Zt 0561 or the al mar sere 2000

S

saylorbrand

Joined
Jun 8, 2008
Messages
338
I like both of these knives, but can get only 1. I bought a zt 0350 recently, and like everything but the recurve. My wife loves it. So I will give her the 0350 when I replace it. I also like the hogue ex01 3.5. But I would like to know y'all's thoughts. I like all of them but would like to get the over all best one. New hogue, new 0561, or the classic steady sere 2000.
 
At current prices I would definitely go with the 0561. I don't own one, but I do own a SERE 2000. I paid $145 for it brand new and it is a fantastic knife. However it costs a good deal more than what I paid at the moment. I having a feeling you'd be happier with the 0561.
 
Handled both, didn't get the hype about the 0560 series. Felt stiff and clunky to me. The Al Mar felt perfect in hand. Superb ergonomics. I prefer the steel as well. I don't want to have to use hardcore sharpening gear to get a razor edge on super wear resistant steel.
 
The 0561 has dropped a fair bit in price. I think its a good value now. Great build quality and steel. Can't go wrong with it.
 
I have a 561 and for some reason can not get an edge on it. I think it's because the factory edge is greater than 40 degrees inclusive and the steel is hard as the dickens so I've been hitting it on the Sharpmaker every time I think of it and hopefully will eventually reprofile the edge so I can get it sharp again. I may have to send it out and let someone with a WE tackle it though.
 
Can't speak for the 561, but I have a 560 that I really like. Unfortunately it's not perfect (it came with uneven grinds & a very non-acute angle towards the tip). If you're open to other suggestions in a similar category, the fit and finish of the ZT 0200 is literally perfect. I also have the ZT 0200KW (stonewashed blade - Kershawguy stocks it, so does Knifeworks), same perfect fit & finish.
 
freewheeling said:
I have a 561 and for some reason can not get an edge on it. I think it's because the factory edge is greater than 40 degrees inclusive and the steel is hard as the dickens so I've been hitting it on the Sharpmaker every time I think of it and hopefully will eventually reprofile the edge so I can get it sharp again. I may have to send it out and let someone with a WE tackle it though.
Click to expand...


Yeah, that Elmax can be a bear to sharpen/re-profile.





Big Mike
 
If Elmax is that difficult than maybe its out. The hogue, sere 2000, and now a spyderco southerd are on the list. Any experience with these.
 
I'm personally not a big fan of Elmax. Doesn't hold an edge for me at all. IMO
 
I've owned all the knives mentioned in the original post and I'd put the Al Mar Sere far ahead of any of the other ones. Of course, they're all great. But the Sere feels nicer to me and is a more useable size for me (than the 560/1).
 
If you don't mind the assisted opening of the ZT 0350 then you should consider the Benchmade 581 with M390 steel. I love the flat grind on the blade, the ergonomics of the handle, and the safety feature that can lock the blade opened as well as closed. I also own the Sere 2000 and the ZT0560, but I don't carry them anymore because I find that their blade grind do not suit my usage.
 
Save for the Southard. Personally, the best Spyderco and best flipper under $250. Mine was $230 but they're tough to find right now before the next batch comes in.

Alternatively, a Hogue EX-02 with spear point (154CM) and a great flipper can be had for $160 with a 3.4" blade. There's also non-flipper thumb studs, 3.75" blade and even tanto.
 
Ive had an 0560 for a while. i find it really easy to get a hair popping edge. it came with a perfectly even grind an opens smoother than any other folder i have. maybe other people got some bad qc ones, but the 0560 i definitely the best folder i own hands down.
 
The 561 is awesome, and I have no problems with it keeping an edge or sharpening it. I wanted a late serial number one that had some of the flaws from the early one's. Two bills from amazon, and if you don't like it, free return shipping and nothing out of pocket for you. That's what I did, but kept mine. Good luck.
 
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