ZT 0561 and Strider SMF

Aias

Aias

Joined
Aug 1, 2012
Messages
5,188
OK, so I own a 0561, and it is a great--truly great--knife--strong, I get it incredibly sharp/excellent steel, perfect ergos for my hand, quite large (upper end of edc possibilities for me), and can handle any edc task I throw at it. Despite all this, I am feeling the pull toward an SMF. What I'd like to know--especially from those who have used both--is what does the SMF offer that the 0561 does not (if anything). For instance, a statement like "while the 0561 is great, I wouldn't use it for [X]--that's a job for an SMF..." is what I'm looking for. Although I really like the looks of the SMF--and that alone might send me over the edge and bring me to buy one, I was just curious whether I would be getting something more or different out of it (different from the 0561).
 
I had an 0561 and have SMF's. I got rid of my 0561 because I could not get I'd of the side to side play. It didn't give me the confidence to go and beat on it. I know a knife is for cutting, but when you have an overbuilt knife you find yourself, myself, stretching the bounds of a "knife". Besides that the SMF just feels more solid in hand. Both are great knives, but I prefer the SMF. I also felt that my SMF's held an edge longer...could have been my imagination though.
 
If you get the CC, it will feel somewhat similar to the 561 but with a shorter blade, no flipper, and not as smooth. Strider's got their heat treat right on their blades, I doubt you will notice any difference in use, edge angles being equal. Sharpening ease lends itself to the 561 though.
 
I also really like the looks of the SMF, and still think about getting one every now and then, the thing that that stops me is every time I handle it is seeing that nice 4" blade, but then the finger choir plus the sharpening choir reduce it down to like a 3" edge, which seems to me like you're just carrying around a three inch blade in a large 4" bladed package, the spyderco tuff also suffers from this and it is the only reason I don't have one of those as well
 
Michaelm466--the blade length issue bothered me too, but then I began to justify it on the basis of my town's local laws limiting blades to 3 inches. Maybe for this reason more than any other, I find myself reaching for my para2 over my 0561 when I am out and about around town. My zt has no blade play, or any structural issue that makes me want to get rid of it... pocket size is fine, weight, etc... I guess I am looking for a reason beyond "I like the looks of it" for buying an smf. And I really do just like the looks of the damn thing; while the flamed ti is quite appealing, I wouldn't mind the simple toned down look either. My guess is that the spear point and the clean lines are the reasons why it appeals to me.
 
I just recently bought an SNG. I also have blade restriction laws in the city I live in and was carrying a large sebenza for a while on a gamble, knowing that I was consciously breaking the law. I see the blade length to handle ratio thing brought up a lot, and I dont get it. I find a longer handle much more useful, and feel that Strider's platform capitalizes on this with the position of the blade choil. It gives the knife a nice balance between handle and blade weight, maintains the legal blade length here, and still has a handle long enough to really hold on to. I like the 561, but it is too darn big for me to carry legally. I believe that the SMF would be beyond your legal restrictions as well, have you thought about the SNG? The blade cutting edge measures just at 2 3/4 inches but works like a much bigger knife, perfect for me, and might be fore you too.
 
I'd say the biggest advantage an SMF has over the 0561 is that it has a more heavy duty blade. The blade geometry lends itself to more hard use tasks than the slimmer profile of the 0561. The SMF is also a non flipper for those who prefer thumb action (Yes, I know the 0561 also have thumb studs, but they are more blade stops, I found mine to be almost impossible to flip open with the thumb).

All in all, I do prefer the SNG/SMF over the 0561 (I've owned a 0560 and I own an SMF and SNG), but you'll have to spend an additional $200 for an SMF.
 
choking up on a strider gives a better feeling and much more power , now the ar /gb liner lock is a fixed blade that folds outstanding beast.oh whoops my vote is strider sng over 561
 
I've been carrying either an SMF or a 0550 for a while now, they are actually pretty comparable. I had an 0561 but I prefer the simplicity of the 0550.

The SMF has "Cool Factor" that the 0550 can only dream of.
The SMF's blade is way thicker than the 0550.
The SMF is a bit bigger than the 0550 especially the end of the handle, the G10 is also coarser, this makes reaching into your pocket a pain sometimes.
The SMF weighs 6.3 oz.

The 0550 opens faster for me, the thumb studs just shoot the blade out, almost Para 2ish.
The 0550 carries a little better for me just do to being smaller and not so much "Junk in the Trunk" as the Strider.
The 0550 weighs 5.8 oz.
An SNG might be a better comparison as far as blade thickness but it will be much lighter than the 0550.

Overall I'd choose the SMF if I could only have one, it's a better knife with a much thicker blade and nearly the same weight as the 0550. Dollar for dollar the SMF makes me appreciate how good the 0550 is, I like the SMF better but the 0550 is no slouch. If I didn't have extra money to spend on knives I wouldn't feel bad about settling for a 0550. I hate the new clip though, I think it's the weak point on the 0560 so it didn't make sense to put it on the 0550 too. I'll see if I can take a picture of the two side by side.

Shameless plug: I happen to have a sweet SMF for sale here. :)
 
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Aias said:
... a statement like "while the 0561 is great, I wouldn't use it for [X]--that's a job for an SMF..." is what I'm looking for.
Click to expand...

When you get into the price ranges you're talking about, you're paying for quality of build, quality of materials, and pride of ownership; not added utility. At least IMO, anyway. I don't think there's anything the Strider could do that the ZT couldn't. I also don't think there's anything the ZT could do that a far cheaper knife wouldn't be able to accomplish. So why even own the ZT? Because you're a knife nut and you think it's cool. There's nothing wrong with that.
If you like the Strider, then buy it. But don't expect an increase in performance.
 
Thanks guys... I thought of the sng, but came to the realization that even if I purchased it... I would still want the smf. I would risk the blade length issue due to the cool factor alone, and I suspected as much regarding the utility of the smf vs. the zt or even the para2, BM rift, BM 15020, etc... or any of the other blades I have. Yeah, your comments basically confirm my belief that the striders are great fun to own if one has the means, and that alone is enough justification to purchase one... or two... etc. Knife nut indeed.
 
I live in WI. Which has 3" blade limit laws. I carry a small sebenza insingo although I have a 560 as well and prefer the larger blade and handles. I just ordered a new pt because I wanted a strider but assumed the sng and smf was illegal. My question is do you know for sure that they go by the actual cutting edge? I figured they would go by actual blade length and don't want to chance it incase I ever had to use my pocket knife for self defense. I would definately rather have an sng if it's legal but I could see the leo's saying it's over 3" even though I feel like the finger choil should not count. I just want to know for sure. Thanks
 
Aias said:
Michaelm466--the blade length issue bothered me too, but then I began to justify it on the basis of my town's local laws limiting blades to 3 inches. Maybe for this reason more than any other, I find myself reaching for my para2 over my 0561 when I am out and about around town. My zt has no blade play, or any structural issue that makes me want to get rid of it... pocket size is fine, weight, etc... I guess I am looking for a reason beyond "I like the looks of it" for buying an smf. And I really do just like the looks of the damn thing; while the flamed ti is quite appealing, I wouldn't mind the simple toned down look either. My guess is that the spear point and the clean lines are the reasons why it appeals to me.
Click to expand...

B Legit said:
I just recently bought an SNG. I also have blade restriction laws in the city I live in and was carrying a large sebenza for a while on a gamble, knowing that I was consciously breaking the law. I see the blade length to handle ratio thing brought up a lot, and I dont get it. I find a longer handle much more useful, and feel that Strider's platform capitalizes on this with the position of the blade choil. It gives the knife a nice balance between handle and blade weight, maintains the legal blade length here, and still has a handle long enough to really hold on to. I like the 561, but it is too darn big for me to carry legally. I believe that the SMF would be beyond your legal restrictions as well, have you thought about the SNG? The blade cutting edge measures just at 2 3/4 inches but works like a much bigger knife, perfect for me, and might be fore you too.
Click to expand...

They're talking about the whole blade. Not just the edge.
Or at least I think so. I know they do in most places.

Not trying to sound like a know it all, but wouldn't want to see either of you get into trouble over it. I would check your local law and see if it states "blade" or "edge".
 
I agree with Ken. I "think" that most state laws will measure the tip to handle dimension. You can also pull up your state regs for concealed weapons blade-length restriction. Most cops don't really know and don't care; they're just "guys." If you are arrested for something nasty and they're looking for something else to charge you with...
When I'm after a 3" blade max, I have purchased an Emerson Micro-Commander, a Spyderco Native 5 Forum knife in S110V (great steel), an SJ75 Strider (super) and a Sage2 titanium. These are all 3" (or a hair less) tip to handle. More correctly, the Strider SJ75 mikes out at 2.980" tip to handle (at blade centerline) and has a sharp edge of 2.820"...the same as the Sng. The Sng has a 3.5" blade-length, with 2 7/8" sharp edge. Note that the SJ75 still gives you a hand-filling grip. I have Large hands. The open length of the SJ is 7 1/8", with a full 4.25" handle. Plus, it has a nice leaf-shaped blade of 1/8" blade-stock, which I really like.
That's enough of that sales-pitch.
Now, for the 561 vs SMF. I've had both; I have two SMF's presently. Blade-steel thickness is 0190"; makes a decent pry-bar but doesn't slice a tomato very well at all. It may have a sharp blade, but a THICK blade is NOT a good slicer, regardless of the name-tag. Striders are tank-tough; so are ZT's.
IIRC, my Sng's were 0.160". I've had quite a few ZT's: including the 560 and 561; excellent knives. The only one I have right now is a gen2 0550 which is a very nice "compromise" folder. It's still heavy-duty, 0.156" thickness and 3.5" length, but isn't such a big ox in the pocket as the 056x series. If interested, I posted a thread including it yesterday..
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1118670-So-you-want-an-EDC
I notice that I keep on buying SMF's, but I'm no longer interested in the super-large ZT's. My opinion. Both are great companies with excellent Customer Service.
SMF's carry nicely in the pocket; better...lighter...IMO...than the big 056x series. I'd suggest a CC Strider finish or Lego. Don't do a DGG grip unless you want to tear up your hand AND your pocket.
They're all good. No kiddin'.
 
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