ZT 0550... Is It Worth It?

BladeChick777

BladeChick777

Joined
Jun 20, 2011
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Okay, So I've Wanted This Knife Since I've Known It Was Coming Out, Now I Am A Super Broke Person So I've Not Had The Chance To Grab One. I Still Want This Knife Really Badly.

So, I Am Thinking Of Selling Off A Few Of My Small Collection To Get One.
The Ones That Would Have To Be On The Block Would Be:
Spyderco Paramilitary 2 - Camo/Satin.
Benchmade Orange Ritter Griptilian.
And Probably One Of My Mid-Range Knives To Cover Whatever Else Needs To Be Covered.

Is It Worth It? We All Know That The Para2 Is An AMAZING Knife, And That The Griptilians - In Any Form - Are Also Really Good Knives.
I Love Both Knives.. I Think They Are Great. But If The ZT 0550 Is Worth It, I Would Sell Both + Some For It.
It Seems Like An Amazing Knife, And I Am REALLY Considering It.

But I Don't Want To Sell Off My Knives.. Get The ZT 0550.. And Then Regret Selling My Knives.
First Is s35vn Really That Much Better Than s30v?
Second.. Is The Titanium Frame Lock Really That Superior To Other Locks?

So, Should I Bite The Bullet, And Pull The Trigger? Or Should I Grab My Knives And Walk Away?

What Do You Think?

I'm Really Confused On What To Do... So..
Your Opinions And Insights Are Very Much Appreciated.
 
I just picked up a 551, and am awaiting to receive it. I hear and read good things so I am excited. Its a XM 18 at 200 or near to be one for a mass production ZT
 
Probably not. The ZT is a good knife no doubt. Is the steel any better than what you already have? Probably not. Will it cut any better than the others and will it sharpen any better? Ad hype in many cases. If you really want it sell what you have and get it. You may or may not be happy with the results. Good luck.
 
It's hard to compare the Paramilitary2 and the 0550, they are 2 completely different tools. Indecision is tough, but ultimately it your own money that will be spent. You are flip-flopping hard all over the place. You want the knife, then you aren't sure, then you want to sell some stuff, then you don't. Is it worth it? is it not?
To try and answer some of your questions:
S35VN is not "better" than S30V in terms of edge retention, toughness, or corrosion resistance in my experience. It is a little easier to sharpen, but not by much. The "better" happens on the manufacturers side, it is easier to machine and turn the steel into knives.
The Reeve Integral Lock is a different kind of lock than the Compression Lock. Is it superior? Not in function, not in my opinion. Some people prefer to not have their fingers cross the blade path in order to disengage the lock. some people prefer Titanium, because of the bling factor/pocket jewelry factor.
Just make a choice and run with it.
opgenorf said:
I just picked up a 551, and am awaiting to receive it. I hear and read good things so I am excited. Its a XM 18 at 200 or near to be one for a mass production ZT
Click to expand...

The 0551 is a similar design to the Camp Knife, NOT the XM series. The 0560 is the XM styled ZT.
 
Hm, Thanks For The Posts. I Mean I Really Do Like The Knife. But I'm Just Not Sure It's Worth It.
And Considering The Steel And Materials May Not Be Any Better And/Or Superior To What I Have It Really Makes Me Second Guess The ZT.
Also, Not Really Looking For "Bling" Or "Pocket Jewelry".
I Just Want A Good Tough Knife. I Guess I Already Have That. But I Have An Itch For Something.. Beefier. Maybe I'll Just Go For Something In A Cheaper Price Range Which Will Still Have The "Beefy" Factor To It.

Thanks For The Help Guys!
 
Depends what you like imo yes its completely worth it, just because its the style of blades I like
 
I Mean, It's Definitely My Style.
I've Never Owned A Titanium Knife.
But I'm Also Not Looking To Have Said Knife In My Pocket And Wish It Was The Para2 Lol.
Maybe A Beefy Folder To Go With The Para2 Is In Order? I Think That's What I May Go For.
 
While We're Here... Any Thoughts On The Buck/Tops CSAR-T G-10 Folder? Seems Like A Sweet Beefy Knife, ATS-34 Steel, Thick Liner Lock, BOS Heat Treat, And Not Exactly A Big Tanto Knife Like I Thought, It's More Of A Modified Tanto. Like The Tanto Fits In With The Rest Of The Blade.
I Think That May Be My Answer.
Or A ZT 0350 Or Something Like That.
 
The short answer is no, from a practical point of view it's not worth it, everything you already have is just as good.

But from a knife knut's prospective , I'd do it ( and have), we get bored real fast and want something new.

The 0550 is everythng I like in a knife , ti framelock , prem SS and a very good production version of an expensive knife. Yeah I'd do it...

and about the Buck CSAR - T , I just got one during the week and can tell you it's a bargain at < $100. But it's a big knife, I'm not sure how it will carry , I won't find out until this weekend.
 
I havn't owned a 0550 but I do own some other ZTs. I have to say the 030x would kick the PM2 out of my pocket if it had a low-pro pocket clip. Also, if you're looking for beefy then the ZTs are going to do that everyday all day.

If you want cheaper then talk to Dave about a blem 0200 or 0350. Those are still beefy with a low price.

Also, the mini-onslaught is in no means beefy. It feels very sleek and precise, not a heavy duty tank, but it is still an amazing knife. A very good EDC.
 
Sounds from what you have been buying/trading you are moving up to the $200 + category for the first time and not sure if you want to take that step.

Is it the knife itself or the cost that is your hesitation? You won't know till you do it. Remember, you can always flip it. It's a popular item.

I had one. It wasn't for me so it's not here anymore. Good knife but I thought it too bulky and the blade too thick. I like my Kershaw Rake better. I've got the 0560 on pre-order so time will tell on that one as well.
 
Actually.. In This Case.. It's The Knife That I'm Hesitant About.
Hell If I Had The Money And Thought The Knife To Be Worth It I Would Pay Way More Than $200+ And Sell Every Knife I Own.
I've Just Yet To Find That Knife That Makes Me Feel Like "I HAVE TO HAVE IT AND THESE HAVE TO GO!".
And Honestly I Would Love To Have That Feeling, So I Think I'll Hold Off.
At First I Was Like "Well This Is Obviously The Better Knife By Far". But After Going Through Reviews, Videos, And Asking Advice, It Really Isn't The "Better Knife". And I Am Honestly Thinking I'll Go With The CSAR-T. It Seems Like A BEAST Of A Knife, And That's What I Would Like Is A Tank Of A Folder To Go With My Lightweight Tank - The Para2.

So I Think I've Decided On What To Do.
 
The Paramilitary 2 is a better EDC than the ZT 550. IMO the PM2 is one of the best edc knives ever. That being said, I think you could own both the PM2 and 550 and be very happy with your knives. I have owned a number of ZT knives and all seem a bit too heavy and none slice as good as the PM2. I do have a 560 on order but that is a different animal than either.
 
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BladeChick777 said:
Actually.. In This Case.. It's The Knife That I'm Hesitant About.
Hell If I Had The Money And Thought The Knife To Be Worth It I Would Pay Way More Than $200+ And Sell Every Knife I Own.
I've Just Yet To Find That Knife That Makes Me Feel Like "I HAVE TO HAVE IT AND THESE HAVE TO GO!".
And Honestly I Would Love To Have That Feeling, So I Think I'll Hold Off.
At First I Was Like "Well This Is Obviously The Better Knife By Far". But After Going Through Reviews, Videos, And Asking Advice, It Really Isn't The "Better Knife". And I Am Honestly Thinking I'll Go With The CSAR-T. It Seems Like A BEAST Of A Knife, And That's What I Would Like Is A Tank Of A Folder To Go With My Lightweight Tank - The Para2.

So I Think I've Decided On What To Do.
Click to expand...

You'll like the CSAR-T, it's worth every penny and is just as good as the lower priced ZT's
I buy most of my knives "sight unseen" , so I watched lots of youtube reviews.
 
I'm Kind Of Hooked On The Thought Of A ZT 0350 As Well.. But The CSAR-T Doesn't Have That Recurve, And Really The Blade Shape Just Seems To Be More Practical.
And For Someone That Started Out Being Addicted To A/O Knives, I Just Don't Have The Pull Towards Them That I Used To.
But The Recurve May Also Be Interesting. I Owned A ZT 0200 And Honestly At First, Like The Knife Was AMAZING But The Blade Shape Is What Turned Me Away. Lol.
 
From a pure value perspective verus a subjective perspective, based on all the other knives I own or have owned, I'd venture to say the 0550 is certainly worth the street price. Maybe even then some.

The build quality is really good, the materials are all what we expect from a world class production folder and the knife is a tank of a folder without being too heavy or too big, IMHO. The action on mine is superb and the lock up is solid.

When I hold mine and use it and operate it, I can easily argue that the 0550 is a $200 knife and a good $200 knife at that. One may or may not appreciate the design or build and finish methods of the 0550 but I don't think one can't really argue that the 0550 is a poor value.

I really like mine a lot.

IMHO . . .
 
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I would say yes its worth the money for what u get but it will not outperform your Para2 cutting wise! If u want a tank of a knife though that is tough as nails get one. I def wouldn't sell the Para2 though u would be sorry and I can almost guarantee that :eek: save your dough and u will be happy
 
Hmm..
ZT 0550 Weight: 5.8oz
ZT 0350 Weight: 6.2oz
ZT 0200 Weight: 7.8oz
Buck CSAR-T Weight: 8.6oz

Being One That Either Likes Really Light Folders Or Really Heavy Folders.. It Looks Like I'm Going To Have To Go For The CSAR-T But Am Still Loosely Considering The ZT 0350.

Anyways.. Is The Tanto Horribly Noticeable On The CSAR-T? Or Is It Really "Modified" And Blends In Well With The Rest Of The Blade? This Is Going To Be The Breaker Between The Two.
 
In my opinion the 0550 is worth it.

ZT0550.jpg


ZT0550lockup.jpg
 
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