Buying a new ZT, questions.

[rodriguez7]

Well, im in the market for a new ZT. Currently I have a 0550, serial number 0400. !st Gen. I really like it, but im looking for a quicker deploying knife, a flipper. Im stuck between the 0560, 0566, and the new 0562. Im curious which one of these will be the toughest, weight is not a concern on these. Neither is size difference. Im just wondering which of these is built the toughest? I know the 0562 is scarce, but if anything i'll wait till they are available. Also I know the 0560 does not have a steel insert on the lock face, where the 0562 does. Maybe some side X side pics. How durable is the point on the slicer grind on the 0562? And maybe the 0566 is the toughest due to the all steel design vs the titanium. Not sure, thats why im asking, thanks.

 

[jprime84]

With the KVT the 0562 will surely be the best flipper. I havent owned any of the specific knives in question though, so I can't comment directly.

 

[DapperDan]

I don't think you could go wrong with any of your choices. If you use the knife as intended it will last you a life time. Just use it to cut things and you will be gtg. I have the 0560,0550 and the 0562 on the way. In terms of toughness they are pretty equal.

 

[grownstar]

They're all great knives, and this may prove a little harder than I thought haha.

The 0566 is a great EDC knife, especially since you said weight is not an issue. But it's spring assisted and runs on phosphor bronze washers. For some, that's a deal breaker. It flips well de-assisted but doesn't really flip like the others because they have KVT bearings.

The toughest might still be the 0560. It's a beast of a knife and the blade is almost 4 inches long. The milling on the Ti gives it texture and an awesome look. It's definitely a beater knife. There are next gen 0560s trickling out with the steel insert, but I don't know if they are readily available or if dealers are just pushing out their old stock. You may want to give your dealer a call.

The 0562 flips more along the lines of an 0801, from what I hear. It also has KVT and steel insert. The blade is right in between at 3.5 inches, and I'm confident the tip on the slicer blade can hold up to most tasks. It's no PM2, that's for sure.

 

[gatorforge]

I've been carrying a 0561 for two years now, and love the knife.

To your point about the lock face though, when you first get it, it is very very stiff due to the steel being harder and biting into the titanium. You can cure it off the bat by coating both edges with sharpie, allows it to slip by a little better.

The tip on the 0561 is very strong due to how thick it is. I haven't tried to pry with it, but for most tasks, it holds up very well.

The ball bearings (I'm not sure if they are the KVT) are smooth enough that it doesn't require any wrist flick to move the surprisingly heavy blade.

A general point about Elmax, it is difficult to sharpen and not as corrosion resistant as I had hoped.

Hope this helps.

 

[KAEDC]

For me the 0562CF is the only one that really appeals, KVT+M390+Hinderer Slicer, yes please!

 

[BradT85]

If you want the toughest ZT and weight and size arent a concern just get one of the ZT300 series knives.

 

[vinnier6]

I second the 300's

 

[HuntBomb]

The 0560 is a favorite in my rotation.
Great size but fits nicely in pocket, comfortable ergos, flips like a dream, elmax is sweet stuff, and it's highly customizable.
That said, I want an 0562CF pretty bad.

 

[flarp]

Toughest will probably be the 0560. It has a thicker and wider blade than the 0566. As has been mentioned, the newer 0560's also have the steel lockbar insert, so you can always ask the dealer before you buy it if it is one of the newer ones. None of my 0560's have the lockbar insert, and they've held up just fine.

There are some pics of an 0550, 0560, 0566, and 0562 in the first look thread: posts #433 and #483.

Here are a couple of side-by-sides I took a while back showing the 0550, 0560, and 0566:

 

[wazu013]

I have had a few ZT's but for me the 300 series does it all. Once tuned up they deploy fast and they seem like they can't be hurt.

 

[Misanthropia]

I have owned a 560CBCF in the past and should have my 0562CF in a few days, but so far I can say that the 0560 is probably the least EDC friendly. It carries very well in the pocket actually, but the blade is annoyingly thick for a lot of cutting tasks. Conversely, it will probably hold up the best when prying with it or with any kind of impact to the edge, theoretically it should have much more edge shoulder than the "slicer" grind 0562.

As for flipping action, if the 0562 flips like 0801, than it should be the superior flipper of the three. Excluding the earliest runs, the 0560 seems to have an average detent strength and a round detent ball (less explosive breakaway) so the flipping action is nothing special.

 

[grownstar]

Toughest will probably be the 0560. It has a thicker and wider blade than the 0566. As has been mentioned, the newer 0560's also have the steel lockbar insert, so you can always ask the dealer before you buy it if it is one of the newer ones. None of my 0560's have the lockbar insert, and they've held up just fine.

There are some pics of an 0550, 0560, 0566, and 0562 in the first look thread: posts #433 and #483.

Here are a couple of side-by-sides I took a while back showing the 0550, 0560, and 0566:

I always love your shots, flarp. :thumbup:

 

[rodriguez7]

Sweet, thanks for the pics, and all the replys so far. Curious though, what would make the 03XX series so much stronger and tougher than the hinderer collabs.? The lock bars seem to be the same thickness. The only difference I see is the blade width. Im guessing my choice should sway towards the 0560/61. I have always wanted one, just need to find one with the steel insert.

 

[KAEDC]

Curious though, what would make the 03XX series so much stronger and tougher than the hinderer collabs.?

Not much really, 560/1 has pocket milled scales to reduce weight and KVT. 3XX liners are solid IIRC, and they use washers(less chance of getting the pivot gummed/gritted up). I think the hinderer collabs carry easier and better than the strider/onion ones. Also IMO if your want the toughest of the the tough folding ZT hunt down a MUDD.

 

[flarp]

Sweet, thanks for the pics, and all the replys so far. Curious though, what would make the 03XX series so much stronger and tougher than the hinderer collabs.? The lock bars seem to be the same thickness. The only difference I see is the blade width. Im guessing my choice should sway towards the 0560/1. I have always wanted one, just need to find one with the steel insert.

The 030x models have a solid pivot that basically a bolt and nut. The 0560/1 models (and most other folding knives in general) have a hollow pivot (hollowed out and threaded on the inside). A solid piece of metal (eg. a bolt) is going to be stronger than a hollow one.

However, I wouldn't say the 030x series is "so much stronger and tougher" than the 0560/1. There may be a difference, but I wouldn't expect it to be much. Both pivots are still mounted against the titanium and G10 scales (and steel liner). I would expect that if you apply enough lateral force to break either pivot (which would take quite a lot, considering that the pivot screw is only a fraction of an inch long), you might actually tear it out from the handles before the pivot itself failed.

In the end, the are both still folding knives. If you expect to put that much lateral force on it (eg. heavy prying), a fixed blade (or an actual pry bar) might be better suited for the task.