ZT 560 vs Microtech Whaleshark

[sickboy]

I have been thinking about both of these knives quite a bit lately. They seem to be pretty close in price, but I haven't heard much comparison otherwise. Does anyone have both that could make a comparison? I would be interested in hearing thoughts on functionality, quality, performance, and materials. Are there any other flippers out there that compare with quality and price? Thanks JD!

sickboy

[rio]

i thought the whale shark was a lot more than the zt560, i had the zt in my hands and it is a nice folder for the price

[purpledc]

I dont have the whaleshark but I do have the 0560. The ZT is a fuckin killer knife. Its light weight yet very well built and sturdy. The whaleshark is comparable in the sense that its a bearing operated flipper but its not going to be as stable as a 560. The reason I say this is because the whaleshark has a subframe lock on g10. There is no actual metal frame or even metal liners for that matter. A Ti framelock with a steel liner plus g10 just seems to be better on paper. In the end it really comes down to how much abuse you plan on putting the thing through. But from a price per options standpoint the ZT kills it in every category. The only thing is the zt is harder to find right now.

[sickboy]

Rio,
The Whaleshark can be had for 3 bills. I'm looking for a production.

Purp,
That's where my mind was also, but the Microtech is still a microtech. I agree that something has changed in their makeup, but my Selectfire is a damn fine knife. I am turned off a little with the g10 sandwich, but don't want to discount it.

Anyone have some time put in with a production Whaleshark? Is there another flipper I should consider? Thanks again JD!

sickboy

[rio]

got it , i thought it was the 800$ whale you were talking about , i like that zt a lot better, i had the whale custom in my hand at the nyc/nj show and the zt at the get together, that zt is not bad for the money.

[Guillermo]

I would like to see a picture of the two together. I bought a ZT0560 and liked it so much I got another. I'm a big Microtech fan but for $50 less the ZT would be hard to beat. My luck will be that Tony only makes a few and the price will shoot up but who knows.

[sickboy]

The zt really does it for me, but the whaleshark IS a microtech.....

sickboy

[begreen61]

ZT's are a well made working knife and I beat the hell out of mine,,as for the microtech,its more of a safe queen and i feel their quality isnt what it use to be for the price.,,,,,,,2 cents

[Guillermo]

ZT's are a well made working knife and I beat the hell out of mine,,as for the microtech,its more of a safe queen and i feel their quality isnt what it use to be for the price.,,,,,,,2 cents

I've had nothing but great luck with Microtech so can't comment on warranty work. I got a ZT 0551 last year and had a problem with it. Called Kershaw, sent it to them and it was back in my hands fixed within seven days.

[NCHornet]

I just received my first ZT yesterday, a 0200 ST. I have probably 40 knives in my knife drawer, but this ZT is my new EDC knife. Already looking at picking up the 350 ST. I have seen them down under $120. That is a hell of a knife for a C note and change. YMMV?

[Pilot]

I have the 0560, actuall two fo them since I like it so much. I don't know anything about the MT, but the ZT is tops for the money.

[Ross]

I've recently owned a ZT0560 and I currently own a Whaleshark. Both are really well made, the Whaleshark is very nicely designed and detailed, without going overboard like MT did with the Select Fire. The ZT0560 is, I don't know, more flipper-y? As has been discussed before, the ZT0560 needs a mighty push to get going, so much so on the one that I had that it was very difficult to open with just the thumbstud. Both are super-smooth, almost too smooth for me as I don't like to lose control of the blade when opening.

The ZT0560 is probably tougher (since it's a framelock), but it's a moot point for me as I'm a desk jockey so my knives rarely see much harder use than opening a package or picking a splinter. The ZT0560 is a bit more practical while the Whaleshark is nicer looking. Bottom line for me, if I still had both, the ZT0560 would be in my pocket and the Whaleshark would be in the closet.

[sickboy]

Thanks to all for the opinions. I did get a 560 a few months back and carry it. Its nice. I would like to get a Whaleshark at some point, also. I have seen them for $260 on the forums, so price isn't as much of a factor anymore. Even at $300 its reasonable. I find that any pressure on the framelock will make the 560 hard to open with the thumb stud, but I can change my grip a little by using the clip and it flies out with no problem. Flipper is better. On a side note I recently picked up a Kershaw Cyro. Like a smallerish version of the 560 (almost) with the speed safe. Worth the $35.00 I spent.

sickboy

[jfever311]

The "thumbstuds" on the 0560 are meant to be bladestops more than anything. There are a few threads on BF addressing this.

As for the OP, stick with the ZT.

[waterdogs]

I have both a ZT-561 and a Whale Shark in my pockets right now. The ZT is probably my number one "Go-To" knife recently, it just does everything well....to me, it`s just about the perfect size & weight for an EDC, the 3D machining gives it great ergonomics (seems to be a lot more pocket-friendly than my ZT-0550), the Elmax steel is (supposedly) tougher than bear meat, and gets crazy sharp after a few light strokes on the ceramic rod. My wife bought a 5-pound roast beef, and wanted it cut in two pieces so we could freeze half, so I whipped out the ZT, and sliced through that large chunk of beef with hardly any resistance....man, that blade just *glided* right through the meat. Impressive.
As discussed in another thread, the detent proved to be a bit of a ball-buster until I applied the proper opening technique, and after probably 1500 openings, the blade jumps out with authority, locking up smoothly and solidly at around 40%....no play in any direction, no muss, no fuss. This knife is all business, I love it....

The Whale Shark....a recent aquisition, haven`t had it long enough to give it a real thorough shakedown yet, but initial impressions are very favorable. Don`t let anybody kid you, this is a SOLID knife, has that reassuring "carved from a block of steel" feel to it. I don`t know what kind of G-10 this is, but it definitely feels harder and more dense than any I`ve seen before. It is also 3D machined, with a nice palm swell that tapers slightly along the entire handle length. The G-10 also has a sort of wood-grain pattern machined into it, which provides a really nice grip, while avoiding that "80-grit sandpaper" feel like so many other knives.
The subframe lock is sandwiched between the G-10 and the clip, and the whole deal is held together by 2 screws through the clip, and the frame is secured by 3 more screws which lock into a nicely-machined titanium backspacer, the bottom tip of which contains a rather smallish lanyard hole.
The blade is S35 VN, sort of a leaf/drop point hybrid shape, with a VERY deep belly, measuring a whopping 37mm wide (that`s "an inch-and-a-half" for you non-metric speaking folks). It has a flat grind which progresses from the edge to about 3/4 of the way up to the spine. It`s incredibly sharp, the hair flies off my arm with the lightest touch. With the handle`s relatively slim profile, it gives the knife a very distinctive presentation.

This is a beefy-feeling, *serious use* knife that inspires confidence....I think it will do anything you could reasonably ask of a folding knife.

The only criticism I have at this point is that all the hardware is of Microtech`s proprietary design, with the triangular-head fasteners that need dedicated drivers.

Overall, I expect great things from this knife....