Which one to get?

Which to get?

  • SPYDERCO NATIVE 5 FLUTED TITANIUM

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • ZERO TOLERANCE 0561

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
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JTR357

JTR357

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Sep 10, 2007
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I can only get one of these knives & would appreciate some feedback from you guys about the pros & cons of each.They're both around the same price($240-$260),so that's not an issue.Normally I'd just get both,but business hasn't been very good lately so I have to make a choice.

First up is the Spyderco Native 5 with fluted titanium

C41TIFP5[medium].jpg


The Spyderco Native 5 with fluted titanium is a workhorse that is dressed for success. Sunburst machined titanium handles offer a touch of elegance to the proven Native 5 design while a flat ground CPM-S35VN blade is willing and ready to tackle those tough tasks. Ambidextrously friendly, the round Spyder hole and lock back design offer easy operation with either hand. The finger choil and thumb rest have both been jimped for added in-hand control as well. For ease of carry, a four way pocket clip has been affixed for carry in your pocket or on your gear. To top it all off, this knife was chosen as Blade Magazine's 2011 American Made Knife of the Year! Made in USA.


Overall Length: 6.88"
Blade Length: 3.00"
Blade Material: CPM-S35VN Powder Steel (Stainless)
Lock: Lock Back
Closed Length: 4.00"
Handle Material: Fluted Titanium
Clip: Stainless Steel
Weight: 4.10 oz.
Country of Origin: USA

Second choice is the Zero Tolerance 0561

0561[medium].jpg


The Zero Tolerance 0561 is the latest collaboration between ZT and Hinderer Knives based on Rick's world renowned XM-18 flipper. The blade consists of pure Bohler ELMAX powder steel that combines high wear resistance and corrosion resistance with extreme edge retention and toughness. The blade has a stonewashed/tumbled finish with dual thumb studs. A built-in flipper deploys the blade using the KVT(Kershaw Velocity Technology) Opening System for silky smooth manual opening. Instead of a standard pivot hinge, the KVT has ball bearings at the pivot point. Pull back on the ambidextrous blade protrusion, the ball bearings rotate, and the blade glides out of the handle quickly and easily. The front handle scale is 3-D machined flat dark earth G10 with an equally 3-D machined titanium scale on the back. The 3-D machined titanium frame lock has a lockbar stabilizer for extreme lockup security. To lighten up this beefy folder, ZT skeletonized the liner and machined pockets in the titanium handle and frame lock. Includes ZT's new deep-carry pocket clip with quad mounting system for tip up or down ambidextrous carry. Made in USA.

Overall Length: 8.80"
Blade Length: 3.75"
Blade Material: Elmax (Stainless)
Opening Mechanism: KVT (Kershaw Velocity Technology)
Lock: Frame Lock
Closed Length: 5.00"
Handle Material: 3-D Machined Flat Dark Earth G10 Front Scale and 3-D Machined Ti
Clip: 3-D Machined Titanium
Weight: 5.80 oz.
Country of Origin: USA

*pics & literature from gpknives


I'm mostly leaning towards the ZT because of the Ti framelock,flipper,& (of course) the ELMAX,but the Native won't be regular production (like the ZT) & maybe I can pick up the ZT at a later date,whereas that wouldn't be possible for the Native.(sorry for the run-on sentence:o).

Thanks for your opinions
 
Id go Native % simply for the fluting, plus the ZT like you said is regular production and I highly doubt theyll stop it at low numbers. Its already a hit with some many It would a huge market lost of they made it a sprint.
 
If you are going to carry and use the knife then the Natives' value will be diminished anyway, I have a couple Spyderco Sprint runs and love them but I'm always hesitant to really use it when I carry it, the fact that the 0561 will most likely continue to be available means I can use it freely and know I can buy another if it becomes beat up. The Native is a beautiful knife to be sure, But it would be a shame to cut open a box and put a chip in the blade because of a packing staple that you did not realize was there for example. You can be extra careful when using it but that falls under my statement of being hesitant to use it. If it is going to sit in a safe or drawer and remain in mint condition, Then the Native is the way to go.
 
I voted 0561. It does more for me because of the reasons you mention. plus i feel like its a work knife, and a user. The spyderco is more of a safe queen
 
The Spyderco Native is basically a $55 knife, with a bunch of fancy machine work to jack the price up.

So what I'd do is get the $55 version of that, as it is a fantastic knife; unbeatable grip without being super rough.

Then, maybe you have enough to get the other one, which I presume is actually something special. ;)
 
I love titanium, but in the Native's case, I don't see the point. Its not like it is either providing the lock material, or lightening the handle. Just seems pointless, the G10/Carbon Fiber versions seems superior. That pushes me to say go for the 561.
 
I handled both at the SHOT Show last month and would pick the 0561 with no hesitation whatsoever. The features it has at that price point are unmatched except by other Kershaw/ZT offerings (e.g., the Tilt), and it's extremely comfortable and well-balanced in the hand. The flipping action with the KVT bearing system is also nothing short of phenomenal.

By contrast, unless you're absolutely in love with the looks of the fluted Ti handles of the Native or are looking at this as a collection/investment piece, it's not clear what advantages the Fluted Ti Native has over the 0561 or, as others have mentioned, over the FRN and G-10 Natives costing 1/4 to 1/2 as much.
 
There's no comparison. Like several other posters have said, the Native is a nice knife, but its not $240-$260 nice. The 0561 on the other hand is, from all reports, well worth that price. 3D machined Ti and G10 handles, Elmax, KVT, Hinderer....
 
I own two Natives today and would prefer the Ti version to the ZT. It is the perfect blade and handle size for me. It is more of a slicer, but plenty tough enough. The fluted titanium is fairly unique and special.

I have reviewed both the ZT 550 and the Hinderer XM-18. Assuming the 560 will be a blend between the two, I would think the flipper would be pretty stiff and it would carry like a big hunk of steel. It would be tougher that the Native and more the kind of knife I would carry if I was wearing jeans and doing some heavy work. The Native is for shorts or chinos.
 
lava_lamp said:
I have reviewed both the ZT 550 and the Hinderer XM-18. Assuming the 560 will be a blend between the two, I would think the flipper would be pretty stiff and it would carry like a big hunk of steel. It would be tougher that the Native and more the kind of knife I would carry if I was wearing jeans and doing some heavy work. The Native is for shorts or chinos.
Click to expand...
Having actually handled the 0560 and put it in my pocket, I have to disagree with this. As I mentioned in my earlier post in this thread, the flipping action with the KVT bearings is superb. And the knife is actually surprisingly lightweight for its size thanks to the skeletonized liners and pattern of machining on the Ti and G-10 scales (which involves removing some material on the surface to create the texture). I slipped it into my pocket briefly while hanging around the ZT display at the Kershaw/ZT booth (with permission from the employee manning the display, of course), and it was very comfortable in the pocket. I'd have zero qualms about carrying it while wearing shorts, khakis, dress pants, etc.
 
I'm getting both. I voted ZT though, the Native is kinda small. You have good taste.
 
Ill go for the zt because I think I say jdavis a youtjber give that native a cut test and it rolled fasr
 
If it is 'pocket jewelry', go for the Native. If it is as a 'user', the ZT would be my choice.
 
I'd go with the Native. Mainly thanks to the blade shape (full flat grind) and the spydie-hole. I like my knives to cut-slice, not to prise open stuff ;).

~Paul~
 
I'd go with the ZT for sure its worth the $ I don't know that the native is or get both the native is still a fine knife just not quite as fine
 
I would get Native. I love everything about the knife. The big problem here that nobody knows when it will be available.
 
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