Reccomendation needed for EDC. Thinking of a Zero Tolerance

B

Bennett Richards

Joined
May 22, 2000
Messages
185
Hi,

I am thinking of a a good EDC folder. I have a ZR=T 301 which I love but it's too much of a beast for EDC. I do like the frame rather than a liner lock design. I was looking at the 0566CF, the 560 or 550.
I was wondering if I could get your thoughts ?

I want to carry this all the time for an all purpose knife and/or defense.

You guys know so much about designs and materials and I value your opinion....

Thanks.
 
I have the 0562, 0566, 0350
Love them both but the 566 is the best value and size for everyday carry. The clip I did not like as it had to much flex and did not grab my pockets as I would have liked. But at the lower price of this model, I think one would have room for aftermarket clip.
The 550 is a tank.
Carbon looks nice but little on the slippy side but should be ok since its only one slab.
My vote out of your choices would be 556 but in g10. My only gripe is the clip is a little weak for Zt, as others I have are solid.
I liked the elmax and really never used my s30v. M390 would be nice but have not tried yet.
 
I think the 0566 makes a great EDC knife. Not too small, not too big, and even better with CF and M390. (although I think that particular version is currently sold out)
 
I would recommend the Spyderco Gayle Bradley 2... One of the best working knives EVAR!

If the no guard issue bothers you, then the 0452
 
I just got my zt 0566cfm390 from GPknives and it is a great edc for me.They had it in stock and at a really good price-159.99 on friday.
 
I'm very pleased with my regular ZT 0566 with G-10 scales. About as big as I want to own in a pocket knife, very ergonomic and feels sturdy enough.

For a lighter and slimmer carry with a (for me) better blade shape, there's the 0770CF. It is a liner lock but that makes it even lighter since you have CF on both sides (rather than just on the front like a framelock).

Those are the only two ZTs I own so I can't comment on other models.
 
Not to muddy the waters......but I have a 450, 452 and a 562. Got them all from Scott at usamadeblade already anodized and all 3 are amazing!!
Best for EDC are the 450....3" blade but cuts beautifully and flips great....and the 562. Mine is CF. Beefier than the 450 and is a beast!
452 is my favorite, little large for EDC tho.
Good luck!!
Joe
 
If the 301 is too big then you aren't going to like the 560 either. It's about as large in the pocket as the 300. It's a large knife. I think the 0562 would be perfect. It's an awesome knife. A bit bigger than the 566 and not assisted, which is a huge plus for me. It is extremely quick opening when flipped. And it cuts great.
Also check out the 620/630 out. They're pretty great as well.
 
I've carried a 0561 and found it to be awkward for EDC use. It's just not the right size or shape for most everyday cutting tasks.

I strongly recommend the 0808 and 0801 for EDC, and the 0350 if you might like a scaled-down 0301. Additionally, if you want the knife to be longer but not quite as cumbersome, look at the 0452CF. It's like a folding filet knife, but is agile enough for most tasks.

The 0566 is also a good option, but is fairly heavy for the size given that it has a steel frame as opposed to a lighter Ti frame on more expensive models. The 0770CF is also an exceptional EDC knife, and is very light and versatile.
 
You can not go wrong with any ZT. Which one to get really depends a lot on preference. I have EDC'd almost every ZT knife and have to say my favorites are the 562CF, 801, and 630. Every person here who has chimed in about their ZT or another ZT, I pretty much agree with everything they have said. I always suggest to customers to get what is most appealing to you. If you get what you visually like in a ZT you will be happy, because all their knives are awesome!
 
Depends on what you want from your EDC. Is weight a concern? Blade length, shape and blade steel a concern? What will you mainly use it for?

550 is a tank, but it is a manual folder knife no high tech stuff here just plain big bronze washers on both sides of the blade. Nothing wrong with that as my Gen 2 and Gen 3 are smooth as heck and the blade deploys fast. Its a tad on the chubby side as in it is a THICK knife and its not light either so I tend not to carry it that often due to the size and weight. Blade design is basically short of a sharpened prybar, not a very good cutter but the s35vn can get quite sharp.

560 is a HUGE tank, rocks KVT ball bearings so its very smooth opening and closing. Rocks a flipper so deployment is easy via a flick of the finger also has very nice 3d machining on the lock side. Unless you like carrying something this large daily I don't suggest it, its not only heavy but thick as well. This is deff a burly mans knife, IMO its a awkward knife and is not practical for my needs as a EDC knife.

0562 is middle child of the 2 above. It also rocks the KVT bearing system via flipper design. Smooth as a silk and the blade flies out nice and fast. It's slimmer in the pocket than either above, its a lil bigger than the 0550 and a lil smaller than the 0560. This is supposed to have Rick's "SLICER" blade geometry, its better than the 2 above but still not a great cutter. Great knife but I just don't carry it daily.

ALL three knives are 5oz or more, not sure if that bothers you, if it doesn't then take your pick. I personally like to keep my EDC at ~4oz and below with a 3.25" to 3" blade. Anything bigger or heavier it tends to just sit in the safe or get sold.

I'am a ZT fan, so you can't go wrong with a ZT, they are all great knives. I currently daily a ZT 0770CF and a ZT 0808. The ZT 0450 is another good EDC option if you want slim and lightweight flipper. Others have mentioned the 0566, its not bad I'm not a huge fan of assisted knives (made an exception for the 0770) and I think ZT should have put a Titanium backside vs the stainless steel they used. I chose the the 0770CF instead of the 0566 for the great blade shape, and have not looked backed since.
 
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I currently own the 801 and the 562, I have owned the 0550 and handled quite a few of the others.

- The 0550 is an incredible knife for the money, it is well finished, super smooth and really durable. It is not a great slicer and it is thick in the pocket. For me that made it so I didn't really carry it a lot.
- The 0801 is the one of the nicest flippers you will ever own, I have the black washed knife and I love, you could fault it for the weight and the pocket clip but every thing else about it is great.
- The 0560 is just too big for my liking but may work for you, for me 7" and 8" folders once they creep up closer to 9" I just find I don't carry them
- The 0566 loses it for me on 2 fronts the assisted opening and the stainless steel lock side rather than Titanium
- The 0562 is really hard to beat for the money, its not to thick or to thin, a nice weight a decent flipper and slicer, it is exceptionally well built and finished for the money. For me it has all the advantages of the 0550 but it is thinner and a little more pocket friendly. I have the G10 version, I am sure the CF version is great as well I just like the grippy feel of the G10.

I hope that helps a little and good luck on your search, which ever you choose I am sure you won't be disappointed.
 
Good luck, they're all awesome :D

Of your three choices I'd go with the 566CF

If you chose from the entire line up, the 0562 would be your best bet for the above described tasks.
 
On any given day, the main knife in my front pocket is a total crap shoot. From Emerson's to Spyderco's and benchmade's, even Cold Steels and Kershaw's. But, the one knife that I know is my go to knife for just about anything, that I know will do any task, basically my beater, is an S30v ZT 0350 with G-10 scales. They're cheap, hold an edge for a while, and fit perfect in the hand.
For defense, which is kind of a debated topic here, I would go for something with a Wave feature, or a fixed blade. Sure, the 0350 could fill the defensive roll, but it's a little slower to draw out of the pocket then flip open, than a waved folder or a fixed blade.
Also look into the Emerson Horseman. Great edc folder.

Edited for model number correction.
 
Blues Bender said:
Spyderco > ZT
Click to expand...

Wow, that's trolling 2 threads in one day. What a busy B you are.

O.P. out of your 3 picks I'd go with the 0566cf or one of my favorites a third gen 0550. There is just something about the 0550 that is simple and easy to use. It has a great blade shape in my opinion for the types of tasks I need to complete.
 
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