Zero Tolerance 0550 vs ZT 0560 Which do you prefer?

B

BrolyJr

Joined
Nov 7, 2012
Messages
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I love both of these knives but only have the budget to get one. I like the 0550 because it is smaller just by a little bit and I like the plain Ti frame lock over the laser cut ones on the 0560. And I like the 0560 because its more attractive and looks much more like the XM models from hinderer. Help me decide!!
 
I love the 550 over the 560! I think both are awesome knives and you can't go wrong either way but the 550 just feels perfect in the hand!
 
0550BLK would be my choice. Used to be my favorite ZT until it was surpassed by the 0801.
 
Love the 0560 but the I think you would carry the 0550 more. The size is a little more conducive to EDC and it opens so smoothly, fastest opening knife I own, I much prefer it to a flipper. Aesthetically the scale would be the only down side to me about the 0550, I changed mine out but on the other side of the knife, like you I also prefer the cleaner look of the 0550.
 
My 0550 with S35N is real sharp, easy to sharpen and keep sharp. Nice size and easier to carry imo. Only has thumb stud with super strong detent. After trying to work it in my thumb was so soar I had to take a week off from my new hobby. Now it still has strong detent and flies open. Not with ease but it's ok. The 0561 is bigger flips open with ease with flipper or thumb stud. It's harder to close the jimping is a little rough. I had a hard time getting the Elmax sharp myself but its pretty good now, not as sharp as the 0550. I also like the looks of the 0561 better.
 
I like them both, but what I really want is an 0560 without a flipper!

The 0560 is larger and more comfortable in hand, and the effective blade length is almost a full inch longer than the 0550 because of the flipper/finger guard.

The 0560 is thinner than the 0550, which makes it more comfortable in the pocket in my opinion.

The 0550 is a stout beast of a pocket knife, and great in its own right.
I'd say out of the two my favorite is the 0560, but I only own an 0550 at the moment...

Does that help? :-p
 
I prefer the 560 just because of size and looks and the lazer cut frame lock does not seem like a bad thing as it just makes the knife seem very well fit and finish wise. I think it looks great too and I like flippers, but that is because I am on a Ti-framelock and flipper kick right now.
 
I've had a 560 and a 561, as well as the Gen1 and Gen2 0550's.
I've sold them all other than the 0550 gen 2. It's smaller than the 560, easier to carry, and still offers more heavy-duty performance than I will likely need. Balance your needs against the size, and ignore the hype. Bigger is NOT always better. A lot of folks leave the knife at home when they discover it's a brick in their pocket.
 
I've had both, but sold my 0560. The 0550 just fits my hand (I have medium sized hands) better. Although the blade on the 0560 is only a 1/4 inch longer, the knife as a whole seemed substantially larger. I liked the 0550 so much that I got a gen 2 to go along with my gen 1.
 
I have them both (the 0550 and the 0561). The 0550 is just about the perfect size for me. It's built like a tank and feels a bit more "stubbier" in the hand than the 0560/0561, but the 0561 opens smoother and carries better in the pocket due to the deep carry clip design. Keep in mind, I have the 1st Generation 0550. The current version of the 0550 has a deep pocket carry clip. I really like them both, but if I had to choose one over the other for EDC I would go for the 0550.
 
I had an 0561 for a while, and it was nice and solid and smooth (after a brief break-in period), but it was a little unwieldy and carried kinda awkwardly - the area on the handle where the thumb studs rest when the knife is open is a bit sharp, and tended to rip holes in my pocket lining when stowing the knife (carrying it tip-up). I ultimately traded it for a Gayle Bradley.

Cut to a collection dump, a move, and about 6 months later, and I snagged a 0550BLK off the bay for a steal (seller knocked a huge amount off the price because it had no pocket clip, so I bought it and contacted ZT the same day for a clip and screws - which are FREE.) and it has been an absolute pleasure. Many people complain about the stock scale, but, while not being super attractive, it is very functional. The deployment is super smooth and the lockup is flawless. It arrived super sharp and S35VN is a wonderful steel.

Honestly, I like the 0550 more in practice. It's not as attractive (the 3D machined handle on the 0560/0561 is damned gorgeous) but it is every bit as functional. Also, the tip on the 0550 is a little more keen and is super stout.

If you're looking for a knife to use frequently, get the 0550. If you're looking for a knife to carry occasionally and admire, get the 0560/1. Not to say the 0560/1 isn't a functional knife, but the size makes it a little cumbersome.
 
Had them both sold my 550 kept my 561.... So for me it be the 561. Love the flipper, and it is so smooth the blade just falls closed once past the detent ball. great edc size for me. I don't even notice it when wearing jeans. It is also very easy to sharpen, and get a mirror polish. Have yet to get another knife to replace the 561. Both are great knives though I say get both :D
 
I carry the 550 more. Its a bit thick for my tastes, but its shorter and has much beter blade:handle ratio, which I value. It fills the hand nice and feels so solid with the thick Ti lockbar. The 560 is an excelent knife but is a bit big (which is why I plan on getting a 566) for me.
 
I love them both, but I like that the 0550 is more compact and I hate the pocket clip on the 0560 and the new 0550 so I very much prefer my gen 1 0550.
 
For me it's 0550 hands down. No flipper and perfect blade length for me. I have a gen2 and it flips open super smooth & easy.
 
I have a 551 and a 561. 561 gets pocket time while the 551 really doesn't. the 561 is nice and thin compared to the 551. I'm thinking either way you can't go wrong, but I like the bearings of the 561. really smooth action.
 
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