ZT 0550 operation?

hickman1

hickman1

Joined
Nov 26, 2009
Messages
329
To start, I bought a ZT 0550 online the other day while at work and was just now thinking about something. What is the method of operation? Is it AO/ Speedsafe, flipper, manual? I am hoping it is AO or a flipper, but really hoping for assisted, as I am not the greatest fan of standard manual opening knives these days, I know the 0560 series is a flipper and the 0350's are AO, did I buy a manual opening knife? If so, I may end up trading it off, but I'll be reserving that decision until after I actually have it in hand and get a good feel for it, as I have not seen one in person to see how it fits me.

How does the 0550 stack up in ease and speed of opening one handed, against say, a Spyderco Endura 4? I'm certain that the strength is better, as well as the fit and finish and materials v/s the variant I have, just curious about the opening.
 
If you don't want a manual folder, I would be more than happy to trade you my A/O Kershaw 1670S30V for it ;)
 
Thanks for the replies, guess I'll have to see how I actually like it once I get to play with it.

@ cloak thanks for the offer, but I think I'll have to pass, I'd hate to give you the short end of the stick... :P
 
I had a 0551 which is the same thing with a different blade steel & I just used a slight little bit of Mobil one bearing grease(was not going to be used on edibles) on the washers and it was one of the smoothest, easiest opening knives i have ever had. Once you were past the detent it would literally fall open or closed like it was on bearings.
 
At least my 0550 is (and has always been) extremely easy to flick open using thumbstud. Doesn't require any kind of wrist movement. As it is, I don't see what would be the benefit of assisted opening. But that's just me - YMMV ;)
 
My 0551's are easy to open (but not too easy) with the thumb studs. I slight flick of the wrist is all it takes to overcome the detent. It is quick to open with one hand, so no AO is needed.
 
Good info, assuming this holds true for me, I think this one may stick around for quite some time... Thanks all.

It is difficult to judge something when you are 300 miles from it and won't have it in hand for a few days.
 
hopefully it`s Ok to ask my additional question here in your thread.
Are the thumb studs removeable - and does it open and lock without the studs?

(so it could be legaly carried here in germany were one handed opening knives are a little bit "tricky")
Thank you in advance
Steve
 
The thumb studs act as the blade stop on the 550. So removing them is probably a bad idea.

Steve68 said:
hopefully it`s Ok to ask my additional question here in your thread.
Are the thumb studs removeable - and does it open and lock without the studs?

(so it could be legaly carried here in germany were one handed opening knives are a little bit "tricky")
Thank you in advance
Steve
Click to expand...
 
Thank you CaptinRedBeard
this was my apprehension - but it was not so clear at the pictures`I have seen.
(I own a ZT 350and a ZT 300 and the i get the idea of an "legal" german ZT.
 
One thing I would suggest is looking into some of the Hinderer scales for it. He makes some really sweet designs for a very fair price.

The stock scale of the 0550 is very ugly IMO.
 
Not a problem. The more the merrier.

Steve68 said:
hopefully it`s Ok to ask my additional question here in your thread.
Are the thumb studs removeable - and does it open and lock without the studs?

(so it could be legaly carried here in germany were one handed opening knives are a little bit "tricky")
Thank you in advance
Steve
Click to expand...
 
yeah, I'm still hoping to find a take-off 0551 scale from someone who upgraded to the Hinderer scale.
 
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