Thoughts on the Zero Tolerance 0566?

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Nephron44

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Aug 20, 2015
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Hey everyone!

You have all helped me TREMENDOUSLY with my other posts, so I thought I would ask for your highly valuable advice before I spend my entire budget on a knife. I have a Kershaw Mini Thermite that I de-assisted (it does have a detent hole, surprisingly). I absolutely LOVE the Hinderer design of the Mini Thermite, but the detent is a bit weak (it shakes loose).

Now to the point:

I have been looking at the Zero Tolerance 0566 as an affordable Hinderer design. I figured it would be a robust folder from a reputable company, but I have a few questions that I need help with.

Is the 0566 durable enough for hard use on duty and at home?

Is the 0566 able to be de-assisted well with a strong detent?

How is the blade steel?

How is the lock up?

How is the warranty on ZT knives?

Golden question: is the 0566 worth the 144 USD price tag?

Thank you to all who offer your advice; it is GREATLY appreciated!

-Nephron-
 
I bought one; got it in and sold it immediately. I was VERY disappointed that the company used steel liners instead of titanium,...therefore making the folder too heavy for MY comfort. Other than that, I thought it was a great knife.
 
The 0566 is a great knife. Very robust and yet sized well for fairly unobtrusive carry.

I tried deassisting mine, and it worked okay. Detent is strong enough hold the blade securely closed, and with the right technique, you can get consistent opening. It's definitely not like the recent ZT's with the stronger detent that launches the blade like a rocket when overcome, but it is certainly serviceable. I prefer it as an assisted opener though.

The Elmax blade has worked very well for me. It has a slightly thinner blade stock (3.5mm), and combined with the high flat grind, it slices very well.

Lock-up is solid. The framelock scale is steel, so there isn't the initial stickiness that sometimes comes with titanium lockfaces in contact with the steel of the blade.

ZT's customer service and warranty are great. They'll cover the replacement of various small parts (pocket clips, torsion bars, screws, etc.) at no charge. There's also free sharpening services. And if you do happen to damage your blade outside of what warranty covers, they will replace it with a brand new blade for $30.

I think it's worth the $144. Great Hinderer design built to ZT's high production standards... Versatile blade profile in a great steel... Backed by a fantastic customer service team and lifetime warranty w/ blade replacement option... And made in the USA to boot... What's not to like?

Pumpkin2013_ZT0566_pre_800x464.jpg


Pumpkin2013_ZT0566_post_800x573.jpg


Pumpkin2013_ZT0566_lit_800x472.jpg
 
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flarp said:
The 0566 is a great knife. Very robust and yet sized well for fairly unobtrusive carry.

I tried deassisting mine, and it worked okay. Detent is strong enough hold the blade securely closed, and with the right technique, you can get consistent opening. It's definitely not like the recent ZT's with the stronger detent that launches the blade like a rocket when overcome, but it is certainly serviceable. I prefer it as an assisted opener though.

The Elmax blade has worked very well for me. It has a slightly thinner blade stock (3.5mm), and combined with the high flat grind, it slices very well.

Lock-up is solid. The framelock scale is steel, so there isn't the initial stickiness that sometimes comes with titanium lockfaces in contact with the steel of the blade.

ZT's customer service and warranty are great. They'll cover the replacement of various small parts (pocket clips, torsion bars, screws, etc.) at no charge. There's also free sharpening services. And if you do happen to damage your blade outside of what warranty covers, they will replace it with a brand new blade for $30.

I think it's worth the $144. Great Hinderer design built to ZT's high production standards... Versatile blade profile in a great steel... Backed by a fantastic customer service team and lifetime warranty w/ blade replacement option... And made in the USA to boot... What's not to like?

Pumpkin2013_ZT0566_pre_800x464.jpg


Pumpkin2013_ZT0566_post_800x573.jpg


Pumpkin2013_ZT0566_lit_800x472.jpg
Click to expand...


Love the pumpkin carving! Thanks for the info!
 
This was my first "supersteel" folder. And it does everything. I have no use for it that can challenge its ability and the edge retention is light years ahead of anything I have used before. Mostly AUS8, 8CR, 9CR and some 1095CV. If you are also upgrading from these you WILL be impressed. I have to agree with flarp in that it is better assisted than not, but it works without the assist quite well.
 
I love my 0566, since I got mine last month it's seen almost daily carry and is becoming one of my favorite knives. I deassisted mine as soon as I got it. I cleaned and lubed it and polished the washers and it flips open nice and smooth without the torsion bar. It doesn't rocket out like some knives and you do need to use proper technique, but I much prefer a manual knife to assisted. My detent is fairly strong and the blade will absolutely not shake out. The steel seems very good, but I haven't put it through enough use to very edge retention yet. I did put a mirror edge in it with the edge pro and it sharpened up nicely. Not the best slicer I have but not bad by a long shot. The knife is solid and would withstand heavy use, and ZT has a great warranty.
 
Sonnydaze said:
I bought one; got it in and sold it immediately. I was VERY disappointed that the company used steel liners instead of titanium,...therefore making the folder too heavy for MY comfort. Other than that, I thought it was a great knife.
Click to expand...

Were you not aware of the materials and weight before you bought it? I find it odd to be disappointed in a product for reasons that would be listed on the manufacturers and retailers websites.
 
A 0566 was my edc for quite awhile. I liked mine so much more after I de-assisted it. The detent was just good enough that it taught me proper flipping technique (being my first decent flipper) so I could get consistent with it. It carries very slim in the pocket, but like others have said is a bit heavy for its size.
 
Larcivs Lepidvs said:
one of my favorite folders (works good de-assisted). the only flaw of the 0566 it's that's a bit heavy for the size.
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These are my sentiments exactly. Mine works great deassisted. I did polish the washers a bit, and now its great. Just a little heavier than some because of the full stainless framelock. No worse than other Kershaws with the same construction.
 
I like mine. Its a good solid feeling knife. The assist was pretty stiff when I first got it, but it has eased up with use. I have left the assist in place. The lockup is solid.
 
I like the 566 so much I own more than one, all CFBW. I keep one assisted and one de-assisted so I can switch based on mood. I put a mirror edge on one (Elmax) and it is...awesome...and POPS (visually) on the black-washed blade. Also, I was able to get ZT to send me a couple of the larger washers for it. So when you de-assist it, you can use two of the larger washers instead of one small one on one side for the torsion bar to work. So this one is tough as nails, with the two large (now mirror polished) washers installed. Yes, a little heavy for its size, but this one truly is built like a tank and can handle just about anything. Another great ZT. I only wish they used ti for the liners and dropped an ounce or so. Then it would truly be perfect. It's close as is.
 
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I have 0566 cf and thoroughly enjoy the knife, have used it for random and hard use tasks in fence building and it has yet to fail me, zt has some nice heat on the elmax, comes back to razor edge with the sharpmaker and stropping easily!!
 
I think the more I own this knife the more I like it. When I first got it, loved it. Then I got over it, just as we all usually do.

I couldn't seem to get the Elmax very sharp. Read around and found out that it likes the fine sharpmaker rods grit than the ultra fine. I started carrying it at work because it is a tough knife (all ZT's are) and love it de assisted. Before I couldn't used the thumb studs or actually the blade stop pins to open it because I don't always like flipping, but after taking the spring out it's even better. A lot more smooth.

The Elmax is great for all my uses and I only touch it up maybe every two weeks, if that but my edge often comes in contact with medal from cutting wires.

Things I don't like.. Well now that it's de assisted, not much. The framelock groves can wear your thumb if you sit and constantly open and close it.

But, the one thing that I don't understand is on my Blackwash model the liner under the g10 is stainless and does not have a blackwash finish. Only a stainless almost bead blast finish. Not impressed with the look of that but performance is top notch in my book. 8.5/10 stars
 
I've had a 0566 for a few months now. At first, I had some buyer's remorse because it was stiff to open, but found that there was a trick to it and have been happy ever since. In fact, it's probably my most frequently carried office EDC. Part of that is due to the pocket clip, which is my favorite of the various ZT/Kershaw styles.
 
It is a really good knife (mine is a de-assisted 0566CF), but as others have said, it is rather heavy due to the use of steel liners rather than titanium. The detent was super strong out of the box, but with a bit of time it broke in and is now just about perfect.

I just bought an 0450, so I'm thinking about getting rid of the 0566CF now - IDK, I may keep it.
 
danthaman1980 said:
It is a really good knife (mine is a de-assisted 0566CF), but as others have said, it is rather heavy due to the use of steel liners rather than titanium. The detent was super strong out of the box, but with a bit of time it broke in and is now just about perfect.

I just bought an 0450, so I'm thinking about getting rid of the 0566CF now - IDK, I may keep it.
Click to expand...

Send me a message if you decide to let it go :P
 
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