ZT 0560 or something else?

D

Dkenz

Joined
May 20, 2013
Messages
80
Hello everyone, I recently lost my old smith&wesson a couple weeks back that ive had for about 10 years. And decided I need to invest in a new one. Over the past week ive been doing allot of research over 100s of knives and looking at a bunch of reviews I finally stoped at the Zero Tolerance 0560. I fell in love with this knife! I live in an area where there arnt gonna be any stores that carry this model so i cant see and hold one up close. Originally my budget was $100 or less.. But that wasn't set in stone. Would pay more if i thought the knife was worth the extra money. Which this seems to be. My main questions are...

1. How is the ELMAX steel? Ive never used or even heard of it.. Though reviews it seems to be pretty good. Can anyone tell me anymore? Fairly easy to sharpen? Most what i seen is on how well it holds an edge.. but didn't find to many sharpening reviews on it.

2. It looks kinda big... Bigger than my last EDC but not by much maybe 1-1 1/2" more with overall length. Does anyone have a problem carrying this knife around every day?

3. Any other similar knifes i should take a look at? Im looking for this style of blade... S30V steel or better. Nothing extreme/wicked looking but does look nice. Prefer no kinda coating on blade. Handle steel doesn't matter to me much.. but better is always nice.. Like the TI in this one :) I like the Flipper action on this knife and prefer it but not required.

Basicly this knife has everything im looking for... Maybe a tad big.. but no biggie.. Cant really find anything i dont like except the price. Looking at it id say 200+ is good for this knife. But like i said was looking for 100 or less. Have a bunch of knifes in my collection.. Most are fantasy knifes.. few folders. Spent $400 on a wicked fantasy knife that will serve no purpose in the real world other than to look at.. So yeah im willing to go 200 or more on a EDC. Im about 90% sold on this knife. Just been searching around for that other 10% :). The 550s look nice too.. Cheaper / tad smaller but i donno.. I think i still like this knife better. Donno if i'd like that recurve blade on the 550 (is that what its called)? This wont be a knife that id use every day... but would carry every day just incase. My last knife id seem to find a use for it maybe 1-3 times a week.. some days repetitive. Other weeks none.. So not heavily used for sure. Any other information about this knife or others would be helpful as i seek out my new folder

Thanks, Ray
 
hi, try a search in the kershaw/zt forum.
Bottom line, everyone loves it, providing you like big folders. The critics come from that side, the I don't like big folders crowd.
Also, you may like it, but find it hard to edc.
Nutnfancy has a review.
The steel it's said to be equal or superior to SV30 from the same company.
Also, it is said that it's a hinderer xm18 but for less price, with premium materials and top fit and finish.
the knife community seems to have a very positive view of the 560 and variants, specially the version with carbon fibre handles and composite blade 14c28n/cpmsv110.
 
I love my 0561 and so far elmax is holding up pretty nicely when compared to anything S&W its amazing. the knife is a brute its totally solid, lockup is great, bearings are super smooth, and edge retention is good. there is also lots of options for custom scales to make it your own, I have some kryptoglow scales on the way right now for mine.
 
I thought about putting it in the Kershaw/ZT forum... But im not reallty asking about the knife itself... Ive watched allot of reviews on it including nutnfancy..(Love his vids btw, Good reviewer). Im pretty sold on the knife already.. Looking for more 1 reason to like the knife.. hehe. Wondering if anything thinks another knife might better suit me and why. I realize now that ive done some research that my S&W was a crap knife. Think i spent $40 bucks on it at the time. Blade.. where do you find the custom stuff from 0560 i didn't see it on there page
 
for custom stuff you wont find it on their website you can find it all right here on the forums. check out the exchange section there are threads for custom work. checkout kryptoglow, rival customs and RV customs they are a few that come to mind. you cand find them all on the forums or do a quick google search.
 
You're asking good questions, but they are difficult to answer because everyone's tastes and needs are so different. People on the forum are going to give you advice that meets their tastes and needs. You don't use your pocket knives much, so you can probably get by with whatever style you like.

The 0560 is an excellent knife. It has excellent fit and finish, excellent materials and a robust design. Elmax steel is very good, although I've noticed a few detractors here and there. Elmax is easy for me to sharpen because I use diamond stones (Wicked Edge). The blade is too thick to be a great cutter. Even reprofiled to 30 degrees inclusive, which gobbled up quite a bit of metal, the edge shoulders are 0.0455 inches. By comparison, my Sebenza has and edge just 0.018 at the shoulders.

The 0560 is heavy and takes up pocket space. I like folders in this size, but lots of people much prefer a thinner, lighter knife.

The lock is good and the flipper works well and is fun. Personally, I like the axis lock a bit better, but this one is fine.

It would not be easy to do better than the 0560 if you're looking for a large, beefy EDC. But there are an amazing number of smaller, thinner lighter, cheaper, well-made knives. Something like the Para-military or Endura from Spyderco would be smaller and thinner. So would the Gayle Bradley, which has CPM-M4 steel, awesome, but not stainless, if that matters to you. Benchmade has a bunch, too.

Sadly -- or happily -- you'll probably have to own a bunch of knives before you find your fit. Because you like the 0560 and it's relatively easy to resell at close to your purchase price, you might start there and see how it goes. It's going to be a huge step up from your last knife.
 
Size wise? Look at the Spyderco Military, Benchmade Adamas, even Cold Steel knives, because anything is going to have better steel than that S&W. Also, Kershawguy sells blems of Zero Tolerance knives that have slight cosmetic issues that most people cannot see, but which did not pass the strict standards of the company. They are a good bit cheaper and may sway your decision. I would also chime in that when I handled the 0300 series and the 0500 series, I definitely preferred the feel of the 0300. However as I posted in another forum, I've really got my eye on an Al Mar SERE which can be had for around $150 in some places online. Good hunting!
 
I have a 560 and it's one of my favorites in the big, beefy, brawny folder category. Another big blade to consider is the Manix 2 XL. Not a flipper but it's big and beefy and substantially less than a 560. Here's a recent discussion on the XL you might have interest in, there is a pic comparing it to the 560. I would recommend getting both.... :D
 
I would check out the ZT 550 as well. Slightly smaller, S35VN steel, titanium framelock... Uses bronze phosphor bushings instead of bearings which doesn't bother me at all because the action is smooth as butter.
Got mine for $185...
 
If you have never owned a ZT you are definitely starting off in the right direction. The 560 is big but it is very light for its size. If budget is an issue maybe start with a more affordable ZT like the 0350 or 550. I have sold a ton of the 56X's and only had one complaint. The customer sent the knife back in and had it back in no time. Since then they have been very happy. I have not carried one personally but do carry a 550 often and love mine. I also have the 551 with Elmax and have been pleased with the steel!

Whitt
 
I think the 550 blems are around $130, maybe cheaper..

I have the limited edition 560 and it really surprised me in terms of smoothness and built quality, I would assume the production versions (black and brown) are just as good, someone correct me if I'm wrong.
 
Thanks for the replys... good information guys!. No one has said anything negative about it.. which leads me to 95% sure... I've looked at the 550 and seem some people prefer it over the 560.. but i dont like the blade.. Im sure its good.. but must be a pain to sharpen. But then again i use my knife just enough to send it in once a year to ZT to get it sharpened. I have a 60 dollar diamon clamp kit that i tried on my SW maybe im just not good at it... lol
 
Im a guy who has an addiction... I like expensive stuff... Because i feel its worth it. But im not rich either so... lol Spent 4,000 on my last laptop. $150 dollar marrel shoes... Samsung Galaxy S4 phone... You get the picture. And well frankly i want a good knife this time around.. no SW. Though it was a good knife.. did it job for 10 years. Searching for 100 dollar knife i found this.... more expensive but worth it IMO.. unless someone can tell me otherwise. Yeah i feel Hershaw/ZT has a good rep. ZT is there good line of knifes if ya call it that. There all good IMO. But i wanna be proud of my knife as well and damn i love the way this one looks. I do construction/landscaping and 6'3" have big hands big pockets. I think it will fit nicely. looking for anyone to tell me something special i dont know about the 560 or someone to hate it and recommend a different knife.. So far with comments im 95% sold. Couple nice comments and ima purchase this knife
 
I don't know much about elmax, but the 0560 carries really well. I barely notice it in my pocket, and KAI's warranty is the best out there. (production)

KNIFE PHOTO!!!!

 
haha.. yeah i just fell in love with this knife.... You have the limited edition version. NICE!! No one can say anything negative about the knife?
 
NUFF SAID (i traded this one, but that is one of KRYPTOGLOW's sweet scales)
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Little to late... I just now purchased a 0560 for $218 though amazon. Enough was said to push me to buy this knife. Exp delivery 24-29th at the latest. Hope so cause im going on vacation on the 31st. What will i expect compared to my old SW tactical from about 10 years ago. This post is about hype now... lol :) Come on folks.. build me up... Not sure how im gonna explain a 220 dollar purchase to my wife. She just doesn't understand that quality is expensive... EX she bought a HTC disire.. I told her not to get time and time again for 150.. when samsung GS3 was 200... 50 bucks more and ya got twice the phone... Women.. they just dont understand
 
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