ZT 0566 or Spyderco PM2

[McVeyMac]

McVeyMac wrote:


I have never, not once, ever heard of any Spyderco blade breaking at or near the Spydie hole. After 3+ decades of knife making (and countless knives produced) such an inherent design problem would have showed itself by now in the ultimate test bed... the market place. It has not. You are worrying about a problem that simply does not exist. Get a Spyderco... give the Spydie hole a shot... odds are it will convert you. And if it doesn't then you can generally resell it easily... because it won't have broken on you.

I have my sights on a NIB Millie from a member here. How can you call yourself a knife nut, and not own a Spydie?

 

[Officer's Match]

I have a problem with a relatively large hole right where the blade should be the strongest. Ergonomic opening, yes. Strength? To me it is questionable. I known that you all are going to tell me everything that you have cut with your PM2 with no problems. And I believe you. It is just a thing that I have not been able to get past. The flipper can be deployed with a gloved hand easily, external blade stop has added strength compared to the PM2 and no hole cut out compared to better cutting efficiency in the PM2 and excellent weight and ergonomics. Is sounds like it comes down to how strong do you need this knife to be?

I would much more trust the strength of the PM2 over the ZT0566. If you look at the ricasso/choil area of the PM2 and the size of the stop bar, there should be no issue in either area. I'd even go so far to suggest that the solid full width of the blade against a large stop bar (on the PM2) should be at least as strong if not stronger than blade stop/thumb studs mounted in a hole drilled in the ZT's blade (remember you suggest that the spydie hole is a potential weakness, and it's not utilized in the knife's lockup).

 

[McVeyMac]

I would much more trust the strength of the PM2 over the ZT0566. If you look at the ricasso/choil area of the PM2 and the size of the stop bar, there should be no issue in either area. I'd even go so far to suggest that the solid full width of the blade against a large stop bar (on the PM2) should be at least as strong if not stronger than blade stop/thumb studs mounted in a hole drilled in the ZT's blade (remember you suggest that the spydie hole is a potential weakness, and it's not utilized in the knife's lockup).

The stop bar breaking is not at issue. The blade breaking because it is a tang stop, and there is not a lot of metal between the pivot hole and the tang stop might be. I direct you to this discussion:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...I-the-only-one-who-prefers-external-stop-pins

As is pointed out in the above discussion, a blade will crack or break at the weakest point, and they pointed out in this discussion how stop pins are inherently stronger than internal stops due to the distance from the stop and the pivot hole.

A knife is a cutting tool, I agree. It is not a pry bar. Perhaps as unfounded as my thinking is, I often think about "what if I need a pry bar, and all I have is a knife?" The metal that is removed by drilling small holes for stop pins at the ricasso is far less than the Spydie opening hole, IMHO.

This is the basis for my statement above, perhaps as unfounded as it might be, but I have not heard good arguments to the contrary, yet at least. Is the PM2 sufficiently strong to handle any cutting chores and even a great deal of abuse? I have no doubt. Is the PM2 a stronger knife than the 0566? Here I have some doubts.

 

[Officer's Match]

IMHO, the frame lock of the ZT will "fail" (abuse needed, again IMHO) before the blade will break on the PM2, assuming you are correct that the external stop "lugs" of the ZT are fundamentally stronger than the tang stop design of the PM2 (which candidly I doubt in all honesty).

 

[McVeyMac]

IMHO, the frame lock of the ZT will "fail" (abuse needed, again IMHO) before the blade will break on the PM2, assuming you are correct that the external stop "lugs" of the ZT are fundamentally stronger than the tang stop design of the PM2 (which candidly I doubt in all honesty).

Is the frame lock of the ZT folders less strong than the PM2 compression lock against closing forces? I honestly do not know. I will say that one should not exert excessive closing forces on any locking folder regardless of the mechanism, that is if you want to keep all five fingers. I guess I will have to leave arguing this point up to someone that is more learned than I am on the matter.

 

[Officer's Match]

I believe the compression lock has tested to be one of the strongest folder lock designs out there. I personally believe frame locks and liner locks (proper executed of course) to be entirely sufficient for reasonable use, but if "unreasonable" use were to be required of a folder, I choose Axis or Compression locks above any other I own. Of course the YMMV caveat applies.

 

[muphasta]

So many things to consider, so many arguments for each, I'm still so undecided!

Still unsure of what I'll do, and again, I appreciate the input.

 

[cchu518]

What is your budget? A spyderco is a must own or try out of the moderns as are benchmades if you don't have one. All of them are kinda great lol. The delica, ukpk and caly series are a favorite if mine. Theres so many different models. Ive never owned a Ti sage 2 but its on my wish list too. Budget meaning can you pull the trigger on 2? I usually can't do that myself as my wife would go ballistic and we have a fixed monthly budget for goof off stuff.

 

[muphasta]

What is your budget? A spyderco is a must own or try out of the moderns as are benchmades if you don't have one. All of them are kinda great lol. The delica, ukpk and caly series are a favorite if mine. Theres so many different models. Ive never owned a Ti sage 2 but its on my wish list too. Budget meaning can you pull the trigger on 2? I usually can't do that myself as my wife would go ballistic and we have a fixed monthly budget for goof off stuff.

sub $150. This would be an upcoming birthday gift.

 

[cchu518]

If you get the pm2 you could technically get a cryo2 which is very similar in size and shape to the zt!

 

[Nic S.]

The PM2 is a knife I want to like but can't. I have owned two and both had fit and finish issues and one came with one of the worst factory edges I've ever had. Now on the flip side every ZT I've owned has had great f&f. Also something to consider is ZT's warranty. They will fix about anything and for a fee even replace your blade if you break it, even if you are being not so smart with your knife. So they have that going for them over Spyderco. Just my thoughts.

 

[flarp]

I've got both, and I find myself favoring the 0566. They're both good knives, and you can't really go wrong with either. I really like the blade grind on the 0566. It's a high flat grind that slices very well and keeps a good amount of steel at the tip. The PM2 also makes for a great slicer, as you'd expect with a FFG. They both have a 3.5" blade, but 0566 has a slightly longer cutting edge. Both knives handle well. The 0566 feels more solid and robust, while the PM2's handle contours and thumb ramp make it fit a little more naturally in hand. The PM2 also has the finger choil, if you use a choke grip regularly. The handle on the PM2 is also longer than the 0566, if you have larger hands. The PM2 is lighter weight, but the 0566 carries more comfortably and discretely in pocket.

(Left two pics are tip-up, right two are tip-down)

 

[gpo1956]

I just noticed that the person I sold my 0566 to has laready sold it. He had it no more than 2-3 days.

 

[muphasta]

I just noticed that the person I sold my 0566 to has laready sold it. He had it no more than 2-3 days.

Did he flip for profit or do you think he may to have liked it?

 

[muphasta]

I've got both, and I find myself favoring the 0566. They're both good knives, and you can't really go wrong with either. I really like the blade grind on the 0566. It's a high flat grind that slices very well and keeps a good amount of steel at the tip. The PM2 also makes for a great slicer, as you'd expect with a FFG. They both have a 3.5" blade, but 0566 has a slightly longer cutting edge. Both knives handle well. The 0566 feels more solid and robust, while the PM2's handle contours and thumb ramp make it fit a little more naturally in hand. The PM2 also has the finger choil, if you use a choke grip regularly. The handle on the PM2 is also longer than the 0566, if you have larger hands. The PM2 is lighter weight, but the 0566 carries more comfortably and discretely in pocket.

(Left two pics are tip-up, right two are tip-down)

The carry pix may have just pushed me towards the ZT. Thanks!

 

[Revival29]

I just noticed that the person I sold my 0566 to has laready sold it. He had it no more than 2-3 days.

When I got my 566 I knew immediatley that it was a little too heavy and got rid of it. The ergos were AMAZING though. When i got my Domino, again I knew I wanted to immediately get rid of it because the ergos and my hands did not get along. Not speaking for the person that sold your knife but sometimes you know. Both knives are hot right now too.

 

[dalefuller]

When I got my 566 I knew immediatley that it was a little too heavy and got rid of it. The ergos were AMAZING though. When i got my Domino, again I knew I wanted to immediately get rid of it because the ergos and my hands did not get along. Not speaking for the person that sold your knife but sometimes you know. Both knives are hot right now too.

Sometimes you do. I recently got both of those knives. It took me 5 minutes to decide to dump the Domino and another 5 to order a second 566 for backup. Don't regret either decision.

 

[d1ce]

When I got my 566 I knew immediatley that it was a little too heavy and got rid of it. The ergos were AMAZING though. When i got my Domino, again I knew I wanted to immediately get rid of it because the ergos and my hands did not get along. Not speaking for the person that sold your knife but sometimes you know. Both knives are hot right now too.

It's really this simple. I see all these posts in which the OP asks other individuals which knife they should buy. That's not how it works! Ya gotta decide for yourself fellas. Once you know a knife is "quality" (which clearly both of these are), then the only thing left is whether YOU as an individual feel it's desirable.

 

[EZ Bake]

The carry pix may have just pushed me towards the ZT. Thanks!

Not to make it more difficult, but the pics don't show weight - the 0566 is definitely heavier. For me it's a toss-up between the two - they are clearly different knives, but they fill a similar niche and both are winners.

Good luck and no matter what you purchase, you'll likely not be disappointed.

 

[muphasta]

Not to make it more difficult, but the pics don't show weight - the 0566 is definitely heavier. For me it's a toss-up between the two - they are clearly different knives, but they fill a similar niche and both are winners.

Good luck and no matter what you purchase, you'll likely not be disappointed.

Weight is rarely a factor for me. It was while I was working w/my BK2, but I doubt this thing comes close to a pound! Carrying the BK2 wasn't an issue, but once in hand it got heavy quick. I need to hit the weights before using it again!