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Zero Tolerance 0560 as EDC Feedback?

I've been EDC'ing my 0560 since it arrived 6 weeks or so ago and don't see it falling out of rotation any time soon. It isn't tiny by any means but also is quite light and carries really well for the size. If you like larger, heavy duty knives then look no further but if you're more a fan of smaller, lighter blades then something else (maybe the 0566) would be a better choice.

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After a few days the deep carry clip is really growing on me. The flip action is getting crazy smooth.
 
I've carried a pre-ordered (fresh off the factory floor) 0560 on my off-duty days in the pocket opposite my pistol.

Here's the thing. IF you want to carry a knife that would serve you well IF you had to defend your (or kids, etc) life with, then there aren't many better for the weight/strength/ergonomcs combination IMO. You can get rid of the hot spots with a fine emery board - I did.

IF you don't want/need a knife that serves a defensive role, there are many nice looking, higher performance slicers/cutters out there for less money and less weight.

All just my opinion.
 
I have a black stonewash version and have been EDC for the last two months. It's a little large but if all you carry in that pocket is the knife you are fine. The edge retention of the elmax blade has been great. The flipping action has been smooth as glass since I opened the box.
 
I got the 0561 about 4 days ago. Carries remarkably well for the size. I'm impressed by that. It's a bit larger than what I'm used to carrying (TSF Beast) but I have always leaned towards a larger folder. My only issue thus far, and it being very new, is that the lock is a bit sticky but only randomly. I'm hoping it'll continue to break in and the lock gets more consistent. I think it feels great in hand, too. And the pivot action is just wonderful. So smooth and quick.
 
561 is a great knife, but for EDC try a 0566 and de-assist it, this will solve all those issues of the 561.
 
It's not a bad knife for EDC if you need beefy, for me it's a bit too big for the sheeple, but it carries "smaller" in the pocket because of the rounded handle slabs and thin profile, for example it feels a lot "smaller" or at least less noticeable in my pocket than my old 0551 did. They really nailed the handle ergos on it it's super comfy. Also for my use any exposed metal handle knife is inferior to G10/Micarta slabs etc. Metal handles are no fun in the heat, cold, or when wet for real hard use in the elements I'll take G10/Micarta over Ti/Steel slabs any day. I've seen a lot of variation in 560's on blade detent strength my 0561 would open if you looked at it wrong, others have been fine, some even on the stiff side.

I still want to check out the 0566, as I think size wise it's perfect, I loved the size of the 0550 but thought it was too thick/bulky and the 0566 looks slimmer, too bad they didn't go with a Ti handle and do a bit more rounding/radius work to the edges, but I'm sure it was a cost savings/price point issue.

That said, for my typical use and I'd bet most people's average use I prefer a better slicing blade like the PM2, Manix 2, Rift, etc. Lots of us talk about the strength/abuse taking ability of knives, but I doubt many of us have ever actually broken a quality knife in normal everyday use.
 
For it's size it pocket carries very well. It's fairly light for it's size and it's footprint is smaller than expected in pocket.
Though I think it looks fantastic, sheeple think it looks like a machete.
There is quite a bit of material behind the edge which leads to being a poor slicer. Changing the grind to remove some of that will make it a better slicer and much more useable knife in my opinion.
The ergos are good for light tasks, but it digs in a bit on repeated heavy tasks. I like the thin profile for carry, but that makes it less than ideal for hard cutting tasks.
Overall all though I think it's one of the best bang-for-buck knives out there.
 
I normally carry three knives, and each have their specific purpose. As a righty, I carry either the 0561, Strider SMF, Strider SnG, Lion Steel SR1 or large Sebenza 25 in the RH strong pocket mainly for defensive purposes. I keep these knives razor sharp, and never have to re-sharpen then because they are never used (and hopefully never will be). In my left pocket, I always carry a Benchmade Griptillian for EDC cutting tasks, box opening, etc. I carry a Carter Cutlery neck knife as a general backup to all of the above. When working in the woods or around the property, strong side pocket knife is usually replaced with a Survive GSO 4.1 fixed blade on my belt, or a Survive GSO 5.1.

I find that the ZT 0561 is an exceptional value, beefy enough to do hard chores, and ergonomic enough to be a formidable force in a fight. It is a little large, but I do not mind large folders for the purpose that I carry them. As far as large folders are concerned, the Strider SMF is much lighter than the ZT 0561, but it also costs much more money. For the price, the 0561 is probably the best value knife that I own. But I must qualify this with the purpose that I carry it, defense. None of my defense knives are efficient cutters (except for the Sebenza) as they all have thick blades. These knives will double for a survival knife if they have to, so I want beefy to thump on in case I have to. I am not saying that they are good survival knives, but they can double for one in a pinch. I am completely satisfied with my ZT, and it is in my strong side rotation frequently.
 
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