Zt 0550 vs 0561

Akcir said:
550.... no flipper, non assist, no bearings. That's why I prefer the 550.
Click to expand...

I know you didn't directly assert it, but, for the sake of clarity to those reading: The 0561/0 is NOT assisted.

Again, just for the sake of clarity. I'm assuming you were referencing ZT being primarily flippers, assisted or with bearings.
 
I have both, these are my thoughts. I prefer the S35VN steel of my 550 over Elmax on the 561 slightly and the way the 550 closes and it is slightly smaller in size. I prefer the option of a flipper, looks, finger guard and clip of the 561. My thumb was soar for 2 weeks breaking in the 550 but now it is smooth and flies open.
 
I'm partial to the 560/561, I love how that big blade flips open. You can either do lazy slow flip or add a little wrist action and flip with authority. The handle is comfortable, the milling is superb, blade shape is right on. The only thing I would change is I would like to have a hardened steel insert on the lock face. Not that I have lock stick, but I want the knife to be around forever. (I play with mine a lot)
 
My folder rotation includes the 550, 561, xm-24, small and large sebenza 21 and a lionsteel sr1, my go to blade is the 550. I think its the perfect size and I like the thicker handle of the 550, smooth as butta after you get used to opening it.
 
I've owned:
ZT 0551
2 ZT 0550's
ZT 0560
ZT 0560cbcf

The 0550 is a bit smaller in length and fits the hand like a glove. Where the 0560 is longer and has more handle. The blade on the 0560 is not as wide but just about as thick of the 0550. Both have smooth action. The flipper makes the action of opening the blade a bit quicker than on the non-flipper 0550. Elmax is an awesome and tough steel but works great as an EDC steel. The s35vn is awesome as well, takes a great edge and holds it well. Elmax also holds a really nice edge though. The ZT 0550 is more of a brick being thicker and more bulky than the 0560. I prefer the thinness of the 0560 over the bulk of the 0550. Both are equally as tough. I'd like to get another ZT 0550/1 just to have it with my 0560cbcf.

Both are excellent knives, it really just depends on personal preference. For me I pick my ZT 0560cbcf(I don't like all of the texturing of the regular 0560).

Good luck finding the right one for you.
 
As previously stated it is really a matter of the small differences as to which one you would like better.
I have both and the 0550 gets carried more often.
My 0550 did require a bit off a break in period but now it is silky smooth.
S35VN is great steel plus the heft and contours give it an excellent feel.
Mine is a 2nd generation blem so I have no qualms about giving it a workout.

The 0560 is a great knife too but the 0550 has been my preferred knife of the two.
 
Dave, you just had to come in here with those pics of that gorgeous blue scale!! I go to bed tonight, green with envy, ha ha!
 
Finally! Thank you for those pics, Dave. Such sweet blades. I need to pick one of those bad boys up this year.
 
^^^You're welcome. I need to finish polishing the screws and standoffs one of these days. I got tired and put it back together. My next 550 will be the black model with some orange accents.
 
Last edited:
daveb068 said:
^^^You're welcome. I need to finish polishing the screws and standoffs one of these days. I got tired and put it back together. My next 550 will be the black model with some orange accents.
Click to expand...

Excellent idea! I own neither but I'm really gonna try for an 0550 in the next month or 2.
 
I chose the 550. Not a fan of flippers. I love it. Actually more than my hinderer xm 3.5. Probably cause its a flipper.

I don't care for the scale pattern. Would like to get blue like above or red scale. Maybe orange.
 
I can't comment about the 551, but I couldn't ask for more than my 560CBCF. Everything about it just fits my needs. And at least for my hands, the knife feels like it was custom made for them. Weight, balance, and ergos makes the knife feel glued to my fingers and palm. I also bought an XM18 shortly after the 0560 because I thought it'd be even better. It wasn't and got sold.
 
Last edited:
SVTFreak said:
I chose the 550. Not a fan of flippers. I love it. Actually more than my hinderer xm 3.5. Probably cause its a flipper.

I don't care for the scale pattern. Would like to get blue like above or red scale. Maybe orange.
Click to expand...

So the 0550 isn't too fat, in your opinion?
 
Comeuppance said:
I know you didn't directly assert it, but, for the sake of clarity to those reading: The 0561/0 is NOT assisted.

Again, just for the sake of clarity. I'm assuming you were referencing ZT being primarily flippers, assisted or with bearings.
Click to expand...

Okay, just for the sake of clarity. I prefer the 550 over ANYTHING flipper, assisted, or bearing pivot.
 
SVTFreak said:
Nope. It's thicker than some but not too bad to me. That's my own opinion tho
Click to expand...

Akcir said:
Okay, just for the sake of clarity. I prefer the 550 over ANYTHING flipper, assisted, or bearing pivot.
Click to expand...

Ok now I'm practically 99.9% sold on picking up an 0550 with this year's refund. I was a little worried it may be too thick and bulky, but with so many awesome reviews and testimonials, I think I'd be an idiot NOT to pull the trigger. I just wish I lived near an actual knife shop where I can handle one.
 
grownstar said:
Ok now I'm practically 99.9% sold on picking up an 0550 with this year's refund. I was a little worried it may be too thick and bulky, but with so many awesome reviews and testimonials, I think I'd be an idiot NOT to pull the trigger. I just wish I lived near an actual knife shop where I can handle one.
Click to expand...

I'm one of the ones who said I prefer to carry the 0560... but if you prefer the 0550, I don't think you'll find it too thick. It's true that I tend to pick up the 0560 over the O551 myself when they're right next to each other on the dresser, and I do think it carries a bit better, but when I only had the 0551 I certainly didn't find it objectionable.

Now, the 0301.. THAT's a beast to carry. So much so that I never do. The 0550 is a featherweight by comparison.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top