ZT 300 or 560?

NjHart

NjHart

Joined
Jan 4, 2013
Messages
715
Howdy yall,

I've been carrying my latest purchase- a Kershaw JYD the last few days and really enjoy it, but its that time again. The time we all feel, where it is time to start researching and selecting my next purchase. It's worth noting that I only recently started adding to my collection of quality knives and I have very few knives, but a major criterion for me is that I would be carrying it literally every day for a decent period of time, at least 6 months to a year, and it have to survive a fair amount of work (including outdoor and ranching work). Its rather unlikely I'd be buying any of the three in the immediate future- I'd have to save up a bit, but I'd love some input from people who are familiar. I'd like to eventually work my way up to a strider or hinderer, but I think think a ZT is a nice functional stepping stone.

Both the 560 and 300 seem to be well liked and respected knives in their price categories. I think I may slighly prefer the cosmetics of the 300 and I'm certainly a fan of beefy knives, but I'm concerned with keeping a recurved blade sharp enough and the AO isn't really necessary for me if it has a nice flipper. The 560 seems to have no real downsides that I've seen yet (though admittedly I've done less research on it so far), I'm intrigued by the elmax steel, and the blade shape seems easier to maintain, but I haven't heard as much about its durability, steel traits, or how it will fair with extended outdoors hard use. Thanks for all the help folks!
 
You won't go wrong with any of those. I do prefer the 301 myself but you'll probably end up with both. :D
 
Without a doubt 560 for me. I dont much like the blade profile on the 300 wheras the 560 was love at first sight. I prefer medium sized folders for EDC but if I were to choose from my tanks the 560 would be the one. I also prefer the flipper to the assisted. Man its BUTTERY SMOOTH!! Will try and post some comparison pics later if no one else has. The 300 is a nice knife just a bit to chunky for me.
 
how big are your pockets?

i say 0300 now and xm18 or 24 later :p

edit: if a/o isnt of a concern, consider the 0200 if you dont mind a liner lock... i actually prefer its ergos over the 030X series.
 
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Just the equivalent of 1000 words...

zt3016.jpg
 
Pocket size and carriablity (not a word, but you know what I mean) really aren't much concern. I currently carry a JYD and previously carried a one ton, and neither were even noticeable- and with something as killer as either of these its not like noticing would bother me. The AO doesn't make much difference to me one way or the other. Being left handed, I adore all flippers so both are fine in that regard. The tankishness and incredible looks of the 300 are so appealing (by my eye, the 300 might be the most attractive knife out there), but the draw on the 560 being so closely modeled on the hinderers that so many people who know high end knives covet is hard to ignore and the recurve scares the hell out of me for sharpening on the 300. To be perfectly honest, there is pretty much a 100% chance I'll eventually end up with both of them- the question is just which one first. I heard somewhere from someone at some point (to be as vague as possible) that they might be release a tiger striped 560? If that is the case, I might have to get a 301/303 first and wait on the stripes to come out. Also, has anyone ever had issues of the AO on a 300 breaking or having issues? I've never actually owned any AO knife (I've played with a few, but never purchased) and I'm naturally worrisome about that.
 
The AO isn't an issue at all. The torsion bar will eventually wear out but it won't for a LONG and I mean a LONG LONG LONG time. Like think a couple of years or more. And when it does, KAI will send you one for free.

If you want something a little smaller than the 030x, check out the 0350, not as thick, less noticeable in the pocket, AO but you can remove it and use as a manual flipper if you so please, and same steel as the 030x, only it's a liner lock.

Out of the 030x and 0560... it's tough. I prefer a manual flipper so the 0560 wins there. It also wins because it has a better steel and no recurve which makes it easier to sharpen as well as just looking better to me lol.

You really can't go wrong with either. But I guess the 0560 would make more sense for me. Though I think the 030x is just gorgeous and it's a great, great knife.

I'd get the 030x first(since your leaning that way). If the blade shape turns out to be undesirable and you decide you need better than s30v(you likely won't), get the 0560. The recurve shouldn't be an issue to sharpen if you have a guided system of sorts. If you freehand sharpen on stones though... get the 0560.

The 0560 is less noticeable in the pocket, but it's still a big beast.
 
I just ordered a 0560 off of a forum member here, but I absolutely love my ZT 0301. I really want to get another one just so I can customize it, but I just don't understand why a 0301 costs more than a 0560.

I'd also check out the Benchmade 275 and the ZT 0550 if I were you. I also have both of those and they are great knives, especially the Benchmade, since it is almost half the price of the ZT 0301 and is one tank of a knife.
 
knife2Agunfight said:
I just ordered a 0560 off of a forum member here, but I absolutely love my ZT 0301. I really want to get another one just so I can customize it, but I just don't understand why a 0301 costs more than a 0560.

I'd also check out the Benchmade 275 and the ZT 0550 if I were you. I also have both of those and they are great knives, especially the Benchmade, since it is almost half the price of the ZT 0301 and is one tank of a knife.
Click to expand...
Contact kershawguy if you want a great price on a 0301.

I've held both but i've only owned a 0301. Liked the blade as a whole, felt great in the hand, but I disliked the AO. Still a legend in the making. The action on the 0560 was smooth as hell. With the size of my hands I am no stranger to "large" folders. It really wasn't as large as everyone made it out to be. It actually seemed too light. But I found the ZT for me and i'm happy with the experience. Good blades all around, just a matter of preference.
 
I have and like both but prefer my 0560. It rides in the pocket better and fits my hand perfectly.
 
NjHart said:
Pocket size and carriablity (not a word, but you know what I mean) really aren't much concern. I currently carry a JYD and previously carried a one ton, and neither were even noticeable- and with something as killer as either of these its not like noticing would bother me. The AO doesn't make much difference to me one way or the other. Being left handed, I adore all flippers so both are fine in that regard. The tankishness and incredible looks of the 300 are so appealing (by my eye, the 300 might be the most attractive knife out there), but the draw on the 560 being so closely modeled on the hinderers that so many people who know high end knives covet is hard to ignore and the recurve scares the hell out of me for sharpening on the 300. To be perfectly honest, there is pretty much a 100% chance I'll eventually end up with both of them- the question is just which one first. I heard somewhere from someone at some point (to be as vague as possible) that they might be release a tiger striped 560? If that is the case, I might have to get a 301/303 first and wait on the stripes to come out. Also, has anyone ever had issues of the AO on a 300 breaking or having issues? I've never actually owned any AO knife (I've played with a few, but never purchased) and I'm naturally worrisome about that.
Click to expand...

Dude, get a work sharp. Makes recurves super easy. makes every knife super easy and quick. I do the work sharp and the touch up with my lansky and strops.
 
560, hands down. I even chose a 550 over a 300. No disrespect to the 300, as I believe it to be one of the beefiest out there in the production world, but as with the rest of the 3xx line, I find the handles to be too wide in the palm. I prefer narrower, thicker handles that I can really wrap my grip around.
 
I personally have owned a a couple 0300, a 0301, a, 550, 551 , a couple of 0560s and a 561, I kept having problems with every single 56x I owned, so I sold one bought another and there would be a problem there, the 300 on the other hand while its a heavy chunk of man knife, I believe it's the best knife in the zt line still.
 
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