Kershaw/ZT new knives

Z

Zizworth

Joined
Jun 4, 2012
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So I need to plan financially if I'm going to be able to get any nice new toys this year, and ZT/Kershaw really messed with my plans on being conservative with their new lineup, so the question is thus:

Do I get the 0550 now, or wait and get the 0566?

I have the money ready for the 0550, but I really like the look of the 566. I've never handled the 0550, but I recently got a 0561 that is by far my favorite knife, so I'm wondering what you guys think, because I'm so stuck on the fence here and I just want to have a plan so I can stop thinking of them both as near-future options.

Thanks in advance!
 
ZT550. If you enjoy seriously beefy knives with great ergos and quality materials, it's hard to beat.
 
I didn't see any mention of the Kershaw CF Blur in CPM-154. I'm not sure how I feel about that...
 
Thanks for the replies, guys.

I have a regular 0200, and honestly I can only justify carrying it if I'm going hiking or doing yard work. The 0560 is pretty much the same size, but the clip and weight make it feel like a much smaller knife in the pocket.

And now to burn all my bridges, I have an s30v blur that I just never warmed up to. It's well built, no play, stays sharp, but I just don't like it that much. I deassisted it and convexed the edge, and I thought it was really cool until I noticed it opened in my pocket if I moved around enough, so I put the torsion bar back in and it stays in the drawer, so I think the CF Blur is out.

I think I'll buy the 0550, clearly it can't be a bad choice. I'm still fairly new to KAI, but you said that I would have a lot of time to save for say the 801. Does that mean ~6 months, or more like a year or more?
Thanks again guys.
 
Seems to me that the 0550 and 0566 are very similar. The 0566 will be assisted, will be a fraction shorter than the 0550. If you have the 0561 already then size wise you might prefer the 0566 because it is less similar to the 0561. You also have to decide if you prefer assisted or manual, but mostly you will have to decide if you want to buy now or wait a long time. You might buy the 0550 now and when you 0566 is available you could decide to sell the 0550 and buy the 0566, or you might have decided that you like the 0550 and want to keep it.
 
Zizworth said:
So I need to plan financially if I'm going to be able to get any nice new toys this year, and ZT/Kershaw really messed with my plans on being conservative with their new lineup
Click to expand...

Coming here and wanting to be financially conservative... I wish you luck with that. ;)

The 0550 is pretty nice and actually feels lighter and slimmer than it is (which is a plus in my book). It is quite a bit smaller than the 0200 (some pics below for reference). It is still a pretty big knife though, compared to, say, the Blur. I carried the 0550 daily for the last few months of 2012 to try to get a feel for it. It handles great - very comfortable in hand, tank-like feel as you'd expect from ZT, and the S35VN held up great (was my first experience with that particular steel).

It is still a big knife though. My preferences have been leaning more towards easier to carry ones (slimmer and lighter). You might consider giving the Blur another try. With the torsion bar in, it should stay closed pretty well. Or, you could try bending the lockbar in a little to strengthen the detent.

ZT0200_0550_open_800x408.jpg


ZT0200_0550_closed_800x488.jpg


ZT0200_0550_thickness_800x471.jpg


Blur_ZT0550_open_800x412.jpg


Blur_ZT0550_closed_800x515.jpg


Blur_ZT0550_thickness_800x434.jpg
 
Zizworth said:
So I need to plan financially if I'm going to be able to get any nice new toys this year, and ZT/Kershaw really messed with my plans on being conservative with their new lineup, so the question is thus:

Do I get the 0550 now, or wait and get the 0566?

I have the money ready for the 0550, but I really like the look of the 566. I've never handled the 0550, but I recently got a 0561 that is by far my favorite knife, so I'm wondering what you guys think, because I'm so stuck on the fence here and I just want to have a plan so I can stop thinking of them both as near-future options.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

My solution: eat 2 lbs of mild cheddar. But I'm seriously leaning toward the 550

It's a little fat but its better for whackamole.
 
Yea I guess if you ate sharp cheddar instead, it means you are just asking to get cut.:D i know I know...that was terrible. :foot:
 
I'm going to put in another recommendation for the 0550 and personally find that the BLK version's contrast between blade and frame to be damn sexy.

ZT0550BLK.png
 
Another vote here for the 550. I have both the 550 and blur, but prefer the 550 for edc. I personally like the weight and size. Try out the 550 now cause you've a while to wait on the new ZT lineup. I guarantee you will like it.
 
Well, you can buy the genuine Rick Hinderer scales for the 550 like... now. I'm thinking... blue?

Update: Just checked. Looks like they're only for the 1st Gen.

Update 2: But if I recall correctly you *can* install the deep pocket clip on the 1st Gen scales. Or you can just wait until Rick starts making the new scales.
 
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