Choosing the next knife

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Jan 11, 2013
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17
So it's me and my fiance 6 year anniversary since we started going out and we have the tradition of get each other and gift of our choosing to a certan value, so i want a nother knife! Now i want a Zero Tolerance, now i can't decide between the 0450, 0770cf, 0350, 566 or 550.

These are the knives in my budget and the ones that are avalible in South Africa(www.sharpedge.co.za), and the thing is if i have a problem with one of the knives i'll have a hard time with warranty claims this is the biggest factor for me choosing the blade.

Now i don't buy in to stories of ZT's QC and overall quality not being up to par but it does want me to ask people with these knives and see what your opinion on them are, i prefere the knife to be used and part of a edc rotation i don't like to buy a knife just to have it and not use it, i use all my knives! For example my manix2 xl is one of my all time favorite knives and has seen alot of use edc and specialy if i go camping and fishing, it has made alot of tinder to start fire choped off branches (1-3" thick) and made some wooden spikes for the tents, i don't think i'll use the ZT in the same way as the one i'm looking for should be a smaller sized blade but no less than a 3" blade. I want a good looking knife but it must be practical and must be able to be used hard once every now and then, so i'm open to your sugestions for other brands but i will prefere to get another ZT.

I realy like the look and feel of the 0770cf and i have held all the above mentiond knives and they all feel good in hand, i want a fliper and i want to be able to de assist it if assisted, I want the 0770cf the most but the lack of liners and only the carbon fiber scales holding the blade and blade stop corncern me that it will where out alot faster than one with steel or ti liners/scales or break under pressure (within reason) when cuting or ever the blade slaming the stop pin when opening and closing.

Thank for reading this long post, i did try and cover all the basis i what i want.

P.S i do own a zt 0562
 
The only issues I've ever had with a ZT were the pocket clips, which tend to bend very easily. Even when the clip had an issue, they sent me out a new clip and screws within a week. Other than that I've esc'd a 0561 for 3+ years and never had an issue with the knife itself.

As to CF, yes it can break, but under normal wear and tear it is highly unlikely. It is more flexible, and you will be able to feel that simply by pressing down on the CF scales, however, it will still require a considerable amount of force to break. I wouldn't be overly concerned unless you intend to run it over with a truck or pry from the pivot point.
 
It really is too bad about the assist on the 0770cf. I like everything else about the knife.

The 0450 is a cramped little knife for me, but I've been spending a lot of time around here singing the praises of the 0452cf, which is my favorite ZT by far.

Different direction but I'd take a good hard look at a Kizer or two. Check out the new Spyderco Mantra series as well, full Ti with M4 blades... I like my Mantra2 much more than my 0450.
 
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I have looked at the 0452cf but it is a bit out of my price range and the problem is i'm in South Africa so the range of knives i can get here is so small, and to inport is not a option they kill you with the tax and shipping costs
 
I have the ZT 0770cf and its a nice knife but I prefer the non spring assist. Also think the carbon fiber handle is a bit slick. I prefer the 0450 over all my ZTs and I have the 0550, 0562 and the 0801. The 0450 is simple and a nice size and the flipper action is outstanding. Good luck in choosing the one for you.
 
I have both the ZT 0770CF and ZT 0566 (regular model with Elmax and G-10 handle). Both are great knives, and I like the assist feature on both and have no desire to de-assist them. The 0770CF is very light and flat and you don't notice it's there. The 0566 is heavier and feels more solid in the hand.

I love the blade shape and profile on the 0770. It's ideal for my daily carry needs. Very similar to the "slicer" profile on the 0562. The 0566 blade is a little beefier and has a lot more belly, with a sturdy drop point that would hold up to piercing or thrusting usage.

I like them both about equally well, but they have different purposes. I would say the 0770CF is better for general daily carry, while the 0566 is better for more rugged use. Not saying that the 0770CF is fragile or weak, but it just feels like the 0566 is the tougher beast.

I happen to like the assist on both of them. The 0566 flipper was VERY stiff when I first got it, but it has broken in well over time without me doing anything other than just flipping it, and now it is perfect. The 0770CF was pretty good out of the box and has lightened up a little, also about ideal.

If I were going to choose only one out of the two, that would be my actual daily carry every day, it would be the 0770CF for the overall ease of carry and ideal blade shape. However, I find myself carrying the 0566 more often just because it fits my hand so well and has that nice solid feel to it.

Not sure if that helps, other than to say I am quite satisfied with both of them, and if I had to keep only one of them, I'd be happy with either of them.
 
I have both the ZT 0770CF and ZT 0566 (regular model with Elmax and G-10 handle). Both are great knives, and I like the assist feature on both and have no desire to de-assist them. The 0770CF is very light and flat and you don't notice it's there. The 0566 is heavier and feels more solid in the hand.

I love the blade shape and profile on the 0770. It's ideal for my daily carry needs. Very similar to the "slicer" profile on the 0562. The 0566 blade is a little beefier and has a lot more belly, with a sturdy drop point that would hold up to piercing or thrusting usage.

I like them both about equally well, but they have different purposes. I would say the 0770CF is better for general daily carry, while the 0566 is better for more rugged use. Not saying that the 0770CF is fragile or weak, but it just feels like the 0566 is the tougher beast.

I happen to like the assist on both of them. The 0566 flipper was VERY stiff when I first got it, but it has broken in well over time without me doing anything other than just flipping it, and now it is perfect. The 0770CF was pretty good out of the box and has lightened up a little, also about ideal.

If I were going to choose only one out of the two, that would be my actual daily carry every day, it would be the 0770CF for the overall ease of carry and ideal blade shape. However, I find myself carrying the 0566 more often just because it fits my hand so well and has that nice solid feel to it.

Not sure if that helps, other than to say I am quite satisfied with both of them, and if I had to keep only one of them, I'd be happy with either of them.
Thank you all for the reply, i think it will be best to go to the shop and get a good feel for both of them as i have been watching and reading review on the 770 and 566 so it is between the two that i'll buy, i do have a zt0562 that i got from the same store and it is a amazing knife it's well worth the money i spent on it. Sux to only be able to afford one at a time [emoji35]
 
Side-by-side view of mine when they were brand new. You can see that the 0566 handle is a bit more hand-filling and overall larger. The blades are about the same general length but different profiles. You already have a 0562 which is sort of a hybrid of these two (and a little larger). Considering that, you might find the 0566 to be more similar but a little smaller.

 
I have a 450, 452cf, 562cf and a 0770cf. All amazing knives that were great out of box!
Check out the action on the 0770 before de assisting......it isn't a very powerful assist. Great edc blade!!
Wish you were able to check out the 452cf......insane cool knife that's my favorite!
Enjoy whichever you get and Happy Anniversary!!
Joe
 
I have a 450, 452cf, 562cf and a 0770cf. All amazing knives that were great out of box!
Check out the action on the 0770 before de assisting......it isn't a very powerful assist. Great edc blade!!
Wish you were able to check out the 452cf......insane cool knife that's my favorite!
Enjoy whichever you get and Happy Anniversary!!
Joe
The 0452cf i can get here and i love the knife it is so nice and i like the slim but huge feel of the knofe it is just a too expensive atm. And one thing that does conceren me about the 452cf is the lock bar i have seen a video of the lock moving to 90-100% if you do apply presure on it! Have you had any problems like that with yours?
I have a 450, 452cf, 562cf and a 0770cf. All amazing knives that were great out of box!
Check out the action on the 0770 before de assisting......it isn't a very powerful assist. Great edc blade!!
Wish you were able to check out the 452cf......insane cool knife that's my favorite!
Enjoy whichever you get and Happy Anniversary!!
Joe
 
Me, I only look at CRK, so it's just basically deciding which one I want next...!!!
I am not a fan of crk i have seen and played with the small sebenza 25 large 25 and it just does not do anything for me, at that price! I'm not hating on crk but just not for me, if i buy a knife in that price range i'll rather have a Andre De Villiers or rick hinderer.
 
Just an update this is what i got and i must say WOW.
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And the lockup on this knife is super
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Overall i am a happy chap with this new edition, thanks to all who gave me advice and for taking the time to read my post. Have a good day
 
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