ZT0560 just hit my doorstep!!

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nilfire77

Joined
Jan 16, 2012
Messages
84
Was too late in the game for a pre-order.. But.. It was a blessing in disguise!
01uspsbox.jpg


Serious missons, serious knives.. Seriously broke as well..
02ztbox.jpg


Here's how it looks like out of the package
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That's some long folder! (Overall length of abt 8.75")
04opened.jpg


3D machined titanium and G10 scales with steel liners. There is
skeletonizing on the inside of the titanium scales as well as the liners.
05tiscale.jpg


Lightly stone-washed ELMAX steel.. Awesome grind!
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About 50% lockup.. And a sticky one too..
07lockup.jpg


HUGE black stand-offs!! Very Hindererish!!
08standoffs.jpg


Hinderer design
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Normal looking thumbstud.. Nothing fanciful..
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Check out the detent ball! Detent is damnnnn strong! I guess it's meant to
be, cuz it slingshots the blade out real quick when deployed with the flipper
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Nice and functional stainless steel clip.. Prefer this to those of ZT055X..
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G10 slab seems thin because of the contour. The G10 gets tapered off towards the edge.
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Blade is nicely centered! Well done ZT!
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Size comparison
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Pros:
- Gorgeous and long(~4") blade with a good amount of cutting edge
- Don't let the size fool you! This folder feels really light!
- Pivot action: KVT system is way butteryyyyyyy smooth!
- Lockup is firm and solid with absolutely no blade play
- Grip provides wonderful traction and ergo is great as well
- Hair-popping sharp out of the box
- Low riding pocket clip ; 4 way carry(left right up down)
- Huge and thick stand-offs
- Contoured 3D machined scales is aesthetically pleasing
- Hey! It's designed by Mr Hinderer(trademark flipper and lockbar stabilizer)!

Cons:
- Light weight of knife mitigates "confidence inspiring" feel
- Feels rough/coarse/harsh/unrefined in the hands (Ever handled a Gerber before?)
Damn I feel so bad comparing ZT to a Gerber..

Overall impression? Hmmm... I would say slightly underwhelmed given the hype
of this folder. Why? Because it doesn't quite feel as good as a hinderer XM folder,
by a long shot(I once handled a friend's XM-18). But still, as you can see,
the pros far outweigh the cons.

So, in most aspects, including the price, this folder is.. should I say value
for money? Ok, that's subjective.. But anyway, if you are really hard up for
a Hinderer XM but couldn't see yourself getting one be it due to the scarcity
or the uber inflated price, then this should satisfy your craving.. at least
temporarily.
 
People really shouldn't compare it to a Hinderer. It is a zt knife with influences from Hinderer. I have a xm-18. Ans other than looks they are different. I like my 550 more than my 560 but the xm-18 is the winner overall. Well not really it sits in my drawer and I use my 550 more.
 
I have to agree. I see alot of guys comparing this to the XMs, both 18 and 24, and I don't think that's at all a good comparison or what ZT intended it for. Putting a $260 dollar knife up beside a knife that's almost triple the price? I say it's a great knife. I can't say it feels like a Gerber to me, but to each their own. Great post and pictures.
 
Sounds like he would have liked a 550 or 551 more than the 560 series.

Its easily fixed. I bet a lot of folks would trade you!
 
Nice pictures and a good review.

Light weight of knife mitigates "confidence inspiring" feel
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I keep reading this but I just don't understand it, There is a difference between "Cheap Materials" And "High Tech". Weight does not equal strength. I have experienced this with some things but I just do not feel that it can apply to the 560. I think it feels well balanced in the hand.

You might like the 550 more, it does "feel" a bit more solid but I have the same faith in both models.

Also, Why did you blur out the Serial #? I understand people doing that for Firearms but a knife? just curious :)

-Bobby
 
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I have a 0550. Got the 0560 as well. Kept the 0560 for about a day. Just didn't care for it. Can't really nail down the reason I didn't like it, just something about the feel of the knife.

Love, LOVE the 0550 though.
 
Excellent write-up/review! I agree it's not really fair to compare this production knife to a Hinderer even though the comparison sort of invites itself. Most folks who get their hands on this knife are very, very happy. As far as sub-$300 folders go, it seems to be the most preferred. I think I will look into getting one myself.

I look forward to more of your knife reviews, nilfire77!
 
blazerman said:
Is there a reason you blurred out the serial #?
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It's kinda just a weird habit that I'll blanko whatever serial numbers in photos that I publicize.

Moreover, I've decided to sell this knife(already got a buyer) and the buyer might not like his knife's serial number to be revealed for whatever reasons.

For those who are curious, no, I didn't flip this for a profit. I sold it at what I paid for ($260) to a fellow knife nut.
 
nilfire77 said:
It's kinda just a weird habit that I'll blanko whatever serial numbers in photos that I publicize.

Moreover, I've decided to sell this knife(already got a buyer) and the buyer might not like his knife's serial number to be revealed for whatever reasons.

For those who are curious, no, I didn't flip this for a profit. I sold it at what I paid for ($260) to a fellow knife nut.
Click to expand...

If he backs out, feel free to sell it to this knife nut :p
 
Billthesheepdog said:
Sounds like he would have liked a 550 or 551 more than the 560 series.

Its easily fixed. I bet a lot of folks would trade you!
Click to expand...

I would've snagged the 0550 if it's got KVT, flipper and the cut-out of the lockbar on the outside instead of inside. Of course a titanium liner would be perfect! Damn, am i asking too much? LOL

BTW, I've already sold my ZT0560. It's a pity.. Such a badass folder, but sadly it doesn't meet my expectations. I sure hope that there'll be a ZT0560 Gen2 or a V2 that's closer in feel to a XM-18/24! I won't mind paying a higher price for it!
 
nilfire77 said:
I sure hope that there'll be a ZT0560 Gen2 or a V2 that's closer in feel to a XM-18/24! I won't mind paying a higher price for it!
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They do. It's called an XM-18 ;p

I don't think you'll see them improve on it too much otherwise they'll seriously be cutting into Ricks business and it'd put too much stress on their production at Kershaw trying to make something that "perfect".
 
OpKey said:
I have to agree. I see alot of guys comparing this to the XMs, both 18 and 24, and I don't think that's at all a good comparison or what ZT intended it for. Putting a $260 dollar knife up beside a knife that's almost triple the price? I say it's a great knife. I can't say it feels like a Gerber to me, but to each their own. Great post and pictures.
Click to expand...

Here's what ZT's 0560 advertising tagline says:

"Based on Rick's crave-worthy XM-18, the new ZT 0560 is one completely amazing knife. First, the blade. It's pure ELMAX® powdered steel for the extreme edge retention, high strength, and toughness a hard-use knife demands. It rolls out of the handle on the KVT ball-bearing system so deployment is rapid and it's ready when you need it. The handle is 3-D machined G-10 on the front, and equally 3-D machined titanium on the back. A framelock with lockbar stabilizer ensures a rocksolid lockup every time. To ensure this big bear of a knife carries at a comfortable weight, ZT has skeletonized the liner and machined pockets in the titanium handle and framelock. And to top it all off, the 0560 is equipped with ZT's new deep-carry pocketclip. With black G10 front scale."

IMO it is the above in bold that had invited the inevitable comparison.

As for the Gerber thing, the finishing on the ZT0560 really reminds me of my Gerber Diesel. Not trying to undermine ZT, but that's just how it feels in my hands.
 
Thanks for the kind comments guys! And I have to say again that ZT really nailed it with the KVT system. Really awesome pivot action!
 
nilfire77 said:
Here's what ZT's 0560 advertising tagline says:

"Based on Rick's crave-worthy XM-18, the new ZT 0560 is one completely amazing knife. First, the blade. It's pure ELMAX® powdered steel for the extreme edge retention, high strength, and toughness a hard-use knife demands. It rolls out of the handle on the KVT ball-bearing system so deployment is rapid and it's ready when you need it. The handle is 3-D machined G-10 on the front, and equally 3-D machined titanium on the back. A framelock with lockbar stabilizer ensures a rocksolid lockup every time. To ensure this big bear of a knife carries at a comfortable weight, ZT has skeletonized the liner and machined pockets in the titanium handle and framelock. And to top it all off, the 0560 is equipped with ZT's new deep-carry pocketclip. With black G10 front scale."

IMO it is the above in bold that had invited the inevitable comparison.

As for the Gerber thing, the finishing on the ZT0560 really reminds me of my Gerber Diesel. Not trying to undermine ZT, but that's just how it feels in my hands.
Click to expand...

I see. Well, I completely missed that part in bold when I was reading things on the ZT0560. I can understand why you would compare the two, but still can't agree that it was a good comparison. I see it from the other side. That's like comparing a Springfield to a Hi-Point, a Mustang to a Tempo, etc.

I've never held a Gerber Diesel, so I would not know, but I know your intentions were not to talk down on ZT. That's why I said to each their own.

I do very much appreciate your post. Normally people don't put that much effort into a "first impressions" sort of thing, but you did and I enjoyed it. Thank you.
 
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