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zt 560 or michrotech doc

M

mbkingshane

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2013
Messages
1,157
Ok guys please help me make a decision on which knife to purchase. I love the looks of the michrotech doc but I have a zt auto assist and its a great knife so this led me to look at the zt 560 built like tanks. I really want the doc but have heard many say they have had problems with michrotech, not that I believe everything I read but it does raise a little concern. So I guess what would you buy and why? good and bad.:confused:
 
I would go with ZT for a number of reasons:
- Better steel
- Better customer service
- Better ergonomics
- Lighter weight
- Cheaper, more widely available
 
Comeuppance said:
I would go with ZT for a number of reasons:
- Better steel
- Better customer service
- Better ergonomics
- Lighter weight
- Cheaper, more widely available
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I can agree with everything but the better steel part, as the DOC can be had in the exact same steel, as well as a few other types.
 
jill jackson said:
I can agree with everything but the better steel part, as the DOC can be had in the exact same steel, as well as a few other types.
Click to expand...

The Elmax ones are fairly difficult to find these days. Most of the ones that can be had at a reasonable price are S30V and 154CM.

I will say that the DOC is a very handsome and fun knife, but even the revised pocket clip is still uncomfortable and the warranty department leaves something to be desired. They've had my Whaleshark since late December, and I just got off the phone with them (this thread reminded me to call them, actually) and they said it'll be another few weeks.

Their warranty department is pretty adamant about you being the original owner, not tinkering with the knives in any way, and requires you include $15 for return shipping. Kai/ZT will service your knife for free, and is considerably faster.

Honestly, the minute I get my Whaleshark back is the minute I put it up for sale. It's a fine knife and all, but one of the reasons I buy knives that expensive is for quality and warranty service. They have the first part down, but I shouldn't be without a knife for 3 months just to get the stupid lock fixed.
 
They are both tanks, both have excellent steel and heat treat reputation. It's a tie for use and hard use ability.

The DOC is a bit more exclusive but not user serviceable due to warranty and proprietary hardware. The 0560 is a 100% user serviceable, very simple knife. Warranty/service category goes to ZT 0560.

As collectors we tend to "play" with our knives as much as we use them. The 0560 is friendly, the DOC will remove most of your thumb if you flick it while watching TV. The DOC does, however, seem to make up for that by being the larger, beefier knife. Tie on collectible and fun.

Lastly, there is almost a $100 difference between them assuming you know where to get the 0560 for $205 (a supporting member). I've always seen the DOC priced at $300.

Neither is likely to let you down regarding use and they're both excellent overall. I'd say you can't lose either way.
 
A lot of people say MT's heat treat is hard to beat.- That said I had a Whaleshark for a few hours before I returned it. I didn't like the handle (Too small and stick like) and MT's knives come with that V shaped back spacer, where the blade sets closed. Mine wasn't nearly centered on it and it would seem MT is using the V shape to show dead centering? But, if it's off I think the knife looks shoddy for the money they cost and I've seen very few that are dead centered closed. DOC is a nice looking knife though (with the colored handles) and I've been tempted by it, but I doubt I'd pay 300 or so for one.
 
we really seem to be leaning more towards the Zero Tolerance 560 but this is what I wanted to know thanks so much guys for your help still undecided but starting to figure it out.
 
mbkingshane said:
we really seem to be leaning more towards the Zero Tolerance 560 but this is what I wanted to know thanks so much guys for your help still undecided but starting to figure it out.
Click to expand...

If you get the chance, try to handle both. Watch some videos on youtube for both as well. The DOC is a fine knife, but I feel that the 0560 has it beat on all aspects as far as carrying and use goes. Heck, for the price of an Elmax DOC you can probably pick up a 0560CBCF with a 110V cutting surface...!
 
Thanks Comeuppance I'm going to look for the 0560cbcf. Not sure what that all stands for but I'll figure it out.
 
mbkingshane said:
Ok where would I look to find that carbon fiber 0560 I saw a picture that is sweet!!!
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I would check the exchange forums and eBay. USN's exchange and Bladeforum's exchange will have one every once in a while, either new or used, typically in the $300-400 range. Given current market prices, I wouldn't pay more than $360. If you're lucky, you'll find one for ~$300.

Patience is well worth it. It's how I've been able to buy and trade knives that would otherwise be well outside of my income level.
 
I purchased a used DOC/Elmax here for $256, mostly because I was interested in the design and because I like Elmax steel. The fit and finish are good. It's a big knife with a big, shovel-like blade with the nightmare grind. The lockup is incredibly solid.

The flipper is not easy to open. By comparison, my ZT0560CBCF flips open easily. There is no blade play on my ZT, but the DOC feels more solid. While the fit and finish of the DOC are very good, the fit and finish of the ZT are awesome.

Neither of these knives are slicers. The blades are thick and brutish. Both have thick tips, making detail work difficult. The ZT, after being reprofiled to 30 degrees inclusive, has a edge shoulder that's 0.0390 inches -- very thick. The DOC, which I have not yet reprofiled, has edge shoulders 0.0220 inches wide.

The blade on the DOC has that weird nightmare grind. I haven't yet found any use for it, but it does make the blade very thick mid-blade about an inch back from the tip. I measured the blade 0.1630 inches. At a comparable spot on the ZT, the thickness was 0.1125.

The strange grind on the DOC can lead to asymmetrical cutting in some media. I used the DOC to cut open the hard plastic shell of my printer cartridges, and the grind caused the blade to veer into the cartridges, fortunately without damage.

I like both of these knives, but they make poor EDCs, unless you need a truly beefy blade for extreme hard use. The Military will cut circles around both of these knives. Nonetheless, I love having both of them in my collection of users.
 
The truth is we don't really need knives like these, we merely want them. But that's true of many things in life.
 
my EDC is actually a paramilitary 2 of all the knived I own which is many I love this knife slices cuts well is very strong great lock up and I love the fact of one handed opening and closing but thanks so much for the great info on the DOC in the 560 very much appreciated.
 
Comeuppance said:
If you get the chance, try to handle both. Watch some videos on youtube for both as well. The DOC is a fine knife, but I feel that the 0560 has it beat on all aspects as far as carrying and use goes. Heck, for the price of an Elmax DOC you can probably pick up a 0560CBCF with a 110V cutting surface...!
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I second that, pick up a 560CBCF in 110V for the same price as the DOC....I think the DOC is a good looking knife, but I'm pro titanium and anti-aluminum. I didn't know about the difficulty with their service dept. For what Microtech charges, they should provide first rate service. Knowing that, I doubt I will ever buy a Microtech as I thought they were over priced to begin with.
 
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