Pros: None
Cons: None
The only ZT I've ever returned
I had high hopes for the ZT0560bw. I own other Zero Tolerance folders, from larger/heavier to slender/lighter, and they are all well made, solid knives. Even the lighter "gentleman's knives" (0770cf, 0450) are built very, very well . Unfortunately, not so much for the ZT0566bw I just received--and just returned. I have a Kershaw Cryo; it's kind of like the baby brother to the Hinderer design. Because I'm a big ZT fan, I decided that I'd rather give the ZT0566bw a whirl, rather than the lower-line offshore version now offered as the Kershaw Cryo 2. The ZT version is most assuredly NOT just a bigger, better built, painstakingly fitted version of the Cryo, nor is it a smaller, more modest rendering of an actual Hinderer (handled one once). That's exactly what it was SUPPOSED to be. But it unfortunately falls well short. First of all, the 0566bw I received is the only ZT folder I've ever touched that exhibited lateral blade play when deployed and locked in place by the framelock. Second, this is the stiffest, hardest-to-deploy folder I've ever had in my life (and I collect folders and have handled a LOT of knives). The only other folders that have evidenced this stiff of an action have been very cheap offshore offerings, where one expects such things from time to time. There is no way that my wife would even be able to deploy this blade. I have very large hands (usually XXL gloves), and I practically sunk a hole in my finger opening it a number of times in a row. Deploying the blade some 30 or 40 times did not produce any appreciable easing of the stiffness. Getting this out of the "home" detent is simply brutal. In order to try to take care of the lateral blade play (see above), I tightened the pivot screw (torx #8) very slightly. It resolved the play issue. And it also made the mechanism even more unforgiving. Lubrication didn't help, either. Knowing of this issue, I'd knew that never carry this knife. Hence the return. It just wasn't up to the quality of every other ZT knife I have or have handled. It isn't even up to the quality of the Kershaw Cryo--and that's available in blackwash here on Knifecenter for $29.95! I'm not talking personal preference, here--it's very much a quality of manufacture issue...maybe even design. If you want a Hinderer-inspired design, I suggest the Cryo. Yes, it's from China, it's smaller, and it's a cheaper build and steel, but it's an insanely good EDC for the money. I'm sorry to say that there is no way I can justify the cost of a ZT0566bw, given the product. (I have yet to handle a Cryo 2, but that may be my next one to check out.)