Disappointed by ZT 560

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bld522 said:
That's where you and I part company, I suspect. Any time I'm uncomfortable with any aspect of a folder, I'm using the wrong tool. But that's a topic for another conversation. ;)
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Gee, bld, do we have to part company? *sniff*
 
Yep, if you're in the "hard-use folder" camp. In my world, that term is an oxymoron. I use lightweight folders to . . . you know . . . cut stuff. And I use Busse heat-treated fixed-blades for that and everything else I might have to call upon a knife to do. YMMV, and I expect it to. :)
 
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Two things the OP should know:

1) There are many grades/types of titanium

2) 6al4v is I think usually in the mid 40's HRC, lower grades are typically softer and less "springy". If the blades are around 55 HRC then that is not a very big difference.

That china knife probably needs the hardened washers because the Ti alloy they used is way too soft, stuff like this is why buying cheapo imports that look like high end knives is problematic, that same soft Ti is whats keeping the lockbar from closing on your fingers if you do something stupid.
 
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I won't argue about ZTs, as I don't like them much, and there are other offerings that normally catch my eye.

However.....

I have more of a feeling that manufactures are just giving in to the demands of consumers and what they want...and that's a good thing until it affects the workmanship of the knife...
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Yes, I sure hope manufacturers give into customers demands, it kinda sells knives! Like I said, there are many options out there, this wasn't always so. Today we are spoiled by manufacturers giving us what we want.

How can you say it affects the workmanship of the knife? Do you know better than design engineers at ZT? Have you tested to failure the 560?
 
EChoil said:
I personally believe the lock insert on this model is pure gimmick---something else to loosen or have screws fall out over time and probably totally unecessary---and are tons of people really going to be ordering another insert from ZT in the next five or ten years due to it wearing out? And will ZT even be around to replace them to serve their purpose in ten or fifteen years....

Finally sold both, purchased another Emerson and pocketed some cash. I don't miss it. Only thing memorable about it was that it was fun to play with when I was bored.
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I feel the same way about the washer inserts as you do about the lock bar inserts.

That being said, implying ZT/Kershaw/KAI might not be around in 10 or 15 years but Emerson knives will be is laughable. Kershaw has been around twice as long as Emerson and is a massive company compared to the relative mom and pop status of Emerson knives.

KAI itself is over 100yrs old.
 
On a side note, I would have never even owned a zt 0560, too pricey for me, I just happened to stumble upon one listed on Craigslist for 100 lnib and bought it, now that I've been handling and playing with it, if I had to replace this one I would have no problem paying full price.
 
Great. :rolleyes:

Another guy who comes on here and fully admits to not doing his research before buying the knife and also being brain washed by marketing which leads to completely unreasonable expectations for a folding knife. Also complains about said things without using said knife.

Shocking. :yawn:
 
Yes a lockbar insert is a good idea but to worry about the bearing wearing so bad that the knife is unuseable is not reasonable. I do think that ball bearings are pointless either way but dirt in the pivot is dirt in the pivot.
 
bld522 said:
Yep, if you're in the "hard-use folder" camp. In my world, that term is an oxymoron. ;) I use lightweight folders to . . . you know . . . cut stuff. And I use Busse heat-treated fixed-blades for that and everything else I might have to call upon a knife to do. YMMV, and I expect it to. :)
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I do the same thing.

So if there are no "hard use" folders, it must also stand that there are no "light-use folders." You really DO have your own world.... :) But OK.
 
EChoil said:
So if there are no "hard use" folders, it must also stand that there are no "light-use folders."
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Hey, if that logic works for you, it works for you. :rolleyes:

Those who subscribe to the idea of "hard-use folders" would undoubtedly consider most of my folders to be "light-use folders" . . . except you, perhaps. ;)
 
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I personally think ball bearing pivots are a silly marketing gimmick but I've never had any trouble with the ZTs I've owned that have them. As for the lock inserts I always thought that ZT "upgraded" to steel lock bar inserts because of the lock stick problems on some of the earlier models like the gen1 550.
 
Scurvy092 said:
I feel the same way about the washer inserts as you do about the lock bar inserts.

That being said, implying ZT/Kershaw/KAI might not be around in 10 or 15 years but Emerson knives will be is laughable. Kershaw has been around twice as long as Emerson and is a massive company compared to the relative mom and pop status of Emerson knives.

KAI itself is over 100yrs old.
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Bah--loney. :triumphant:

HUH?? Where was it even implied that Emerson was going to outlast other companies? All I said was that I bought one.

Sheeesh, man....I have no problem with your Emerson bias, but separate that from what I actually said. MANY, if not most knife companies are "bigger" than Emerson. You want the list of these genius-giants that have folded over the last 20 years and/or reappeared as sold-out Chinese or Japanese clones?

However, to pursue what you started and stated, the thing is even if Emerson folded today they don't put all that art-knife whistle & bell crap on their knives so I couldn't care less if they close down this afternoon at 5PM ---I'm not going to be sending anything back to Emerson for replacement of some slum piece they decided to tack on to a knife, that wore out, loosened or fell off and disabled the knife entirely until it's replaced.

Ahhhh the Fortunetellers...............
 
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bld522 said:
Hey, if that logic works for you, it works for you. :rolleyes:

Those who subscribe to the idea of "hard-use folders" would undoubtedly consider most of my folders to be "light-use folders" . . . except you, perhaps. ;)
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Actually no....I'd agree with that. OK?
 
I had one of the newer designed 561s, it had the lock bar insert but I think the pivot was the same. I flicked it probably 10k times and never noticed a difference in function. But yeah, hardened steel housing for bb on titanium is a feature I would like in a 200 dollar plus knife.
 
I'm the proud owner of several bearing pivot ZTs. Never had a problem with any of them. They all broke in nicely and work just like when I got them.

Oh, and I agree with the statement below:

Armadew said:
I understand your concern, but I think if this was a real issue I would have heard it come up before.
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Bludgeon said:
Pics of grooves.
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Here you go.

a1rqCZY.jpg


8n7XicP.jpg


RD2DPdX.jpg
 
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