A little more of my collection - Zero Tolerance, Benchmade, and a couple Mcusta

[knifehoarder]

The carbon fiber portion of my ZT collection...most factory, a few custom scales. And, if you look closely, you can see part of my boxer hair collection...I don't buy nearly as much black these days.

Some of my G10 handled ZT's...generally my preference for EDC.

A blem 300 with a CF/G10 composite scale...this one is a user, and I really like the smoother finish of the CF against my pockets. Plenty of grip to the other side.

A new 303 I just got. I love this scale (OD green/gray/black). Texture is great on this one too...fine, but rough.

Some blue Benchmade stuff...Morpho 32, Morpho 51, 710 (M390), and 940-1.

Morphos...

710 (M390)

810, 710, and 940-1 comparison... I looooove the 940-1. One of my favorite knives, and I do carry it pretty often, despite it's small size.

Mcusta Gentlemans and Tactility...both damascus.

Tactility - Quince wood & Damascus

Gentleman's...2.75" blade isn't enough for me as a user, but a neat knife.

EDIT - Dammit, I forgot to change the settings and added my watermark for work.

And I forgot my most recent addition, an 0801BW just in from Kershaw Guy... LOVE the ergonomics, simplicity, the KVT action, and the overall look. I'm usually not big on an all metal design, but I could tell by looking at it that I was going to love the ergonomics of this one (and I do).

 

[stickymeat]

I love the zt's! I have only owned one and thats the 550, thinking about getting another one, whats your favorite for carry? and why?

 

[knifehoarder]

I love the zt's! I have only owned one and thats the 550, thinking about getting another one, whats your favorite for carry? and why?

Easily the ZT0562 - Ergonomics, perfect size, smoooooth action, great materials...can be had for well under $200.

I have a ZT0801 (which I photographed and forgot to post) that has all those same attributes in spades, but in a completely different style. That would be my second choice, but only for aesthetic purposes (I like Hinderer stuff).

 

[threefeathers]

My gosh, what a wonderful collection.

 

[stickymeat]

I have been looking at that, looking at the 560, but the specs are just too big for me, can you tell a big difference in the 560 and 562? also how is the thumb stud for opening on the 562? i have heard its very hard to open with the thumb stud and only really a flipper for opening, Thanks!

 

[knifehoarder]

I have been looking at that, looking at the 560, but the specs are just too big for me, can you tell a big difference in the 560 and 562? also how is the thumb stud for opening on the 562? i have heard its very hard to open with the thumb stud and only really a flipper for opening, Thanks!

Huge difference in overall size...deceptively so. Even though only 1/4" longer, the blade on the 0560 is also broader, and the handle has a lot of extra room toward the tail end, where they have trimmed the handle drastically on the 0562.

The 0560 doesn't have the ergonomics of the 0562 either...nor does that heavy blade fire open as easily. Where the 0560 shines is with gloves...it is easier to grab out of a pocket if I'm wearing gloves, and the ergonomics overall make it a good choice for working with gloves on...larger choil, very "bitey" grip (not just the scale texture, but the edges/jimping are sharper and less beveled).

As far as I know, the thumb studs on the 0562 are only there as a blade stop...they're not meant to be used to open the knife. Same has been said by ZT about the 0566. The 0562 is meant to be a flipper. The 0560 works either way, and it can also be "shaken" or thrown open without touching the flipper or thumb stud...another reason it wins over the 0562 when gloves are on.

 

[stickymeat]

Huge difference in overall size...deceptively so. Even though only 1/4" longer, the blade on the 0560 is also broader, and the handle has a lot of extra room toward the tail end, where they have trimmed the handle drastically on the 0562.

The 0560 doesn't have the ergonomics of the 0562 either...nor does that heavy blade fire open as easily. Where the 0560 shines is with gloves...it is easier to grab out of a pocket if I'm wearing gloves, and the ergonomics overall make it a good choice for working with gloves on...larger choil, very "bitey" grip (not just the scale texture, but the edges/jimping are sharper and less beveled).

As far as I know, the thumb studs on the 0562 are only there as a blade stop...they're not meant to be used to open the knife. Same has been said by ZT about the 0566. The 0562 is meant to be a flipper. The 0560 works either way, and it can also be "shaken" or thrown open without touching the flipper or thumb stud...another reason it wins over the 0562 when gloves are on.

Ok, I appreciate the information! i had a 550 and the quality and heftyness of it was great, but was just a little too wide and big, I do want to be able to use both thumb stud and flipper which would be a negative of the 562, but i love the look, titanium and such... so many hard decisions!...

 

[knifehoarder]

Ok, I appreciate the information! i had a 550 and the quality and heftyness of it was great, but was just a little too wide and big, I do want to be able to use both thumb stud and flipper which would be a negative of the 562, but i love the look, titanium and such... so many hard decisions!...

I hear you. Both the 0560 and 0562 are a bit thinner than the 0550, which makes them less bulky in the pocket. The addition of a flipper is a huge plus, too.

If you're worried about size, go with the 0562. Other than for heavy gloved use, I see zero reason to go with the 0560 over the 0562.

The 0801 is awesome too, and for all the same reasons...it's not generally "my type" of knife, and I still love it. I've been alternating between this and the 0562 for a carry knife since it arrived.

 

[stickymeat]

I think id go with the 562, also been looking at a sage2, techno, and a few other titanium folders, one more question! is it posible to open with thumb stud? if so, how hard is it?

 

[knifehoarder]

I think id go with the 562, also been looking at a sage2, techno, and a few other titanium folders, one more question! is it posible to open with thumb stud? if so, how hard is it?

Possible? I tried once and that was it...it was painful/awkward to do. Practically speaking, no.

 

[stickymeat]

Possible? I tried once and that was it...it was painful/awkward to do. Practically speaking, no.

alright thats a little dissappointing but good to know! thanks lots!

 

[RamZar]

Those are NOT thumbstuds on the 0562/0562CF flippers but blade stops. They intentionally designed them not to be used as thumbstuds. See Jim McNair explain it in this SHOT Show 2014 video at the 1:17 mark.

[video=youtube_share;WYzXqV78sVU]http://youtu.be/WYzXqV78sVU[/video]

 

[RamZar]

... ZT0562 ...can be had for well under $200.

Not anymore.

 

[knifehoarder]

Not anymore.

Are you saying someone can't get a discount over the phone or in person? That's what I do to get around MAP on other stuff, typically.

Edit - That's a serious question, by the way. I don't know what happened with Kai regarding MAP, but I've never seen MAP as anything more than an inconvenience (because I can't order at midnight and I have to wait to talk to someone for the best price). Sometimes I just say screw it and pay. Depends on how much I think I can save.

 

[eb1118]

Beautiful!

 

[knifehoarder]

My gosh, what a wonderful collection.

Totally missed that. Thank you.

Beautiful!

Thanks!!

 

[knifehoarder]

Those are NOT thumbstuds on the 0562/0562CF flippers but blade stops. They intentionally designed them not to be used as thumbstuds. See Jim McNair explain it in this SHOT Show 2014 video at the 1:17 mark.

[video=youtube_share;WYzXqV78sVU]http://youtu.be/WYzXqV78sVU[/video]

Knew that was the case, but hadn't seen anything posted about it online. Thanks for sharing that video.

As far as I know, the thumb studs on the 0562 are only there as a blade stop...they're not meant to be used to open the knife.

 

[RamZar]

Are you saying someone can't get a discount over the phone or in person? That's what I do to get around MAP on other stuff, typically.

Edit - That's a serious question, by the way. I don't know what happened with Kai regarding MAP, but I've never seen MAP as anything more than an inconvenience (because I can't order at midnight and I have to wait to talk to someone for the best price). Sometimes I just say screw it and pay. Depends on how much I think I can save.

It all depends on whether ZT's policy is MAP alone or in conjunction with RPM (Resale Price Maintenace). With RPM dealers simply cannot sell below MAP period. If they do and ZT finds out they could be removed as a dealer.

 

[craytab]

That 303 scale is so sick!

 

[knifehoarder]

It all depends on whether ZT's policy is MAP alone or in conjunction with RPM (Resale Price Maintenace). With RPM dealers simply cannot sell below MAP period. If they do and ZT finds out they could be removed as a dealer.

OK, thanks. That's what I've been trying to figure out. I don't think there's anything like that in place - I've purchased 3-4 benchmades since they did that and I didn't pay anywhere near MAP for any of them, and I doubt ZT would be dumb enough to do that.

MAP pricing is a pain for the consumer sometimes, but I understand why they have MAP. If margins get too thin because of some guy selling for $5 over cost, other dealers won't carry them. That means less retail "shelf space" (either real or online) as a whole for that particular brand of knife.

Example: I had a client in the fitness supplement industry when I did e-commerce website design and maintenance for a living. There were certain brands he flat out stopped carrying because he either had to sell them at a tiny margin, or they just sat on the shelves and expired. Nobody wants that for their brand.