Received my ZT 0550 from kershawguy yesterday

knifenut1013 said:
Looks like they adjusted the blade grind near the ricasso so its not so thick and the sharpening choil is somewhat useful. That was my only design complaint with the 551, good to see they fixed it.
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It looks exactly the same as my 0551, serial 566.

Actually, looks the same as all 3 of my 551's. Am I missing something? (very possible)
 
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Reeek said:
I'm hoping it doesn't become a mess too ;) Any "step down" from S30V is not what the comsumer was expecting.
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I just did some cutting last night with an S35Vn Strider, and also an S35VN Microtech. They held up just fine. No edge flattening at all. :)
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
I just did some cutting last night with an S35Vn Strider, and also an S35VN Microtech. They held up just fine. No edge flattening at all. :)
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That is good to know. I know Microtech are not on everyones xmas list this year with their recent antics, but I had just bought my first one (in s35vn) a week before the ZT 777 copy came to light.

Then after all this negativity about s35vn, I felt like smashing the thing off the wall.

Did you do a video of these new tests?

Sorry Reeek for changing the topic.
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
It looks exactly the same as my 0551, serial 566.

Actually, looks the same as all 3 of my 551's. Am I missing something? (very possible)
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Might be the picture IDK

Looking again it might just be how the factory sharpening it, mine hasn't been like that in a while ;)
 
P1GEONPOO said:
That is good to know. I know Microtech are not on everyones xmas list this year with their recent antics, but I had just bought my first one (in s35vn) a week before the ZT 777 copy came to light.

Then after all this negativity about s35vn, I felt like smashing the thing off the wall.

Did you do a video of these new tests?

Sorry Reeek for changing the topic.
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I will do the formal testing within the next few days, and yeah I will be posting the vids.

No new vids yet though. Although another test of the S35VN native will be uploading soon. :)
 
knifenut1013 said:
Might be the picture IDK

Looking again it might just be how the factory sharpening it, mine hasn't been like that in a while ;)
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Haha I know the feeling! I have VERY few knives that are as they left the factory. I can't help but to put my own edge on them, even if they were perfectly fine from the factory. It's a sickness I tell you.
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
I just did some cutting last night with an S35Vn Strider, and also an S35VN Microtech. They held up just fine. No edge flattening at all. :)
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That's good to hear. I'd had good luck with an s35vn blade I got over a year ago, but your results certainly troubled me. As it stands I have yet to really push my 0550 yet.
 
I'm pretty excited about this one. I just made a damn big knife purchase (for me, at least), so I won't be getting one of these for a while yet to say the least. At least I'll have plenty of time to hear how other folks like them and see how they perform. :thumbup:
 
I am looking at a 0550 or a 0350cb with the zdp-189. DO you guys feel the 0550 is worth the price bump? I like alot of the features of the 0550, but i really want to try the zdp-189. I also seem to be drawn to the partial serated blade but i'm growing out of that slowly. The knife will be mainly for police duty use. any suggestions?
 
I'm reading .160 just behind the bevel for both. So that is probably in line with the advertised .156 blade thickness considering the close variance of my measurements because I didn't clamp the calipers down tightly.

I can say though, that the 0550 has a higher blade grind than the 0551 - there are a good number of differences and changes. I will take pictures tomorrow of both and point out what I see as the differences.


knifenut1013 said:
Blade thickness behind bevel.
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Probably my fault for not being clear. I meant right above the edge bevel shoulders, my 0551 has a average of .040 above my edge bevel that's about 2mm wide. It slices surprisingly well for its thickness but grind improvements are always a plus.
 
Got it - they are both .40 but the flat grind does carry higher on the blade profile toward the spine on the 0550 - it just doesn't equate into a thinner edge. I'll take some comparison pictures and post what I see as differences later today. It's all primarily construction technique differences from what I can tell so far. I don't see any dramatic changes in measurements that calculate into major geometry changes - yet.

I'm still amazed at how well this 0550 functions operationally. It's SOOO smooth!

knifenut1013 said:
Probably my fault for not being clear. I meant right above the edge bevel shoulders, my 0551 has a average of .040 above my edge bevel that's about 2mm wide. It slices surprisingly well for its thickness but grind improvements are always a plus.
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lanceh17 said:
I am looking at a 0550 or a 0350cb with the zdp-189. DO you guys feel the 0550 is worth the price bump? I like alot of the features of the 0550, but i really want to try the zdp-189. I also seem to be drawn to the partial serated blade but i'm growing out of that slowly. The knife will be mainly for police duty use. any suggestions?
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If it was me I would go for the 550. Hinderer design and ZT manufacturing says it all.
 
P1GEONPOO said:
If it was me I would go for the 550. Hinderer design and ZT manufacturing says it all.
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Thanks, I was leaning that way. My only hang up was the debate over wheather or not s35vn is a worthy steel. Which brings me to the question of should i try to find a 0551 or call it a day and go with the 0550.
 
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