Spydie Gayle Bradley vs. ZT 0550 or 0560--discuss

E

expwmbat

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Jan 5, 2006
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I have the Gayle Bradley, and it's super--great blade, absolutely rock solid lock-up, fit and finish way above the price point. But I've not handled the ZT 550 or 560 or anything similar. Can anyone offer some comparative views between the GB and the ZTs? Do I need a ZT? If so why and which one?

Thanks,
Daniel
 
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frame lock vs liner lock, they weigh about the same, both have 4-position clip mounting points, very good steels, ergos are markedly different and the 560 is more comfortable for me at least, but i carry my GB more.
 
i have both, i think the grip is better for cutting on the gb. you can choke up more for finer control. but i love both
 
I traded my last GB away a year or more ago and regretted it several times since. I have the 550, 560 and 561 now. I have no intention of losing any of these ZT's but if it matters to you at all, I'm going to get another GB within the next month or so. The ZT's and the GB are all spectacular production folders in every sense of the phrase. Synopsis - I think one should have the OP's mentioned ZT's AND the GB in their rotation. Reason? They're all bomb proof, they all sport high end yet less frequently available blade steel except for the 0550, and they all have superb action and handle comfort.
 
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Thanks--and the comparison photo helps a bit.

I'm a huge fan of the GB, and I'm wondering whether the ZTs aren't just too similar in size and usage, if even a bit less great at normal cutting than the GB.

Gooeytek--why do you carry the GB more than the ZT?

Maybe I should just hold out for a CRK Insingo...?

DJK
 
Both of them are kind of the best model from either company, You wont go wrong with any of them.
 
If it helps at all, my EDC rotation includes a small dressy William Henry, Bark River fixed blade, Strider PT and the Gayle Bradley. What niche do I need to fill?

DJK
 
this is my zt 550 over and the gb. i LOVE the zt 550. but i also LOVE the gayle bradley. in my opinion. the zt is the no maintenance heavy use, do what ever i could ever ask of a folder knife...the gb is the strongest kniife spyderco makes imho. it is also has the best fit and finish of ANY spyderco i have ever handled. these are the two smoothest opening knives that i own. both are smoother then any sebenza i have used. just my opinion. enough of me rambling here are some pics.
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Thanks--those pictures are extremely helpful. Both knives look great, and the 550 is pretty tempting. I didn't expect it to look smaller than the GB, though.

Honestly, given that I just discovered the Three Sisters Forge "Beast", the ZTs might be out of the picture...

Cheers,
Daniel
 
let me say this...i do not believe in buying duplicates of knives... these are the only two where i WILL pick up new ones just in case.
 
Any updates on this thread folks?

I am the proud owner of the ZT0550 but am seriously considering the GB too...

All thoughts welcomed.

Ben
 
Peroni1973 said:
Any updates on this thread folks?

I am the proud owner of the ZT0550 but am seriously considering the GB too...

All thoughts welcomed.

Ben
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I have both a 550 and a GB. The GB is a bit easier to carry if I were using either for EDC. Since I'm not, I honestly prefer the ZT because I get a more secure grip and I like the weight of the ZT. I've never gotten used to the GBs feel in hand. It's a well done knife with excellent materials, but when I want a "do-anything, tough guy" folder, I'll carry the 550. It just feels better to me.
 
I have a 550 and it's a great knife. A bit shorter than the GB in overall length, but same blade length and has S35VN stainless. M-4 steel in the GB will rust if not cared for and wiped down occasionally. Even then, the GB blade is quite likely to get a "patina" which some folks like. The 550 really feels good in my hand. The GB supposedly has great fit and finish also, and M4 steel keeps a good edge for a long time, but I cannot fault my 550. I have quite a few knives and would buy the GB if I thought I'd like it better than my 550, but I'm not planning to buy one.
Sonny
 
The GB is a better slicer by far and the M4 blade steel holds its edge longer than the S35VN. The liner lock on the Gayle Bradley is also plenty solid for any realistic EDC use. Now if you want something completely bomb proof, the 550 wins because it is just a tank with a thicker blade and a Ti framelock. It's basically Apples to Oranges here, do you want a bombproof heavy duty knife, or a more elegant EDC knife? Now from experience I can tell you the GB handles anything I use it for so even though it is "lighter duty" it's still a beast.
 
EBHM4 said:
bombproof heavy duty knife, or a more elegant EDC knife?
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I've never owned a 550, but I have owned a 560, and my Gayle Bradley feels every bit as "bomb-proof" as the 560. It just LOOKS more elegant. Under that fancy dress, it's a tough as nails, balls to the wall performer. Yeah, you have to kind of take care of the blade steel to prevent rust, but get real... anyone posting on a knife forum probably fondles and coddles all of their knives enough that a little oiling here and there isn't a big deal. The lock strength on the GB is ridiculous as well. The lockbar is reallly thick for a liner lock, and the cut out (you know, where the bar bends) is really shallow, making the bar far tougher than your normal liner lock. In fact the lockbar on the GB may be thicker at the cut out than the cut out on any of my ZTs...
 
I had a 0550 and liked it. Once it broke in it was very smooth. Great fit and finish, no complaints...except, it takes up too much of my pocket and didn't carry it. I now have 2 gb's (will probably sell one) even though it is still a 5 oz knife, it is a lot easier to carry. And I agree, it isn't hard to care for non stainless unless you live in a saltwater environment.
 
docbp87 said:
I've never owned a 550, but I have owned a 560, and my Gayle Bradley feels every bit as "bomb-proof" as the 560. It just LOOKS more elegant. Under that fancy dress, it's a tough as nails, balls to the wall performer. Yeah, you have to kind of take care of the blade steel to prevent rust, but get real... anyone posting on a knife forum probably fondles and coddles all of their knives enough that a little oiling here and there isn't a big deal. The lock strength on the GB is ridiculous as well. The lockbar is reallly thick for a liner lock, and the cut out (you know, where the bar bends) is really shallow, making the bar far tougher than your normal liner lock. In fact the lockbar on the GB may be thicker at the cut out than the cut out on any of my ZTs...
Click to expand...

Oh there's no doubt the Gayle Bradley is a working knife in every aspect, but the edge is thinner than the ZT, the steel requires slightly more maintenance, and the knife is overall thinner and slightly lighter. That's my reason for saying the Gayle Bradley is a bit more of an elegant EDC than the ZT0550. I agree with you that it is an absolute bombshell of a performer, but compared to the ZT0550 it's not quite as tank-like. I own a ZT0550, a Gayle Bradley, and a ZT0561. The ZT0550 is thicker at the handle and has thicker, totally solid Titanium and a shorter, stouter blade than the 56X so it's very much almost a brick in terms of solidity and is likely more forgiving of abuse which is my basis for the comparison.

But I'll be hard-pressed to disagree with you as I am more likely to be seen carring my Gayle Bradley than my 550 for the simple fact it cuts better due to the thinner edge and superior edge retention. And though the liner lock is "technically weaker" than the Ti framelock, I've never had a problem with it and it locks up rock solid.
 
I have a gb and 561 and I prefer the gb - feels better in my hand (big), carries better, and I like the blade shape/grind better on the gb as well. The 561 is also a nice knife though. Its a fairly large knife but it still cuts ok (not like the gb) and its probably the smoothest knife I own with the kvt bearing system. The bearings and flipper make if fun to play with and it carries not bad for a larger knife.

As for which is more solid, I agree with docbp87. The gb is the most solid feeling folder I own. I dont think the 561 will fail either but it doesnt have the same super solid, fixed blade like feel of the gb to me. The thickness at the cutout on the gb's liner lock is thicker than on the 561. Its also slightly shorter and doesnt travel as much so it would seem to me that the weakest part of the gb lock is stronger than the weakest part of the 561 and would also be subjected to less stress over time. Im not saying the zt feels like or is a weak knife at all, just that its hard to beat the gb in terms of rock solid production folders.
 
It seems the GB and 0560 are on top of my list. This thread is very interesting to me. Definitely diggin the price point of the GB compared to 0560
 
Biggest points of differentiation:

Cutting efficiency greatly favors the GB.

Grip security greatly favors the 0560.

Ease of sharpening greatly favors the GB (and without any loss of edge retention).

Ease of blade maintenance greatly favors the 0560.

Maintaining the integrity of your bank account greatly favors the GB. ;)
 
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