ZT 0562 Mildly Disappointed

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exmaxima

Joined
Jan 30, 2006
Messages
198
Been waiting since June for my 0562CF, and since it has not yet arrived I bought a standard 0562 when Amazon informed me they were available. Got it yesterday and I can't say I'm as thrilled as I hope to be.

To be sure, the knife looks good, and has no issues. Perfect centering, fast flipper, freakishly sharp. But it just doesn't feel right as an EDC, and I think it's a combination of the weight and the balance. My usual EDC's weigh a tad under 4 oz, while the 0562 weighs a solid 5.5 oz (155 grams). And you can feel it. Plus the weight seems to be biased towards the blade, so the balance feels awkward.

My grail knife is a Spydie Stretch CF, and it weighs 110 grams. Another knife I compare it to is my Griptilian 550HG with Putman scales (about 115 grams). So all three knives have 3.5" blades, yet the 0562 is bigger/heavier for the same blade. Pics below.

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You can see that the 0562 is massive in comparison to the others. The handle is larger, and the blade is both bigger and thicker. I guess it will just need some time to get used to it, but while I envisioned the "ultimate" slicer EDC, I really feel the 0562 is better suited for more rugged tasks (which elude me at this time). Maybe cutting rope, making tent stakes, self defense, etc. For slicing tasks---such as cutting boxes, stripping wine bottle cellophanes, eating food---the 0562 blade seems just too thick & heavy.

I am contemplating grinding the false edge off the blade to lower the weight, and possibly skeletizing the scales if I can figure out how to remove them. Anyone else have some thought on this?
 
It's a tough comparison when looking at the Stretch against the 0562. Most would consider they are not even in the category in terms of end line user, based on many obvious factors. ZT does not make dainty knives, so expecting such is a bit disproportionate to what have been the norm for them in the last. That might be changing as the 0770 versions come in lighter and thinner than other previous options. ZT is synonymous with a rugged tough knife, always has been and I hope always will be.
 
Unfortunately your assessment of the 0562 is pretty accurate. I don't agree that it's too heavy, but that comes down to personal preference as I routinely carry knives up to 6 oz with no issue. But the fact of the matter is, ZT makes big, thick blades. They're "hard use" knives, whatever that really means, and they generally don't pretend to be good slicers. The 0562 is something of an exception to that as they bill it as having a "slicer" grind, but it's really just not very thin behind the edge.

As for reducing the weight... I think you're better off just returning it and putting the funds towards another knife. Milling pockets into the G10 isn't likely to make a big impact on weight, and grinding the swedge off probably won't make much of a difference either (but will reduce resale value and probably hurt structural integrity). If it's too heavy and thick for you and you're just not digging it, that's probably not going to change with your modifications. Not every knife is for everyone, no matter how popular it may be, and there's nothing wrong with that.
 
By your own description you were delivered a knife built to a high standard that just doesn't do it for you. No worries....it's happened to all of us. It's a great knife just not for you. Return it...sell/trade it and get something you'll enjoy carrying.
 
Bulky and heavy is ZT's signature, for the most part. Then again, so is high quality production knives at reasonable prices, so they may be heavy (with some notable exceptions) but they're also great knives. I'm with you though--I love my 0560, but it's too heavy to carry much. The 0801 design is one of my all time favorites, but I carry the Southard over it more often than not because the Southard is lighter and smaller in the pocket, without giving up any utility.

RevDevil said:
That might be changing as the 0770 versions come in lighter and thinner than other previous options. ZT is synonymous with a rugged tough knife, always has been and I hope always will be.
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I have a pile of ZT knives, and while I think some of them are really great it's the boat-anchor-in-your-pocket thing that keeps most of them in the drawer, most of the time. The exception has been the 0770cf, which as you mentioned is much lighter (and which also handily out-cuts every other ZT folder I own, by a large margin), but the 0454 is now another light option. I know it's 4 ounces and change, but that's pretty damn light for a 4.1" bladed knife. The 0454 manages to not be dainty at all, yet carries better than most ZTs outside of the somewhat-dainty 0770, because it's light but also because of its much narrower shape.

Now out of my pile of ZTs, it's only the 0770cf and 0454 that get carried. The 0454 has even ruined the 0777 for me--though larger, IMO it carries much smaller.
 
Is this your first ZT and/or Hinderer designed knife? If it is what made you envision this as your ultimate EDC? Was it just based on the popularity of the knife or was there something else that attracted you to it?
 
I recently bought a 0561 but I knew going in it was a beefy knife. Like Rev said, that's their specialty and what they built their reputation on. Expecting anything less is foolhardy. True, the 0770 is a considerably lighter knife, but that is the exception. I bought the 0561 on sale for the same price as the 0562, figure its a big knife why not get the extra .25" length for the same price.
 
akrapacs said:
Is this your first ZT and/or Hinderer designed knife? If it is what made you envision this as your ultimate EDC? Was it just based on the popularity of the knife or was there something else that attracted you to it?
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I have the 0561 and never carry it due to the weight. But I was/am impressed with the quality and when the 0562 was announced as a lighter/smaller "slicer" version I took the bait and put one on order. I think design and engineering is amazing for the price, especially when I compare it to my Sebenza (which I sold), and was just hoping for a littler more slicer, and a little less mass.

I am not adverse to making mods to it---I use my knives, not just look at them---but when the 0562CF finally arrives I will likely sell it off.
 
exmaxima said:
I envisioned the "ultimate" slicer EDC
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I think you need a Paramilitary or an Opinel...

Honestly, just look at every other zt, they're frickin' tanks! What made you think the 0562 would be a slicer?

Personally, I like a thicker blade. I don't do any "slicing" where thickness affects cutting performance.

I've never understood the whole "slicer" thing unless you mostly just cut cardboard and paper, maybe food.
Even food, why? I've never needed my knife to cut food unless I was looking for a reason to use my fancy knife.
 
@exmaxima i think you'd be happier with a 0770CF, but just to warn you the weight feels like it's all in the blade.
 
jrawk said:
@exmaxima i think you'd be happier with a 0770CF, but just to warn you the weight feels like it's all in the blade.
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I checked out an 0770, and while it was a decent knife for the money, I really don't care for Speedsafe deployment. I realize that some models can be de-assisted, but they also tend to open in your pocket if you do, so I prefer a straight flipper action like the 0562.

I am very pleased with the assortment of knives I already have, yet I wanted a USA-made titanium framelock that opens easy for me. That rules out Sage (Taiwan) and many other Spyderco, Reate (heavy and it's Chinese), Bradley (too much like Sebenza), and Lionsteel. I'm sure ZT will offer something perfect for me in the near future, and I'll enjoy my new 0562 for weekends--the deep pocket clip is the best I've seen yet!
 
So you're upset because you didn't look up the weight of the knife before you bought it?
 
Blues Bender said:
I think you need a Paramilitary or an Opinel...

Honestly, just look at every other zt, they're frickin' tanks! What made you think the 0562 would be a slicer?

Personally, I like a thicker blade. I don't do any "slicing" where thickness affects cutting performance.

I've never understood the whole "slicer" thing unless you mostly just cut cardboard and paper, maybe food.
Even food, why? I've never needed my knife to cut food unless I was looking for a reason to use my fancy knife.
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The 0562 does have Hinderer's "slicer" grind. Relative to other grinds from Rick, it is a slicer. But as has been mentioned, ZT's reputation is for solid knives not known for being light slicers.
 
I'm the same way. I've had the elmax version and 3 cf versions. I sold them all. Just didn't like it as much as my 0801. I do LOVE my 0620cf though!
 
What did you think you were getting into by buying a ZT? "Over-built" "Tank" and "Beast" can all be seen on the box...
 
kniferbro said:
What did you think you were getting into by buying a ZT? "Over-built" "Tank" and "Beast" can all be seen on the box...
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Same box the holds the 0770CF if I'm not mistaken. And that's the knife I'd recommend to the OP. (The 0770CF only weighs 85 grams. I guess if I were going to make a box for it, I'd label it "Under-built, "Scooter" and "Docile". ;) )
 
kniferbro said:
What did you think you were getting into by buying a ZT? "Over-built" "Tank" and "Beast" can all be seen on the box...
Click to expand...

They print that on all the boxes, but not all ZT knives fit that description. For example, the 0770 is fairly dainty, and weighs less than any 3.5" knife I own.

It is clear that ZT is moving upscale and towards more "gentleman folders" in many of their new offerings. I thought they would have employed more of the weight saving features that are found in the 0560, at least the skeletized liners.

The 0562 is not a tank, but it could better if it went on a diet
 
exmaxima said:
The 0562 is not a tank, but it could better if it went on a diet
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Now you're speaking my language! :) How about something with specs like this:

Blade Length: 3“
Handle Length: 4.125“
Overall Length: 7“
Blade Thickness: .140“
Lockside Thickness: .125″
Liner Thickness: .050“
Overall Handle Thickness: .425“
Weight 3.6oz

Would that get your attention?
 
Sadly the 0562 didn't impress me too but perhaps its my personal preference for a certain spec when it come to choosing a ZT knives. The 0620 works better for me thou.
 
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