Owners of both ZT030X and ZT056X..

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nilfire77

Joined
Jan 16, 2012
Messages
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I've owned a 0560 and recently acquired a 0300.. I realised that the F&F of the 0300 far exceeds that of my old 0560. In the hand, the 0300 also feels more confidence inspiring than the 0560, giving me a feeling that the 0300 is a lot more knife for the money compared to the 0560. Any of you owners experience the same thing?
 
Opposite story for me. The 0561 seems to have better f&f and quality than my 302.
 
IMHO, the 0560 is a better knife overall than the 030x series, mainly due to the weight, blade style and the smooth KVT pivot system. My 0300 fit my hand perfectly and I definitely loved the solid feel of the knife but my 0560 fits me just as good and feels just as solid but at a much lighter weight. And while I have nothing against S30V(one of my favs), the Elmax steel is just an awesome performer. When it comes to the assisted opening on the 0300, I admit that it's a perk but I'm glad that I don't have to concern myself with the possibility of the spring breaking(although KAI provides free replacements) on my 0560.

Not to mention, the only knife I own that is just as smooth as the KVT pivot on the 0560 is my Sebenza. :D

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Thanks, I got this one from Peter r(a member here at BF) and was lucky that he forgot that he had it because, otherwise, I would have had to wait until after the Blade show for him to make me one. :D
 
Shadow213 said:
Thanks, I got this one from Peter r(a member here at BF) and was lucky that he forgot that he had it because, otherwise, I would have had to wait until after the Blade show for him to make me one. :D
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I just recently tried to contact him, and the response I got was "im pretty much done for now with scales. try barry h."
 
I have both the 0301 and the 0560. The fit and finish on both are on par with my higher end folders and I like both designs equally well. The differentiating factor will probably be blade steel. I have a lot of experience with S30V and it's one of my favorite blade steels. It's only negative is that it's difficult to sharpen. At least it was when I convexed the edge the first time. The 0560 is my first knife with Elmax. So far I'm impressed with its performance, but I haven't had to sharpen it yet.
 
I think the reason why some feel the 0560 isnt as stout a sturdy as a 0300 is due to the extreme weight differences. The 0560 with the skeletonizing is ultra lightweight for its size. But im not positive in the 0560's case but many times removing material actually increases the strength of an item. Like an I beam vs. a solid bar. Or a hollow pipe vs a solid pipe. The 0300 is without a doubt probably one of if not the most overbuilt production folders in existence. The torture tests on those knives are incredible. But I think even if the 0560 doesnt live up to those standards it still is a very capable knife that will hold up incredibly well for its intended purpose which is to cut things. I however bought a 0560 and felt I no longer needed a 0300. Now if they were to ditch the assist on the 0300 and give it a KVT variation well id be all in on that.
 
I have a 561, 0301, and a 0300. They're all great knives! The 030X is a knife that can do just about anything. I'd rather have a 030X with me and be ready

for anything, not that I need it most of the time. I like the weight of my 561, but I like the feel of a heavier knife. I like big heavy knives. There are more

things I like about the 030X than I do about the 561. I could ramble on a Lot more but I won't.
 
I didn't like the assisted opening on the 30x series because it seemed lazy compared to other AO's.
It was also really heavy/bulky and I'm not a huge fan of recurve blades.
The 560, however, touches every base IMO. It is a huge folder, but the fact that it's lighter in weight makes it more edc-able. And the KVT system makes opening a pleasure.
All the complaining about the 56x is probably due to the fact that everyone has been impatiently waiting for about a year for its debut, which created great anticipation for a flawless production folder. Thus, minor issues led to frustrated rants.
I can't wait for a 3" version of the 560 to surface.
 
Presumed_Lost said:
I just recently tried to contact him, and the response I got was "im pretty much done for now with scales. try barry h."
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From what he told me, and before he remembered that he had this scale, he was/is very busy in preparation for the Blade show. At some point after the show, he said he could get back to me on making a scale for me. I got lucky that he remembered about this one that was ready to go.
 
Shadow213 said:
From what he told me, and before he remembered that he had this scale, he was/is very busy in preparation for the Blade show. At some point after the show, he said he could get back to me on making a scale for me. I got lucky that he remembered about this one that was ready to go.
Click to expand...

I was in no hurry and said so, months would have been do-able. Didn't sound to me like that door was open, but that's the entire response, anyone's guess is as good as mine.
 
I have both the 0301, and 0560, and think the fit, and finish is pretty equal. I like the 0560 a bit more due mostly to the blade shape (no recurve), and just overall design. Being a bit thinner and lighter is nice, but the 0301 doesn't seem heavy in my pocket either. I find them both a joy to carry, and they make nice book ends for my 0551. :)

I just like the Hinderer designs a bit better than the Strider/Onion collab.
 
To try to compare the ZT 0300 series with the ZT 0560 and 0561 is like comparing apples to oranges, both fruits grow on trees and with the knives they are both made by the same company and that is close as comparision as you get. Yes Fit and finish are well executed, however the design, materials, and everything about them are different. If you like a heavy AO recurve with coated finish the 0300 series is for you. If you like the Hinderer flipper lightweight style with striaght Elmax blade the 056X is the way to go. I'm just so glade that ZT gives us such a variety to choose from!
 
Several years ago, I started my ZT experience with a 0301 -WOW! Last year, I added a 0551... then, when the 0560/1 hit the store - I added a second 0551 - the 0560/1's at the store just didn't seem worth the extra moola. Earlier this year, I gave in - and bought a 0561. The 0301 is great - but it's a moose (see below), albeit a polite one, as to it's assisted openning. S30V is a known quantity - ElMax is pretty new here. Still, it's been great on that first 0551, which gets more EDC than all of my other ZT's combined.Still, I had to have a 0560/1 - and opted for the 0561, as I had secretly always wanted the 0302 instead of my 0301. I was impressed - just not 'blown away', like I was with the 0301 or 0551. It is growing on me - but the 0551 still rides in my back pocket almost every day.

Here is my ZT collection, less my backup 0551 and including the K'shaw Tilt! that my wife presented me with several weeks back:

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I am a blessed man to afford such a collection. If I could only keep one ZT as an example of their production, I suppose it would be my first one - my 0301.It is my idea of a ZT knife. As to the greatest utility - I'd likely keep the 0551.

Stainz
 
I briefly handled a 0560 a little while back and I was immediately impressed with the KVT system. Now that I own a 0560 it is the least favored of the ZT's that I have/had. The 0560 flips like a dream thanks to the KVT system and I like it's blade shape and size. I would not chose one knife over another based on Elmax instead of S30V as I have not seen a big real world difference...yes Elmax is better but S30V is no slouch so I'd be more concerned with RC, grind, stock thickness etc. I agree with the OP regarding the ZT030X feeling more confidence inspiring than the 0560. The 0560 flexes in my hand where as the ZT030X is solid which gives it a bank vault quality. Perhaps a Ti scale would solve the problem but personally I think it shouldn't have everything hollowed out as the knife is thin enough to be a respectable weight with out this. The F&F on the 0560 is also disappointing because with its non chamfered external edges, sharp jimping and burred internal edges I liken it to holding a piece of broken glass. That's a bit of an exaggeration but if you then pick up a 055X or 030X they feel much nicer in the hand. Not because of personal handle shape preference but because of attention to these details or maybe just because they are thicker so these issues are more pronounced on thinner scales. The 0560 has the best handle shape of all the ZT's but the 055X is my personal favorite. What I need is a 0560 fatty...full Ti scales that are 055X thick, textured and stonewashed on both sides (clip too) with minimal hollowing (none on the lockbar) and less aggressive jimping...that would be sweet! I'm not a big flipper lover but I'd like one that I could be happy with and I hoped the 0560 would be that one but I don't love it. I'd say an XM flipper is in my near future.
 
I have both a 0560 and a 0300. Plus I did have a 0301 that I have traded off. I like both platforms. But for different reasons. For hard core tough cutting I have been using my 0300, and I love the way it fits my hand. The blade and handle on the 030# series just inspires confidence and works hard. The 0560, on the other hand is more svelt. It is more stream lined and light weight. It is a bit easier to carry. And it is fun to flip. The blade cuts well. And I have used mine extensively in the garden. I am not a great sharpener on the Elmax steel though. When I tried sharpening it I didnt do so well. I am not sure if its my Lansky, or me just needing to learn more about sharpening Elmax. I am able to sharpen my other blades acceptably to me. But the Elmax gave me fits. But I will learn it.
 
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