First ZT

T

thebiped

Joined
Jan 8, 2014
Messages
19
So I just bought my first ZT knife. I have about 40 knives ranging in price points from 15 to 200 bucks. Never owned a ZT though but I've always admired them. So I picked up a 0350 and I've been carrying it about a week. I had it out opening a package for my daughter. I went to lay it down and accidentally hit the spine of the blade on the table. Not hard mind you. Not even hard enough to leave a mark on the table. Liner lock immediately failed. It is luckily assisted and didn't break hard enough to overcome the spring. I thought that was strange this reasonably nice knife failed so easily. So I tried it on some plastics and it really failed every time. I started looking online and found this wasn't out of the ordinary for ZT. I found several videos where Zts line lock failed with little effort. I'm seriously thinking about taking it back for another Spyderco. What would you guys do?

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I really can't stand liner locks..like frame locks better when it comes to manual folders.
I've never owned a ZT.
Just glad your ok 👍
 
Yeah it's fairly scary. I mean this thing is crazy sharp and I'm pretty sure the spring is why I still have a thumb.

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ZT's are excellent knives, I dont think you should give up so quickly.
Sometimes they just need to wear in a bit to create there own "footprint" between the lockface intersection.
You could try taking it apart and bending the lock-bar over so that it applies more tension, this has worked for me in the past.
 
So you went to 'lay it down' so hard they had the spring tension not been there, you may have injured yourself...

That does not line up.
 
If you like the knife, the best course of action is always to contact their warranty department for support.
 
Scurvy092 said:
So you went to 'lay it down' so hard they had the spring tension not been there, you may have injured yourself...

That does not line up.
Click to expand...
I exaggerated the truth to make a point. I'm saying is that sharp. Would it have went through bone? Absolutely not. There is no conspiracy here. If you are just trying to start something find someone else. I'm looking for advice not condescending comments.

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Yeah, the way I see it..if every ZT did this, they would not be in biz very long.
 
SoCalEDC said:
Yeah, the way I see it..if every ZT did this, they would not be in biz very long.
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I have no doubt that this is not every product they put out. I just don't think I can confidently use the knife knowing that's there.

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I'm with you ;)
Check out the non-auto Protech's if manual is your thing. I don't know what your budget is but that's my EDC.
Solid, strong lockup everytime with zero issues whatsoever. Great company and customer service!
 
Don't spine-whack the table any more. Give the knife a while to break in. Spine-whacks are not in its list of desirable traits, although I don't defend that the lock failed.
Stuff happens. If it's a nice knife, keep it... If not?
I've had tons of ZT's...love 'em. Gave my older son a 350 yrs ago...he loves it.
 
I never had issues with ZT's liner locks
If it fails every time there shall be something wrong
I would get in touch either with the dealer or with ZT for an inspection/replacement of the knife

Again, I had many 0350 which are also assisted liner locks and never had an issue even when using them pretty hard
 
thebiped said:
OK, I have never had to take a knife back and was unsure if I should contact the store or the manufacturer. Thanks a bunch this helps.

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Click to expand...

I would contact KAI for warranty work. I would never return to dealer a knife that I have kept for onw week AND tested/used even if the dealer may be willing to take it back.
 
Check the tang and see if there is any oil or grease on it. Sometimes some lube can make its way to the tang and affect lockup.

If there's nothing on the tang or lock face, I'd take it back to the dealer first and see what they say. Warranty would be my next step.

ZT's are awesome and I'm sure you'll be happy with the knife in the end.
 
austonh said:
True, but does it count as new after a week of carry and multiple spine wacks?
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Why would you intentionally spine whack your knife?
It does Nothing other than potentially damage your knife...
------
This is why I dislike Cold Steels testing of their lock... it tells people that this is what should be done to see how strong your knife is. Their intention or not, who knows, but it is how people understand it...

Spine whacking your knife does no good, and is outright abuse. I wouldn't return it. Your actions may have caused the failure and lock slip.
You caused it, you own it.
 
NJBillK said:
Why would you intentionally spine whack your knife?
It does Nothing other than potentially damage your knife...
------
This is why I dislike Cold Steels testing of their lock... it tells people that this is what should be done to see how strong your knife is. Their intention or not, who knows, but it is how people understand it...

Spine whacking your knife does no good, and is outright abuse. I wouldn't return it. Your actions may have caused the failure and lock slip.
You caused it, you own it.
Click to expand...

It sounds like he perhaps dropped it on it's spine giving it an inadvertent spine whack. I would actually try and get it warrantied from ZT since it is a mistake on OP's part.
 
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