Zero Tolerance 0550/0551 Goodness

I've seen ZT 0550s with steel lock-bar inserts, but none of the ones in your collection have them. Is there a new generation of 0550s in the pipeline? I want a 0550, but don't want to buy one now only to have a newer generation come on the market. Nice collection! I'm envious.

The last production version is the Gen 3 with the lockbar insert -- fourth one down in the pictures below.

  1. 0550 (ELMAX)
  2. 0550 (Gen 1)
  3. 0550 (Gen 2)
  4. 0550 (Gen 3)
  5. 0550BLK
  6. 0550BW
  7. 0551

c5a8e99898190b828c0bf7ff2d39a1cf_zpsb2333f4b.jpg

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Work told us we are only allowed to have a 3" blade. Thus making carrying my 0550 a no go. So I created my own solution

Before



After



 
^^Nice coil, I've seen a few folks do a bigger one but I like the proportions on yours. Nice job! I have a gen1 550, and a 551.
 
I wish I had gotten into 0550/0551's a while ago. I would love to have this knife in elmax. Would also love an orange hinderer scale! Although your scale is a pretty sweet color too
 
Hey guys, new to knives, currently only have a leatherman and a Gerber fastdraw I got as a gift.

Somehow got the urge to get a midrange one and after researching a bit have narrowed it down to ZT 0566BW, 0550BW, 0550BLK. I was considering the 0560BW too but it just seems too big.

In regards to the 0550BW/BLK, those are gen 2 correct? Would I be better off getting a normal gen 3 with the lockbar insert? I do love the dark styles so much but worry about the lockbar. is the lockbar issue that big a deal??

As for the 0566BW, I love the size but not sure about the flipper, also read somewhere (can't remember where now) that one of the washers is small (not sure if it is a factor). The assisted opening is a concern too but more of a durability aspect, would be a pain to get it fixed.

Please keep in mind I'm in Asia and shipping for warranty work is a big problem so I rather there be no issues in the first place.

Other factor is price, although other than the 0550BW, the others are similar enough in price for me.

0550BLK - $179.99
0550BW - $220 (ouch)
0550 gen 3 - $154.44

0566BW - $144
0566FDEBW $176
0566BWCF $168

What a dilemna....hope I get some input to help make up my mind. Thanks.
 
Well the 566 carries much smaller in the pocket than the 550, so does the 560 even though its a longer knife. The closed width is where the 550 suffers in a pocket. All three are great knives. The lock bar insert is on all the new produced titanium frame zts, so regular gen 3, black wash and black will all have them. If your unsure contact the seller to make sure on the lock bar insert. I've got a 1st gen 550 and still going strong after a lot of carry and use. The 566 and 560 just have kicked it out of the pocket. I do like the flipper opening on the 566 and 560 better than the thumb studs. No real advantage just cool factor. You can always order extra springs from Zt if your concerned about the assisted opening on the 566 its a 2 minute job at most to replace one. Really easy.
 
0550BLK and 0550BW are only Gen 2 so no lockbar insert.

Both 0550BLK and 0550BW are the smoothest. Must be something to do with the DLC. 0550BW looks coolest not just due to the black washing of the blade but the titanium side is also blackwashed. The 0550BLK is only DLC coated blade and the titanium side is like any other 0550.

  1. 0550 (ELMAX)
  2. 0550 (Gen 1)
  3. 0550 (Gen 2)
  4. 0550 (Gen 3)
  5. 0550BLK
  6. 0550BW
  7. 0551

c5a8e99898190b828c0bf7ff2d39a1cf_zpsb2333f4b.jpg

b8e7a96d3b0af20a4938b1d71dbec3c3_zps5aaebc2c.jpg
 
The last production version is the Gen 3 with the lockbar insert -- fourth one down in the pictures below.

  1. 0550 (ELMAX)
  2. 0550 (Gen 1)
  3. 0550 (Gen 2)
  4. 0550 (Gen 3)
  5. 0550BLK
  6. 0550BW
  7. 0551

c5a8e99898190b828c0bf7ff2d39a1cf_zpsb2333f4b.jpg

b8e7a96d3b0af20a4938b1d71dbec3c3_zps5aaebc2c.jpg


Thank you for the information! I'm very excited to get my 550 Gen 3. I hope to find an orange scale someday. I saw Bella made them.
 
I really like the 0551's and the different handles you can get for them. I want one bad but cant ever seem to pull the trigger on one. :upset:
 
BladeHQ exclusive ZT 0550BW on sale for just $149.99 today only!
 
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