ZT 0300 or 0560?

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IronMaiden0329

Joined
Jul 8, 2010
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Ok Kershaw/ZT junkies, I want a new folder. I bought myself a Busse Assault Shaker for Christmas and I have not really carried my Al Mar SERE or my Spyderco Military since. I am thinking of selling those and getting a new folder to carry when the Assault Shaker is not convenient. I love both of these knives, but I am open to anything in the up-to-$300 range. I do not care about size or weight. Being a bigger guy, I really don't notice a few extra ounces, and the only thing in my front right pocket is a knife.

From what I can tell, the major differences are in ergos, size, pocket clip, and blade steel.

For large hands (XL glove), which is more comfortable?

ELMAX vs S30V? I am not going to be prying stuff. The most difficult task the knife will face is most likely breaking down cardboard boxes, so edge retention is a vital factor.

As I said before, I am open to any any knives from any company if you think a particular knife fits my criteria better.
 
I have a 0301 , 0551, and 0561 - see below:

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The 0301 (0300) may fit your hand better - and it is an assisted openning knife, albeit very 'polite'... ie, it won't jump from your hand. ElMax may just resharpen better - and need it less often - but I have always appreciated good S30V - you just have to know when to stop the resharpening - what 'good enough' is. Tough knife. I must admit, my first 0551, with it's similar to the 0560/0561 ElMax blade, kept it's edge for a long time - and was more straight forward in it's resharpening. BTW, I use a stock Spydie Sharpmaker - and stop at the white file edges - not the flats. The key is to scour the ceramic files often!

Don't get me wrong - the 0551 and 0561 are pretty stout - but the 0301 (0300) seems more so, YMMV.

Stainz
 
If you want the better steel, but at 90% the size, get a ZT 0350 ZDP-189, best edge retention.

I think the ZT 0560 might be the be just right: kvt flipper, 3D machined G-10 and Ti, low rider clip, and Elmax is better than S30V in most regards.

If you want all out beefiness and assisted opening get the ZT 0300 series.
 
IMHO the 0560 is more of a box slicer than the 0300. That knife is a very very beefy Ti framelock. The 0560 is slightly larger yet lighter. If you need a heavy duty overbuilt folder that will survive a WMD blast then thats your knife. If you want a lighter knife that has more finesse and is easier to sharpen due to the lack of recurve then the 0560 is a good option. I actually sold my 0300 to fund my 0560 and I dont regret that move one bit. The 0300 is nice but its a brick and more heavy duty than I needed. Plus im a sucker for any knife with a bearing pivot. IMHO its a much better option over a A/O. There is no spring or bar to fail and the blade play is non existent in the 0560. Both are great knives. I would let your needs be the determining factor. Also know that you can find 0300 blems for really good prices. The 0560 is a little harder to get your hands on and even harder at a good price. But IMHO its well worth its MSRP.
 
I'll have the 0560 on Friday, and I currently own an 0302 (carried it today actually). I can't comment on the 0560 yet, but the 0302 is an AMAZING knife. I seriously trust this knife to do anything I ask of it. Whether it's stabbing into thick cardboard or simply cutting through tape. The lockup is incredible, the deployment is simple and easy, the design is killer, and it's really not all that much of a pocket hog. I consider it much easier to carry than the 0200, since it's thinner and carries easier in my pocket. I'll definitely update this thread when I receive my 0560. Also, I have an 0551 which I also really like, but I prefer the 0302.

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Depending on how you hold a knife, the 0300 might seem small. I don't have one, but judging by the handle length and shape it seems more compact than the 0200 or Spyderco Military. I like a long handle and am planning on getting an 0560 at some point (probably in some fancy steel whenever they get around to doing a sprint).
 
I say 560, here's why, Recurves are more obnoxious to sharpen, the blade is very wide and fat, Elmax will be both tougher and have better edge holding than S30V. The 560 will carry better in pocket. Elmax is up there with ZDP for edge retention as well. I also have a ZT 200 which I can highly recommend though it will be a little below both in edge retention, but the blade isn't as fat and wide as the 300 which is why I picket it over the 300 when purchasing my first ZT.
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Heres some other knives in that category of big/hard use.
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You can't go wrong with any of these ZTs, but the 0560 is my pick. It is an awesome knife and it just flies open with out any springs to possibly break.
 
I have both the 0301, and 0560 (and two 0551's like Stainz :)).

If you want a tanklike knife that will survive just about anything, the 0301 is a great choice. To me it is an NFL linebacker with an attitude. Big, tough, sturdy, but quick and relatively agile. I want this in my pocket if I was downed behind enemy lines, and lost my fixed blade.

The 0560 is more sleek, but very sturdy also. It is longer than either the 0301, or 0551 so you may notice it in your pocket more initially, but I got used to it quickly. The 0560 has become my favorite knife, period. I've been carrying it for about two weeks, and just really, really like everything about it. The weight, length, style, ease of flipping, blade shape, and balance of heft, and utility.

I would go with the 0560/0561 at this point, and then pick up an 0301 down the road. The 0551/0550 is somewhere in between, and also a fantastic knife.
 
Voting for the 0560 as well, especially if the majority of your cutting will be to break down cardboard boxes.
 
If your major usage is about cutting cardboard boxes then you better stick to edge retention performance.

0350 ZDP version or 0560 ELMAX is way to go.
 
I got a 301 & absolutely love it. Its actually largest folder i have. But i honestly dont notice that im carrying a heavier knife. Then again always wearing jeans if had to wear dress pants it might make a difference but no monkey suits for me. Just good ole boy clothes everyday!
 
I like heavy duty folders and have owned a few 030x and now that I have a 0560 I will never buy another 030x! I feel the 0560 makes the 030x obsolete, it is just better for my uses in every category. In fact I like my 0560 better than any of the XM18's I have owned!
 
I know this is an old thread, but I'll throw in. While knife hunting, I handled all models of ZT before the new 2013 additions, and to be honest the 0300 fit my hands waaaaaay more comfortably than the 0500 series. That being said, the Al Mar SERE 2000 completely stole my attention from everything else I handled. Unfortunately, I'm looking for a DLC coated blade since I don't currently own one.
 
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