first ZT..is this blade play normal?!

dubya3

dubya3

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Apr 27, 2015
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I recently bought into a raffle for a Spyderco Rubicon and ZT 0562 and won the ZT. I've never even handled one prior to receiving the 0562 in the mail so I'm not sure if this is normal or I got a lemon (or its just out of adjustment) but when the blade is closed there is a teeny bit of up and down play. The detent is solid and holds the blade closed until wanted but from bottom dead closed there is maybe a millimeter of play up and down but nothing else. When the blade is locked open its 100% rock solid with no play, early lockup and centered perfectly but this but of play bothers me, otherwise it's a fantastic knife and I admit I'm very happy I won it otherwise I probably never would have paid attention to ZT.
 
Just to be clear, the play is when the blade is closed and by up and down play I mean if I pulled the blade gently to open it that's where the play is. I can hold the knife by the scales and shake the knife and the blade will rattle.
 
That's called "detent rock," and I hate it, and it's not normal. I would send it in for warranty; write the phrase "detent rock" on the warranty form.
 
That sounds like a fitting term. I haven't pulled it apart, and won't, but I'm trying to imagine how it has play but has a solid detention retention. Too large of detent hole I guess? The knife is brand spanking new, maybe I'll ask if they will give a credit and I can upgrade to the 0562CF :)
 
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The 562 has the same pivot as the 801. It's a problematic pivot. It has not stopped both knives being very popular.

I am not sure this is related to your problem as the pivot becomes loose and needs to be tightened.

There should be no blade play when the knife is open or closed . Rock lock is a problem on some ZTs. Several videos on YouTube regarding these issues. Suggest you look there to see if you can identify your issues.

Mike
 
EyeDog said:
The 562 has the same pivot as the 801. It's a problematic pivot. It has not stopped both knives being very popular.

I am not sure this is related to your problem as the pivot becomes loose and needs to be tightened.

There should be no blade play when the knife is open or closed . Rock lock is a problem on some ZTs. Several videos on YouTube regarding these issues. Suggest you look there to see if you can identify your issues.

Mike
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I had that on my 0562. Down with double male pivots! They had it right when they used the nut style/one side fixed male to female pivot! (but I think they're just moving away from rough use knives in general)
 
ALLHSS said:
I had that on my 0562. Down with double male pivots! They had it right when they used the nut style/one side fixed male to female pivot! (but I think they're just moving away from rough use knives in general)
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We'll it's a hoot to see all the remedies profered on YouTube and other places. Loctite, crazy glue, two sided tape and whatever.

For me I just make adjustments as I use them. I don't recommend putting anything in this type of pivot.

They are cool looking though.

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Mike
 
EyeDog said:
Interesting. They did mention the detent in the ad.
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They added that after I returned it! Can't blame them, though, they've got tons of knives pouring in, most of them of much higher value, and don't have the ability to check everything. Also, probably not everyone has a huge problem with detent rock.
 
I know a guy who has a ZT and it also has lock rock, but cuts fine.

It's the flipper one, not sure of model.

2nd knife.
 
We see detent rock from time to time. I have a ZT0620CF that came in with it. It is rare but does happen. We send them back to ZT and they fix it every time with no problem. I don't think it effects the functionality of the knife but when our customers are paying ZT prices they want it tight and perfect out of the box. When I say rare I would estimate 1 in 150 at the most! Very Rare!
 
whitty said:
We see detent rock from time to time. I have a ZT0620CF that came in with it. It is rare but does happen. We send them back to ZT and they fix it every time with no problem. I don't think it effects the functionality of the knife but when our customers are paying ZT prices they want it tight and perfect out of the box. When I say rare I would estimate 1 in 150 at the most! Very Rare!
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Well I won this in a raffle for a Rubicon and my 0562. I have a feeling the people that raffled it MIGHT have known about the detent rock because I spoke with the winner of the Rubicon and his has a very sticky lock so it's possible they raffled two knives they don't exactly want to sell (and have returned), but I can't say that for sure.

Others suggested to check the pivot, I will here in a bit. I left my Torx set at work in my cement truck. Hopefully that's all it is but I'm sure it's a out of spec detent as there is absolutely no play when the blade is locked open, it's actually a nearly perfect knife other than the detent rock which is why I'm iffy about sending it back to ZT and possibly getting a replacement that's way off center or another small imperfection.
 
I have owned over 30 ZTs and I've only ever had one issue. I sent it into KAI and they fixed it with no questions asked. The whole process took less than two weeks. I love many things about my ZTs, but the warranty and customer service is my favorite aspect of owning them. If you think something is messed up, just contact them and ask them what to do.. They won't steer you wrong.
 
KAI is top notch customer service. If you're unhappy, send it in, and they will take care of you. Some knives have problems and others fall short of ideals.
 
I've had a few knives from various makers with a tiny amount of detent rock. Never from ZT, though.

To be honest, it bothered me at first but rather than send it in I just got used to it. You do whatever you feel is best, man. Congrats on winning an awesome knife!
 
ZT is a fabulous brand...great knives. Send it in. Get it back and enjoy it.
 
You can send it in. But most times I have found it can be adjusted out. Its not easy to explain though. The best way i can explain it is I loosen the handle screws and pivot and I manually push the scales in opposing directions and try to find a sweet spot to get the detent ball to ride the edge of the detent hole. On one rare occasion I actually installed a slightly larger diameter stop pin but that is a much more involved fix.
 
Instead of sending the knife in and waiting, I traded it in for store credit at my local shop. They take any new knife in at Bladehq price minus 20% so I got $160 for it (I technically only paid $50 since I won the knife) and put it towards the Spyderco Lionspy I've been contemplating for the past 3 months. $60 more on Friday and it's mine :D

I'm definitely not giving up on ZT though. When my guys next shipment of ZT arrives he's setting aside a 0452CF and 0562CF for me. Layaway is a great but terrible thing!
 
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