Frame lock question: lock failure or needs breaking in? (with video)

I

ivanhoe

Joined
Sep 11, 2014
Messages
108
Hi everyone,

I just noticed exactly the same problem on a new Gen 2 550:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jffqjjm-q0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhOzWrkegV0

The problem is that I'm in Europe, so shipping to ZT isn't that straightforward.

Is this definitely something wrong with the lock or it could be solved with wearing the Ti lock face?

Thanks!

UPDATE

Here's the video:

[video=youtube;ZvU1X0nguu0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvU1X0nguu0[/video]
 
Last edited:
I wouldnt have believed it if I had not seen it. I do not have this issue with my 0550. I would try to get in touch with ZT.

edit: mine is a gen 3 btw
 
Honestly I have never seen a knife with this issue work itself out. I think the best thing is to either exchange it if possible or see if a dealer will help get the knife warrantied.
 
Frame locks are the only lock types that I've ever seen these types of complete and utter lock failures occur (most recently with a Microtech Mini Matrix for me). It just makes me wonder what the point is, sometimes (although it doesn't stop me from buying frame locks!).
 
Ehhh, yours is probably just a "lemon" that "slipped" through "quality control". It's not ZT's fault at all so don't get the wrong idea. When they say "built like a tank" they mean it and if it's not built like a tank, don't worry yourself one bit because they'll make your wrong knife right! ZT's still awesome and so are framelocks. This is a non-issue and I hope you don't have an axe to grind with ZT. By the way no pics no proof... as they like to say.
 
brancron said:
Frame locks are the only lock types that I've ever seen these types of complete and utter lock failures occur (most recently with a Microtech Mini Matrix for me). It just makes me wonder what the point is, sometimes (although it doesn't stop me from buying frame locks!).
Click to expand...

I've had it happen with a Spyderco BBL on an original blue Dodo.
 
asdf12345 said:
Ehhh, yours is probably just a "lemon" that "slipped" through "quality control". It's not ZT's fault at all so don't get the wrong idea. When they say "built like a tank" they mean it and if it's not built like a tank, don't worry yourself one bit because they'll make your wrong knife right! ZT's still awesome and so are framelocks. This is a non-issue and I hope you don't have an axe to grind with ZT. By the way no pics no proof... as they like to say.
Click to expand...

HOW CAN YOU BE CONTENT SIMPLY MAKING A SARCASTIC POST?! THIS IS CLEARLY THE FINAL SIGN THAT THE ANTICHRIST IS COMING WITH HORDES OF ALIEN ROBOT ZOMBIE NINJAS! WE NEED TO BURN ZT TO THE GROUND AND SWITCH EVERYONE FROM FRAMELOCKS TO FIXED BLADES SO WE CAN BE READY FOR WAR!!!

THIS... IS... TEEEERRRRRRRAAAAAA!!!

But, yeah, OP. If you send it in, you're probably going to get satisfactory resolution. Customer service really is a thing they're known for.

Thank you for pointing this issue out. Please let us know how it is resolved.
 
That sucks. I would not expect that to break in and fix itself. It is a lock geometry issue. I would email ZT and see what they say. Please update this post when you here from them. I am sure they will take care of you but it will be interesting to see how they do so.
 
RBid said:
HOW CAN YOU BE CONTENT SIMPLY MAKING A SARCASTIC POST?! THIS IS CLEARLY THE FINAL SIGN THAT THE ANTICHRIST IS COMING WITH HORDES OF ALIEN ROBOT ZOMBIE NINJAS! WE NEED TO BURN ZT TO THE GROUND AND SWITCH EVERYONE FROM FRAMELOCKS TO FIXED BLADES SO WE CAN BE READY FOR WAR!!!

THIS... IS... TEEEERRRRRRRAAAAAA!!!

But, yeah, OP. If you send it in, you're probably going to get satisfactory resolution. Customer service really is a thing they're known for.

Thank you for pointing this issue out. Please let us know how it is resolved.
Click to expand...

Put the coffee down man.
 
I had a Boker SubCom that I love that also does this, and a cheap CRKT Kiss that also has the same flaw. That was my only foray into frame locks. Never had a liner or lockback fail like this. Cant see me ever picking up a frame lock now.
 
Thanks everyone for fast replies, much appreciated!

Here's the video that shows how does it look like on mine:
[video=youtube;ZvU1X0nguu0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvU1X0nguu0[/video]

I sent an email to the online store where I bought it, and then will contact ZT in case they can't help with this.

Will keep you guys posted.
 
When you have early lock up, I think that it takes just a very small difference in tang and lock face angle to cause slippage. The same difference biased in the other direction would cause a lockbar under pressure to seat deeper along the tang--which is how a frame or liner lock is supposed to behave, imo.

I have an Emerson Horseman that I bought NIB (a liner lock but operates on the same principle.) When I got it, the ti liner was a little sticky so I did the ol' graphite on the tang trick. As I was breaking it in, the liner would slip off the tang with very little pressure on the thumb ramp and the blade would want to close--exactly in the same way as shown in the videos linked by the OP. I debated whether or not I should return it, but in the end I held onto it and kept playing with it.

It took a while, but eventually the lock stick went away and the knife now locks up rock solid. It sure was disappointing to have this issue with a brand new knife, but I have every confidence that I would have gotten a repair/replacement from either the vendor or manufacturer if I had decided to return it.

-Brett
 
weak lockbar pressure? try bending the lockbar in further, and if still nogo, then warranty.
 
I've had several 0550's and a 0551. Never have seen that problem before. I would suggest that you send it in to ZT. That is the SURE fix; definitely what I would do in this case.
 
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