551 or 560?

[Razor]

I can probably afford only one for now. Which should I get, and why? I would like to get both. Kinda like to have another 301. Dam divorce.

 

[clockman]

I'd get a 560. I have a 561 now and it's the nicest 1 I have including a couple of customs. What more could you ask for in a folder. If it's not on this knife you don't

need it. I Really Like my 561. I haven't stopped carrying it since I got it>

I like big knives. I had a 551 and traded it for a 0301 bc I didn't carry/use it very much. I like the size and ergos of the 561 Much Better than the 551.

The handle and the blade on the 560/61 are a little longer with much better ergos IMO. The 551 and 560/61 are 2 different animals.

The 551 is wider in the handle, the blade about .25 shorter, the ti side is much thicker than the 560/61 which is a good thing if you like a strong knife.

I think the 551 is thicke HD than the 560/61 but I can't see most guys really abusing either knife unless they're really hard on a knife.

The cutting edge of the 560/61 is about 3/16 longer than a Millie. If you like a medium knife I'd go for the 551, if you like a big knife I'd get a 560/61.

 

[jmsodpc]

I like flippers....my 561 is still on order from knife center

 

[PURPLEDC]

I have not had a 0551 but I do have a 560. I think you need to ask yourself what your looking for. Do you want a big bearing pivot flipper that is very lightweight considering its size or do you want a more traditional manual framelock that is thumbstud only for opening. I know I am a total sucker for flippers and Im even more of a sucker if it has bearings. Hell I carried my CRKT ripple more than my 0300 for that reason. Now the CRKT will probably end up getting lost and forgotten now that I have the 560. Im sure the 551 is a well made knife and will hold up for any task as its a ZT. But I just dont feel it has the "cool" factor of the 0560/0561. I think the 0560 is simply an amazing knife and im just very glad that a company FINALLY offered a USA made production knife that utilizes a bearing pivot and having a semi exotic steel like elmax is pretty interesting as well.

 

[2 shot]

Since you are going to end with both go for the 0551 first as they are harder to come by.

 

[Razor]

Sounds like the 560 would be the one to try.

 

[KLJTech]

You simply can't go wrong with either, both knives show without a shadow of a doubt that ZT has raised the bar for what you should expect at that given price point. If you can swing the extra cash I'd get the 0560 (mine arrived yesterday)...if money is a bit tighter I'd be more than happy with the 0551 (that's the limited edition) not sure if you meant the 0550 but either way if I had less to spend I'd be more than pleased with the cheaper of the two.
Best of luck!

 

[Pilot1]

I have both the 0560, and 0551. Currently the 0560 has knocked the 0551 out of my pocket as EDC. However, I still will carry, and use the 0551. They are both fantastic knives, but if you can find an 0551, get it, as they were limited to 1,000 units (plus some blems). If you don't care about that, get the 0560 first.

I don't know actually. Flip a coin?

 

[CLICKBANGBANG]

I've never even held either knife, so I'd go with whatever was in stock or available first.

You can't cut anything with a knife you don't have no matter how BA it is.

 

[Reeek]

I usualy don't like the "Get Both" answer but in this case, think it's imperative I know the 0550 isn't the 0551 but the form factor is the same!

 

[Pilot1]

Fantastic pictures. These are by far my two favorite knives. Throw in a 0301 and you have the pefect Trifecta!

 

[Razor]

Where did you get the lanyard?

 

[Reeek]

Josh K - a member here - not sure if he still does them but I had about 9 or 10 made so I'm set

 

[pry]

I was just sitting there fondling both and pondering this very question but with a different scenario. I was asking myself if I was to survive in the wilderness and could only take one which would I take, and the 0551 would be my pick. While the 0560 is my new favorite knife, the 0551 feels like a tougher more solid knife. The frame and lockbar on the 551 seems more indestructible, and the lack of the bearing pivot seems like it would hold up better to dirt, mud, and lack of maintenance.

 

[viper89]

I would go with the ZT 0560. I am currently flipping mine right now and I think it was worth every penny.

 

[bullosa]

I vote ZT560. It cost more but you get so much more with it.

 

[Moreau]

Guess I will be the first to say 550 love mine, I also have a yellow scale.

 

[Stainz]

My ZT collection... almost!

What's missing? My backup 0551... guess which one is my favorite?

Yep, the 0561 is nice - has a home - as does the 0301. My favorite is the 0551. Admittedly, I don't like 'assisted' knives - and I love everything about the 0551. I grabbed a spare while they were available - and, oddly, cheaper than the 0550 models, too. I don't regret the 0561 buy - I'll use it - but it goes out the door long before either 0551!

Stainz

 

[joker42179]

What are the 0551's going for these days now??

 

[Allen R.]

I've had em both and I say 0560 or 561