BM 581 vs ZT 0562cf

J

Jpchillin

Joined
Jun 15, 2015
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27
Probably starting to sound like a broken record asking y'all for so many knife comparisons and opinions on them but I think i'm finally starting to narrow my search down to two choices. I'm looking at the 581 barrage in m390 with either the black coated blade or the satin finish (can't decide which but thats for another day) and the zt 0562cf in the CTS-204P. Both look to be in a similar price range with the zt costing a bit more. My question to you is which one you would go for given the two options. How's the customer service for both manufacturers? I've heard that M390 and CTS-204P are rather similar in composition and quality, is this true? Which one of the two knives do you think would hold up longer (construction wise) if subjected to day to day tasks without any sort of break or regular maintenance, I intend to keep up with the maintenance of whichever knife i ultimately decide on but i'm interested to find out which one you think would outlast the other were they to go head on in the same challenges until the construction, materials, locking mechanism, etc... failed. Once again, thanks for being so friendly and helpful BF, you've definitely made a strong contribution to the growing passion I have for knives!
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Not that benchmade is bad, but I feel like the ZT is the better built, better quality knife.
 
They're both quality knives from quality manufacturers, but if durability is a big factor i feel the ZT is a bit heavier duty.
 
I have, and like, the 581 (satin). I have, and like, ZT Hinderer collabs (not the 0562).

Both knives are comparably sized, and quite capable; so you should decide which features appeal to you more.
Assisted vs unassisted. Thumbstuds vs flipper. Axis lock vs frame lock.

For me, the 0562 didn't have much appeal...but, if I didn't already have the 0560 and 0550, it might have. Since you mentioned maintenance, the action of my 0560 deteriorates periodically; requiring a good cleaning and lubrication to bring it back.
 
The Barrage is spring assisted, which I don't especially like because Axis-lock knives don't need an assist. But you can de-assist it.

The 762 is a flipper, usually with a strong detent. The detent makes the flipper action fast and hard, but you have to set up your finger to make it work. I think the Barrage is easier to open.

The steels are basically the same. Knife construction and quality are pretty close. Both makers are excellent. Both knives are very well built.

The big difference is in slicing ability. The ZT has a thick, heavy blade profile, even though it is called a slicer grind. The Barrage is a much better knife for cutting things.

The blade thickness at the spine is 0.121 inches for the Barrage and 0.156 inches for the ZT 0562.

The edge shoulders (@ 30 degrees inclusive) are 0.018 inches wide for the Barrage and 0.033 inches for the ZT.

So the Barrage is going to be a better cutter. The ZT may be better for prying or abuse. It carries nearly its full spine thickness out to an inch from the tip, giving it the typical ZT bullnose. The Barrage has a longer distal taper and a much finer point for detail work.

I think the Barrage has better ergos, but it's close. The Barrage handle is thicker (0.65 inches vs. 0.48 inches) and more rounded than the ZT. The ZT carries better because it is thinner. The ZT is extremely well built, probably better than the Barrage, but it's close. Both knives, if well cared for, will last a long time.

But realistically, your choice will mostly boil down to your own personal preference, which none of us know. I like the Axis lock a lot better than a frame lock, but many people have just the opposite preference.
 
I don't own any ZT knives. They come close, but just don't quite press my buttons. My most carried knife is my de-assisted BM 581. I tried the 580 at one point, and I found it amazing how much a difference materials can make on the exact same design. I have owned it for almost 2 years now and have truly sharpened it twice. And I only sharpened it the second time to fix my own screw up from the first sharpening.

If I were to sell all my productions and could only keep one. It would be my 581. It's my best all around production EDC.
 
I recently bought a BM Barrage and I absolutely love it. Prior to this knife I wasn't a big fan of assisted opening, but I really like it on this one.
 
Thanks for the input everyone! I already own a zt 0452cf so I'd like to diversify my collection and I'm leaning more so towards the BM especially after Twindog and NorthernSouthpaw's posts. The extra bulk of the BM isn't an issue to me, and from what I've experienced with the axis lock before I find it to be just as nice if not nicer, and more convenient at times, than a framelock. It'd be awesome if they used titanium liners on the BM rather than just stainless but I guess it doesn't really matter considering I wouldn't be using the knife handle to pry open doors or anything lol. What's everyone's opinion on the black blade coating as opposed to the satin finish? Is it all just personal preference, or is it just for that tactical look. Also, does the black coating on BMs scratch easily?
 
The black coating held up quit well on the BM Rift that I have. I am indifferent to the tactical look, sometimes I like the black blade ,other times a satin one works. I currently edc my ZT 562, its a nice knife easy to disassemble and clean. I'll be looking for an Edge pro to sharpen it though.
 
So I'm pretty set on the 581 now, figuring i'll splurge for a new one rather than hunt one down thats used. Anyone know if it's better to purchase directly through benchmade or if bladehq is a better option?
 
Benchmade will charge you MSRP. BHQ will charge MAP.
This is a no brainer. purchase from a retailer.
And FWIW I've had the black blade, and I have the satin blade.
 
I love my barrage or well now I do had the other model with the all valox scales and the are TERRIBLE !!! Slippery and noisy tried to sell it and could not

Bought custom G-10 scales from KsF and now love it exactly as Derrick suggested great grip knife feels far more solid and has a snappier opening just a bit PO the BM can figure out they are bad scales and had to spend another $80 fixing that
 
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