ZT 0561 Hinderer (Warning - pic heavy)

[mav]

I received a package in the mail today. It was my new ZT 0561 Hinderer flipper. First off, this knife is absolutely fantastic. ZT really went the extra mile on this one. It blew away my expectations.

The ZT 0561 was a collaboration between ZT and Rick Hinderer to develop a knife based on Rick's XM-18. Here are the specifications on the knife:

• Blade: ELMAX®, stonewashed finish, 3.75 in. (9.5 cm)
  
• Handle: 3-D machined G-10 front scale, 3-D machined titanium back handle, stonewashed finish
  
• Closed: 5 in. (12.7 cm)
  
• Overall: 8.8 in. (22.4 cm)
  
• Lock: 3-D Machined Titanium framelock
  
• Weight: 5.8 oz.
  
• Made in USA
  

I don't really have much more to say about the knife since I have a lot of comparison pictures, which I think speak for themselves.

Here is the ZT 0561

Here is a comparison to the ZT 0561 and the original ZT 0551, which is based more on the XM-18.

Here is a comparison of the ZT 0561, ZT 0300, and ZT 0350.

Here is a comparison to a Hinderer XM-24, which the ZT 0561 is modeled after.

While the ZT 0561 is fantastic, it is still not a Hinderer. The XM-24 is just massive, and it truly is a knife you could take to hell and back. However, the ZT 0561 doesn't cost anything near to what a XM-24 does. The best price you can get on a new ZT 0561 is $260, which is still pricey for most. The XM-24, well... let's just say it is expensive.

The ZT 0561 is a knife for someone who doesn't want to shell out the bucks for a XM-24, and it is a really good alternative. I honestly believe that the ZT 0561 is their best offering to date, and the flipper is just so sweet. The flipper (no assist) on the ZT 0561 is just a fraction slower than the SpeedSafe of the 300 series, which is spring assisted.

If I didn't already have an XM-24, I would have been totally content with the ZT 0561. It is that good. Since I already have the XM-24, the ZT 0561 will probably be boxed up and kept in storage for some future use.

For those who are looking for a ZT 300, 301, or 302, I would seriously consider looking that the 0561. I don't think you would be disappointed.

[Major Kong]

Nice one Mav, Mine is still on pre-order. I'm planning on putting it in the daily rotation with my 0350.

[Capbyrd]

Very nice. I fully intend to get one but I'm saving for an XM-18 first and then I'll order a 561.

[daddyo]

Very nice.

[Lumber_Jack]

Where is the best place to find one? Even if I have to wait or order one. Everywhere I have checked has just said 'out of stock'

[Capbyrd]

Go to places like GPknives, kershawguy.com and bladehq and ask to be notified when they get them in stock. They sell out very quickly because there were tons of preorders.

If you just can't wait, there are tons popping up in the exchange on bladeforums.

[mav]

Go to places like GPknives, kershawguy.com and bladehq and ask to be notified when they get them in stock. They sell out very quickly because there were tons of preorders.

If you just can't wait, there are tons popping up in the exchange on bladeforums.

I preordered mine with KershawGuy probably 5-6 months ago. As far as the knives on the forums and ebay, I would hold off unless you really got to have one. The prices have come down quite a bit on the forums and secondary market, but they are still above the $260, which is the most you should pay. At one time, people were paying a little over $400 to be one of the first to have one. In my opinion that is crazy, but I guess everyone is different.

[mav]

Just out of curiousity, I weighed both the XM-24 and ZT-0561 while I was at work.

ZT-0561: 165.45 grams

XM-24: 220.86 grams

That is a pretty big difference.

[Lumber_Jack]

I really like the 551 and 561. I wish these were more readily available, especially the 551. I like the smaller size.

[willis68]

Very nice. I fully intend to get one but I'm saving for an XM-18 first and then I'll order a 561.

You will not be disappointed, the XM-18 is most definately worth saving for!

[willis68]

Nice review Mav!

[Capbyrd]

I really like the 551 and 561. I wish these were more readily available, especially the 551. I like the smaller size.

The 551 was a limited run. Don't expect to see anymore new ones out there.

The 561 will be a production knife but production just started. Give it a few months and they will be everywhere.

[mav]

The 551 was a limited run. Don't expect to see anymore new ones out there.

True, but you can buy the ZT 0550, which is very similiar to the 0551. The 0551 was made with Elmax, and the 0550 is made with S35VN, which is really good steel (it is what my XM-24 is made of). The dimensions of the 0550 are the same as the 0551. The cost on the 0550 is cheaper than the 0561 ($200 vs. $260). BladeHQ has the 0550 in stock right now.

http://www.bladehq.com/item--Zero-Tolerance-0550-Knife--7609

[Lumber_Jack]

True, but you can buy the ZT 0550, which is very similiar to the 0551. The 0551 was made with Elmax, and the 0550 is made with S35VN, which is really good steel (it is what my XM-24 is made of). The dimensions of the 0550 are the same as the 0551. The cost on the 0550 is cheaper than the 0561 ($200 vs. $260). BladeHQ has the 0550 in stock right now.

http://www.bladehq.com/item--Zero-Tolerance-0550-Knife--7609

I did some searching and just saw that today. I didn't realize the 550 was so similar. I seem to have lost my Benchmade Presidio, so I find myself in the EDC market. This is high on the list for sure.

[Major Kong]

ZT 0560s are showing as in stock at Going Gear. $280 plus free shipping. I've never shopped with them personally but they have a solid reputation on another knife-centric forum that I visit.

http://goinggear.com/zero-tolerance-0560-hinderer-design-folding-knife-black-scale.html