Zt 0301 vs 0560

S

SuzukiGS750EZ

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Dec 30, 2008
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I know it's like comparing apples to oranges but they both caught my interest. One being spring assist and one being manual. One has the ball beating pivot system the other washers. One has Elmax the other S30V. But what sets them apart from each other if one has to decide between one or the other?
 
I own many, I carry the 550, I have 560 cbcf, the slightly smaller blade and lack of assit may help if you have an issue.

Same advice, handle them or buy both and sell one.

560 is sweet! 301 is a beast, ti frame has a nice feel

Opening mechanism is not as important, miltary go 301, other wise 560
 
Both have great steel, both were designed by highly-regarded knifemakers, both have excellent fit and finish, both are backed by one of the best warranties in the biz.

What sets them apart most would be how it feels in hand. Like dragonsprayer said, try and handle them before you make your decision.

I prefer the Hinderer ZTs, but that's just 1 man's opinion.
 
I've liked the look of both strikers and hinderers. They had to go and make this difficult on me by offering both. Shame on them.
 
For me, the 0301 is more comfortable in hand, but noticeably bulkier in pocket. The 0560 carries surprisingly comfortably for a knife its size. Ergos are also good, but it doesn't fit my hands quite as comfortably as the 0301. Both are fantastic knives that epitomize ZT's reputation for heavy-duty, overbuilt folders.

Here's a pic that includes a 0301 and 0560. They are the 2nd and 4th knives from the left respectively.

ZT200_301_350_560_550_556_750_770_780_800x472.jpg
 
What i'll be using the knife for is fishing (cutting line, clearing brush, etc.), car repair (heater hose, zip ties, stripping wire, maybe light prying of plastic). Around the hose stuff like breaking down cardboard, cutting some rope here and there and maybe shaving down some wood. Mostly all i can think of.
 
The designs are what separates them, (obviously I know). Both are made of G10, Ti, steel, and held together by screws. Do you like Ken Onion designs more or do you prefer Rick Hinderer designs more? Can't decide? Good, buy both and your problem is solved.
 
The recurve on the 0301 makes it more of a pain to sharpen if you don't the right equipment. Otherewise, they are pretty comparable hard use folders. I have a 0561 and a blackwashed 0300 (same knives as the ones you are interested in, but different colors). I carry both. The weak detent on my 0561 makes me carry it less since it has a nasty habit of opening up when I least expect it and the darned thing is razor sharp. The 0300 is a bit more reliable in my pocket (i.e., it hasn't sliced me, yet). Also, I find I really like the acid-washed or blackwashed finish. It's just aesthetics. Feel free to differ.

Frankly, I've not found much to choose from in the blade steels, cutting ability, or comfort in the hand. However, I may not be the best judge of those sorts of things for you.

In neither case can you go wrong. Both are world-class quality knives.
 
I don't have a 301, but I have a 300 and used to have a 0560. The 0560 got sold when the lock failed on me and cut my hand open a little bit. I'm not bashing ZT, but the lock would close under light pressure applied to the blade and it just turned me away from it. I tried other blades but missed having a ZT and so got a 0300BW.

I absolutely love the 0300BW. The fit and finished is excellent and it carries very well IMO. The steel is great and holds a good edge. I lent mine to my boss one day to cut some plastic off a tow motor. He ran the tip into the concrete and ground it right off. I used a stone and sandpaper and formed a new tip and I am still very happy with it. I use a combination of sandpaper over a paper towel roll, a ceramic rod, and strops to keep mine nice and sharp. If your interested in one of the 03XX series, check out the 0300, especially the black wash version.
 
I own both and both really are fantastic. They are different animals to be sure but both are excellent. At first, I thought the 301 fit my hand better but after carrying the 560 for a while, the ergos are great on it as well.

Go handle both, buy the one you think feels the best. You can't make a bad decision.
 
Personally I like my 0801 and 0550 over my 0301 and 0560. My 0301 was my first ZT and wouldn't even cut paper until I sent it to Seattle Edge for professional sharpening, it is of course now a folding laser but still carries like a brick in my pocket. Between the 0301 and 0560 I very much prefer the KVT bearings and flipper of my 0560 and its slightly slimmer profile over my 0301s cinder block like ergos and kinda slow speedsafe...I have noticed over the years that my Kershaws have always come MUCH sharper out of the box than any of my ZTs have leaving me to have to send my ZTs out one by one to be professionally sharpened due to questionable factory edge grinds on ALL my ZTs from the factory. My Kershaw Blur S30V is still the most unholy sharp out of the box knife I have ever bought....just sayin
 
I hear the 0560 has lock issues and isn't as comfortable as the 0301. I LOVE the look of both that's why it's difficult. And I can see me using them both as well. It's going to be a one time purchase (for quite a while anyways) as I don't really "need" another knife, but that's how the sickness goes huh. I don't want to be that guy who goes "damn, wish I got the other one"
 
Do you have a local sporting goods store that *might* carry one or both of these knives?
I was hesitant on the 0560 until I asked the kid behind the knife counter at a Sportsman's Warehouse to unlock the glass case and hand me that ZT.
As soon as I flipped it open I was pretty much sold. It's the ZT for me.
Maybe the 0300 is the ZT for you. Who knows, but it really helps a lot if you can hold one or both in your hand.
Since the materials, quality, F&F, etc are very similar on both knives, how it feels in your hand is going to be a BIG deciding factor.
 
No. The only store I've seen that's carried zt is in New Jersey 3 hours from me. I don't think there is a specific knife store or family owned sporting store left in CT lol
 
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