Zero Tolerance 551

G

Gator79

Joined
Apr 23, 2011
Messages
82
My first post, since I am a relatively new enthusiast and collector, making what seems like a natural transition from firearms to folders and fixed blades.

Over the past six months I have added a Strider, Bradley and Chris Reeve to my collection. I got into these higher-end knives after joining this forum. These knives were added to my Benchmades, Spyderco, Gerbers, Cold Steels and SOGs.

I also purchased a ZT 200 and then a ZT 350. I then saw the ZT 551 and really wanted one. However, every place I go (off and online) is out-of-stock and the blade doesn't even appear on the U.S. ZT site. Was this a spint run knife? Is ZT going to manufacturer it again? If so, does anyonne know at what price?

I have been checking to see if anyone has one for sale, but so far no luck. The only option right now is eBay at $300+. Any ideas?
 
Yes, the 0551 was pretty much a sprint run with only 1000 units made. Sometime this year, Zero Tolerance is going to have 0550's in the market, which are essentially 0551's, except that it is going to have S35VN steel instead of ELMAX, and is going to have a different g10 pattern. So if you liked the 0551, but missed out, the 0550 will be almost as good.
 
No almost about it. It will be as good or better. I like the g10 pattern on the 0550 better than the 0551. I actually had custom scales made up for mine.
 
You can find a 0551 on the secondary market, the price however might be upto $300+. Elmax Steel is pure performance, like the Corvette of knives. Glad I picked up a couple when they were everywhere.
 
RevDevil said:
You can find a 0551 on the secondary market, the price however might be upto $300+. Elmax Steel is pure performance, like the Corvette of knives. Glad I picked up a couple when they were everywhere.
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How much were they originally?
 
jml90 said:
How much were they originally?
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$200 most places. The knife was definitely a bargain at that price: IMHO, the ZT 0551 compares favorably even to the knives that are available at the higher ~$300 secondary market price point. (Yeah, yeah, easy for me to say when I got mine at the original price! :p) Everything from the blade steel (as already mentioned, Elmax is great stuff) to the super-thick titanium framelock to the F&F is just top-notch.
 
i had two and the fit and finish was ANYTHING but top notch IMHO. not trying to start a war just saying... to me it was worth no more than 200$ which is what i paid so i was ok with it. needless to say i dont own them anymore. there were no problems with them just dont personally think theyre worth upwards of 300$.
 
I agree 100%. I plan on picking up the 0550 as well even though it is basically the same knife just different scale and blade steel. I am really impressed with the fit and finish of the 0551.

neuron said:
$200 most places. The knife was definitely a bargain at that price: IMHO, the ZT 0551 compares favorably even to the knives that are available at the higher ~$300 secondary market price point. (Yeah, yeah, easy for me to say when I got mine at the original price! :p) Everything from the blade steel (as already mentioned, Elmax is great stuff) to the super-thick titanium framelock to the F&F is just top-notch.
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The 550 should be a nice knife for the price. Typically ZT gets heavily discounted if you look around. ZT fit and finish is about average. Never pay more than msrp for any ZT knife. Most never pay msrp because of all the discounts. Wait for the 550, it will have a DLC coating so it will better than the 551, IMO.
 
MikeyD said:
i had two and the fit and finish was ANYTHING but top notch IMHO. not trying to start a war just saying... to me it was worth no more than 200$ which is what i paid so i was ok with it. needless to say i dont own them anymore. there were no problems with them just dont personally think theyre worth upwards of 300$.
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Huh, interesting. I have three, and the F&F is perfect on all of them. Sounds like you got unlucky (or, I suppose, like I got lucky!).

mystro said:
The 550 should be a nice knife for the price. Typically ZT gets heavily discounted if you look around. ZT fit and finish is about average. Never pay more than msrp for any ZT knife. Most never pay msrp because of all the discounts. Wait for the 550, it will have a DLC coating so it will better than the 551, IMO.
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The 0550 was originally announced as having a DLC coating, but the last I heard they had decided to make it stonewashed like the 0551.
 
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My 0551 has great F&F, and is one of my all around favorite knives. Its just the right size for EDC. I am sure the 0550 will be just as nice.
 
My 0551 is a blem and still has amazing F&F. If those guys are complaining about a sticky lockbar, they need to invest in a pencil or sharpie instead of complaining.
 
I have two 0551's and both have perfect fit and finish by production standards and I had a third that I traded away the same way. That means I batted 1000 out of three. Not bad. I carry one and have one stashed now to either use later or as trade fodder.
 
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MikeyD said:
i had two and the fit and finish was ANYTHING but top notch IMHO. not trying to start a war just saying... to me it was worth no more than 200$ which is what i paid so i was ok with it. needless to say i dont own them anymore. there were no problems with them just dont personally think theyre worth upwards of 300$.
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I got one of your 0551s, and I ahve to disagree. I think the fit and finish is pretty good on it. Granted the lock up on it when I got it was NOT solid and there was blade play. I fixed that by bending the lockbar over, it locks up like a tank now. I am more than pleased with the fit and finish.

I will say though, I don't feel like the fit and finish on my 0551 is on par with my 0300, but I can accept that as it's still pretty awesome.
 
Alanp said:
I got one of your 0551s, and I ahve to disagree. I think the fit and finish is pretty good on it. Granted the lock up on it when I got it was NOT solid and there was blade play. I fixed that by bending the lockbar over, it locks up like a tank now. I am more than pleased with the fit and finish.

I will say though, I don't feel like the fit and finish on my 0551 is on par with my 0300, but I can accept that as it's still pretty awesome.
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If not having solid lock up and having blade play is not the definition of poor fit, what is?
 
Poor fit would also include ill fitting grips on liners, basically any part that does not line up as it should. This would also include lockup. The thing about it is that some poor fit problems can be fixed by the end user with little problem. I've fixed lockbars by doing the same thing as Alanp, and also fixed blades that were not seated correctly when closed. Sometimes things like this slip by, especially if there is a rush to get knives to market. If everything else is alright with the knife, then some problems such as the lockbar can be fixed by the person who buy's the knife. Afterall, if you send it back to have it fixed, this is what the company will do to correct the problem. I know that it is something many folks might not want to mess with, or may not have the ability to fix it themselves, but as a certified knifenut I like the challenge sometimes. Heck, every liner/frame lock knife I get, I'm not satisfied with the lock and always add a tad of bend to get a stiffer lock, and this includes the custom folders I have.
 
kreole said:
If not having solid lock up and having blade play is not the definition of poor fit, what is?
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cutter17 said:
Poor fit would also include ill fitting grips on liners, basically any part that does not line up as it should. This would also include lockup. The thing about it is that some poor fit problems can be fixed by the end user with little problem. I've fixed lockbars by doing the same thing as Alanp, and also fixed blades that were not seated correctly when closed. Sometimes things like this slip by, especially if there is a rush to get knives to market. If everything else is alright with the knife, then some problems such as the lockbar can be fixed by the person who buy's the knife. Afterall, if you send it back to have it fixed, this is what the company will do to correct the problem. I know that it is something many folks might not want to mess with, or may not have the ability to fix it themselves, but as a certified knifenut I like the challenge sometimes. Heck, every liner/frame lock knife I get, I'm not satisfied with the lock and always add a tad of bend to get a stiffer lock, and this includes the custom folders I have.
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What cutter said. I don't feel like my blade play was a fit and finish issue so much as an adjustment issue. When I get a knife in that the pivot is to tight on, I loosen it to my liking. Pretty much the same case with the lock bar. While I was hesitant at first as I wasn't sure about Kershaw's warranty, after further digging and realizing that they have no issue with you disassembling your knife, I took it apart adjusted my lock bar and now my 0551 locks up like a vault.
 
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