Different ZT 0550 1st Gens?

Blade Runner 7

Blade Runner 7

Joined
Oct 26, 2010
Messages
3,274
Hi everyone. Just got a second 0550 1st gen off the exchange here. I'm a little concerned though because it's different than my original one. My old one is serial # 0583 and my new one is #3679. There are 3 things that concern me right away. They are:
1. Lock bar cutouts are different
2. The finish on the frame lock sides are different
3. The markings on the blade are different

Now I did read that there was a Gen 1.5. Maybe the new one is one of those? Here are some pics.

10745815436_5fcee8eeb3.jpg

10746039163_88d8bd60fe.jpg


Without taking it apart, it looks like the new one has a much bigger ball detent. The old one (which I have had for about a year and a half) doesn't have much of a ball. I can see a bump in there but maybe the ball has just flattened from so much use? I tried looking up fake 0550s but couldn't find any. The newer one has a MUCH stronger lockup. Sort of like my 0560. It's actually pretty tough to open with the thumb studs. My old one was never that stiff. Now both of these were purchased second hand but they both looked pretty new when I got them. Does anyone know what's going on with them? Is one a gen 1.5? Is one a fake? Thanks in advance.
 
Mine is number 3687. I don't think either are fake, just changes in the production wun from early to late.

Shaun
 
I've noticed that almost all of KAI's Ti framelocks have that narrower cut now. The 0801 is an example, as is 0888 and 0600 I believe. Also, new ones tend to have the KAI logo whereas others will have the longer "MADE IN USA" stamp. I can't remember now what my Gen 1 0550 looks like (still looking for it in the clutter) but I would definitely not be concerned that one of your 0550's is fake. Both of them all have genuine marks of ZT knives, just different genuine marks in a couple of small areas.

The stronger lockup thing might (strong emphasis on might) be due to lock manufacturing. They will carbidize the lock face (add a thin layer of steel I believe) their pure titanium lock faces. I don't know if they didn't do that on old models, but if they didn't, that'd be a possible explanation for the lock face thing. If that's not true (not an expert, just postulating here), then there are differences on lockfaces over time, due to a variety of factors. That's my $0.02, feel free to use it to buy a grain of salt.
 
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