ZT 0560 or Strider?

M

Mrswolz40

Joined
Sep 5, 2012
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Ive been in the market for both the ZT 0560 and a Strider folder but I was wondering which I should go with first. Mind you which ever knife I buy will probly become my duty knife when I finish the police academy in a few months. So should I hold off on the Strider and go for the 0560 or should I wait and save up alil more for the Strider? :cool:
 
I ever had a ZT0561 and a SNG, sold both of them months ago.

ZT560 has better value: Machined Ti Frame lock, Flipper, KVT and Elmax, sound good but there are several defects reported around (mine also has some defects) The handle design was a little blocky and quit boring.

Strider has mediocre fit&finish: Ti Frame lock, S30V or CPM154 and look even more boring.

Suggestion: Save up money and buy some high quality custom e.g. Les George, RJ.Martin or something, you won't regret :thumbup:
 
Mrswolz40 said:
Ive been in the market for both the ZT 0560 and a Strider folder but I was wondering which I should go with first. Mind you which ever knife I buy will probly become my duty knife when I finish the police academy in a few months. So should I hold off on the Strider and go for the 0560 or should I wait and save up alil more for the Strider? :cool:
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I would say the Strider for that purpose.
 
I waited nearly a year for my 0560 to come in and it exceeded my expectations, any bit of roughness on the corners or deployment problems I had at first I simply chalked up to being a new user of that knife. In no time at all I was opening the knife with the thumbstuds or flipper as easy as can be and the more I actually used the knife the more impressed I became. My 0560 and now 0561 both have very good blade retention (very important) yet open as smoothly (or smoother) and as quickly as ANY folder I've ever owned. The 0560/61 is now my favorite and best (for me) production folder that I've ever purchased. If this is your preferred price range I cannot recommend the 0560/61 highly enough.

I also have a new (Gen 7 w/new linear tang/lockup) Strider SMF with CPM-154 and that blade holds its edge as well or better than any knife I've ever used (including my ZDP-189 blades) and I simply LOVE this knife. There really is "something" about a Strider...its hard to explain. Then SMF feels more stout in the hand than the ZT...I'm not sure that in real world use that this would ever truly matter as both are strong knives but the Strider does "feel" stronger in hand. With regards to ergonomics, the ZT and SMF feel very different in the hand, the SMF gives you a couple different ways to hold the knife for normal cutting tasks and allows you to choke for more precise cutting. The ZT is very comfortable in hand and has more cutting edge to its blade...this really comes down to user preference.

Were I you I'd buy whichever one speaks to me the most...if you're like many of us you'll most likely own both in time anyway. :D

I don't think that you can go wrong with either knife.

Best of luck and be careful out there!
 
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I've thought hard about buying a ZT. IMO they're all fugly and 2+ oz. heavier so I have/had a bunch of Striders & zero ZTs. While the SnG is far from my "best" knife it's probably my fav. Simple, very well built, ergonomic, tactile, great EDC steel/HT, and just fun.
 
For your purposes the Strider all the way. If you want big go with the SMF with a 4" blade, the ideal EDC however for most would be the SnG with a 3.5" blade. Both are hard use work horse knives. If you wreck them Strider will fix them. You can go wrong.
 
Strider SMF is one of the best frame lock knives out there. I have ZTs and STriders and would go with the Strider every day of the week.
 
For what it's worth, my father in law has been a State Police officer going on 20 years now. He is into knives and guns etc. but I noticed he never anything but cheap knives while on duty. I asked hin why and he said that he used to carry nice folders on duty but every one would get either lost or taken. He said he would use it mostly to cut off seatbelts at accident scenes and such and that in the heat of things he would lay it down or a paramedic would borrow it nad it would get lost, stolen, or just never returned. After losing quite a few nice knives he just went with cheap tools to get the job done.

If it were me I would go with a Kabar TDI Law Enforcement or something of the like. It's cheap and perfect for whatyou will need. Get the Strider to use and play with off duty where it will remain in your possesion.
 
Strider all the way.. They may have some fit and finish issues but ya really don't ever hear about them failing.. Not that ya hear it about ZTs, but still. Go with your gut!
 
Go with Strider. Ignore all those saying about fit and finish problems. The knives with the newer style lock face have no fit and finish problems. They are as quality as anything out there right now. Just as good or better than a VECP or XM-18. And no one come close to the Strider warranty.
 
13aphomet said:
Strider all the way.. They may have some fit and finish issues but ya really don't ever hear about them failing.. Not that ya hear it about ZTs, but still. Go with your gut!
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It's my understanding that around the same time that Strider changed their lockup that their F&F went way up as well...my new SMF arrived and is as spot on as any knife I've ever purchased. I don't think that you'd need to worry about either knife failing so like you I think its best to buy the one YOU like the most. In time you'll probably have both anyway. <grin>
 
0560 is my choice.

Mick Strider will never get a penny of my money, his lying about his service history is unforgivable.
 
The 0560 is nice (also have an 0561) and I'm getting an SNG in the mail tomorrow so I'll be able to compare them better at that time.
 
Hauling said:
The 0560 is nice (also have an 0561) and I'm getting an SNG in the mail tomorrow so I'll be able to compare them better at that time.
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Congratulations on the new SnG!
My son has a SnG and I have a 0551 (both GREAT knives) and those two seem to compare pretty nicely size-wise, the 0560/61 is pretty much the same size as the SMF. I like a larger EDC but it seems like most prefer something more the size of the Strider SnG or ZT 0550/51.
 
KLJTech said:
Congratulations on the new SnG!
My son has a SnG and I have a 0551 (both GREAT knives) and those two seem to compare pretty nicely size-wise, the 0560/61 is pretty much the same size as the SMF. I like a larger EDC but it seems like most prefer something more the size of the Strider SnG or ZT 0550/51.
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Thanks man, here it is. This one fits my hand perfectly which is a relief because I was questioning if I should get an SMF.

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