ZT 0550 vs 0560

Rhyno37

Rhyno37

Joined
May 27, 2012
Messages
291
Hey guys, after selling off a bunch of my knives here I'm ready to get one of these ZT's. The knife will be used for EDC and hard use. The 550 seems like it'd be a better choice since its smaller,but the 560 seems like its lighter for its size and has the flipper. Overall, what do you guys think is the better knife?
 
I have he 0350 and 0550. I chose the 0550 as my second ZT based on its size and shape. I was stretching my limit with the 0350, which most of my coworkers call a weapon. I as not going to anoter half inch bigger...

Also, the 05550 just pleased my eye more and as for the flipper, mine is perfectly smooth. Just don't press down on the frame lock when you are trying to flick it open or.... well... the blade won't come out.
 
I would pick the 0560 and I am interested in finding one for myself, mainly because I like the looks of the back side of the 0560 better than the 0550.
 
I personally prefer my 0550 for EDC, but love them both! When I first got the 0550 it was very hard to open, but with a little practice and break in, it is now amazingly smooth. I would say it is actually easier to open than my 0560 at this point. The 0560 opens more smoothly because of KVT, but the strong detent (on mine) and larger blade require more effort than the 0550. Of course there are going to people with tough to open 0550s and 0560s with weaker detents as well, as both models seem to vary greatly from knife to knife. This is just my experience.

When my 0560 arrived, I was surprised at how much bigger than my 0550 it was. Certainly more-so than I imagined. I admittedly have small hands and the 0550 fits me better, but the 0560 is very comfortable as well. If you have larger hands, the 0560 would be the way to go.

All in all, you really can't go wrong with either. The 0550 is an amazing knife for the money and my personal favorite, but the 0560 is also great and arguably an even better bang for the buck. If ZT ever decides to whip up a hybrid 0550 with KVT and a flipper, I will be in heaven! :D
 
I agree that the 0560 is a better fit and I also prefer a flipper and the deep carry clip.
 
I say get the 0560 first! As you'll probably end up with both eventually. But I would take the 0560 as my first pick.
 
That's a tough choice between the two, but the obvious answer is get both and you'll be very happy! Two different beasts, I prefer the 0550 a little more due to it's shorter length and thicker handle. It fits the hand better IMO, but the 0560 is not far behind as both blades get their share of pocket time lately. I'll say one thing for sure about the 0560 is that it handles like a smaller knife even though that blade is pretty big. The KVT on the 0560 system is super smooth and effrotless both ways and is really a joy to flip open while the 0550 is the more conventional phosphorous bronze washer type. The issues with the strong detent on both models eases quite a bit after use so it really becomes a non-issue after break in...
 
I think the 560's the better knife. Sculpted G10 & Ti, along with the SVT pivot system all in a larger folder that's about the same weight make for a winner. However, I personally like the 550's size better than the 560's.

Also, keep in mind that the 550 has S35VN while the 560 has Elmax. You could always try to find a 551, though.

FWIW, I still have the 560, not the 550 or 551.
 
I had the 0551 but now carry the 0560...both are great knives and while I prefer the size of the 551 I sold it for the 0560 and have now regrets...0560 all the way!
 
I had both knives, but only kept the 561. It felt better in the hand to me and was more functional for me. They weigh about the same, but the 561 is longer. If you're going to be carrying that much weight, you may as well go for the size as well. They'll both elicit the same response from people nervous about big pocket knives (i.e. it's not like the 550 is a gentleman's knife b/c it's smaller). They both have the same niche, but I think the 561 is cooler. That being said, the 550 is an awesome knife that surpasses most in its price range.
 
I like my 0550 better than my 0561 - feels better, is beefier (although the difference will probably never be noticed in the real world) and it's a better size IMO. The 0561 is a great knife, I just think the 0550 is the better design for me.
 
Both are great knives. Both are overbuilt in a fun way, but the 0550 is beefier. Pick up a 0550, open it, admire the perfect 50% lockup... you will then be astonished by the sheer amount of titanium on the frame. The un-engaged portion of the frame itself is bigger than the entire frame on other knives.

Not to take anything away from the 0560. It's really a different knives with its ball bearing flipper.

I would get the 0550 and spend the extra money on a Hinderer scale in my choice of color (orange).
 
Last edited:
calvinw said:
Both are great knives. Both are overbuilt in a fun way, but the 0550 is beefier. Pick up a 0550, open it, admire the perfect 50% lockup... you will then be astonished by the sheer amount of titanium on the frame. The un-engaged portion of the frame itself is bigger than the entire frame on other knives.

Not to take anything away from the 0560. It's really a different knives with its ball bearing flipper.

I would get the 0550 and spend the extra money on a Hinderer scale in my choice of color (orange).
Click to expand...

Good advice! :)

a6b98a31.jpg
 
I sampled the 0560 and 0550 in store. I'm not a huge flipper fan, and for the weight the 055x just felt more solid, and more molded to my hand.
Not that the 056x feels light or weak, but, when open, the 055x feels like an ideal smaller-sized fixed-blade to me. And it opens just as smoothly.
Somehow, to me, the balance felt a tiny bit off on the 0560 (only in comparison to the 055x.) And that handle is really long.
I just got my 0551 a couple weeks ago, and know I made the right choice for me.
 
I have the 550; the 560 is too big for me, and I don't care for a flipper.
Sonny
 
The common disclaimer that "you can't go wrong with either" applies here, and to a decidedly higher degree than usual. The 0550 was my first Hinderer designed folder. At the time I received it, I was amazed at all the "custom-like" appointments. The 0561 was my second Hinderer and, in my opinion, managed to raise a bar that was already set very high. The size difference between the two isn't huge, but neither is it insignificant. Where the 0550 fits my hand well, the 0561 fits it like a glove. I do have large hands, but the improvements in the 0561's handle are more than a simple matter of size. The slightly thinner handle dimensions, added contouring, enhanced texturing on both scales and flipper feature combine to give the 0561 a unique combination of comfort and extreme grip security - two things that don't often go together.

Another thing I prefer about the 0561 is the slightly taller blade profile that comes with a little more belly. Both the 0550 and 0561 feature thick blades with a strong saber grind. The taller blade of the 0561 allows for a bit more cutting efficiency. Finally, purely as a matter of personal preference, I like the deep carry pocket clip of the 0561. As for the flipper feature of the 0561, I realize it's a major selling point of the folder, but I'm actually rather ambivalent about it. I don't mind using it (even if I don't have much of a choice as the blade is almost impossible to open right handed with only the thumb stud), but I can't say as I find it indispensable when compared to the traditional thumb stud operation of the 0550.

All in all, my nod goes to the 0561. :)
 
... You can get custom scales for the 0560 for cheaper than the scales for the 0550/1.
Really if you look around I see 0560's go for $220 here on the forums all the time. Then get a hold of Dan at Kryptoglow.. and get a scale for a little over half of what the 0550/1 scales go for.. and you just paid less than you would pay for the 0550 + a Hinderer scale..

Just sayin'. :D
 
BladeChick777 said:
... You can get custom scales for the 0560 for cheaper than the scales for the 0550/1.
Really if you look around I see 0560's go for $220 here on the forums all the time. Then get a hold of Dan at Kryptoglow.. and get a scale for a little over half of what the 0550/1 scales go for.. and you just paid less than you would pay for the 0550 + a Hinderer scale..

Just sayin'. :D
Click to expand...

Pretty sure Dan may be doing a run of 055X scales soon as well. ;)
 
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