ZT 0566 vs 0550 vs 0561

SVTFreak

SVTFreak

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Thinking of picking up one of these. I tend to not care for flippers. I tend to like assist. I tend to not like too large or too small for knives for tough use (xm 3.5 is about right). If you had to pick only one, which would it be and why?
 
I tried all 3. I stuck with the 566. The 561 is simply too long and heavy for my daily carry. The 550 is a bit shorter, but it's heavy and bulky. It's the bulk that bothered me more than the weight. It's far more of a folder than I need day-to-day. The 566 hits the sweet spot for me in just about every area. I carry it almost as much as I do my PM 2 now.

None of the dozen or so ZTs I've owned had any issues. That's not the problem. I just didn't like the overall package on the 561 & 550 for the reasons mentioned above. What I do like about ZT is their blade steel choice, their very well done bevels, their edges, their F&F, and their ergos. These have always worked well for me. I'm just glad they came out with a folder that I'll carry and use from day to day.
 
It will depend on your use. From what you've described, I'd say either 0566 or 0550. If an XM 3.5" is about right, then I think the 0550 would be in the sweet spot. If I'm not mistaken, the blade stock is closer on the 0550 than the 0566 but the overall thickness is more (the handles are pretty stocky on the 0550). I would carry it but I was also wearing jeans with large pockets, so it never got in my way. I don't know if the 0566 will fall out of your sweet spot in terms of size, but I think it has a good combination of features (size, construction etc.) Know that for the 0566, the thumb studs are more like lock studs, with their primary intended use being as blade stops rather than an opening mechanism, especially with the assist in.

The long and short of it is that I think the 0561's size will definitely put it out of comfortable range. The other two both have features which may put them out of your comfortable size range. Also, if you don't like flippers, the 0566's studs may not work well.
 
I'm rather fond of my 0550. Flippers and assisted opening are OK, but all my ZTs have flippers (and a couple are assisted) so the 0550 was a nice change. The size is perfect for my needs (I tend not to carry folding knives that are much longer or shorter than 3.5", unless there's a special situation), handle is super comfortable and the lock disengages smoothly.

It is bulky compared to other knives in that size range (like say, a PM2), but it carries nicely for me in most pants.

There's nothing wrong with the 0561, I've got one and like it a lot, but for some reason I don't carry it as much as I do my 0550.

I haven't tried the 0566 yet.
 
I like larger knives, and have the 0560, and 0551, but it sounds like you want something a bit smaller. You may want to wait for the new ZT 0562 as it has the 3.5 inch blade you like. The 0566 would work also.
 
I was happy with an 0551 I had for a little while. If you say you don't like flippers, then the 0550 seems to fit the bill well compared to the other options :p
 
Thanks for all advice. It does sound like the 550 has what I want except for assist, and that's not a deal breaker.
 
Just ordered me a 0550 (and another Spyderpac since I'm over full).

Watch I end up with all three and still keep my xm....

This is going to hurt my handmade slipjoint love as of late....
 
I've got a 551 and a 566. I carry the 566 more these days, though I love both. my hard rule is 10 folders - want a new one, get rid of one of the others - it keeps an expensive habit in check for me - and I have kept both. overall, I tend towards a little smaller 3" blades for everyday use (I rotate between a benchmade mini-grip, spyderco chaparral, small sebenza (micarta inlay fits me better), victorinox compact, a Kershaw cryo, and a spyderco ambitious on a day-to-day basis). but come jeans time, heavy-duty use time, I grab the 0566 now preferentially over the 0551. little slimmer overall profile, but still fills the hand very well. I still do love my 0551 but I tend to pick the 0566, for the lower profile carry.

it's a little slimmer overall package than the 0550/0551. love them both, so whichever one speaks to you will be a great choice. if I had the 2nd gen 0550 with the low-rider clip instead of my 0551, it would be a coin flip each time I wanted to carry one of my 'bigger' knives. and though the 0566 is slimmer (less blade/handle height, not actual thickness) I think it might actually be a little heavier d/t steel vs titanium on the body.

the 0550/0551 is as big a knife as I would ever need or want to carry around, even the ZT 0350 feels too big in the pocket for me for everyday use. so I know what you mean about the 0561. too big for me, too. I see those, see a manix, and think 'wow, that's a huge pocket knife. I'd never carry that'. I use a fixed blade when I need a knife that size.
but then I'm pretty sure when those guys see me whip out my mini-grip or small sebenza or chaparral, they just snicker. :)


ETA:
oops, slow intermittent typer between appointments, late response. you don't really need the assist once you figure out the trick on the 0550. and the trick is flick FORWARD with your thumb, not OUT. makes it fly open instead of only making it 2/3 of the way without a wrist flick. you'll build a thumb callus, it'll be great.
 
Thanks gent. Knives are not my. Most expensive hobby so I don't limit myself. Which sometimes is a problem (like. Last couple months, time to slow down lol)
 
Nice decision on the 550! You will not be disappointed!
 
I just got my 550, the flip action is very near to assisted with a nice flick to the thumbstud.
Its a perfect medium, I'm over assisted now but this is still reminiscent of.

I can't compare to the others in question, but I really like this knife. Its a little bulky but I could probably chop clear through a 2x4 in no time at all. Once I get the edge pro on think I'll do just that!
 
gentemanndvm said:
ETA:
oops, slow intermittent typer between appointments, late response. you don't really need the assist once you figure out the trick on the 0550. and the trick is flick FORWARD with your thumb, not OUT. makes it fly open instead of only making it 2/3 of the way without a wrist flick. you'll build a thumb callus, it'll be great.
Click to expand...

Should have quoted ya there, same thing works for the 0700
 
Sorry to necro this thread, but curious as I'm deciding on these.

I previously purchased a gen 2 0550 and LOVED it...until I ran into the lockbar problem with my grip putting pressure on the lockbar. Couldn't open it (no it wasnt a detent issue) and had to send it back to Dave.

Questions.
1-Does the 0550 gen 3 solve this issue?

2-Is the 0566 basically a thinner 0550 with a flipper? I was thinking this might solve my dilema.

3-What is the closest thing to a Cryo II with a tad longer grip and better materials? I'm thinking 0550 or 0566. Love the Cryo II but no grip texture and want better mats. The grip length I could live with but it's about an inch short.

So close to my perfect carry lol. Frustrating.
 
Look at the 0562CF.

CTS-204P blade steel, longer handle than the Cryo II but it also has a 3.5 inch blade instead of a 3.25, Titanium frame lock with lock bar insert, ball bearings, deep carry clip. Its a flipper and the thumb studs are actually blade stops so youre out of luck there, but its an amazing knife. I have a 0566 and a 0560 and I go for the 0562 90% of the time.
 
Hey Squidlegs

I have the 0566CF, 0550 gen 3 and 0562CF.( never like the 0560,feel cluncky and hollow, clip bite into my palm)
Off the three 0562 is definitely the best in terms of material and design (premium steel, carbon fibre scale, full titanium lock Bar, one of the best production flipper out there)

To answer your questions :
1. I think the lock Bar cut out is at the outside compare to Gen 2, and it suppose to reduce lock Bar tension. In practice I don't notice that much of a difference, if you grip the knife on the wrong place it's still a little hard to open. Breaking it in and lubricate the pivot helps. Just get the 0562

2. 0566 is closer in design to 0560 than 0550. Completely different feel in your hand than the 0550. Thinner and a little slippery with the carbon fibre scale. Flip pretty well de-assisted which is a big plus in my book. A tat heavy for its size though. Just get the 0562.

3. 0566 in G10. It actually feel like a bigger and heavier cryo 2( which is a little disconcerting, something to do with the steel lock side been so similar). Again Just get the 0562😆

So to sum up if you can stretch it, get the 0562 in either G10 or CF and never have to wonder if you can do better. (actually the 0392 is the best hinderer collaboration in the ZT lineup right now)
 
I'm stand to be corrected, according to the spec sheet, the Cryo 2 is heavier than the 0566! It make sense though, it's all stainless steel compare to part G10 and CF scale for the 0566. Not sure why it felt heavier in my hands😅. Maybe the thicker lock side felt more substantial ?
 
Thanks for the responses. Sorry I didn't get back, work grind kept me buried. I'll check into the 0562 and 0392. :)
 
I would choose the ZT 0561. I absolutely love my ZT 0560BW, and the knife only weighs like, .3 - .5 ounces more than a ZT 0566 and you get and extra half inch of blade. Thus a better blade to weight ratio. The KVT on the 0561 is extremely nice also.
 
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