Full review: ZT 0770 CF and Video

Nice review!!

I've got a question. When you open the knife the blade gets stopped by the stop pin. This pin is settled in the carbon fiber. When you cut someting and you put a lot of pressure on the knife handle and the blade pushes with a lot of force on the stop pin. There is a lot of leverage In that erea. After dissasembeling I saw that the carbon fiber is milled out 2 mm I think. Will the carbon fiber be strong enough? I mean when they made the liner a bit larger they could nestle the stop pin in there. Or am I wrong here?:cool:
 
Good question, as that assist is pretty strong, I'd remove it but I think it also adds to the closed retention ?
G2
 
I'm a little lost here. Ruudr, are you concerned that, because the stop pin is only supported by CF, it could eventually loosen and lead to blade play? And Gary, are you suggesting that removing the assist might slow down that process?
 
It is a very strong opening folder that does feel like the blade is hitting that pin pretty hard, but then I'm a sensitive kinda guy :) I don't close car doors hard either. But the assist spring I thought also puts pressure to keep the blade closed so it's not just relying on the ball bearing detent. Lately I've been opening it part way and the pull the blade open the rest of the way.
Also the noise level is pretty high on opening.
G2
 
BUT, thinking it through, using the knife as it's designed, if the pin does damage the carbon fiber hole it "SHOULD" be covered by ZT...right?

G2
 
Yes, if the pin damages the carbon fiber hole it would certainly constitute a design flaw and be covered under warranty. Hopefully ZT conducted enough testing to confirm that won't happen.
 
bld522 said:
I'm a little lost here. Ruudr, are you concerned that, because the stop pin is only supported by CF, it could eventually loosen and lead to blade play? And Gary, are you suggesting that removing the assist might slow down that process?
Click to expand...

Yes that is what I mean. The fact that the pin is only supported by the carbon fiber. But I'm sure ZT designed and tested her knives good.
 
Time will tell, of course. But based on my personal experience, I can tell you that ZT stands behind their products. So if you're right and the stop pin loosens up, I'm confident ZT would repair/replace the knife under warranty.
 
Quick update. I ran into Thomas and he told me that the 0770CF should not develop blade play with normal use (as opposed to abuse). As I don't tend to abuse my knives, his assurance and the ZT warranty are good enough for me. :)
 
Last edited:
Good to hear thanks, I wonder of they have a little stronger clip? It slipped out and hit the pavement luckily no signs of damage, blade started to open but didn't go fully open that might have scored the carbon fiber
G2
 
A request, those of you that disengaged the torsion bar if you could perform a small test

Hold the knife closed, and bring the arm the knife is held in down suddenly striking your other arm stopping the arm and see if the blade opens past the detent?

I don't want to disengage it if it makes the retention less

Thanks in advance
G2
 
Last edited:
Good news/bad news...

Good news: The BLADE Show is ~2.5hr away in Atlanta starting tomorrow.
Bad news: New (To us!) house blues - I haven't bought a knife since November. Too broke to go!

Good news: My wife was off yesterday - we went to the local (30 miles away in Vestavia.) sharp things emporium - Mark's Outdoors. They had the 0770CF and 0566 - all sold, but I was allowed to fondle them - after promising not to drool.
Bad news: None to sell. Sour grapes... I'm broke.

Good news: My wife presented me with both a 0770CF and 0566 they had put back for her! She had saved money and bought them. Last summer's trick was a 0777! With her blessing, I sold said 0777 and we had a nice post Labor Day Gulf Shores vacation.
Bad news: In my zeal to remove the clips from my new ZT's, I removed too many screws - and a wire spring fell out of both the 0770 & 0566 - and they are no longer assisted! Much easier to deploy, however.

I performed the forearm whack test and learned two things - the de-assisted 0566 and 0770 will start to deploy when struck - and I bruise easily. Actually, I got a few Kershaws and ZT's - non-assist models 1725Ti/SG2, TILT!, and two 0551's - out to similarly test - they all failed. In fact, the TILT! was nearly fully deployed! The detent will protect you somewhat (I've carried the 0551's a bunch!) on each of these models, but the ultimate safety is insured with the assist spring 'in place'. I'm happy with mine out. BTW, evenly tighten the 0770's screws - and not too tight. Both knives' blade centering is a function of the pivot screw(s) tightness, leading me to believe they don't have ball bearings (I didn't look!). The 0770 had a bronze thrust washer and thin steel 'stiffener' inset in the CF on the non-liner lock side, making re-assembly a three-handed affair. Additionally, the pivot requires two T8 wrenches on the 0770. Both knives are centered and much smoother and easier to deploy now. Remember - I don't like clips - or assisted knives.

Stainz

PS I was wrong! I bought twelve knives last week - blister-packed on a card. They are the German-made SS 'Fixwell' paring knives as used at 'Subway' shops - $22.87 shipped! Uber-sharp!!
 
Last edited:
Thanks !!! I'll take that task on I think it'll be handier for me but won't throw it to any one closed!
G2


Edited to add, or open either :)

edited yet again ;) to say I've thought more on it and luckily? I didn't have my torx home with me tonight to attempt this radical surgery, as I thought not only does the torsion bar help keep the blade in the handle stronger, it also acts as a half stop if for what ever reason the lock gives way, the torsion bar will present some force against the blade closing, just a very small added safety measure, so, I guess I'll leave her be as is ;)
 
Last edited:
I really wouldn't worry about the safety of carrying it post-assist spring removal as all it effectively is then is a non-assisted knife, like my 1725Ti/SG2, 4001SW, and 0551's - and they have never accidently opened in my pockets. BTW, the wire spring is under tension when closed, storing it's energy in the wound part of the spring wire - not in 'torsion' (That would be twisting about the length of the wire's axis.). The new for 2004 Benchmade 670 Apparition had a novel approach to the assist/non-assist question - their short lived 'Optimizer' mechanism. It employs a straight spring wire inserted from the end and held in place by an Allen-headed set screw - and the appropriate sized wrench was included. Said wrench, set screw, and spring wire are stowed in my 670's box. Novel idea. Neat knife - collaboration between my south Alabama friend Mel Pardue and Warren Osborne.

I bet Mel's setting up his display in Atlanta now... sigh!

Stainz
 
Well Stainz, just got home from work, brought my torx with me this time, and took the knife apart and removed the bar, a bit tricky as I did have another bit to put on the opposite side of the pivot, as that will turn as you turn the one side, but got it apart, took the bar out, back together lickity split she's as solid as before. The retention is a lot less of course, but as long as I wear it with the blade towards the side of my pocket I'm not too worried about it opening in pocket.

I like the less forcefulness of flipping it open as opposed to the harder fling of the assisted opening, especially with the carbon fiber being as smooth, less worry of it moving out of hand during opening. And of course, less wear and tear on the knife in general too. Thanks for the extra push there ;)

G2
 
If they can use carbon fiber in formula 1 cars, especially in the suspension and have those push rods withstand the extreme forces and jolts from bouncing around and not have them snap over thousands and thousands of miles, I think the knife will be okay.
 
Thanks, that's very interesting, but, my folder was caught by the clip as I was exiting my car and dropped to the asphalt, about 3' drop if that, and it put a cut/nick into the carbon fiber of the one scale, I carefully sanded it down so it's not as obvious now but the knife isn't too heavy and it wasn't much of a drop...just makes you wonder if there are variations of carbon fibers material out there that makes some take more abuse/hardship than others.

G2
 
Man!!! thanks for the test and video is a lot of info and very interesting, this made me want get one.
 
I ordered one and am waiting. I just started reading your cutting study when I was shopping. Has the HT gotten better since 11 when you did the first ZT ELMAX ?
 
skillgannon said:
I ordered one and am waiting. I just started reading your cutting study when I was shopping. Has the HT gotten better since 11 when you did the first ZT ELMAX ?
Click to expand...

The HT wasn't an issue with the test sample here. Had it been, the edge would likely have degraded quickly.

Everything I've heard lately and my own experiences using a 0566 near daily have indicated that the issues have been resolved.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top