Will there ever be a 3" ZT 562cf?

[bld522]

Yup, this is the one reason why I haven't been that much interested in ZTs.

It's also the reason I own one (and only one) folder I can't openly discuss here. Let's just say that buying that folder was my way of quietly protesting secondary market pricing and ZT for their unwillingness to bring the entire XM line to the masses. The day ZT delivers a 3" version of the 0562CF, I'll drop that knife off the end of the Redondo Beach pier. Until then, I'll have a smile on my face every time I drop it into my pocket. Oh, and in case you're wondering why I'd be willing to carry a piece of junk, keep this in mind. I don't carry knives that aren't exceptionally well-made.

 

[Burr]

I think it might have something to do with engineering. Most unassisted sub 3" knives do not flip well, "without skill". The blade weight, and pivot point are the big factors.
I know there are exceptions, especially in custom's.

Just a thought.

 

[ArabianKnight]

I have both XM-18 sizes and a 3" 0562 would be great, a nice addition to the 3.5" size.

 

[bld522]

I think it might have something to do with engineering. Most unassisted sub 3" knives do not flip well, "without skill". The blade weight, and pivot point are the big factors.
I know there are exceptions, especially in custom's.

Just a thought.

You need to spend some quality time with a CRKT Eros, my friend.

The big factors in flipping unassisted flippers are the strength of their detents and the smoothness of their pivots. Give me a strong detent coupled with a thrust bearing pivot and I could flip a feather.

The real issue with XMs is that they incorporate weak detents BY DESIGN! Not so with ZTs. Strong detents coupled with thrust bearing pivots and sensible price points are why ZT variants of XMs are FAR better alternatives than original XMs for civilian use. If ZT made a 3" 0562CF, I bet it would flip like a screamin' demon.

 

[PC87]

Hopefully they (ZT) will make a 3" 562 with M390 and not elmax, they have enough elmax in their lineup. I suspect if enough people show interest with this 3" offering they would consider it. They made the 566 after a lot of people said the 560 was just to big for EDC. I know I complained and begged them to build the 566. Until they bring a 3" offering using a steel other than elmax in a XM look alike I will keep my 566 in my pocket.

 

[alwayscarryaknife]

That .5 inch makes a big difference. Felt more in the hand and the pocket than the picture below shows. The 3" XM-18 is much smaller than the 3.5". Love them both but find myself with the 3" most days.

 

[PC87]

double post

 

[PC87]

That .5 inch makes a big difference. Felt more in the hand and the pocket than the picture below shows. The 3" XM-18 is much smaller than the 3.5". Love them both but find myself with the 3" most days.

Thanks for the pics, .5" is a huge difference both in pocket and in hand, people forget the handle is larger also with a longer blade.

 

[Stays Sharp]

I'd like to see it happen but I have read enough Thomas posts regarding 3 inch ZT's to assume that it is unlikely...

They are probably looking at the sales figures of the 0770's to see if it is worth it.

 

[PC87]

That .5 inch makes a big difference. Felt more in the hand and the pocket than the picture below shows. The 3" XM-18 is much smaller than the 3.5". Love them both but find myself with the 3" most days.

Thanks for the pics, .5" is a huge difference both in pocket and in hand, people forget the handle is larger also with a longer blade.

 

[bld522]

I'd like to see it happen but I have read enough Thomas posts regarding 3 inch ZT's to assume that it is unlikely...

They are probably looking at the sales figures of the 0770's to see if it is worth it.

That would be my assumption as well.

 

[ToddM]

I think with many of the popular designs we always see desire for different blade lengths, bigger and smaller. I'd guess if you asked the companies selling knives that right now the 3.5-3.75" length folders knives sell the best and fit the tactical/heavy duty/extreme etc. mold that is so popular with buyers right now.

I've personally never been able to decide what I want in a 3" knife. Most seem to have handles that are much too short/small, for frequent use. Which I guess makes for a smaller knife in the pocket, the only time I can see using such a knife is as a dress knife or somewhere with a 3" law. For while I wished more makers would leave the handle size alone but include a shorter 3" blade (which would also make it MUCH cheaper to produce). However, that seems like a waste of weight/handle, unless again your locale requires a max 3" blade and that's probably a pretty small market.

I think it would sell, the question is would it sell enough to make it worthwhile for ZT to produce.

 

[bld522]

A 3.0" blade with a 4.0" handle is just about a perfect folder size for me. I have no problem using a knife that size for extended periods of time. And you're right, it does make for a smaller and perhaps even more importantly, LIGHTER knife in the pocket. I've also found a folder with a 3.0" blade and a 4.0" handle to be suitable for just about any cutting task I need a folder to accomplish regardless of what I happen to be wearing. And for what it's worth, I don't live a jurisdiction with a 3" blade limit law.

 

[bearcut]

They would sell every one they make.

 

[bld522]

They would sell every one they make.

Yep. Sure doesn't seem as if Rick Hinderer has any trouble selling 3.0" XM-18's. And they don't last long on the secondary market either. So obviously somebody's buying them.

Here are a few other knives that fit in the 7.0" overall length category those who are having trouble deciding what to buy may want to consider:

Kershaw Leek (7.0")
Benchmade Mini-Griptilian (6.87")
Spyderco Sage series (7.125")
Chris Reeve Small Sebenza (6.875")

Need I go on?

 

[bld522]

Hopefully they (ZT) will make a 3" 562 with M390 and not elmax, they have enough elmax in their lineup. I suspect if enough people show interest with this 3" offering they would consider it. They made the 566 after a lot of people said the 560 was just to big for EDC. I know I complained and begged them to build the 566. Until they bring a 3" offering using a steel other than elmax in a XM look alike I will keep my 566 in my pocket.

I'm not fussy. While a 3.0" 0562CF with an M390 blade would be fantastic, I'd consider just about any offering from ZT with a 3.0" blade length and a weight of 4.0 ounces or less. Keep in mind that we're talking about a category of knives that ZT has made precisely one model of in the company's history. And while that model only weighed 3 ounces, it was still shipped in a box that proudly displayed it's "overbuilt" heritage. Overbuilt? 3 ounces? Really??? Hmmm. Doesn't sound like a culture that's committed to changing course very quickly, does it?

If ZT never makes another underbuilt overbuilt knife, at least I'll have my 0770CF to keep me warm.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

Honestly, I wasn't trying to sound snooty, but an extra .5" doesn't make any difference to me. Even an extra inch is not a big deal for me.

I understand that the longer the blade, the longer the handle; but strap a leatherman rebar on your belt (nearly .5 lbs) and an extra ounce or so doesn't make a difference. This is all my opinion and obviously doesn't hold for all of you guys.

 

[bld522]

The extra .5" doesn't make that much difference to me either. The problem is that the extra .5" is usually accompanied by an ounce or more of extra weight. Just to keep it in the Hinderer family, for instance, look at the difference in weight between a 3.0" XM-18 (3.6 ounces) and a 3.5" XM-18 (5.6 ounces). I don't wear folders clipped to my pants and I can assure you that the difference between carrying a folder that weighs 3.6 ounces and one that weighs 5.6 ounces is noticeable when it's riding in the bottom of my pocket. (FYI, 4.0 ounces is my carry limit. The Spyderco Southard, for example, is about the heaviest knife I'm willing to carry. The only reason I'd buy an 0562CF is to stick it in the safe!)