ZT 0551 questions.

[J.Mattson]

Ok, Friday I had surgery and will be stuck at home for about the next 6 weeks. Obviously what I need to distract me is new knife.

At the moment I’ve been dreaming about the ZT 0551 and the Spyderco Superleaf. Finically I’m really only going to be able to buy one of them. I own a Superhawk so I know how the Superleaf will feel in hand and in pocket.

The wild card is the ZT 0551 and unfortunately where I live I have about as much chance of being able to handle it before as I do of winning a marathon, over the last couple of days I think that I’ve looked at just about every picture and description of the 0551 on this site and every other one I can find.

I don’t have any questions of the quality of the knife. I’ve got a draw full of Kershaw products and have had ZT knives in the past. I’m very aware of the quality and consistency that Kershaw gives us.

What I’m hoping is for opinions from people who have the knife.

As a data point my glove size is medium I’m 5 foot 10 and 140 pounds.

How does it feel in pocket? As far as tell it seems a tad on the thicker side but I’ve got relatively few direct comparisons (thank you Reeek!). In the past I’ve carried a 0200 clipped to a tool belt but I need something I’m going to be able to comfortably carry in my pocket.

How does the knife feel in hand? I’ve read that its “good” but I’m wondering how it compares to other common knives and to other knives of its kind. Are there any hot spots? When your using it what kind of an angle is the tip at?

How does it cut? I realize it has relatively thick stock but does it cut well enough to be used for most EDC tasks?


I realize I’m asking a lot of questions and that this is basically the type of thread that I see 10 times a week and makes me roll my eyes but any help would be great.

 

[00ChevyScott]

Hopefully I'll be able to tell you in a few days Jesse!

 

[hatchetjack]

(I posted this on another forum shortly after I recieved mine. It's been about 2 weeks now of daily carry and normal usage i.e. cutting cardboard, recycling materials etc. It opens much easier with a thumb flick after a couple drops of Mil-tec)

Well, I've had mine for almost 24 hours and have only done some light cutting to test the edge. I also did use my 2 other ti framelocks to see how they compare. I'm still finding the ZT easier to open with 2 hands. At my age, arthritis affects my dexterity on some days. I can flick the blade partially open but the studs/blade stop pins are difficult. Maybe more openings will smooth things out.

Size is like a fat SnG with the weight and balance of my SMF but the ZT because of its beefiness, has a more substantial heft and feel. If I had to do a "pick one knife", this could easily be the one. It's also one of the sharpest thick bladed folders out of the box that I have owned. It's as sharp as my SMF but only after I had that one re-profiled by a professional knife guy.

Lock up is rock solid. Fit and finish is remarkable unlike my 2 other ti framelocks that usually look like they been driven around the block and delivered in a baggie as brand new. All edges are rounded or beveled. Pocket clip is wide and not too long. Very much similiar to the Striders.

I did a quick cut on some paper and the ZT did some very fine push cutting without any prior touch up, stropping etc. It does ride well in the pocket and with the tug on a small lanyard, slides right into the hand.

I've owned a couple of 300's, a 350 and a 200 but they are all long gone. This one, however, may stay around much longer.

With its 2 ti bretheren...

Some push cutting work right above the blade...

 

[Thingus995]

Jesse,
You asked what the rest of the class was afraid to!! I personally was wondering many of the same things, and also, if one owned the 0551, how that would compare to say the xm-18...

 

[iacchus]

All the good that has been said about fit and finish on the ZT0551 was true for me as well. Perfect centering, lockup, etc when I got it. Screaming sharp out of the box too. I won't say much more about that, because you want to know about practical use.

The ZT0551 is easily the best designed hard-use folder I have ever owned. Its design makes for a great grip, and the slight angle of the blade is fantastic for power cutting. The G-10 scale might not have the prettiest design, but sticks to the hand like glue. Seriously, it is easily as sticky as skateboard tape, maybe more depending on brand.

The angle on the butt of the handle fits into the palm nicely, and allows for many common grips to be much more comfortable than some other designs I have used. I am yet to find any hot spots from usage (but I haven't used it when putting a new roof on the house or such, yet).
The lock is bank-vault strong, and mine is right at 50% lockup.
The blade is fantastic. The jimping on the back is wide and useful, without being sharp and uncomfortable. The Elmax is seriously impressive. I can get it screaming sharp without too much trouble, and it holds that edge really well. I think Elmax is my new favorite knife steel. While VG-10 is a fine steel for knives, I find its performance to be eclipsed by Elmax. The blade on the ZT0551 is pretty thick, so it will never be a super slicer, but keep it sharp, and it will cut like a champ for you.
The knife, for all its beefiness, still feels pretty slim in the pocket. I can still get things in and out of that pocket without trouble, or tearing up my hand (important points for edc usage). The whole package fits my hand extremely well, but I am 6'7", 265lbs, so a pretty big guy, YMMV.

If I were given the choice between the Superleaf and the ZT0551, it wouldn't take me long to choose. It would be the ZT, hands down. I have not been this enamored with a knife in ages. I fully intend to buy a ZT0550 as well, just to have this fantastic design in another great steel.

I hope that helps you some. If you do buy the ZT0551 and for some reason do not like it, you should be able to sell it on the boards without taking a beating.

 

[Reeek]

The 0551 will dry up while the SuperLeaf should stay around as long as people buy it. I like both but get the 0551 while you can

 

[mqqn]

Hi Jesse -

I am 6'2", 235lbs with a xl glove size.

I have had and used my ZT0551, #19, since just before Christmas.

The knife fills the hand, the thought that always comes to my mind is "it's a fattie!".

The only hotspot is the usual spot on the front side of the lockbar cutout, as pictured below.

This is not a big issue, and it is the only issue that I have had with the knife.

The blade is thick, so it requires more effort to push the knife through material as compared to a Spyderco Military, but the beefy feel of the knife and the excellent grip provided by the textured G10 give you confidence to put as much pressure into the blade as necessary.

A person can confidently use the ZT0551 knife for any EDC task.

The knife is not noticeable to me in pocket when wearing jeans, but with dress pants the heft of the knife makes itself known.

In regards to the tip angle, when in a standard grip, the tip is canted slightly down, much like the excellent Izula. For me the angle that the blade is oriented in relation to the handle is just perfect.

In all, having carried and used the knife for over a month now, I really love the ZT0551. The lockbar cutout hotspot issue is the same with every other frame-lock I have, and it is not a big problem, just something I have noticed.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[iacchus]

Here are some in-hand pics:

Here is the angle on the butt like I mentioned. Fits the palm nicely:

The jimping on the handle grabs the fourth finger and helps when bearing down on the cut:

Maybe that will help some. If you need a pic of anything specific, just let me know.

 

[Heiheit]

I'm 6'4" 185 lbs and have pretty big hands and the knife feels amazingly comfortable.

It feels great in pocket as well.

 

[BP Green]

I don't know how much more I can add other than to say what I've already said in countless other posts. I'm starting to feel like a real fan boy when it comes to this knife but I have good reason. It's everything the above posters said and then some.

I will add that the knife you start out with is not the same knife you end up with. You may have some sticky lock up and stiff blade issues at the outset; but I promise you that if you stick with it and continue to work it until it breaks in, the knife will be as buttery smooth as knives costing twice as much.

Which brings me to my only criticism of the knife. I wish they had made a larger relief cut opposite the lock. It is a little hard to get your finger in there because the frame/scale opposite to it sits flush.

Aside from that, short of my XM-18 it has quickly become my favorite edc. Surpassing the SNG which does have some similar characteristics as noted above by a prior poster. IMHO though, the 0551 has a better blade profile for general cutting tasks. I think the SNG would be better served if they lost the choil and gave us more edge on the blade.

Go with it, you won't be sorry. As the previous poster noted, there are only a limited number of 0551's available. True, the 0550 is coming but if you want Elmax you'd better jump now.

Hope this helps.

 

[BP Green]

Here are some pics for comparison.

 

[J.Mattson]

Thanks for the feed back guys. The pictures have been great.

 

[Noctis3880]

Jesse,
You asked what the rest of the class was afraid to!! I personally was wondering many of the same things, and also, if one owned the 0551, how that would compare to say the xm-18...

It's actually curious to say that both have their similarities and differences at the same time.

Both fit your hand like a glove, and both seem a bit similar in appearance. Both are smooth to open, with the XM-18 in the lead. Still, the 0551 is no slouch, as I can easily flick it open as well as my 710-1 axis lock.

To me, the 0551 fits better in my hand. I'm the kind of guy who feels the ZT 0301 is a perfect fit, and the 0350 to be too small. The 0551 is beefier. It's a touch thicker and a little bit wider in the handles.

Biggest thing is that the jimping is on the blade only, while the XM-18 has partial jimping on the blade with most of it on the handles. It shifts the balance a bit, and I find it more comfortable on the 0551 like that. The grind on the 0551 is also better suited for slicing and cutting, while the XM-18 does better at light prying and stabbing.

So as you can see, both knives are very different.

 

[J.Mattson]

The only hotspot is the usual spot on the front side of the lockbar cutout, as pictured below.

How much of the “hot spot” issue do you think is caused by the size of your hands?

 

[mqqn]

How much of the “hot spot” issue do you think is caused by the size of your hands?

Hi Jesse -

None, since that spot is where your index finger rides irregardless of how large your hand is.

I would not avoid the knife just due to this small issue. This spot has not been a problem for me, just something that I have begun to notice.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[Thrill]

Real simple answer. Get the ZT 0551 now if you can; you will love it! It's been my EDC ever since I got it before Christmas. AWESOMENESS!!!!

 

[Shipwrecked]

551 hands down. It wont be around forever for sale, but it would survive an atom bomb in terms of its quality. At the price point it is, its a steal.

 

[J.Mattson]

Its rare here that opinion is unanimous but it seems to be here. Later on this week I’ll find out how much workman’s comp will cover of my surgery (it was kinda a surprise, doctors apartment at 9:30, in emergency surgery by 11:00) if they don’t jerk my around I’ll try to grab a 0551 and look for the Superleaf when I can.

 

[Soulrack223]

I'm surprised you can still get a 0551. I love Spydies but the 0551 is the most bomb proof knife I've ever gotten for $200.00.

 

[Glint]

Choil makes comfortable grip. Great looking and bomb proof. Best G10 traction that I've ever held.

Jimping should be sharper, difficult to find purchase for your thumb when closing, and too heavy for EDC. Other than that I love it.