Sage 2 or ZT 566?

U

unbrokenchain33

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Jul 26, 2012
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I was between the Sage 2 and the Techno. I'm pretty much decided on picking up the Spyderco Sage 2. I am a fan of Spyderco and love the ergonomics on the Sage 1.

I know the ZT 566 has a little bigger blade, flipper, heavier, and stainless framelock, but it's around the same price, if not cheaper than the Sage 2. Should the ZT 566 have me second guessing my choice, or should I stick with the Sage 2?

Will not be giving this knife any sort of hard use at all, just general home/office EDC.

And don't give me the, "get both" business. Only looking to get one. Thanks in advance.
 
I would say 566, I wouldn't hesitate to beat up on that knife like I would the sage.
 
Didn't mean literally abuse them, if you are going to cut envelopes, tape, string, toe nails, small stuff like that go with the sage.
 
For the same price, I would pick the Sage 2. I think the Sage 2 is a better deal than the 566 in the same price range. For a Full Titanium handle at that price range, and the quality and classiness of the Sage 2 its a great deal.

The 566 is an awesome knife, and I fully plan on owning one myself. But I believe they will be available cheaper once demand subsides some, or they start showing up on the exchange for a discount. Thats why my vote goes to the Sage 2. If you still have a desire for the 566 later on, you should be able to find one for less than you could buy the Sage 2 IMO.
 
Two totally different knives. One is a flipper the other isn't. One has a 3 in blade the other 3.25. Ti vs Steel and G10,etc. I have both and they serve different purposes. I like the size of the 566 better and the overall feel of the knife. The sage 2 is a great knife don't get me wrong, but I really only carry it for dress. The 566 is going to be a true EDC knife. Granted I only got it today so I'm in the honeymoon phase so to speak but it really is going to be a huge seller for ZT.
 
Have neither (although I do have a Sage 3), the 566 looks great... but the assistance bothers me for adding needless complexity.
 
unbrokenchain33 said:
I guess I'm kinda asking: For the same price, is one a better deal?
Click to expand...

The Sage 2 is probably a better deal. It's made in Taiwan instead of the USA which allows them to use higher end materials like titanium.

Steel framelock will be stronger while the ti will be lighter.
 
The assisted opening on so many of KAI products annoys me now, there are a few that are nice with it, but mainly the ZT line that has all of the assisted is what bothers me. I know you can remove it, but the knife was made for it to be used with the assist and will never be as nice as a flipper that was designed to be manual. At this point I would go with the Sage 2 because you get the full titanium framelock and a nice steel. The knife is also very smooth. You said to not say do not get both so I will say get the Sage 2, but you can always get the ZT further down the road too.
 
AddictedToGear said:
The assisted opening on so many of KAI products annoys me now, there are a few that are nice with it, but mainly the ZT line that has all of the assisted is what bothers me. I know you can remove it, but the knife was made for it to be used with the assist and will never be as nice as a flipper that was designed to be manual. At this point I would go with the Sage 2 because you get the full titanium framelock and a nice steel. The knife is also very smooth. You said to not say do not get both so I will say get the Sage 2, but you can always get the ZT further down the road too.
Click to expand...

It actually functions just as good without the speedsafe. I deassisted mine and it's very smooth, smoother than a lot of flippers I've owned actually. The "designed" it to be used with out without the speedsafe hence the detent hole.
 
I've got both, and they are both great knives. They have a very different feel though. The 0566 feels like a more substantial knife in hand, while the Sage2 is more of a light to medium-duty knife. Both are very solidly constructed and should hold up to any appropriate use for a folding knife, but if the 0566 feels like it might withstand more abuse, should that need arise. Ergonomics of both knives are great.

The 0566 has about 3/4" more blade than the Sage2, and the blade stock is a hair thicker. While the Sage2 might be a slightly better slicer on account of the FFG and thinner blade, the high flat grind on the 0566 also slices quite well. Carry-wise, they are also very similar. The Sage2 is a bit wider (~1/8") than the 0566. The 0566 is slightly longer when closed (~1/4"), and just a hair thicker (~1/32"). Both carry very comfortably and discretely in pocket.

ZT0566_Sage2_800x368.jpg


ZT0566_Sage2_closed_800x381.jpg


ZT0566_Sage2_thickness_800x446.jpg
 
Flarp, great comparison, and thanks for the pictures! I carry mostly smaller knives below a 3" blade, but have the 566 on order. It looks a wee bit bigger and heavier than the Sage 2, for sure.
 
Sage ii, you get the choil for choking up, lighter weight in ti, incredible fit and finish and a proven steel. (I'm no fanboy nor do I own anymore spydercos atm)

I'm still wary on the HT of ZT's elmax, waiting on testing by others to be done before I possibly pick one up.
 
Great comparison! But for me, the spyderco is a bit ugly compared to the ZT.

Can't wait to grab a 566!
 
My 0566 holds an edge very well and a few passes on a strop brings it back to shaving sharp. I was cutting some heavy vaccum hose with it and got a little careless and cut into the steel wire that reinforced the hose that caused the edge to roll, but any other steel would have done the same thing. Overall I'm impressed with Elmax.
 
Both are fine knives. My pick is the Sage2. I have one and I love it. Everything about the Sage2 is meant for long-lasting value. It locks nicely into the hand. The blade choil allows you to move up on the blade, safely, for close-up work if necessary. I have chosen it to gift to a male grandson, age 21, big football player tough, now in college, but he won't hurt the knife. The blade is a hair less than 3" so will be legal in most locales. The flat-ground blade will slice like a champ.
The 566 ZT is a fine knife also, but designed and built for heavier duty than you have any need for. I've had many ZT's, from the model 350 up through the 055x and 065x series. Built like a tank, much clunkier than the Sage. Just too MUCH knife for your needs. The thicker blade won't slice nearly as well as the Sage2.
The ZT is just not "mated" to your needs. It would be like carrying around a blow-torch to light your cigarette.
Good luck.
 
I actually own both as well. Very different knives. The ZT is much tougher, at a cost of some weight, and it has AMAZING ergonomics. The Sage 2 does slice better, but at the cost of durability (under hard use) with a thinner primary grind and tip. I've been more than happy with Elmax from Kai and S30V from Spyderco.

I feel the Sage 2 carries wider in the pocket, as it is wide most of it's length, and a tad prohibitive on using my pocket without baggy pants...and then I carry a larger knife anyway. Inversely, in slacks, the ZT is a tad too heavy.
 
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