Opinions on the ZT0561

I can't do anything, but agree with what everyone else has said. The knife is solid, smooth, good F&F, Kershaw makes revisions as necessary, and the company is great to deal with. With all that being said, I got rid of mine. The blade steel didn't seem heat treated hard enough to hold the edge that Elmax is known for. The other more minor issues was that I couldn't get my blade centered for crap.
 
The blade is 4mm thick, the lockup isn't very good on mine. There's noticeable vertical blade play due to the steep lock contact angle.
 
My 561 seems to be one of the smoothest opening/closing knives ive got,you can close it with motion,not even have to touch the blade. lockup is great,its so well worth the money....
 
HuntBomb said:
Alchemy1- what is it that made you think the elmax wasn't HT'd hard enough?
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My personal copy held an edge right around what I get from s30v. Elmax should do way better than that. The only flaw I could think of would be that the HT was not to optimal hardness. I think I read a few months ago that ZT was running the Elmax for this model in the high 50's. The ideal hardness is in the low 60's. Thus would explain the wear resistance I was seeing in my personal copy.
 
Alchemy1 said:
My personal copy held an edge right around what I get from s30v. Elmax should do way better than that. The only flaw I could think of would be that the HT was not to optimal hardness. I think I read a few months ago that ZT was running the Elmax for this model in the high 50's. The ideal hardness is in the low 60's. Thus would explain the wear resistance I was seeing in my personal copy.
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What angle where you using to sharpen the knife? What sharpening tools?
 
Wicked Edge 40° inclusive 100 grit-3.5 micron strops. The angle was verified using an angle cube.
 
Very strange. What serial was your ZT561, it's possible it may have been one of the earlier ZT's where the HT wasn't up up to par. Kershaw's target range is 58-62 HRC, which imho is quite crappy. They should have a target range with less than a 2 point HRC difference. Optimally 62 HRC.

Strops as in polishing tapes? Or are you actually using a leather strop loaded with compound?
I've found that stropping with a supple surface (leather strop) on a non micro bevel edge doesn't last as long. However from my understanding the tapes use a glass blank on the wicked edge.

So far my edge retention on my ZT561 is a fair bit better than S30v from cutting cardboard. (both knives set to 40 inclusive, using Ultra fine spyderco rods for honing.
 
I don't remember what serial number, but it was one of the earlier models. I agree. If that is the range, it is too broad. Besides, I hate to see good steel wasted.

I use the standard leather strops that come with the WE/WE strip kit(s). I have had good luck with everything else but this specific knife. I only owned one and like I said I know ZT works on improvements as they go from batch to batch...so I'm not trying to say my knife is the rule. It is more of the exception.
 
I have mine as being 3/32" at the thickest part near the tip and 1/16" where the spine thins out in the middle. Both of mine lock up at around 45% and are solid as a rock with no play in the blade no matter which way I push or pull it. They are my favorite blades that I have ever held and my dad liked them so much I ended up giving him one of them. Well worth the money and if there is ever a problem send it back and zt will fix it for you. They have excellent customer service.
 
Aias said:
The other thing is, it has become difficult to justify the purchase of another knife since picking-up the ZT--at least on the basis of need ;)
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I had the opposite problem. I bought my 0560, and loved it so much that I bought a 0550blk, and then a 0550 standard so that I didn't beat on the black one too much...
 
Knife came in yesterday and has graced my pocket since. Thinking my bias towards this type handle construction may be at the end, especially the way Kershaw builds 'em!:thumbup: Mine is serial #2395, and as far as I can tell is perfect. Blade is centered, opening silky smooth, lockup SOLID with 40% coverage, and even blade grinds that give it a razor sharp, hair-popping, edge! I would not have minded one bit if Kershaw had decided not to mill out the titanium handle, or cutouts on the steel liner as I like a little more weight in my larger knives. But this is the only "fault" I see in this knife, and really think I will enjoy carrying and using this knife.:thumbup::)
 
Some pics from my Galaxy, with a double stuffed oreo as the prop;:thumbup::);

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