Zt 0550 vs 0561

T

Tantan

Joined
Feb 2, 2014
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27
I am looking at getting either the 0550 or the 0561 and was wondering your guys opinions on them and which to get
 
To flip, or not to flip... That is the question :)

The 0561 will give you a little longer blade and the flipper. Both well built, both same weight at 5.8 ounces. It will all come down to whether you want the flipper or not.
 
I got both... I use the 550 more.

I think the only downside of the 550 is that the G10 scale is a little off putting. That being said you can add a custom scale and give it your own personal touch which makes you like the knife even more!

I currently have a Kryptoglow scale on mine, but I've been searching to get one of these Cuscadi CF scales on the forums.... missed out on a couple recent opportunities.

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I sat for 20 minutes at a gun & knife show today, trying to make the same decision with both models in hand. Ended up buying a 560. It just seems to fit me better than the 550 did.
 
I owned the 0560 for a while before finally selling it and buying a 0550 instead. I much prefer the clean, flipperless design of the latter, but to be honest, the 0560's size was excellent and suited me a bit better. If the 0560 were flipper-free and a tad easier to open with the thumb studs, that would win hands down, for me. The 0550 is still no slouch and a remarkably comfortable and well-designed folder.

I agree with earlier replies; if you like flippers and large folders, get the 0560/0561 and never look back.
 
I have both and like the 550 more. Both are well built and smooth openers. The 550 is thicker in the hand than the 560. The 550 just feels sturdier to me. I know that is just in my head, but oh well. If you want a flipper go for the 560, but don't shy away from the 550 just because it isn't a flipper. I can open mine just as fast as any of my assisted or flipper knives. Lastly, get a 550 before you can't. I don't see it being made much longer because it isn't a flipper, isn't assisted and/or isn't on bearings.
 
I pined for a 0560 for the longest time, its a great knife. It was everything I wanted, a flipper and a somewhat larger blade. The 0550 never really appealed to me. Then one day I picked up the 0550, it was too good of a deal to pass up. I honestly dig the 0550 but I carry the 0560 more. Some say the 0560 is too big but not for me. The size of the 0550 makes it great for EDC. Right now though, I prefer something just a little bit bigger. It all comes down to what do you want out of the knife. Buy what appeals to you most, get the other later. Both are great knives, you cant go wrong.
 
We sell the 550 more than the 560 or 561 and customers seem very happy with both. The 550 seems to end up more as an EDC!
 
daveb068 said:
I don't see it being made much longer because it isn't a flipper, isn't assisted and/or isn't on bearings.
Click to expand...

If the 0550 were to become discontinued, I don't imagine those would be the deciding factors. All of those features existed well before the 0550 began production. For other examples of highly successful knife models that use none of the above, see Strider, Emerson, Kabar, Cold Steel, and almost all of Spyderco and Benchmade's product lines. As mentioned earlier in this thread, the 0560 seems to reach a narrower market due to its larger size (as evidenced, at least in part, by the existence of the 0566). If I had to wager a guess, I'd say the 0560 would fall off the catalog before the 0550.

Anyone deciding between the two should try both at some point.
 
0561 for me

-Longer blade
-Far smoother action
-More handle real estate
-Better lock up than every 0550 ive handled
-Flipper/finger guard

The design just feels a bit more thought out to me.
 
I like the 0560 better, but am really looking forward to the 0562. Just to confuse things further.
 
I like the 0550 more. Both are great knives. I just find the 0550 fits in my hand more comfortably. It is a bit wider and thicker than the 0560.
 
I have the 0551 (Elmax) and the 0560. Despite the seeming similarities in photo comparisons, they're very different knives in-hand. Somewhat to my surprise i carry the 0560 more often. I'm fine with either flippers or thumb-studs, but not so happy about constantly switching between them, and I'm leaning more toward the flippers as time goes by. I like the 0551, it's sturdy, simple and solid, but for me the 0560 carries much better. What with the contoured and recessed Ti and deep-carry clip the 0560 feels lighter, rides flatter and deeper in the pocket with less "printing", is smoother and certainly faster to deploy for me, and I never notice the extra length in my pocket. It just makes the 0551 feel a little square, boxy and heavy, clunky by comparison. The 0560 just feels better-designed for EDC.

I have to admit that if I knew my life was going to depend on one or the other I'd probably choose the 0551, I'd guess that it would take more severe abuse... but let's face it, if I knew that my first choice would not be any folder.

It all feels pretty moot these days, work increasingly takes me into government buildings, can't carry ANYTHING, not just inside but for the whole trip, whatever else that entails, and this time of year I'm not out-and-about that much on the weekends. For around the house and yard I use a neck knife, it's available in the same spot whether I'm wearing a coat or not, and I don't have to open the coat to get at it. Folders work better in warmer weather. The knife laws here are unusually stupid, though, and the only legal "safe harbor" is to carry a folder when off my own property.
 
I've had every iteration of 05XX, and have the following to say:

0550/1: Beast of a knife. Brick of a knife. Very smooth, with solid lockup. Instills a lot of confidence in use, as you will have no concerns over lock or blade failure.
0560/1: Carries better than the 0550, in my opinion, but doesn't feel quite as overbuilt. I like the blade shape on these better, and the steel is a non-minor upgrade.

The 0561 wins for me on fun factor, edge retention, ease of carry, and aesthetic value. Of the two, the 0550 would be the knife I would choose if I was going to be dropped off in the middle of a jungle or was going into active service, but the 0560/1 is just more fun to own and use.

Edit: I like that Presumed_Lost and I basically echoed the same sentiments - even the bit about the 0550/1 being the knife of choice if it came down to a life or death situation - back to back.
 
I have a551 and a 560. I carry the 551 much more and really like the size better even though I usually appreciate the lighter sturdy knives. I think the size of the 560 is a little inconvenient for me.
 
allyourblood said:
If the 0550 were to become discontinued, I don't imagine those would be the deciding factors. All of those features existed well before the 0550 began production. For other examples of highly successful knife models that use none of the above, see Strider, Emerson, Kabar, Cold Steel, and almost all of Spyderco and Benchmade's product lines. As mentioned earlier in this thread, the 0560 seems to reach a narrower market due to its larger size (as evidenced, at least in part, by the existence of the 0566). If I had to wager a guess, I'd say the 0560 would fall off the catalog before the 0550.

Anyone deciding between the two should try both at some point.
Click to expand...

Valid point. I think what Dave meant though was being the fickle enthusiast's that we are, they aren't selling as well as the newer "shinier" models. Look at the newer lineup that ZT has introduced the past year or so and you can see the 0550 is getting a little long in the tooth in that respect as are some others... Nothing wrong with that , nature of the beast and such. I'm excited for Blade this year and to see what might be up the proverbial sleeve!
 
Thanks for translating Justin that is exactly what I meant. When looking at the new items ZT is coming out with, the 550 isn't quite up to snuff with the others in the "wow" or "shiny" areas. Seems that the majority, remember all of us here make up a very small percentage of knife buyers, like those wow and shiny attributes in a knife and nobody can fault ZT for giving the majority what it wants. Looks to me like the 562 is a natural progression of the 550 with better ergos and materials. If they do happen to stop making the 550, I will most assuredly pick up a few extra. Still stand by my initial recommended, 550 all the way.
 
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