ZT 0566 or Spyderco PM2

muphasta

muphasta

Joined
Jun 30, 2013
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853
I have been debating w/myself (glad no one can see me arguing w/myself) over jumping up to better knives.

These are two very different knives, but could be had for about the same price.

Any reason to get one over the other?
 
Depends upon your plans with the knife. In my opinion the ZT is going to hold up to more abuse. The spyderco does better with finer knife work. Both are great knives. I personally would lean more towards the ZT!
 
They are quite different, you're right.

Personally, I'd go with the Paramilitary because I feel it's a more versatile design. I LOVE ZT and I'm slowly buying as many of their models as I can afford, don't get me wrong. The para has a longer blade, the full flat grind makes it a better slicer, it's quite lightweight for its size and it's cheaper (MSRPs are almost identical, but street price seems lower for the Para).
 
I saw the ZT for $134 shipped, and maybe I'm looking in the wrong places, but I've also seen the PM2 for $126+.

My uses would be general, cardboard slicing, box opening (lots of tape), whittling while camping, nothing too heavy.
 
muphasta said:
I saw the ZT for $134 shipped, and maybe I'm looking in the wrong places, but I've also seen the PM2 for $126+.

My uses would be general, cardboard slicing, box opening (lots of tape), whittling while camping, nothing too heavy.
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Check out GPKnives, much better price on the 0566. I'd go ZT, partially because I don't really like the PM2 and partially because of ZT's awesome warranty dept.
 
Those are the two folders that I carry the most. I haven't really decided which one I like better yet after years of PM/PM 2 carry and a month or so of 566 carry. I'll tell you that the PM 2 is a bit friendlier in the pocket because of it's lighter weight. It's also a bit easier to manipulate due to the G10 on both sides and its light weight. ZTs G10 is fine but the SS lock side gets a bit slick and cold sometimes. OTOH, the 566 lock bar is very easy to work. I've had no problem with the lockup or lock bar on mine.

I like the A/O on the 566. Anything with thumb studs that's smaller than a BM 950 is hard for me to work with old & stiff hands. The PM/PM 2 opening hole is a good alternative to studs because of its size and location on the blade. I have no manipulation problems with my Paras (that's probably why I have 6 of them).

As far as steel is concerned, the Elmax on my 566 is now as sharp as any folder I have, including my Paras. After some Sharpmaker work and some time on my strops, the edge is smooth, even, and slices as good as anything I've got. I don't have enough experience with Elmax to talk about field performance, but I really like how it responds to my sharpening/polishing capabilities. My Paras are all S30V with one exception (S35VN). I actually prefer the S35VN blade, but I like the feel of my digicam Para 2 so that's the one I carry. S30V isn't nearly as friendly to me when I'm sharpening it as S35VN, Elmax, CPM-M4, etc. In fact, S30V is about my least favorite folder steel. I carry my Paras in spite of the steel, not because of it.

The best price I've found on a ZT 566 is from Kershawguy. I got my backup from him. He's a good guy to deal with and a BF supporting dealer. I can't tell you which way to go with your decision, but this is my experience, if it helps.

Oh... as far as robustness... the ZT feels more solid because of its material and weight. I like that, I really do. BUT... I've put Spyderco Militaries and Paras through a lot of crap in the 8 years or so that I've been using them. They've never failed, broken, jammed, clogged up, or run out of edge even once. No broken tips, no lost clips or loose screws, no blade chips, no lock failures. This includes warehouse work with cardboard, zip ties, and computer cabling, hiking and camping chores, helping a buddy remodel his house by adding a new room (wood, drywall, carpet, etc) and general use around my house & garden.
 
You know by now the answer is both. I have the ZT 0561 and it's amazing. I ordered a second para 2 yesterday for back up because imho they are one of the best thought out designs ever!
 
I had the 0566 and it was a b*tch to open and manipulate. Sold it and bought a Southard. I still have a para 2 by the way. Much lighter and handier knife. If I had a real need for a larger, heavier more robust knife I would definitely consider the ZT. But, they're just a lot more knife than I will ever need.
 
That's a tough proposition! They are both amazing, top notch knives for the money. I would look at the clear differences such as flipper/no-flipper, lock type, overall looks and decide of those things which you like best.
 
The Para-2 and the 0566 are probably the two knives that consistently win a spot in my pocket over most others (the new Benchmade Volli I just got is also a very close contender).

The Para-2 is lighter and has more handle-space with the choil but isn't really left-hand friendly (I know several lefties that learned to open/close it proficiently though, so it can be done). I personally like the compression lock over the frame-lock, but at the same time, I really dig this SS frame-lock on the 0566 (more so than a lot of the Ti framelocks I own). The 0566 is also a bit difficult to open as there isn't a ton of room in between the liner and frame and the frame-lock side doesn't have a "good purchase" surface on it where your thumb comes into contact with it.

The PM2 is also slightly longer when closed and doesn't come with the cool deep-carry pocket clip. The PM2 uses thicker blade-stock, but the Full Flat Grind means that while it's a better slicer than the 0566, it's much thinner at the tip. The 0566 also has slightly more cutting edge. They're both about the same overall thickness when closed but the PM2 is slightly wider (because of the Spyder Hole).

IMO, the 0566 is perfect once de-assisted, but if you aren't willing to do that, I'd probably get the PM2 over the 0566. Once you compare the de-assisted 0566 with the PM2, it gets pretty hard to pick a favorite (for me particularly). Ergos/usability on both are great.

The Volli and the Cold Steel American Lawman are two others to check out (very close in size/specs).
 
So confusing! So many things to consider. I appreciate everyone's input. I'll keep you informed.
 
ZT 566 just to get something a little different. I'm sure you've had a ton of Spydies already. That's the deciding factor for me. And the Cryo is a bad example. It's stubby and has only good steel not very good steel. Although once you sharpen and strop the cryo like most 8CR13Mov it gets really sharp! I got rid of mine as I didn't like it's stubbiness, reminded me too much of myself. :p
 
Get both and sell/trade the one you like least. It shouldn't be hard to get rid of either one.;)
 
cchu518 said:
ZT 566 just to get something a little different. I'm sure you've had a ton of Spydies already. That's the deciding factor for me. And the Cryo is a bad example. It's stubby and has only good steel not very good steel. Although once you sharpen and strop the cryo like most 8CR13Mov it gets really sharp! I got rid of mine as I didn't like it's stubbiness, reminded me too much of myself. :p
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Never had either brand actually. One of these would be my first for either brand.
 
Oh...get both, keep both or sell the one you don't like as a LNIB on the forum and lost a couple of bucks and shipping! This is like apples or oranges really! There won't be anything that one can do over the other. It will come down to handle shape and how much knife handle you like vs how much in weight you can deal with in the pocket! As you can see below are you ok with a 3.75 ounce knife in the pocket everyday vs a 5.3 ounce? I personally would not EDC either everyday. I would get the ZT specifically for weekend fun hiking and such. They are both much too big of a folder for my normal around the house use. So for me it comes down to fun factor. I've had 6 maybe 7 Spyderco's already. Spyderco and Benchmade make some of the most iconic knives out there. Benchmade have the axis lock which is the smoothest opening and closing compact, 3" bladed, thumstudded knife out there and the handle ergos on Spydercos are some of the very best along with the spydie hole and ffg blades.

The 566 is someting totally different it's a mini beast with a flipper and a very pretty stonewash blade! For me it would be the 566 just on the fun factor but for you, maybe you have to consider handle length, weight, what you will use it for, where exactly on your person will you carry it and will you carry this thing everyday. For me there is no reason for me to carry such a large folder as I work in NYC. The form factor prevented me from getting a Sebenza as I was trying to be realistic about my use of knives. I couldn't fit or justify having a $350 knife that I could carry 9 or 10 times a year. Lol. $140 I could justify getting just for fun though!

PM2
length overall 8.281 " (210 mm) blade length 3.438 " (87 mm) blade steel CPM S30V
length closed 4.812 ", (122 mm) cutting edge 3.078 " (78 mm) weight 3.75 oz (106 g)
blade thickness .141 " (3.5 mm) handle material G-10

Overall Length: 7.70" Blade Length: 3.25" Blade Thickness: 0.12" Blade Material: ELMAX Blade Style: Drop Point Blade Grind: Flat Blade Finish: Stonewash Edge Type: Plain Handle Length: 4.45" Handle Thickness: 0.44" Handle Material: G-10 Handle Color: Black Frame Material: Stainless Steel Weight: 5.30 oz. Pocket Clip: Right/Left Hand, Tip-Up/Down Knife Type: Spring Assisted Opener: Flipper Lock Type: Frame Lock Brand: Zero Tolerance Model: 0566 Designer: Rick Hinderer Country of Origin: USA
 
skyhorse said:
For an extra few bucks the OP could get a para2 and a cryo. The cryo is no way a ZT but has the basic feel of the Hinderer design at a fraction of the cost.
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He could get a Para2 and a Cryo 2 and almost have the best of both worlds, since the Cryo 2 is very similar to the 0566.

I'm thinking about buying a Cryo 2 when they become available.
 
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