How smooth and pleasing is the deployment on the ZT0550 gen 3?

Dadpool

Dadpool

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I'm considering buying a ZT0550 (3rd generation), and I'm curious just how good the deployment is.

I've played with the 0562 and 0456, and both of them had amazing deployment. (On my two examples, the 456 was better, but only just). On the non-ZT front, the best non-flipper deployment I've personally experience was on my full-size Benchmade Griptilian, which was smooth and beautiful.

I prefer flippers, but the ZT0550 ticks a lot of other boxes for me -- if the deployment is really, really good, that might put it over.

If you own a ZT0550, particularly if it's a gen 3, how do you like its deployment?
 
I only have the 1st Gen, but it opens so smooth, like a over-size Rat 1, and did so right out of the box. I can only imagine they've only gotten better
 
Dadpool said:
I'm considering buying a ZT0550 (3rd generation), and I'm curious just how good the deployment is.

I've played with the 0562 and 0456, and both of them had amazing deployment. (On my two examples, the 456 was better, but only just). On the non-ZT front, the best non-flipper deployment I've personally experience was on my full-size Benchmade Griptilian, which was smooth and beautiful.

I prefer flippers, but the ZT0550 ticks a lot of other boxes for me -- if the deployment is really, really good, that might put it over.

If you own a ZT0550, particularly if it's a gen 3, how do you like its deployment?
Click to expand...

My ZT 0550 gen 3 is as smooth as the ZT 0456, which I also own.
 
Once you break them in they are extremely smooth. I enjoy the action on my 0550 as much as my genuine Hinderers.
 
I've seen some 0550s with amazing action and some not so much. When I first got my gen 3 0550 I HATED it. The detent was absurdly strong. So strong, I would open it two-handed rather than fight the thumb studs.

The thing is, that knife feels really good in hand. So, I gave it some serious couch time; opening and closing it hundreds of times. Polishing the washers and adding generous amounts of lube. The detent finally gave in and I could pop it open like a normal human being.

Now it's become one of my smoothest knives. Once unlocked, the blade will fall closed under its own weight with the slightest jiggle. Deployment is crisp and fast. It fires noticeably faster than my 0561 and has a similar snap to my 0562.
 
Both of my 550 are smooth to open and there are no sticking on the lock . The only problem with the 550 there is a learning curve . The 550 does not open as easily as a Benchmade. You need to learn how to open the knife . My brother inlaw tried to open one and he couldn't he opened my Benchmade with ease . They do have a strong detent but that has nothing to do with how it open . The way they are designed you have to push away the stud not go straight up with the stud . If you go up with the stud it will never open .
 
I have a Gen 3 ZT 0550 and it is my smoothest knife.
The one I have is smoother than my CR small insingo sebenza....

I can only recommend it.

Shall the ZT 0550 have a thinner frame lock side (more like the ZT 0562 has) it will be more pocket friendly and lighter but still an excellent knife.

I am waiting the end of year to get a large inkosi and to compare both :)
 
Thank you all! That's what I was hoping to hear.

I've encountered learning curves for deployment on other knives, and while I'd prefer an effortless, no-thought deployment, a good payoff -- great knife, smooth action -- sounds like it's worth putting in the time.

Thanks again! :thumbup:
 
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