ZT0560 or Spyderco Para/Military?

sticktodrum

sticktodrum

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Apr 16, 2012
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I got my 0550 back from ZT, and I'm so happy. I'm about to pop the orange scale on her. I'm again, of course looking to add another member to the family of Kershaws and ZTs. 25 of my 32 piece collection are Kershaws and I was thinking of trying something different.

I LOVE the 0550. I've read people say the 0560 is slimmer, and feels lighter given its size. Also, I don't own a Spyderco knife, hence the temptation and the fact that everyone raves about it.

This may be better for the General forum, but I pretty much just post here and figured you folks would have experience facing a choice of ZT or other. Any help is appreciated. Cheers.
 
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ETA: My comparison is on the 0550 which you already have. To compare the Para 2 to what you already have. I have not gotten to hold the 0560 yet.

The 0550 and Paramilitary 2 are kind of on opposite sides of the spectrum. The 0550 is a tank all around. Thicker blade stock than the Paramilitary 2 and the handle is quite a bit thicker too. Nothing wrong with that at all by the way, I loved the tankeyness ( new word? haha ) of the 0550. The Paramilitary 2 is really quite slim and has a thinner blade as well. Para 2 is 2.2 oz. lighter. Weight never bothered me on the 0550. If you have not tried a Para 2, I would say go with that. There is a reason they are so popular. Plus if you don't like the Para 2, you can sell it on the exchange, get most, if not all your money back. And then buy the 0560.
 
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I'd say get the Paramilitary 2 for now. It's a great introduction to what Spyderco has to offer for fit, finish and ergos. It's one hell of a slicer, which makes it great for everyday cutting. To echo what Steel130 said, if you're looking for something beefier, get the ZT; if you want a lighter intro to Spyderco, get the Para 2. You'll likely grow to adore that compression lock, as well.
 
My adive, and it's worth what you paid for it.....go with the ParaMilitary.

66% of my collection is Kershaw/ZT, I'm also looking for other interesting stuff. My short list has the 560, a PM2 and a Sage at the top; can't decide which is first. What I'm telling myself, now, is that I can get both the PM and the Sage for less than the 560.

Whichever you choose, neither is bad. :D
 
I own both, Very different knives obviously. I like the para because it's a tad bit smaller. The one thing i hate about it is the handle is so much longer than it needs to be. That being said i prefer for the moment the para over the 560. it's just too big for me to carry right now. 550 might be a different story, I have yet to handle or even see one in person. Plus it's cheaper, until you get a 560 that is...which you will!
 
manix 2 i think is more comparable to the 550..i'd buy a zt 0780 instead of the para2
 
I own both and recommend both. The ZT is a pocket tank And the para2 is a lightweight slicer. If I'm wearing pants I have the ZT if I'm wearing boardshorts or swim trunks I have the para2.
 
I have both the Para2 is carried on weekends when I don't expect any heavy use. The 0561 is in my work rotation and fits its role nicely. Both knives are well made and are excellent examples of what their respective companies can produce. Since you do not have a Spyderco I would go with the Para2, be prepared to expand your collection.
 
That's a tough choice. I just got my 0560 and love it so far. But, the Para 2 and Military are at the top of my all time favorite list. I do think every collection should have at least one Para and one Military. The 0560 is a FINE knife though. To be honest, you can't go wrong either way.
 
The para 2 will def. slice better but i prefer tankish knives so I would go with the 0561.
 
Thank you guys for all the great feedback. I've been leaning toward the Para2, specifically for the sake of the camo/black, and I'm interested in trying the brand. I've been having the little thought in the back of my head that I should wait for variations of the 0560 before deciding to drop the money on one, as I've read of those possibly coming out in the future. Perhaps it's worth the wait for that. Prospects of different colors attracts me.

I'm curious though, given the large price difference, if the Para2 is more so worth its price than the 0560 is worth its price.
 
I'm sure you must have read the specs and watched some
you-tube videos on it...with the 0560 you get a longer blade
in elmax steel, contoured ti and g-10 handles, it's a fast and
smooth flipper with a KVT bearing system, a deep pocket
carry clip, and did I mention that it had a contoured titanium
frame-lock. Ya, it is worth more than the price you pay for it.

Don't get me wrong, I like me some Para 2 and it's also a
great value for the price.

They are just different knives. It's whatever floats your boat.
Good luck.
 
I'm the opposite of you, the majority of my collection are Spyderco's with only one Kershaw (CPM-D2 Leek) and two ZT's (560 & 200KW), however the 560 is one of my three favorite folders, the others being the Para 2 and Manix 2 XL. I'd definitely recommend getting both, but since you don't have any Spyderco's yet I'd say go for a Para 2 first just so you can try it out (if you hadn't tried a ZT yet but had lots of Spydercos, I'd say go for the ZT first). Sorry don't have any pics of the two together.
IMG_2371.jpg

IMG_2441.jpg
 
I currently EDC an M390 Para2 in my front right pocket and a ZT0560 in my left back pocket... In all honesty, I use the Para2 for most of my urban type EDC tasks, as it is a significantly better slicer than the 560. With that said, make no mistake, I will happily continue carrying both knives as I am just about positive that between them I have just about all my cutlery needs covered.

So I guess my answer to your question would be to get both... It works well for me!
 
You are probably going to love the 560 since you love the 550.

That said, since you don't own a Spyderco, you would be wise to give the PM2 a try. I would say to anybody who only owned Spyderco to give Kershaw and Benchmade a try and vice versa. These are all great knife companies and we are really spoiled for choice. :)
 
If you get the PM, you'll always wonder what the 560 is like, until you get it, too.
Conversely, if you get the 560, you'll always wonder if you're missing something with the PM, so you'll eventually end up getting it, too.

Different paths to get to the same destination. You want both, you're screwed. You're going to get both eventually.
 
And I ended up getting the Para 2, and hopping on a preorder list for the 0560CBCF. I think THAT will be the next big thing for me. It's enough incentive for the splurge, and for the price. Thank you guys for the help and feedback, I appreciate it.
 
thelastbestplace said:
You are probably going to love the 560 since you love the 550.
Click to expand...

I'm not so sure. I have a 550 and it's right at the top of my size/weight limit. It is Hinderer designed and all that smooth stuff, but I don't carry it. It's still NIB. I do have about 5 or 6 PM2's in various super-steels that I absolutely prefer. You can buy a PM2 for $100 or go all the way up to $400, depending upon which Sprint Run/Exclusive Dealer/super-steel you really want. And the compression lock is absolutely the nuts. Definitely get the PM2 unless you need to chop a forest.
Sonny
 
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