Recently purchased a ZT 0566 for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan and wanted to give my initial impressions.
Solid build. The ZT has zero lateral movement and the blade is perfectly centered. Overall the ZT feels solid in your hand and while it is a bit heavier than my Spyderco's, it has a much more solid feel and I really don't notice the weight when it is clipped in my pocket.
The finish on the knife is perfect. G10 scale on one side, stonewashed stainless on the other - the blade is also stonewashed eliminating glare/reflections off the knife.
The 0566 rides very well in my pocket for EDC. I've been a Spyderco fan with the Emerson Wave openers because they come out open - the Wave feature is really awesome for deploying an open blade, especially for working around the house and having only one hand to open the blade. However, for CQC I've always worried that the Spyderco's with the Wave puts the knife in an awkward position in your hand and you have to shift it before being able to attack. That said, I was worried about the ZT with the assisted opening wouldn't deploy fast enough. Since having the ZT, I have lost those worries. While the ZT doesn't deploy in an open position, it deploys incredibly quickly in your hand. More importantly, it is correctly positioned in your hand when you flip the blade open, allowing for instant engagement.
While I haven't tested the blade on how well it stands up to rough treatment, the ZT appears to be a solid performer. Fortunately, the type of rough treatment such as opening cans is really a thing of the past. It is highly unlikely that I will ever need to open a can of tuna with a knife. More likely will be how it wears in the fine dust, prying on a door, cutting webbing and wires, and then being ready to deploy as a last ditch weapon.
Bottom line: Fantastic knife. I was skeptical of the reviews but am now a believer. While I'm not going to get rid of my Spyderco's, the ZT will be my primary knife when I deploy in a few weeks. The Spyderco PM2 will be going also, but as a backup to the ZT.
Solid build. The ZT has zero lateral movement and the blade is perfectly centered. Overall the ZT feels solid in your hand and while it is a bit heavier than my Spyderco's, it has a much more solid feel and I really don't notice the weight when it is clipped in my pocket.
The finish on the knife is perfect. G10 scale on one side, stonewashed stainless on the other - the blade is also stonewashed eliminating glare/reflections off the knife.
The 0566 rides very well in my pocket for EDC. I've been a Spyderco fan with the Emerson Wave openers because they come out open - the Wave feature is really awesome for deploying an open blade, especially for working around the house and having only one hand to open the blade. However, for CQC I've always worried that the Spyderco's with the Wave puts the knife in an awkward position in your hand and you have to shift it before being able to attack. That said, I was worried about the ZT with the assisted opening wouldn't deploy fast enough. Since having the ZT, I have lost those worries. While the ZT doesn't deploy in an open position, it deploys incredibly quickly in your hand. More importantly, it is correctly positioned in your hand when you flip the blade open, allowing for instant engagement.
While I haven't tested the blade on how well it stands up to rough treatment, the ZT appears to be a solid performer. Fortunately, the type of rough treatment such as opening cans is really a thing of the past. It is highly unlikely that I will ever need to open a can of tuna with a knife. More likely will be how it wears in the fine dust, prying on a door, cutting webbing and wires, and then being ready to deploy as a last ditch weapon.
Bottom line: Fantastic knife. I was skeptical of the reviews but am now a believer. While I'm not going to get rid of my Spyderco's, the ZT will be my primary knife when I deploy in a few weeks. The Spyderco PM2 will be going also, but as a backup to the ZT.
). Personally, I'm glad it has a SS frame lock, not as much lock wear and gives it a little weight :thumbup: