ZT 0550 - detent too strong?

[Rolex John]

I posted this in the Kershaw forum but thought I'd ask owners here too about this Hinderer collaboration.

Just got a new ZT 0550 and I'm concerned about the excessive detent/blade retention. It's pretty darn hard to flip open using the thumb studs without some wrist action. Most of the resistance seems to be early in the opening arc - it's pretty smooth after the initial "stickiness.".

I took it apart and applied some Militec but it didn't help much. I'm guessing this isn't normal? Should I send it back to Kershaw?

[RubiconSS]

John, I am sure N2K will arrive soon. I default to his input on the ZT's as you know he has several.

[Need2Know]

"Here I come to save the day". Hehe

Rollie-J, I think you may be pressing it too firmly. Like the Hinderer's put your thumb nail on it and flip your thumb upward/outward. Will fly open and lock. Practice over a soft cushy cut resistant surface. Say a bed just in case you drop her.

[Need2Know]

Blurry visual aids...

[snowreaper1]

Also make sure your not putting any pressure on the lockbar when your opening the blade.

[incaorchid]

Also, just slightly loosen the pivot screw.

[Rybulek]

also, add lube to dent ball

[Rolex John]

Gents - played some more with it this AM - there HAS to be something wrong with this knife. I've tried loosening the pivot screw and the techniques advised. It's so stiff it hurts my thumbs!

[Bapple]

John,

Mine was the same way. It caused me to let it go, I could not get over the excessive detent. Some detents must be stronger than others I'm sure. Great knife otherwise. Good luck

[Rolex John]

After watching a few more videos on YouTube it is apparent that this detent problem is quite common. This morning I decided to try to disassemble the night and do some more work to try to overcome the detent issue and also change the scale. I applied Militec to it and while I was at it I cleaned and applied Militec to my Hinderer XM-24.

This is ZT0550 was only meant to hold me over until I can get an XM 18 next month anyway. I'll keep working with it to see if I can make it better, if not I'll just let it go after I get an XM 18.

[Rolex John]

Thanks much for all the assistance!

[Need2Know]

Sorry to hear you are still having issues. Maybe the 24 has spoiled you a bit.

[BARBARIAN-X]

I'm surprised to see people having this issue. I have a 0550 & 0551 and love them. I like the strong detent because when it is over come the blade flies open. Perhaps you just need to cycle the blade a couple hundred times.

[Rolex John]

I'm surprised to see people having this issue. I have a 0550 & 0551 and love them. I like the strong detent because when it is over come the blade flies open. Perhaps you just need to cycle the blade a couple hundred times.

I think your right that in many respects, the level of detent is a matter of personal preference. I sure don't want the thing opening in my pocket, but neither do I want torn up thumbs from trying to flick the knife open.

Sorry to hear you are still having issues. Maybe the 24 has spoiled you a bit.

You may be correct N2K - maybe I should be patient and just wait for an XM-18 to come my way.

[Need2Know]

Rollie-J,

It is unfortunate that you had an issue with your ZT.

Perhaps I am lucky to never have had an issue with any of my Hinderer or Hinderer collaboration pieces that I could not correct on my own. True to all my tools, if at first it does not work the way I imagined before having it in hand, I always first assume I am doing something wrong. I then take the time to let the tool teach me how to use it. On rare occasion it is the tool at fault, many times it was my methods that failed me.

In your case, if the riddle is more difficult to solve, I say take advantage of the return policy.

[Rolex John]

Rollie-J,

It is unfortunate that you had an issue with your ZT.

Perhaps I am lucky to never have had an issue with any of my Hinderer or Hinderer collaboration pieces that I could not correct on my own. True to all my tools, if at first it does not work the way I imagined before having it in hand, I always first assume I am doing something wrong. I then take the time to let the tool teach me how to use it. On rare occasion it is the tool at fault, many times it was my methods that failed me.

In your case, if the riddle is more difficult to solve, I say take advantage of the return policy.

Good advice sir. I think where I've landed is that I'm going to give the 0550 some time for the detent ball to wear a channel and hopefully loosen up. If after a month it's no better, I'll send it in to ZT for warranty service. Hopefully I'll have an XM-18 by then to hold me over.

[5.56]

Try using your left hand a few times, and see if it helps.

I am right handed and I cannot flick my 0551 open. When I switch to my left hand, it flicks out fast and easy.

My problem was not the detent, but the pressure I was putting on the lockbar. When the knife is in your left hand, there will be no pressure on the bar.

[Rolex John]

Try using your left hand a few times, and see if it helps.

I am right handed and I cannot flick my 0551 open. When I switch to my left hand, it flicks out fast and easy.

My problem was not the detent, but the pressure I was putting on the lockbar. When the knife is in your left hand, there will be no pressure on the bar.

None easier I'm afraid...factoring in left handed clumsiness. I've seen several warnings about inadvertently applying pressure to the lock bar and have been careful to avoid it. Thanks!

[RubiconSS]

I don't want to be a redundant poster, I mentioned my POV over in the Pics of the ZT thread. I think at this point ALL ideas have been presented and good steps moving forward adopted thanks to the input.
Lets see where time in hand takes us and look forward to the update down the road.

[mantzao]

Appreciate the helpful intent