What's your favorite ZT <$200?

Ulf Krogstad

Ulf Krogstad

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Nov 19, 2013
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Traded for a ZT 0566 tonight and just wondering what knife people like the best out of the ZT lineup under $200. Was thinking the first i would get and one i still really want is the 0777 but had a chance at this one so took it. It's de-assisted which i don't mind cause not liking assisted knives of lately. Anyways also can anybody tell me what they like about there 0566 or don't like? Please show pics of the 0566 or any differnet models if possible. Oh and does anybody like Elmax over S30V and why? Posted in general cause couldn't find ZT sub-forum or Kershaw do they not have one?
 
I've been lusting after a 770CF for a while now. The aluminum handles don't do it for me, but the CF just looks awesome. But my favorite ZT that I own is an 0561, which I picked up brand new for $200 on the nose. It's a huge beast of a folder though, and not for everyone.

I've only had a chance to briefly handle an 0566, but it seemed very nice. Not a big fan of assisted openers though. When the 0562 comes out I'll be all over that one, but who knows when it'll drop. Expect a street price in the $150 range for the G10 model.

I have no issues with ZT's Elmax. I find that the edge rolls rather than chipping, while with S30V I have the opposite experience. They seem to be comparable to me and when choosing between folders I wouldn't give either one points over the other. S35VN, however, is my favorite steel hands-down (it's in the 0550 I think).

Kai cutlery no longer has a dedicated forum here, though they used to.
 
Ulf Krogstad said:
Posted in general cause couldn't find ZT sub-forum or Kershaw do they not have one?
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They did and it is now archived. If you have the time to go look through it it's worth it. As to why it's not here, that question is best laid to rest.

My brother has a de-assisted 566 and it is extremely smooth. I think that the assist makes it a lesser knife. That is just my second hand opinion though. Hope you enjoy it!
 
As a stainless steel frame lock the 0566 is rather heavy at 5.3 ounces for a narrow 3.25" blade. I really like the aluminum handle 0770 which gives you the same Elmax & SpeedSafe Assisted Opening and even though the blade is wider the folder only weighs 3.75 ouunces with a 3.25" that's actually wider. It can be had for about $120 which is a relative bargain. I like it so much I have three of them since it's a fairly limited edition.

For under $200 you have three great ZT choices:

  1. 0801 (soon 0801BW) which is one of the best manual flippers regardless of price
  2. 0550 (or 0550BLK or 0550BW) with thumb stud only opening
  3. 0770CF for something lighter with some class (assisted opening)
 
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KAEDC said:
0801 hands down
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The 0770CF is a great knife but the 0801 would be my pick as well. I love the 0801. Almost every morning I wake up and look at my night stand and there is an 0801, a 0777M390 and a couple of other knives. More often than not the 0801 goes in my pocket. I don't think I've carried the 0777M390 in several months.
 
The 0566 is one of my favorite ZT's. If you can get past the assisted part( some work well de-assisted, mine didn't ) it's just about perfect. Slim, but stout. Carries very well and IMO the elmax is one of my favorite steels. It takes an unbelievably sharp edge. The 0566 is just a really good edc size but strong enough for all your needs.
 
Ive got all the standard ZT's now including the 801 which is yes the best flipper Ive ever used but has a tendency to start to come open in my pocket sometimes. Out of all the standard ZTs Ive actually found the 350 the most useful day to day and have 3 of them now including the KW M390 version which is under 200 bucks. The 200 is actually pretty impressive for its flipping action despite being so huge but have found the knife just to damn big for day to day. I deasisted my 566 and hated it the detent just was to light. Out of the hundreds of dollars Ive spent chasing the ZTs the 0350(professionally sharpened mind you)is my day to day favorite I have yet to tackle any task it cant handle just as well if not better than the others lol
 
I am carrying a 0566 as I type this, and have been using it as my primary work knife since I got it. Here are my thoughts:

1. The weight is not really a big deal. Seriously. It weighs 5.3oz. That's more than a lot of similarly sized blades, but it's hardly back breaking.

2. It's pretty slim, so it carries very easily.

3. .12" blade stock isn't overly thick. It's a good slicer.

4. Steel lock bar = not going to have to worry about titanium shearing and lock rock developing. The lock up on mine is absolutely flawless-- the faces of the lock bar and blade come together perfectly flush front to back, lock up is about 50% (not too early or late), and it is easy to disengage but doesn't disengage unintentionally.

5. Elmax is treating me very well. It's easier than I expected to touch up. It holds an edge quite well.


I am a very big fan of the 0566. The 0550 is probably my favorite, but the. 0566 makes me unable to commit to saying that for sure. I like both of them more than I like the 0560 or 0801.
 
I've owned the 550, 561, 350, 200, 566, and 801.

Out of those, the 801 is BY FAR my favorite!
 
For EDC my favorite Zt is the 566, I guess it's the size but I definitely carry my 350 more, it's just the one I grab more often than not..

For me every ZT has certain qualities that make them unique and 'likable'... I have no problems with either Elmax or S30v..


..
 
ZTs rule my life. Current favorites are the 0801 for flipper:



And my tank of a knife, the 0551 for thumb stud action:

 
0801. Correct me if I'm wrong but the new upcoming 0620 will be under 200 for elmax and just over for m390
 
My favorite would be the ZT 0550BW. BladeHQ just dropped it to $199 so now it qualifies. It's awesome!



ImageUploadedByTapatalk1405388979.231608.jpg
 
0560, 550, & 801. In that order. Had a 566. Needed a bunch of work to de-assist and make a smooth flipper. Not big enough for my taste. Weighs a lot for the blade length. Sold it.
 
Civil PE said:
770CF and 801
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These are the two i've had my eyes on for awhile.^^^ Great info here thanks. The weight of this knife won't be a problem EDC a BM 275 or 810 so gotta be smaller and lighter than those two. The first knife i got that spent any descent $ on was the BM 275 but the ZT 0200 was close in the running while choosing i remember. Their pricing is great and they look like overbuilt smooth knives. Been pretty much diehard BM since i got the 275 but have purchased some other BM models and not super happy with them for price so looking for other brands at reasonable high end price ranges. It's time to try some ZT's. I more or less hate liner locks thats why didn't end up with 0200 but these frame lock ZT's look great. Excited to get the 0566 but think i'm gonna end up with a 0777cf or 0801. Haven't really looked at all their models i think. Need to look more. Didn't knpw they made some with M390. Steel i haven't tried yet same with s35vn would like to get my hands on. I'm thinking I'll really like ZT. Tried Spyderco's and a Emerson and they just don't call to me. Really like the Para 2 but i just can't bring myself to hold onto them. Won't buy another Emerson. Hoping ZT will be a brand for me. They look amazing. Don't know why it took this long to get one. Can't wait to get the 0566.
 
kaedc said:
0801 hands down
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Amen! Preach it, brother!

The 0801 was the first framelock that I could easily disengage as a lefty without endangering my fingers. I've tried out the 0561, 0350, 0560, and 0200, and none of them worked for me. I am a Benchmade fan and own all Benchmades, but once I pimped an 0801 for an acquaintance, I knew I had to get one (that and I'm a big fan of Todd Rexford's designs). Just saving my pennies until I can afford one.
 
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