What "Gen" is my ZT 0566?

[VermontEdge]

Anyone know how to tell?

I emailed Kai who told me that they don't technically distinguish generations of their knives at that the generation concept is customer based. Does anyone have a way for me to tell? I'm hoping to order custom scales and need this info.

As always, thanks in advance for the help!

 

[flarp]

I didn't think there were multiple generations of the 0566. I vaguely recall some mentions in the past of some having detent holes and some not having them, but that's about it. There are different variations (eg. CF handles, blackwashed blade finish, etc.), but the design of the knife itself has remained the same.

The 0550, on the other hand, has had some changes over the course of its lifetime. "Gen 1" used the same style clip as on the 0200, 0300, and 0350. "Gen 2" had the deep carry clip (different hole positions, which could influence custom scales if you carry left-handed). "Gen 3" added the steel lockbar insert. And some of the early ones had an Elmax blade instead of S35VN (maybe "Gen 0.5"?).

 

[Rival1314]

I can tell you first hand from customizing 0566 scales there is only one thing to look out for.....they switched up the torsion bar (spring assist) after about a year or so of making the knife (this is the main reason I stopped making scales for this knife). If you are having a scale made that allows for the spring assist to be functional it will be important to know which torsion bar is being used. The "new" generations have a smaller torsion bar, the pocket in the scale goes about 1/3rd of the way down the length of the scale. The original 0566 runs had a larger torsion bar, and the pocket extends to a little over half the length of the scale.

as far as dimensions and everything else....nothing changed. If you are planning on running the knife de-assisted, any 0566 scale will fit fine.

 

[flash900]

Thanks for that info, Rival.

So the "new" torsion bar also fits the original 566s?

 

[brandoak]

I ran into a similar problem with making a few custom scales for the 566. The longer torsion bar models have a longer pocket like you talk about and some material like canvas micarta does not have the strength to hold the spring from bending the micarta outward from the liner when opening and closing the blade. I made a custom scale for the shorter bar version and there was no flex or gap bulge during operation but then again I used a different type of micarta for it so maybe it was of stiffer quality /type.

I can tell you first hand from customizing 0566 scales there is only one thing to look out for.....they switched up the torsion bar (spring assist) after about a year or so of making the knife (this is the main reason I stopped making scales for this knife). If you are having a scale made that allows for the spring assist to be functional it will be important to know which torsion bar is being used. The "new" generations have a smaller torsion bar, the pocket in the scale goes about 1/3rd of the way down the length of the scale. The original 0566 runs had a larger torsion bar, and the pocket extends to a little over half the length of the scale.

as far as dimensions and everything else....nothing changed. If you are planning on running the knife de-assisted, any 0566 scale will fit fine.

 

[VermontEdge]

The info that I got from this custom scale maker actually stated the opposite: that the longer bar is from the Gen 2, and that the Gen 1 had a shorter bar. Hmmmm. I got mine quite recently and it has a shorter bar so I'm inclined to think it's a gen 2 but I'm still not sure...

 

[Rival1314]

Thanks for that info, Rival.

So the "new" torsion bar also fits the original 566s?

No, the torsion bars for respective generations only fit that generation.

The info that I got from this custom scale maker actually stated the opposite: that the longer bar is from the Gen 2, and that the Gen 1 had a shorter bar. Hmmmm. I got mine quite recently and it has a shorter bar so I'm inclined to think it's a gen 2 but I'm still not sure...

its entirely possible I got them backwards....but the primary difference is indeed torsion bar length.

I ran into a similar problem with making a few custom scales for the 566. The longer torsion bar models have a longer pocket like you talk about and some material like canvas micarta does not have the strength to hold the spring from bending the micarta outward from the liner when opening and closing the blade. I made a custom scale for the shorter bar version and there was no flex or gap bulge during operation but then again I used a different type of micarta for it so maybe it was of stiffer quality /type.

Micarta generally isn't good for scales on speedsafe knives due to the flex you mentioned. There are definitely differences in torsion bar strength, and differences in the flexibility of micarta depending on how it was made. Generally g10 and carbon fiber are the best materials for custom scales on speedsafe knives like this.