Zero Tolerance ZT 0550
Nick Clayton
The Zero Tolerance 0550 is a legacy design. The 0550 was the first of many collaborations between Custom Knife Maker Rick Hinderer and Zero Tolerance Knives. Based on a design Rick calls his Camp Knife, the 0550 is a great heavy duty folder. The 0550 was the start of a relationship that continues to bear fruit to this day. Knives that include the 0560 and the Kershaw Cryo. The 0550 of today has undergone a few iterative changes that refine the original design. Here is a link to Amazon where it can be purchased.
The blade shape of the 0550 is a classic drop point profile. A high flat grind meets a large swedge that starts about halfway down the spine and terminates a half inch from the tip. This adds a visual flair while maintaining cutting geometry. There is a row of chunky jimping on the spine that doesn't add a lot of traction but is visually appealing. The blade is 3.5 inches long which is right in the sweet spot of my preference for a pocket knife. I've had a gen 1 0550 and this model (gen 3) has a stonewashed blade where the previous generation had a blasted finish. I prefer the stonewash as it will show less marks with use.
The blade steel is CPM-S35VN. S35VN. Developed by Crucible Powder Metals in conjunction with Chris Reeve Knives, S35VN is An evolution of the venerable S30V steel. It features similar edge performance to S30V but with the slight reduction in vanadium (3% vs 4%) and the introduction of 0.5% niobium. This change in composition produces a steel that has similar wear resistance to S30V but has better toughness and is easier to machine. In my own use, I have found S35VN to chip far less than S30V and be easier to service. A win-win in my book. This, combined with it's ready availability and reasonable cost, makes it one of the best EDC steels on the market.
See here for Crucible's Data sheet on S35VN
The handle on the show side is G10 and titanium on the locking side. The G10 has machined grooves running at a slight angle vertically. They are useful for traction and also break up the otherwise blank surface of the black G10. All the edges of the handle are nicely chamfered to avoid any sharp angles. For a while, there were several companies selling aftermarket scales for the 0550. Since this model is older now, they are becoming harder to find.
The titanium lock side is thick and very stout. The Ti sports a blasted finish that I like. Even though blasted Ti scratches easily, it adds character to the knife over time. The lock face has been updated with a steel insert that contacts the blade tang. This is par for the course for all new ZT frame lock knives and a good improvement over the raw Ti. One change from the gen 1 is the lock bar relief cut. This generation has moved the relief cut to the outside of the knife. I don't know what effect this has on the lock but I think this makes it easier to unlock and may also be more secure from my observation (The lock bar travels at slightly less of an arch to meet the tang when the cutout is on the outside). This knife also features the Hinderer Lock Bar Stabalizer (LBS). The LBS prevents you from accidentally pushing the lock bar too far out and ruining the lock. I personally have never had that happen but I definitely understand the purpose of the design. In fact, Rick cam up with the design after accidentally bending the lock out on a knife.
Overall, I really like the 0550. I like it much more so that the larger more expensive 0560. The size and balance are great on the 0550. It is also one of last remaining knives that ZT makes that is not a bearing flipper. This knife uses standard phosphor bronze washers but you could easily think it did have bearings; this thing is smooth. I thoroughly enjoy owning this knife and I recommend anyone to check it out.
