Dilemma: 0550 vs 0560/1... which to get??? Please Advise

jon1all said:
Thanks everyone... still trying to decide but definitely appreciate the insights.

Since no one has really addressed the question about the early 0550 Gen2 clip issue (ie, being drilled on the G10 side for the older Gen1 style clip) is it safe to assume it's a non issue? (especially considering I'll likely be getting a custom colored scale anyway if I get a 0550)
Click to expand...

I have a 0550 gen 2 that's the "hybrid" drilled for gen 1 clip on scale side. It's mostly a non-issue. I cared at first because I sometimes carry my knife in my left pocket due to my right pocket being full of 9mm. This is the only issue I think you would ever really have with the "hybrid" : if you or whoever you "might" sell it to one day has a preference for deep carry over standard clip arrangements.

There are enough suppliers and modders out there though, you can mod or make a clip to suit your needs if you have to. So the issue/or lack thereof is mainly personal preference of carry options vs your foresight of investment in this pocket knife. = How much does it really matter to YOU.

All that said, I would go with the 0550...in fact, I already did. I considered the 0561, but I found what seemed to be a slew of problems arising from 0550 gen 1 and 0561 owners. Between detent issues, lockup issues, blade play issues, sticky lock issues, etc... and not seeing hardly any complaints from 0550 gen 2 owners...that's what really made my decision for me. I HATE buying something and then having to send it straight back in for repair or warranty.
 
it sounds like you want the zt 0550, go for it, the only disadvantage is the ugly arse scale!:p
 
Not trying to hijack the thread (well maybe a little), but I've not kept up with the "Gen I/II" issues and differences. As I have two 0551's, can I assume they are in Gen I configuration, whatever that means? I also think they had a slight modification later in that run also. Was it the lockbar cut?
 
Pilot1 said:
Not trying to hijack the thread (well maybe a little), but I've not kept up with the "Gen I/II" issues and differences. As I have two 0551's, can I assume they are in Gen I configuration, whatever that means? I also think they had a slight modification later in that run also. Was it the lockbar cut?
Click to expand...

Because the 0551 was the precursor to the 0550, I don't think they were still making the 0551 when the Gen2 updates came along (updates were to fix the detent problem by switching the lockbar cutout to face outwards... and also adding a deep carry pocket clip).
 
JBK2596 said:
it sounds like you want the zt 0550, go for it, the only disadvantage is the ugly arse scale!:p
Click to expand...

Yeah, you are probably right. And I don't think the G10 scale is all that bad except it's black (which gets boring...wish it was OD green or Navy blue or something different). I would most likely get a custom scale for it though, just because. And to be honest I don't necessarily think the 0560/1's scale is all that much better. The 0561 is brown, so at least that's different than black--but not really the color I would choose if I could.

What I will probably do is get the 0550 AND then later this year pick up an 0566 when it comes out. That way I get the tanky titanium with the 0550 and the flipper (in a smaller size) with the 0566. Seems a decent plan I guess. :)
 
I have both and, so far, like the 0550 better. Although the 0560 is a bigger knife, the 0550 actually feels a little more substantial in hand, probably due to the 0550 handles being a bit thicker. They are both large knives, so they really don't disappear in your pocket like more compact knives. That said, though, I've actually found the 0560 to carry just a little more comfortably, despite it being longer. The 0560 is thinner overall, and the base of the handle (opposite end from the pivot) is narrower (less obtrusive at the opening of your pocket if mounted for tip-up carry).

Both knives are incredibly smooth. The 0560 features KVT bearings, but the 0550, with its bronze bushings, still flies open effortlessly after it's been worn in a bit. If you prefer flipper or thumbstud opening, that could be a factor, as the 0560 uses a flipper and 0550 uses thumbstuds.

Steel-wise, the 0560 does sport Elmax. Personally, I haven't really done anything with either my 0550 or 0560 that has shown one steel hold up where the other has failed. On the other hand, there was a batch of 0560s where the steel label was printed "EL MAX", which is kinda cool.
 
I'm in the minority because I think the black G10 scales on my Gen 2 0550 look awesome. I love the pattern.

To each his own I guess.
 
jon1all said:
Because the 0551 was the precursor to the 0550, I don't think they were still making the 0551 when the Gen2 updates came along (updates were to fix the detent problem by switching the lockbar cutout to face outwards... and also adding a deep carry pocket clip).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I've not had issues with the detent on my 0551, but I do prefer the deep carry pocket clip. It looks similar to the 0560/1's.

Anyway, back to the OP's question. You'll end up getting both the 0550 (or maybe even an 0551 if you look) AND 0560/1 at some point. It really is worth at least trying both knives.
 
Keep an eye on the exchange here as well. There have been a fair number of 0560/0561's just in the past week that are going from $180-$210!
 
jon1all,

Everyone here has great feedback. I personally have the 0550, 0560, and 0561 and I can't get enough of them all! As stated before, the 0560/1 has the great Elmax steel, and the 0550 has S35VN. However, I agree with some folks that it is tough to assume how well one would hold up against the other in certain situations. I haven't cut anything too deep or penetrated a substance too thick to REALLY know the difference. I keep the 0560 in a nice ZT zipper pouch and carry both the 0550 and the 0561. I've noticed the 0561 has kept a better edge than the 0550, but that could be that I use my knives for different things every day, and the days that I use one knife for certain uses could be way different than the next day with the other knife.

As for as the carrying goes in the pocket, I do (as well as flarp) find that the 0560/1 is a lot more comfortable to carry in the pocket than the 0550. Not only because of the 0560/1's weight to be much lighter than the 0550, but also because of the 3D-textured scale and titanium framelock-side being so smooth and "groovy".

For right now, I'm in deep love with my 0561 and have been carrying it everywhere nonstop. It's always in my pocket, even when I'm being lazy around the house. I constantly have to stop myself from flipping it open, because of the paranoid thought of wearing it down from all the opening and closing I can't seem to stop doing. Lol You'll probably end up like me, who asked exactly what you are asking, got the 0550, then the 0561, and finally the 0560 because there was so much love for them!!
 
I would love to buy both the 550 and 561, but that is just too much money for me to spend on my hobby. I absolutely love flipping the 561 and I love those brown scales too. The 551 is more pocketable and I love it's look too. It is easy to open for me right handed, but difficult for me left handed, however, at nearly $100 cheaper, it is one heck of a deal!
 
i love my 0550, but i really want a 0560, so start with one and if you still want the other save up and get a second one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top