Nice knives there Stabman. Got some great ones one the bed or floor as well. Was thinking about trying both you got in your hands there. Which do you like better?
That's a really tough call, to tell the truth.
They both have great ergonomics, and feel good in the hand when cutting forcefully into material.
The tip on the 0561 is better for "tip work" as the Tuff has a very, VERY stout tip. Neither would break, but the Tuff is almost too robust at the tip.
Both steels are good, but if you want corrosion resistance, the 0561 is the way to go.
If you want "I can cross-grain baton to make notches all day" toughness, both will do, but CPM3V should be even tougher.
The flipper works very well on the 0561, and is the only flipper so far that I actually like.
However, I generally prefer the hole opener system; if you prefer flippers or holes, that could be the deciding factor.
I go back and forth all the time as to which I like better. I'd pretty much call it a tie, with the ZT getting more pocket-time right now due to being my newest knife.
The main deciding between them points based on preference might be:
-Flipper versus hole
-Stainless versus not-quite stainless (do you mind oiling the blade?)
-Lock stiffness on closing (the Tuff is harder to disengage the lock-bar)
-Choils...do you like them or not? Will you miss the little bit of extra cutting edge?
I think it must come down to those little personal preferences, because they are both so perfectly executed.
The only other point would be made in USA versus made in Taiwan: I'm cool either way, but for some that is a factor.
Today I like the ZT more.
Tomorrow it might be the Tuff.
