forward to actually using the knife and seeing how the edge holds up. Can't help but be impressed with the 551's construction and how it feels in hand. Very impressive.

Most of my folders up until a month or so ago have blades of S30V and then I bought an Acies from A.G. Russell (great knife) and was concerned that its ZDP-189 would be brittle and from what I've seen that steel just holds its edge incredibly well and NOW I get to play with Elmax......very excited. I really like S30V but it sure is fun trying out newer stuff.

If this 0551, at its price point, is any indication of what ZT plans to keep doing, they are going to make it very difficult for other knife companies to compete. Period.
 
Showing off some of my newer knives this weekend to a couple buddies and the one that garnered the most interest was my new 0551. I get the feeling that ZT could sell just about as many of these as they wanted.

I still need to sharpen mine a bit as it didn't arrive that sharp from the factory but I'm sure that the Sharpmaker will do the trick. Hope everyone here is enjoying their new toys.
 
Its become my favorite folder, alternating with my 0301. We'll see what the 0560 does to them when that comes. Its becoming rare for me to carry anything but my ZT's.
 
I am really keen to get my mitts on a 0551/0550 but I just can't find one for sale (yet!)

I have a well used ZT0350 and am picking up a ZT 0200 next week - can't wait. I have had several other folders (BM, Spydie, Lone Wolf, etc) and ZT is without doubt my folder of choice.

Great knives!!
 
If you think the 0551 is good for the money, wait till you handle the 0200. I got mine for $100 and it's more knife than you can imagine for that price. 154CM steel, 4" blade, DLC coating, 3D machined G10 handles, THICK liner lock, rock solid lockup, and a very smooth flipper deployment. It's a great knife, just wish I carried it more but haven't needed a knife that big lately.
 
00ChevyScott said:
If you think the 0551 is good for the money, wait till you handle the 0200. I got mine for $100 and it's more knife than you can imagine for that price. 154CM steel, 4" blade, DLC coating, 3D machined G10 handles, THICK liner lock, rock solid lockup, and a very smooth flipper deployment. It's a great knife, just wish I carried it more but haven't needed a knife that big lately.
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I've heard only great things about the 0200, I'm sure I'll pick one up before too long. On some website I saw it sitting next to the Benchmade Skirmish (one of my favs) and the blade shape of the 0200 is very similar to the BM630 BK1 which is a giant plus in my book. Gotta get the 0560 first.
 
I think ZT/Kershaw is going to put the major hurt on their competition with knives like the 551 and 561 I'd be scared if I were Benchmade or Spyderco.
 
00ChevyScott, I'm sure you're right - I think that the 0200 represents terrific value. Kudos to ZT for covering several price-point bases! Can't wait to get hold of mine!!

Having said that I think the 0350 is plenty of knife to EDC, so your comments about the 0200's size & heft are very relevant...

Thanks,

Ben
 
Peroni1973 said:
00ChevyScott, I'm sure you're right - I think that the 0200 represents terrific value. Kudos to ZT for covering several price-point bases! Can't wait to get hold of mine!!

Having said that I think the 0350 is plenty of knife to EDC, so your comments about the 0200's size & heft are very relevant...

Thanks,

Ben
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The 0200 is rather wide and the G10 is aggressive. You'll love the knife but the 0350 is suited much more for a EDC role. I find myself not even carrying my 0551 anymore as it is pretty large too. I'm having a hard time getting rid of some blade play on the 0551 (it's a blem) so that is also a reason why I don't carry it much anymore. Bending the lockbar over worked for a few weeks but the play is back again.
 
Where did you get a blem 0551?

i already have a few but would be interested if pricing is good.
 
espnazi said:
Where did you get a blem 0551?

i already have a few but would be interested if pricing is good.
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Thomas sent it to me when I was debating between a 0551 and a PM2 when they first came out. It was a very generous gesture.
 
00ChevyScott said:
Thomas sent it to me when I was debating between a 0551 and a PM2 when they first came out. It was a very generous gesture.
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Awesome, but is there anyway I can buy one? anywhere?

I already have non-blems so I know I love them but knowing blems come at a lower price point I wouldn't mind at least one more.
 
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