looking to buy my first kershaw/zt

buckmaster96

buckmaster96

Joined
Jan 6, 2012
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794
Ok so I am looking to pick up my first kershaw or zt of any kind. However I also want it to be my first hight end production folder. I am really liking the looks of the 56x but is the difference between it and the 55x series enought to warrant the 50 dollar higher price. I want a frame lock but may be changed if the 200 is THAT good. Also does anyone know the price on the composite model. I am looking at a budget around 200$ but it can be changed by a bit if the 56x is that good or the composite is around 300.

P.s. it is all thomas w.'s fault for me wanting to buy my first kershaw around the time I was looking at high end production folders because of his excellent c.s. THANKS THOMAS
 
The ZT 0550 and 0560 are both great knives. Tanks of knives and quite well built. Can't go wrong with either. If your interested, I can help you out in the 0550 area :)
 
The 0200, 0560 and 0550 are all great choices. I just bought a 0551 and it will be in my hands tommorrow, but I have a 0200 and its a great knife. I love the ergos of the handle and the size of it. Great knife for the $$
 
i know i am going to catch some flak for this, but i actually like my 0550 better than my 0560 for EDC. please realize that this is in no way a knock on the 0560 because i absolutely love it as well, but i really wish i could take the best features from both and put them together. having the pocket clip, flipper, and kvt from the 0560 in the size/shape of the 0550 would be absolutely perfect. :D

and yes, THOMAS IS THE MAN! if it weren't for his generosity, i wouldn't have a 0560 to compare my 0550 to. :thumbup:
 
Just a heads up on the 0560 composite, it is a limited edition that is highly sought after. Chances of obtaining one is slim.
 
solidorange said:
i know i am going to catch some flak for this, but i actually like my 0550 better than my 0560 for EDC. please realize that this is in no way a knock on the 0560 because i absolutely love it as well, but i really wish i could take the best features from both and put them together. having the pocket clip, flipper, and kvt from the 0560 in the size/shape of the 0550 would be absolutely perfect. :D

and yes, THOMAS IS THE MAN! if it weren't for his generosity, i wouldn't have a 0560 to compare my 0550 to. :thumbup:
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You know I can take that 560 off your hands:D

No seriously
 
I bought my 560 last week from Viper and LOVE it! I do not have a 550 to compare it too but i love the flipper. For that $50 difference you get the flipper, kvt, deep carry pocket clip, and ELMAX vs S35VN. This knife is awesome and beefier than I thought
 
solidorange said:
i know i am going to catch some flak for this, but i actually like my 0550 better than my 0560 for EDC. please realize that this is in no way a knock on the 0560 because i absolutely love it as well, but i really wish i could take the best features from both and put them together. having the pocket clip, flipper, and kvt from the 0560 in the size/shape of the 0550 would be absolutely perfect. :D

and yes, THOMAS IS THE MAN! if it weren't for his generosity, i wouldn't have a 0560 to compare my 0550 to. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

You won't get any flack from me. I totally agree with you on this one. The 055X feels better and fits my hand more comfortably. I would love the KVT and flipper on my 0551. Both are great knives, tough decision.
 
Buy both, 0550 and 0560, keep the one you like more and sell the other. (but good luck on that, I try it and keep both).
 
Since you guys always mention 0560 and not 0561, is the black handle a beter colour for the knife?
or is this just preference? i ask bec i have to order them online here in EU and cant handle them myself! Thanks!
 
iTz Schmiedy said:
Since you guys always mention 0560 and not 0561, is the black handle a beter colour for the knife?
or is this just preference? i ask bec i have to order them online here in EU and cant handle them myself! Thanks!
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There is no difference in how they feel in the hand, the color doesn't effect the knife physically.
 
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If you want a ZT for your collection, pick the one you like the most. If you want to use it, I suggest you the 0200:
1) Less expensive
2) Strong liners, better than the titanium frame of the 300, in my opinion
3) Thinner tip (I'm still comparing it to the 300; I don't own a 550): it works better if you need to perform precise cuts, but it's a very strong tip anyway.
4) It's slightly lighter
5) Looks better ;)

The 0200 is a great knife, I love it.
 
I love my Skyline so the forum knife is a good choice especialy with the FFG blade and better steel. My Skyline has been kicked out of my pocket for the time being by a ZT0300. I really like the 0300 but not so much the blade shape I really am looking at the 0560 it has all the things I like about the 0300 but a nicer blade shape for me and a better steel.
 
Viper715 said:
I love my Skyline so the forum knife is a good choice especialy with the FFG blade and better steel. My Skyline has been kicked out of my pocket for the time being by a ZT0300. I really like the 0300 but not so much the blade shape I really am looking at the 0560 it has all the things I like about the 0300 but a nicer blade shape for me and a better steel.
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I bought a regular skyline just cause I can't wait for the forum version!!
 
I love my Kershaw Blur as well as my ZT 0560. The only problem is if I handle the Blur right after handling the 0560 it makes the Bulr feel like it's a little toy lol
 
solidorange said:
i know i am going to catch some flak for this, but i actually like my 0550 better than my 0560 for EDC. please realize that this is in no way a knock on the 0560 because i absolutely love it as well, but i really wish i could take the best features from both and put them together. having the pocket clip, flipper, and kvt from the 0560 in the size/shape of the 0550 would be absolutely perfect. :D
Click to expand...

To a large extent I totally agree with you, although I won't say that I like my 550 better than the 560. I am just surprised, having both of them now, that I do not like the 560 more than the 550 to a greater extent, I guess. They are just two completely different types of knives, IMO. Even as tough as I know the 560 is, it just doesn't feel like the tank of a knife that the 550 does. And to be honest, comparing the two in certain uses, the 550 is handier. The flipper of the 560 is its trademark, practically, and essential to the overall feel and aesthetics of the knife. But in some of my usage, it has gotten in the way. But... oooooo.... when you flip that 560, the feel is unlike any other knife I've ever had. The first time I opened it, I was SHOCKED at how smooth it was. the KVT system, if that is what you call it, is just amazing.

Bottom line, the 560 was difficult for me to find, but I'm glad I did. But, looking back now, if I had only been able to find the 550, I would still have been quite well off and content. And NO, NO ONE is getting my 560.

I'd take either of them, or the 300, over the 200 or 350, simply because I like a titanium frame-lock over a liner-lock. I have a problem with liner-locks: I don't trust them.
 
I do agree with some, the 550 and the 560 to an extent are different beasts. Its like comparing Arnold S. [550 imo] vs Slyvestor Stallone. [560].

The 550 is nice, great size [a more legal size in mind], very compact - like a brick, tough, and in this regard a real tank. Thick blade, thick handles, solid lock up. Some have issues with flicking it with the thumbstud, but it does get easier after time.

The 560 is a sensational experience. It feels great flipping and letting close [as well as sounds great :p], the handles are machined amazingly [much preferred vs the dgg strider handles for me - the dgg is a bit too rough and the 560 is a perfect medium imo] - not to mention the contouring helps fill in the gaps in the palm for me. It has harsher jimping on the lock + top for most, but I am fine with the roughness. It allows calluses to form and it doesn't hurt any more for me :p plus they soften over time. Super smooth and quick, solid lock up great blade geometry. It is "thinner" than the aforementioned, and skeletonized to an amazing extent, and with amazing balance.

To better answer your question, answer these questions for yourself.

What is the knife for? regular edc? harder use edc?
Are you comfortable with carrying a blade length of the 560 size vs the 550? [ex. do you feel comfortable knowing it may or may not be legal to carry]
Do you want a flipper + thumbstud, or just a thumbstud?
Do you prefer to have a quick deployment with flipper and thumbstud? Or a quick strong flick of the thumb + controlled opening?
Do you want a base heavy knife [550, compact weight] or do you want a more balanced knife weight wise?
What kind of blade thickness do you prefer? One is thinner, slightly better slicer imo, while the other can be used for a bit more work.

If you notice, those questions are one or the other [550 or the 560] see how they total :p And feel free to add questions.
 
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Just to let the OP know the difference in blade thickness is...0560, .155in and 0550 .156in. Not really a difference that one can detect and wouldn't make a performance difference.

Disclaimer:
Assuming my sources are correct.
 
The 0200 is a fine knife, though it doesn't really matter which one you get first as you'll want the others too after handling your first one! ZT is addicting, great quality,great designs and modern materials you will want many....
 
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