Which ZT should I get?

kingston73

kingston73

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Oct 14, 2013
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I have benchmades and Spyderco, my favorite are a 560-1 super freek and pm2. I had a zt566 (edited, wrong number) and a 350 a long while ago but didn't like the assisted opening on either and the 350 was just too "tactical" and so I sold both.

I want to get a zt just to add to my collection for basic EDC use. If you could only get one and you love the pm2 size and slicey-ness, which model ZT would you get and why?

Thanks all
 
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If I were going to get just one ZT, it would have to be the 0562. I have no basis for reference for comparison to the Spyderco but, it is a fantastic knife.
 
ZT 0562 and 0560 are both bricks as compared to PM2. But, I agree if I were to have only one ZT, it would be 0562.

OP - how about selling one or two knives from your collection and adding some $$ to buy a Hinderer XM-18 3.5" Skinny Slicer? That knife will match the sliceyness of PM2.
 
801ti. They're discontinued, but you can find them pretty easy. Great design, and slicier than a 562. Might have to reprofile the edge, but once you do watch out. I love my 562cf too, but I tend to grab the 801 more.

The 0095 is even slicier...

For a smaller knife, 0470 hands down, or the 456 if you can handle the chunk. It is also very slicey thanks to a high flat grind. Love my 456cf.
 
kingston73 said:
I had a zt560 and a 350 a long while ago but didn't like the assisted opening on either
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The 0560 didn't have assisted opening.

kingston73 said:
I want to get a zt just to add to my collection for basic EDC use. If you could only get one and you love the pm2 size and slicey-ness, which model ZT would you get and why?
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if you want comparable size and "slicey-ness" I'd recommend the 0470, with an alternative being the 0095. The 0470 has essentially the same blade length as the PM2, with a slightly thinner blade... it is a bit shorter, overall, though; due to the shorter handle. The 0095 has a slightly longer blade, same thin bladestock, and is closer in overall length.

The 0562ti is, I believe, based on the Hinderer slicer grind, and pretty comparable in length to the PM2...but slicer grind, or not, the blade is still thicker than that of the PM2. Whether that has an impact on slicey-ness may depend on your usage. Personally, I never saw the appeal of the 0562...but that was probably because I was a fan of the (larger) 0560.
The 0450 is a small knife, and I found it somewhat awkward when I handled one. In fairness, I have since become more accustomed to that size, though I do still find some models awkward. I have not revisited the 0450; so I can't say whether I'd like it better now. I say this not to bash the knife, but because you stated that you like the size of the PM2.
 
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If I could just keep one ZT it would be my 0562cf. Even though it's a little big for my personal EDC it still disappears in the pocket, it's gorgeous and can handle any task you throw it's way. I love my cf version so much I'll probably grab an 0562ti sometime this year.

If you want smaller I'd go with the 0450cf.
 
kingston73 said:
I have benchmades and Spyderco, my favorite are a 560-1 super freek and pm2. I had a zt560 and a 350 a long while ago but didn't like the assisted opening on either and the 350 was just too "tactical" and so I sold both.

I want to get a zt just to add to my collection for basic EDC use. If you could only get one and you love the pm2 size and slicey-ness, which model ZT would you get and why?

Thanks all
Click to expand...
If I were to get a ZT for slicey-ness, I'd go for any of the Sinkevich models...

But I'll agree with several others above...

The ZT 0562 is the one to get if you're only getting one.

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Surprisingly, the ZT with the best slicing geometry I've owned has been the 0301. Though it's 4mm thick, mine has a primary grind that I've measured at .020" thick at the edge on the belly and has a primary flat grind height at that point which is taller than that of a PM2 or Military. That's the closest I've seen ZT come to making a blade that slices things well.

That being said, the blade is recurved, so that alone will probably eliminate it from most people's consideration.
 
Depend on the knife... it is designed to be thumb disk only but I front flip mine sometime for fun
 
Both the 470 and the 640 are vastly under-rated. Whale all the haters are running a round talking about how ZT has gone away from their bold & overbuilt roots....they have been releasing some of the best blades on the market. I carry both regularly, they are smooth, lightweight, and great slicers.
 
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