ZT0550 vs. ZT0566 ..Both?

[celtic11]

So a few weeks back I got my self a new job and celebrated with a new knife, a ZT0566. It was my first folder over $100 and I think this knife taught me what the term "ergos" means. I really wanted the ZT0550BLK but to me the price difference was too much so I got the 566 instead. Before I got this, I EDC'd a Kershaw Blur and I still really like that knife. But for Christmas I received a Kershaw Piston and carrried that until I got the 566. Now, I just can't see a reason to put the piston back in my pocket. This has me feeling like maybe my knife collection is too big.. I know that sounds like blasphemy to some, but I really have no use for knives that don't serve a purpose other than to sit and look pretty in a box. I am thinking about thinning down my already small collection to about 3 or 4 knives that will actually get used and sell off the rest. This would give me enough for the 550 that I still desire, but my question is.. for someone who isn't looking at a big knife collection, is it worth it to have both? I don't mind switching knives every once in a while, but after carrying the 556 for a few weeks, the Piston just seems like a knife thats not going to find its way into my pocket. I also have a Cold Steel AK47 that I think is a cool knife, but I don't really ever carry it, and a Carbon Fiber blur blem that just sits because its too pretty to mess up. I could sell all of these knives and most likely get close to the price of the 0550. Any thoughts?

 

[alwayscarryaknife]

The 0550 was ok but I'd wait for the 0562. Little better EDC size and it's a flipper. The 0550 never did it for me.

 

[scotteboy]

the 550 is a beast of a knife. I like mine but I cant get my hand in my pocket when its in there and is the only folder I have out of 20 that's like that. if u have the 566 Id take alwayscarryaknifes advice and wait to see if the 562 has enough diff to make the purchase worth it. hope it helps you. (or buy both and set the sickness loose!)

 

[daveb068]

I have both the 550(gen 1) and 551 and love them. I like it enough that I'm gonna get all the variations even the elusive 550 Elmax. I like the fact that it is beefy. It just feels sturdier in my hand than my 560. My advice is to handle a 550 if you can and see for yourself. It's kinda sad that people won't even give it a chance because it's not a flipper or ao. I can deploy the blade just as fast as any of my ao knives and with a little nano oil it's just as smooth as some of my bearing flippers. If I had to sell all my folders but one I would keep the 550 and I have Spydies, CRKTs, a few dozen Kershaw, a Hinderer, and 9 ZTs. Before I get flamed, no I don't think the 550 is better than my Hinderer it's just a better suit to me and my knife needs.

 

[celtic11]

Thanks for the input. The 550 not being a flipper was another thing that pushed me towards the 566 instead. The funny thing is I find that I'm more often opening it with the thumbstuds rather than the flipper.

I thought about getting a Gen 1 blem from Dave but was worried about the detent/lockbar issues.

 

[alwayscarryaknife]

I have both the 550(gen 1) and 551 and love them. I like it enough that I'm gonna get all the variations even the elusive 550 Elmax. I like the fact that it is beefy. It just feels sturdier in my hand than my 560. My advice is to handle a 550 if you can and see for yourself. It's kinda sad that people won't even give it a chance because it's not a flipper or ao. I can deploy the blade just as fast as any of my ao knives and with a little nano oil it's just as smooth as some of my bearing flippers. If I had to sell all my folders but one I would keep the 550 and I have Spydies, CRKTs, a few dozen Kershaw, a Hinderer, and 9 ZTs. Before I get flamed, no I don't think the 550 is better than my Hinderer it's just a better suit to me and my knife needs.

Don't get me wrong it was a very stout knife but the detent was too weak for my liking. I could shake the blade out of the handle on mine. To use the thumb studs as stop pins you have to move them closer to the pivot and that takes away leverage so you have to take a little off the detent so it can open via thumb studs. It was a super smooth knife though. I really enjoyed the ergos of the handle and the blade was great and I like S35VN. I actually wish they'd use it a little more than the Elmax. I think a 0550 would be a great knife for many people just wasn't for me.

 

[cchu518]

I think only you can answer that unless you can fully delineate your edc needs.

Personally I have run through 20 plus knives in many cases just to sample a manufacturer's stuff. I have whittled back down to about 5 knives. For myself I know that mon through Fri I only like and need to edc small pen knife sized blades. I like combo and serrated edged for yardwork. 3" blades with 3 to 4 inch handles. What I desire vs actually use is different and am reserving one needless k idea in my small collection for that. For right now it might be a sage 2 or 565 but on that note an frn green delica keeps on calling out to me. which always goes back to my own gut preferences wwhich is I like knives to be on the smaller end of things. When I go camping a camp axe does all my wood processing vs a big knife.

 

[cricketdave]

Thanks for the input. The 550 not being a flipper was another thing that pushed me towards the 566 instead. The funny thing is I find that I'm more often opening it with the thumbstuds rather than the flipper.

I thought about getting a Gen 1 blem from Dave but was worried about the detent/lockbar issues.

I got a gen 1 from Dave and it has no issues at all very nice knife, it is a big knife in the pocket as in wide when closed. I alternate it and the zt566 both are about the same length open the 550 is just beefier in every way. So in jeans I carry the 566 in cargo pants the 550. They are my 2 favorites.

 

[Daniel Dorn]

I'd handled the 0550 (actually 0551) during a passaround and enjoyed it, but not enough to go buy it. A couple years later, and I find a deal on a 0550 that I can't pass up, plus it came with a Hinderer "Frag" scale in green/black G10. That sold me on it. The handle scales were what was lacking the first time around. I like the hefty size and build, plus it's smooth, as folks have said, but the looks and feel of the new scale made a big difference. It does take up some real-estate in the pocket, but, hey, that's why you have so many pockets.

Granted, it's not for everybody, but if you can find a blem on Kershaw-guys site, or find a used one, the 0550 is a great EDC for the average (knife) guy.

I haven't actually handled a 0566, though, so I can't comment or compare. I do like me a flipper, when available, but it's never a deal-breaker when looking at something new. I have handled a 0561, so the shape is familiar. I just prefered the slimmer profile of the Kershaw Volt 3600 (similar flipper). Those are hard to come by, though.

 

[daveb068]

The 550 may be on its last legs with the 562 coming out. I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't make it into next years catalog.

 

[Rolex John]

Here's the thing about the 0550 - with the stock scale, it's hideous. But, it's well supported by the secondary market with lots of other scale options. Look how nice it looks with this Hinderer Blue-Black scale:





I have a 0562CF pre-ordered, but don't know if I can part with this 0550.

 

[celtic11]

Here's the thing about the 0550 - with the stock scale, it's hideous. But, it's well supported by the secondary market with lots of other scale options. Look how nice it looks with this Hinderer Blue-Black scale:





I have a 0562CF pre-ordered, but don't know if I can part with this 0550.

I actually like the stock scale on the 550. The upgraded ones look sweet, took but I have no issue with the stock scale. I realize that puts me in the minority.

 

[Franciscomv]

Celtic11, you might be different, but I've had that "this is the last knife I'll ever need, nothing will kick it out of my pocket" feeling before. Several times. Give it a few weeks before you start selling off other stuff.

As for the 550, I really like mine. I bought it because it was different to all my other ZTs (I'm a bit burned on flippers), and have been enjoying it very much. It's not huge, but compared to some of the slim and lightweight knives in the same size category it's a bit bulky (definitely not for dress pants, I've carried it in sports clothing, thought).

 

[celtic11]

Celtic11, you might be different, but I've had that "this is the last knife I'll ever need, nothing will kick it out of my pocket" feeling before. Several times. Give it a few weeks before you start selling off other stuff.

As for the 550, I really like mine. I bought it because it was different to all my other ZTs (I'm a bit burned on flippers), and have been enjoying it very much. It's not huge, but compared to some of the slim and lightweight knives in the same size category it's a bit bulky (definitely not for dress pants, I've carried it in sports clothing, thought).

Yeah this is the first time I ever had that feeling and I'm definitely not rushing. I planned on keeping a blur, a leek, and maybe a couple other knices but some of these just feel like they are redundant. I really liked the piston until I carried the 566 for 2 weeks. Now the piston feels thin, flimsy and slow.

Something about 550, esp the black, just keeps catching my eye. I like the blade shape over the 566 blade shape and the elitist in me wants a titanium frame lock.

 

[gytheran]

I would definitely wait for the 562.

 

[wivo9]

I got the 0550 because I'm not a flipper or assisted fan, and I'm a bit wary of the Elmax steel.
But wait for the 0562, I'm definitely getting one too