My first $300 folder

And another. At it's price point, a ZT 560/561 is near impossible to beat. :thumbup:
 
I've fondled both the MT Whaleshark and ZT-0560/0561 at the same time locally. I bought a ZT-0561. It's quality/choice of components and fit & finish, compared to the Whaleshark, makes you wonder why it is less expensive than the Whaleshark! I also have history with both companies. My single MT example is my year old Ultratech OTF auto, which I hand picked from my dealer's stash. It works fine - gets very limited 'play time' - never gets carried. My ZT's, my first, an 0301, and a pair of 0551s, get plenty of use - and I liked the 0551s so well, buying a 0561 was assured. Not so fond of flippers, but the 0561 is exceptional.

BTW, a CRK small plain-Jane Sebenza has a blade length of just under three inches - the large is 3.63 inches - the same as the Whaleshark. Of course, $300 won't buy a used small plain Sebbie - new, they are $350 now - the large runs $410. The price is controlled - never discounted, although most dealers included s/h. Super quality knives... but about as plain looking as you can be. Wow... 15 and buying a $300 knife... I was over four times your age before I spent that much on a knife. Two questions come to mind... 1. How do you top that next year? 2. What if you lose the knife??

Best of luck!

Stainz
 
I like the whale shark got one just last week. Once you see all the small things microtech does to make the knife you appreciate it more. Go for the whale shark!
 
If you don't want smaller than 3.5" the small Sebenza will be to small, Look up some info on Microtech and the owner and see if it doesn't change your mind. As others have said try a ZT of some sort. I will say that I own a few CRK's and there great knives, in fact I just sent back a small sebenza yesterday b/c it was to small for me, I'm used to a Lrg Micarta 21 or a Para2 of some sort.
 
I also agree with the zt 561, if you can wait a little while on the purchase, I would recommend the spyderco brad southard flipper when it comes out, in cts-204p steel, and with the bearing system it will be hard to beat IMO.
 
Stainz said:
I've fondled both the MT Whaleshark and ZT-0560/0561 at the same time locally. I bought a ZT-0561. It's quality/choice of components and fit & finish, compared to the Whaleshark, makes you wonder why it is less expensive than the Whaleshark! I also have history with both companies. My single MT example is my year old Ultratech OTF auto, which I hand picked from my dealer's stash. It works fine - gets very limited 'play time' - never gets carried. My ZT's, my first, an 0301, and a pair of 0551s, get plenty of use - and I liked the 0551s so well, buying a 0561 was assured. Not so fond of flippers, but the 0561 is exceptional.

BTW, a CRK small plain-Jane Sebenza has a blade length of just under three inches - the large is 3.63 inches - the same as the Whaleshark. Of course, $300 won't buy a used small plain Sebbie - new, they are $350 now - the large runs $410. The price is controlled - never discounted, although most dealers included s/h. Super quality knives... but about as plain looking as you can be. Wow... 15 and buying a $300 knife... I was over four times your age before I spent that much on a knife. Two questions come to mind... 1. How do you top that next year? 2. What if you lose the knife??

Best of luck!

Stainz
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As far as losing it goes I for one am not going to carry it much, however when I do it will be very secure! And next year, I don't even wanna know my addiction started early lol, but then again I'd rather it be blades than cigarettes.
 
Buy what you like but also consider as you mature the flashy coolness of the flavor of the day will give way most likely. I'm not sure if the Whaleshark's lines will stand the test of time maybe maybe not. A knife like a Sebenza as an example most likely will even though they are not my thing I think it's a good example of a simple classic design.
At your age you also have to be careful about the "scary" nature of some of the designs you might want to carry . Unfortunately you live in a different time than what I did growing up and I'm only 37 having the police etc confiscate it would be horrible.

I think your best bet is not to go to flashy but buy a classic that 20 years from now you'll cherish and when you have a little more cash buy a few beater knives like the collaboration's that Kershaw/ZT Spyderco CRKT etc etc do with the big name designers. Once you really know what you like buy the next high dollar knife etc.
If you can hold out I think the Spyderco Southard flipper will be worth it but even I don't have that kind of patience.
A word of caution it's only downhill from here it starts with knives then next it will be Gun's, Car's and Trucks Boats and Women ..................
 
For that price range, I don't think you can beat the Zero Tolerance line. Just my opinion.

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mc556 said:
Buy what you like but also consider as you mature the flashy coolness of the flavor of the day will give way most likely. I'm not sure if the Whaleshark's lines will stand the test of time maybe maybe not. A knife like a Sebenza as an example most likely will even though they are not my thing I think it's a good example of a simple classic design.
At your age you also have to be careful about the "scary" nature of some of the designs you might want to carry . Unfortunately you live in a different time than what I did growing up and I'm only 37 having the police etc confiscate it would be horrible.

I think your best bet is not to go to flashy but buy a classic that 20 years from now you'll cherish and when you have a little more cash buy a few beater knives like the collaboration's that Kershaw/ZT Spyderco CRKT etc etc do with the big name designers. Once you really know what you like buy the next high dollar knife etc.
If you can hold out I think the Spyderco Southard flipper will be worth it but even I don't have that kind of patience.
A word of caution it's only downhill from here it starts with knives then next it will be Gun's, Car's and Trucks Boats and Women ..................
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Thanks! I think the whaleshark will do just fine standing tough, but I get your point, and as for carrying it and the flashy coolness of it, I believe that its more of an elegant than bad ass knife, and I don't plan on carrying it clipped to the pocket, unfortunately living in Massachusetts is horrible, the laws are very strict here and if I were to carry it clipped, the cops would confiscate it and I'd probably be stripped of my collection, that kinda sucks whn you're 15 and mature than most 19-20 year olds. But back to the whaleshark, I don't know man (this is gonna sound weird) but it just stands out to me haha, kinda like it was built to my interest if you know what I mean!

And the downhill part, well I guess I'll ride down the hill till I get to the bottom!
 
I handled the 560 and 550 and didn't care for either of them in the hand or the pocket. The 560 was too big and clunky for me. Now if the 550 came with the scale design of the 560 and had a flipper, perfection. As it is, if you want a nice flipper look at the HTM GunHammer. I also like the Whaleshark but went with a Select Fire instead. It's currently my favorite non-flipper knife. The Gunhammer is on my short list.
 
Let us know your thoughts for sure when it arrives, I myself find Microtechs to be a rather large disappointment for the money. Hopefully this one will fulfill your desires...Oh and by the way, Happy late birthday.
 
Kreamkaike said:
I don't know yet lol, if I don't like it I'll probably just send it back and pick up a 0550 or 0561

P.S. POWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER (Jeremy Clarkson is the man)
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While the Whaleshark felt a little unconventional in the hand it is a very smooth flipper and I am sjre I will end up with one, other things just keep popping up. I think you made a good choice.
 
If it were me, I'd save up a wee bit more and pick up a large Senenza.

It'll save you money in the long run. ;)
 
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