PDA

View Full Version : Zero Tolerance 0560 - Review



BR101
2 February 2013, 18:35
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HF6IHrm3ws4/UQi_Lnh3qCI/AAAAAAAAM2M/ihalXEmBElk/s400/20130130_005752.jpg

Specifications:
Overall Length: 8.8"
Blade Length: 3.75"
Blade Steel: Elmax
Closed Length: 5.05"
Handle Material: 3-D machined G-10 front scale, 3-D machined titanium back handle, stonewashed finish
Weight: 5.8 oz.

This is part 2 of the Zero Tolerance 0560 (http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?u=694696&b=375565&m=39329&afftrack=&urllink=www%2Ebladehq%2Ecom%2Fitem%2D%2DZero%2DTol eranceHinderer%2D0560%2DKnife%2D%2D9495) knife review. If you haven't read part 1 you can do so here (http://bladereviews101.blogspot.com/2013/01/zero-tolerance-0560-pt1.html). One of the most sought-after knives for any hardcore collector is Rick Hinderer’s legendary xm18. The xm18 is the knife that launched Rick Hinderer's career to stardom and has been a very popular knife design. Unfortunately it is near impossible to obtain a Hinderer xm18 for under $300. So Rick and the folks at Zero Tolerance teamed up and brought out the 0560. A high quality production knife with the same inspiration put in the xm18 at a price that's more affordable to the consumer.

In the last two weeks or so I've been carrying and using this knife on just about everything from breaking down boxes, cutting rope, cutting steaks and a bunch of other stuff. For a knife of this size you'd think it would be pretty heavy and uncomfortable to carry daily. That's not the case here. At almost 9" inches overall length this knife comes in at 5.8 ounces. That's almost two full ounces lighter than my Benchmade 275 Adamas (http://bladereviews101.blogspot.com/2012/08/benchmade-275-adamas.html). That's all attributed to using top quality materials and a fine attention to detail.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_uARqVwtBGw/UQi_JzntRuI/AAAAAAAAM10/WNkD050z-JM/s400/20130130_004211.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jVgPGDW3UI8/UQi_J_0Bp-I/AAAAAAAAM14/kODPVOzkFuU/s400/20130130_004246.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2DySr8scMc8/UQi_L_7NdhI/AAAAAAAAM2Y/dtHvWVGfuW4/s400/20130130_005827.jpg

The ZT 0560 (http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?u=694696&b=375565&m=39329&afftrack=&urllink=www%2Ebladehq%2Ecom%2Fitem%2D%2DZero%2DTol eranceHinderer%2D0560%2DKnife%2D%2D9495) blade steel is the Elmax stainless steel. Elmax is a high chromium-vanadium molybdenum alloyed steel that combines high wear resistance with corrosion resistance; also offers high strength and hardenability. The blade length measures at 3.75" in length with a thickness of about 4mm. The blade is a strong modified drop point design with a high flat grind which makes this a great slicer. And to top it off it has a beautiful stone washed finish.

As I mentioned in Part 1 of the review, Out of the box the ZT 0560 was super fast and smooth. After two weeks of use nothing has changed. It's still super fast and smooth. This is attributed to the Kershaw Velocity Technology (KVT). The KVT system is a group of bearings that replaces a more traditional phosphor bronze or teflon washers. I've also read different people saying the thumb studs are useless. For myself, I would disagree. While it is a flipper and that's how I deploy the blade, It is possible to get a firm grip on the ambidextrous thumb studs for deploying that way.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-Qx67BanUg/UQi_JJLsFnI/AAAAAAAAM1g/uE41UCIiscA/s400/20130130_004010.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wQO7G6RadBY/UQi_MeMT3MI/AAAAAAAAM2c/fNuWqq5bShE/s400/20130130_010121.jpg

After two weeks of use the blade still sits true center and lock up is extremely tight with absolutely no wiggle in any direction.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bu3HV8dle4k/UQi_FoNAMFI/AAAAAAAAM0s/RC-9Ae9GV7Q/s400/20130130_002231.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kwBejT7hhpc/UQi_MdZ4ToI/AAAAAAAAM2g/BDSQh6driy4/s400/20130130_005919.jpg

The handle construction on the ZT 0560 (http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?u=694696&b=375565&m=39329&afftrack=&urllink=www%2Ebladehq%2Ecom%2Fitem%2D%2DZero%2DTol eranceHinderer%2D0560%2DKnife%2D%2D9495) is top notch all around. On one side you have a black 3D machined G10 handle that is mounted to a stainless steel liner that is milled out to reduce weight. On the backside is a 3D machined slab of 6AL4V titanium that makes up the frame-lock which is also milled out for weight reduction. The handles are machined with a slight radius which gives the knife a great contour for a firm grip. Zero Tolerance also offers a 0561, which is the same knife with a dark earth brown color G10 scale.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pznbQMrm5w/UQi_GruSZbI/AAAAAAAAM1E/yKLvtEm7hTY/s400/20130130_002456.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-19HA2tJ3NFs/UQi_Hb8HAfI/AAAAAAAAM1I/qj0zjdJt-5o/s400/20130130_002624.jpg

And holding the beautiful handles together are standoffs. Not only are standoff knives really cool to look at, but they serve much purpose. A standoff design knife allows you to clean the knife much easier and it reduces the weight of the knife since you don't have a chunk of material holding the handles together.

When it comes to jimping, Zero Tolerance knocks this one out of the park. Between the ZT 0300 (http://bladereviews101.blogspot.com/2013/01/zero-tolerance-0300.html) and this 0560, the jimping is some of the best precision cut jimping I've experienced on a knife. The thumb ramp, finger choil and the back underside of the handle jimping is very aggressive but not to the point where it's discomforting to use. This allows a firm secure grip no matter what task your up against!

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9YFSgZDwP6s/UQmRA5dauTI/AAAAAAAAM4c/y-JfGj7K2NM/s400/20130130_162640.jpg

Here you can see the Hinderer lock bar stabilizer. This prevents the accidental over travel of the lock bar during closing of the knife. Rick does a great job thoroughly discussing the design behind the lock back stabilizer here (http://www.rickhindererknives.com/rick-hinderer-knives/xm-folding-knives/lock-bar-stabilizer/).

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-632xSmmTJi0/UQi_OsmXeAI/AAAAAAAAM3E/lelYk__IfOA/s400/20130130_011131.jpg

The pocket clip on the ZT 0560 (http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?u=694696&b=375565&m=39329&afftrack=&urllink=www%2Ebladehq%2Ecom%2Fitem%2D%2DZero%2DTol eranceHinderer%2D0560%2DKnife%2D%2D9495) is very well built. It's deep carry which I love and it has great tension but not so extreme that it tears up your pockets. It is quad-mount so this knife will cater to left or right hand tip-up or tip-down consumers. In the picture above you can see it sitting in the pocket in tip-up fashion.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ulGAeT_fKZE/UQi_OcX38jI/AAAAAAAAM4w/s2DlAz90ZY8/s400/20130130_010856.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BLifMd6b6_8/UQi_Nw8J6dI/AAAAAAAAM4s/ZLfS0UCRgXg/s400/20130130_010739.jpg

My final conclusion on the Zero Tolerance 0560: This is a terrific knife. If you pick one up you'll be hard pressed to put it down, except to reach for your wallet. The quality of materials and craftsmanship is superb. You will be totally blown away at how smooth the 0560/0561 opens - nothing comes close to it. If you're in the market for a elegant, super-strong folding knife, that is one of the best on the market, then look no further this is what you're looking for! I got mine from BladeHQ (http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?u=694696&b=375565&m=39329&afftrack=&urllink=www%2Ebladehq%2Ecom%2Fitem%2D%2DZero%2DTol eranceHinderer%2D0560%2DKnife%2D%2D9495) for $260 shipped and had it in two days. Not bad considering their one the other side of the country.

Check out our WEBSITE (http://www.bladereviews101.blogspot.com) for other knife and gear reviews.

- Scott