DPX HEST 2.0 vs ZT 0550

RYP said:
who got booted? :))

Expert advice here...isn't always expert.

Enjoy your HEST and remember you have a life time, no questions asked warranty. We will be at Blade if you want to stop in and say hi.
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I don't mean to threadjack here, but I received my HEST folder 2.0 this week and I absolutely LOVE it! It is everything I thought/ hoped it would be. Thank you for a great product. It is the most I have ever spent on a knife, but was worth every cent. I now have the matched pair (fixed and folder) and couldn't be happier.
Also, I agree about all the "expert" opinions. As always, one must wade through them and apply the one's that you feel are closest to the truth, or at least the most reasonable.
 
I have some nice D2 knives - Benchmade Bone Collectors, for example. I also have a BM 710 that my wife gifted me in July several years ago in a condo at Alabama's Gulf Shores. The second day I had it - and it never went with me to walk on the beach - it developed a few nagging rust spots. I cannot get rid of them - they come back - as bad as a Plantars Wart on your foot's sole. Polish or use, as I just did, a pencil's eraser, and they fade away - for a while. It's just aggravating. I doubt 'German D2' is any more rust resistant than American D2. It just seems a proper knife should have a proper steel - an Italian knife could employ a good Austrian steel - like Bohler N690 or m390. I was predisposed to dislike the HEST - as I pre-judged the SR1 - and just for the steel blade choice.

This may be a bit like closing the gate after the prized animals have escaped... ie, a bit late, but here goes!

Today found me at our local knife emporium with my ZT-0551 to compare with the HEST, ZT-0560/561, and the new Spyderco/LionSteel monster. I did so with great earnest - and my reading glasses firmly in place. My ZT-0551 was the clear winner, if the next to shortest length edge. The HEST may really take up a bit less space in a pocket (I remove the clips from my knives.), but it felt similar in weight. My medium+ sized hands felt best with the ZT-0551, too. Except for the flipper, the ZT-0560/561 seemed like needless duplication as I have two ZT-0551s. The Spyderco/LionSteel was just strange - and every example was stiffer than the other knives to open/close. The Hest was the most difficult to retract - I really did wonder if it actually was a fixed blade! A second example behaved similarly. In all honesty, the HEST was the nearest sale to me today - but I just couldn't see it. Nothing wrong with Italian made products to me - I drove Alfa Romeos for over eleven years. I left sad - but just as poor as I arrived - and no more. I already have some nice knives - and my ZT-0551s are great examples... but that HEST isn't too shabby, either! Good luck!

Stainz
 
RYP said:
who got booted? :))

Expert advice here...isn't always expert.

Enjoy your HEST and remember you have a life time, no questions asked warranty. We will be at Blade if you want to stop in and say hi.
Click to expand...

Bwahahaha!!!! That was funnier than snot on my knife.:D
 
Well, I started this thread and have since had to take my HEST apart and ease the lockbar further over so that it locks up properly (removing the vertical blade-play that existed). I do really like my HEST but it was a bit disappointing to have to do this, especially as it has resulting in a loss of blade centreing. That said, I do get that in manufacturing there will be issues - some of them minor, some of them more significant.

I consider mine minor and won't be sending it in unless the 'rattle' comes back.

I do really like the size, materials and pocketability of this little folder. That said, I pick up my 0550 in a couple of weeks when I'm back Stateside (I did predict that I'd own both earlier on!). We'll see how they compare...

Cheers,

Ben
 
My 0550 comes in tomorrow. I chose that one of the two knives in question. My fingers are crossed. Nice review of both knives...in total.
Sonny
 
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I've got both. Both are comfortable in hand. In one weekend of use, cutting some sticks, the HEST developed vertical lock rock. Not a good sign for a Hostile Environment Survival Tool. Build quality of the 0551 is much better. Despite the thicker blade on the HEST, the lock up and steel, and everything else on the ZT seems better and feels better.
 
I was going to start a thread with the same questions so you beat me to it, thanks:)
I owned the Hest, the two versions of it.
The first one had all the problems this model became known for so i sent it in, to Italy mate, and they swapped the faulty one for a brand new 2.0 Hest.
I waited about a month for it because they were assemblying a new batch but i must say that the people there were extremely nice!
As soon as the new version arrived, flawless i must say, i quickly sold it to a happy camper on here that never experienced the issues of the original;)
I really liked the knife but i wasn't willing to give the knife another chance so that's why i sold it.
The ZT seems very nice indeed.
It wasn't a knife i liked at first but, like many, it kind of grew on me and i sometimes think about buying it.
However, like the OP, i'm afraid that it might be a bit too chunky in the pocket and for that reason i store it.
Also, like the OP, i would like to own a 3" ZT for my EDC.
The Cryo seems nice but i definetly would like to see a version of it with finer materials:)
ZT seems to be a great company with very appealing designs but the knives are often very big and heavy for EDC, specially, for a guy, like me, who carries a knife everyday but rarely uses it:)
Come on ZT, make a 3" tough as nails knife for EDC:D
 
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Hi mantzao,
From previous postings, I know that you have/had a beautiful selection of many of the knives that others lust over. The problem you face with ZT is that they are built so heavy-duty ON PURPOSE, and so end up having thick slabs of titanium or steel in the handle and another thick slab for the blade. After all, these knives "made their bones" by being able to pry apart several 2x4"s that were nailed or screwed together, WITHOUT resulting damage to the blade or to blade tightness. I've seen a number of YouTube videos that demonstrate just how tough ZT knives are.

I doubt whether ZT is likely to come up with a 3" that will be thin enough, in the handle, for you to be happy. It is more likely to be very "CHUNKY," rather like my BM 755 MPR, which I reserve for tasks like taking on invading spaceships. Even my "long" Spyderco Military (tough 4" blade) has only .450" thick handles, and carries like a dream. Perhaps you might have to take a look at their Kershaw line, brother to ZT, which includes many "gentleman's" knives, which will edc much more comfortably and may suit your purposes in a better fashion.
A favorite carry of many is the Kershaw Leek, for instance. I am another, like you, who carries daily but is easy on a knife, and I seldom will subject a knife to any duty that might damage it or stress the blade. So I find that my favorite EDC's are those with blades of 0.125" thickness, handle thickness about 0.450" and blade-lengths of 2.8-3.5" in length.
All of that being said, I'm anxious to receive my 0550, with handle-thickness of 0.570," in about one hour in the mailbox, and to check it out. You never know....
Sonny
 
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Peroni - hope your ZT fairs better than the Hest folder.

mantzao - maybe try a Mini Recon 1, it's the size you are wanting and very strong build, super smooth, etc. Have been carrying one behind my wallet when I don't feel like carrying a 4" blade.

6947521390_418eb613b4_z.jpg
 
Sonnydaze said:
Hi mantzao,
From previous postings, I know that you have/had a beautiful selection of many of the knives that others lust over. The problem you face with ZT is that they are built so heavy-duty ON PURPOSE, and so end up having thick slabs of titanium or steel in the handle and another thick slab for the blade. After all, these knives "made their bones" by being able to pry apart several 2x4"s that were nailed or screwed together, WITHOUT resulting damage to the blade or to blade tightness. I've seen a number of YouTube videos that demonstrate just how tough ZT knives are.

I doubt whether ZT is likely to come up with a 3" that will be thin enough, in the handle, for you to be happy. It is more likely to be very "CHUNKY," rather like my BM 755 MPR, which I reserve for tasks like taking on invading spaceships. Even my "long" Spyderco Military (tough 4" blade) has only .450" thick handles, and carries like a dream. Perhaps you might have to take a look at their Kershaw line, brother to ZT, which includes many "gentleman's" knives, which will edc much more comfortably and may suit your purposes in a better fashion.
A favorite carry of many is the Kershaw Leek, for instance. I am another, like you, who carries daily but is easy on a knife, and I seldom will subject a knife to any duty that might damage it or stress the blade. So I find that my favorite EDC's are those with blades of 0.125" thickness, handle thickness about 0.450" and blade-lengths of 2.8-3.5" in length.
All of that being said, I'm anxious to receive my 0550, with handle-thickness of 0.570," in about one hour in the mailbox, and to check it out. You never know....
Sonny
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Thank you for your words Sonny, i trully appreciate it friend.

Regarding ZT, i was somewhat expecting a reply like that:) but still i would like ZT to come up with something along the lines i described above. Just for a change:D
It is getting harder for me having a great but "too big" of a knife kept away in my storage case.
When i started collecting i only went for 3" knives but lately i found myself buying bigger ones.
They're more fun to play with:D
Despite being more fun i still don't carry anything bigger than 3" so that's why i never bought a ZT:(
 
Hi to Mantzao. Good to hear from you. Your collection of folders has always impressed me.

Just got my "new" trade 0550 in the mail. No pics yet. I love it. Handle thickness with custom MonkeyEdge blue frag scale is 0.565" which came with the knife. Blade movement and lockup is smooth, bank-vault tight. No blade play or blade rock, even when I torque it at the tip of the blade. Perfectly centered blade of 0.158" blade-stock. The swedge continues well up to the tip, and this knife is meant for heavy-duty work. Beautiful craftsmanship. I'm totally impressed with this knife.
Frankly, I love it.
Sonny
 
Mantzao. Have you tried the 0350? That's a 3.25" blade at about .125" thick. S30v or whatever's steel config you prefer. Open that up and take the torsion bar out and you get a smooth as silk manual flipper. I just did a review on it and it is amazing. Great great edc knife and not quite as chunky as a 055x series knife. May be just what the doctor ordered.
 
Hey guys,

Thanks for all the input on the tread. I think Mantzao we're on a similar mission regarding EDC's. I will also he picking up my first BM - the Mini Bone Collector with walnut scales. That said I actually love the lines of the 0550 and am really looking forward to getting mine.

I think my absolute ideal EDC length is actually 3.25 inches. I have a ZT0350 but I really dislike recurves so it doesn't get much pocket time but it is a great knife Pyaoliang.

I guess the reality is that we kind of love the on-going search for 'ideal'... ;)

Cheers,

Ben
 
Sonnydaze said:
Hi to Mantzao. Good to hear from you. Your collection of folders has always impressed me.

Just got my "new" trade 0550 in the mail. No pics yet. I love it. Handle thickness with custom MonkeyEdge blue frag scale is 0.565" which came with the knife. Blade movement and lockup is smooth, bank-vault tight. No blade play or blade rock, even when I torque it at the tip of the blade. Perfectly centered blade of 0.158" blade-stock. The swedge continues well up to the tip, and this knife is meant for heavy-duty work. Beautiful craftsmanship. I'm totally impressed with this knife.
Frankly, I love it.
Sonny
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Thank you Sonny:)
I'm really glad you like your 0550 mate.
I bet it really is a nice one;)

Pyaoliang said:
Mantzao. Have you tried the 0350? That's a 3.25" blade at about .125" thick. S30v or whatever's steel config you prefer. Open that up and take the torsion bar out and you get a smooth as silk manual flipper. I just did a review on it and it is amazing. Great great edc knife and not quite as chunky as a 055x series knife. May be just what the doctor ordered.
Click to expand...

I never tried the 0350 but it was the closest i was willing to buy from ZT.
I like the thing overall and the possibility of turning it into a manual is the thing that excites me the most!
Be sure to know that i'll watch your video review as i do all your vids mate!
I happily have subscribed your channel a while ago mate;)

Peroni1973 said:
Hey guys,

Thanks for all the input on the tread. I think Mantzao we're on a similar mission regarding EDC's. I will also he picking up my first BM - the Mini Bone Collector with walnut scales. That said I actually love the lines of the 0550 and am really looking forward to getting mine.

I think my absolute ideal EDC length is actually 3.25 inches. I have a ZT0350 but I really dislike recurves so it doesn't get much pocket time but it is a great knife Pyaoliang.

I guess the reality is that we kind of love the on-going search for 'ideal'... ;)

Cheers,

Ben
Click to expand...

I think i found my ideal EDC a few months ago when i bought my small 21 Insingo!
It has been my favourite for a while now and it has even put my 3" XM-18 in storage!
However, despite having owned most of the so called "best production folders" out there, i never handled a ZT so that's why i'm curious about it:)

Oh, OrdnanceBubbaUSMC, i may try that one someday;)
I bought a Cold Steel American Lawman a few weeks ago and i like it.
It's doesn't have the best f&f but it's really tough and i really like that.

If you guys want to know, i'm sure most don't :D but one of the best and toughest 3" knives i ever had was the Lone Wolf Blackfoot!
It was a great folder with all the requirements i appreciate.
I deeply regret trading mine:(
If someone out there has one and is willing to sell at a fair price i am willing to negotiate:)
 
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As I said earlier, my 0550 came in today's mail, and I'm delighted. Yes, it's pretty big and it's pretty heavy, but I really like it. The nice fellow I traded with threw in the blue MonkeyEdge scale which you see here. I have the black also, but will need some tools if I am to change to the black. I do like the blue and may keep it as is.
The lockup is bankvault. Perfectly centered blade. I really am impressed with this knife. I've not had anything that was this heavy-duty in the past, but this will deinitely fit nicely into my EDC lineup.
Here are some pics. I hope you enjoy them.
Sonny

05505.jpg


05504.jpg


05503.jpg


05502.jpg


05501.jpg
 
Looks great and I really like the blue scale. A bit different to black G10 (again!).

Enjoy your new 0550!

Ben
 
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