New ZT/Hinderer Flipper is Coming!!!0560/0561

I don't think the point of this project was for the knife to be a "game changer" or for it to blow Rick's XM's away. That's just silly, why would Rick even embark on a project intended to hurt sales of his XM's? Did anyone ever say this was supposed to be "head and shoulders" above the XM? Rick's knives are customs and mid-techs, and this is a production knife. People need to remember that. While many of Rick's custom pieces can go for $1000 or more, the 0561 made it into our hands for well under $300. I stand by my opinion that it is one of the finest production blades I've ever handled.

Also, not to nit pick, but how can you not notice a difference with the KVT bearings? I've opened many of Rick's XM flippers without bearings. Sure they open just fine, but the KVT adds a whole new level that I'm shocked you didn't notice. My 200 year old granny with arthritis could flip the 0561 just by looking at it. The bearings definitely bring a new and improved level of deployment!

You're entitled to your opinions, I guess mine are just different.

Enjoy your ZT!:thumbup:

tower2 said:
So, I also got mine today. No pix, it looks just like the others but it has serial #141. Now as to the comparison issue, I was really expecting the KVT to be a game changer. It is not, at least not on this knife. On a folder with a lighter blade, maybe. Compared with an XM, THERE IS NOT MUCH DIFFERENCE in the blade deployment. However, if we consider that this is a production knife which may not have someone testing the amount of friction on each piece, this knife clearly shows up as a remarkable value. At a mere $260, one can be somewhat cavalier about this knife being for hard use. It is a wonderful knife and a tremendous value, but it is NOT, I repeat IT IS NOT head and shoulders above the XM. It is probably as close as you will get to the XM, but it does not surpass it. The curved scale surfaces are very nice, but not too aggressive. I was anticipating more curvature. This is not a game-changer when compared to a flat scale. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE THIS KNIFE! And I am certainly looking forward to my 0560 mate for it. But, I will not be liquidating my XM collection any time soon. Again, much, much gratitude to Kershawguy for his diligence in following up with customer/friends.
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Yes, jonnymac, that is the point. If you had read this thread, you would realize that this argument was made by someone recently. Also, I suspect my manual dexterity is far better than your grandmother's and my XM collection is much,much bigger!
 
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tower2 said:
Yes, jonnymac, that is the point. If you had read this thread, you would realize that this argument was made by someone recently. Also, I suspect my manual dexterity is far better than your grandmother's and my XM collection is much,much bigger!
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I have followed this thread from day one and handled the first protos of the 0560/0561 back in June. I work a lot of hours and don't have time to read every single post, so I may have missed that argument. Even so, I don't necessarily agree. The granny comment was a joke, but I really think if you can't tell any difference in deployment with the KVT then something is wrong, either with your hand or the knife. I haven't held the knife that you received so I can't say for sure, I'm just really surprised you don't feel a difference. Every one I've opened was so effortless and smooth I was really impressed.
 
Tower & Jonny, Congrats brothers! We been following this from the beginning. It feels good we have them in our hands now. Group photo at blade! :D
PS this is the best production knife I have ever seen with the ZT 300 series and 550/551 behind it.

Also, for you guys waiting for some flipping action, I would highly recommend a 0200 to hold you over. It's overbuilt and flips fast. You will be pleased! I promise!
 
jonnymac44 said:
I don't think the point of this project was for the knife to be a "game changer" or for it to blow Rick's XM's away. That's just silly, why would Rick even embark on a project intended to hurt sales of his XM's? Did anyone ever say this was supposed to be "head and shoulders" above the XM? Rick's knives are customs and mid-techs, and this is a production knife. People need to remember that. While many of Rick's custom pieces can go for $1000 or more, the 0561 made it into our hands for well under $300. I stand by my opinion that it is one of the finest production blades I've ever handled.

Also, not to nit pick, but how can you not notice a difference with the KVT bearings? I've opened many of Rick's XM flippers without bearings. Sure they open just fine, but the KVT adds a whole new level that I'm shocked you didn't notice. My 200 year old granny with arthritis could flip the 0561 just by looking at it. The bearings definitely bring a new and improved level of deployment!

You're entitled to your opinions, I guess mine are just different.

Enjoy your ZT!:thumbup:
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jonnymac44 said:
I have followed this thread from day one and handled the first protos of the 0560/0561 back in June. I work a lot of hours and don't have time to read every single post, so I may have missed that argument. Even so, I don't necessarily agree. The granny comment was a joke, but I really think if you can't tell any difference in deployment with the KVT then something is wrong, either with your hand or the knife. I haven't held the knife that you received so I can't say for sure, I'm just really surprised you don't feel a difference. Every one I've opened was so effortless and smooth I was really impressed.
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JonnyMac is spot on with his posts. ;) Of course Rick Hinderer is going to give the buyers a "taste" of the XM-18/24 experience, in ergonomics, flipper opening, the whole look of the ZT 0560 series smacks of Rick's superb XM series of folders. I would correct one statement and that is - I've seen Rick's customs (prototypes) go for $4000.00 and production XM-24s for $1000 & over on a regular basis. They're hard to come by and they're built like tanks. Not that they weigh a ton but they're quite a bit heavier than the 05060/0561.

Now is Rick going to sell his secret sauce? No way. But let's see what KAI brought to the collaboration. The KVT technology makes these folders as fast as any A/Opener, they're made very well too. They aren't using all of the titanium that Rick uses and this saves money and makes for a more manageable weight too. I'll tell you that an XM-24 is a beast of a folder and the thick titanium stand-offs would probably support the corner as a mobile home.

The XM-18 & 24 do require an almost imperceptible roll or flick of the wrist to flip open at certain angles, whereas the bearing system and stiffer detent of the ZT make it fire open faster than h*ll. ZT framework or the body of the knife has been greatly decreased of weight through sacrificing some of the thickness in the ti (as I mentioned), liner & G-10.

So here you have a beautiful knife designed by a master maker and executed to near perfection in the ZT 0560/561. All for around $260. What's not to love about this knife? It isn't an XM and it sure as heck isn't the older boat anchor 0200/0300 series either.

Is it worth it? My goodness yes. Rick and Zero Tolerance have hit a grand slam on this knife. These new ZT folders are as good as they come. :thumbup: :D
 
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Followthehollow said:
Got my 0561. It was worth the wait.
It actually seems to fly open harder for me when using the thumb stud than the flipper
Everyone else has compared it to other ZTs and Hinderers so I'll put my Umnum and small seb in with it for comparison.
excuse the iphone photos.

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YOU SIR, ARE THE MAN!! I have been hoping somebody would have an Umnum to compare with the 56x. You made my day!
 
cziv said:
JonnyMac is spot on with his posts. ;) Of course Rick Hinderer is going to give the buyers a "taste" of the XM-18/24 experience, in ergonomics, flipper opening, the whole look of the ZT 0560 series smacks of Rick's superb XM series of folders. I would correct one statement and that is - I've seen Rick's customs (prototypes) go for $4000.00 and production XM-24s for $1000 & over on a regular basis. They're hard to come by and they're built like tanks. Not that they weigh a ton but they're quite a bit heavier than the 05060/0561.
Now is Rick going to sell his secret sauce? No way. But let's see what KAI brought to the collaboration. The KVT technology makes these folders as fast as any A/Opener, they're made very well too. They aren't using all of the titanium that Rick uses and this saves money and makes for a more manageable weight too. I'll tell you that an XM-24 is a beast of a folder and the thick titanium stand-offs would probably support the corner as a mobile home.

The XM-18 & 24 do require an almost imperceptible roll or flick of the wrist to flip open at certain angles, whereas the bearing system and stiffer detent of the ZT make it fire open faster than h*ll. ZT framework or the body of the knife has been greatly decreased of weight through sacrificing some of the thickness in the ti (as I mentioned), liner & G-10.

Is it worth it? My goodness yes. Rick and Zero Tolerance have hit a grand slam on this knife. The things that make Hinderer folding knives what they are - are some of the things that don't turn out so well for some of the knife buying market.

So here you have a beautiful knife designed by a master maker and executed to near perfection in the ZT 0560/561. All for around $260. What's not to love about this knife? It isn't an XM and it sure as heck isn't the older boat anchor 0200/0300 series either. These new ZT folders are as good as they come. :thumbup: :D
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What's not to love is that I don't have a 0561..yet
 
Woooohooooo! Just got an email from gpknives that my 560 order is "processing"!!!! Wow, been waiting for this since 6/16/11, just a few days now!!!
 
Question for Mr Hinderer or anyone else that might have an answer.

Will Hinderer knives be offering replacement scales for this one like the 0550? If so any ETA?

I'm in love with this knife and I'd like to be able to play dress up lol.

It's a bit big to supplant my small Seb as my work EDC (office job, the Seb doesn't raise eyebrows....I think this thing will.) but once I'm not working, the 0561 will be my constant companion from this point forward.
As much as I liked it, I let my 0551 go in anticipation of this one, so I can't fill the need with scales for that :(
 
0561 landed today and it is awesome. Mine has the laser cut lockbar and is number 0084. Not sure how I feel about the brown, but I'll have a 0560 by the end of the week so I can figure it out then. Nice job, ZT, Rick, & Dave. This was worth the wait. Bring on the carbon fiber!!!
 
kmj153 said:
YOU SIR, ARE THE MAN!! I have been hoping somebody would have an Umnum to compare with the 56x. You made my day!
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My pleasure sir, I figured it may be a needed comparison since in practice they fill similar roles.
I've only carried the 0561 for 1 day. It doesn't carry QUITE as easy as the Umnum(obviously) but the deep carry clip actually makes it a bit more inconspicuous. The 0561 falls somewhere between the Umnum and the tank 0300 in the ease of carry category.
As far as opening, the Umnum is smooth, almost hydraulic in its opening, but the combination of wet hands and the smooth studs does make for precarious deployment sometimes. The 0561 has no such issues and flies open with authority regardless if done by flipper or thumb stud
 
deal spotting

OOps.. didn't realize that I had violated the forum rules. Apologies!
 
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