I think the detent on my zt 560 is to light need a second thought

TurtleguyFive · May 6, 2015

So I have had this 560 for few a months now the first thing I thought when I opened the knife wow is the detent light. It soon worried me that the knife could be opened by just lightly flicking my wrest (without touching the thumb stud or flipper). I started worrying when the knife would open by itself in my pocket and cut a few of my pants. It was my last straw when I reached into my pocket and it cut into my finger. So I ask have you had similar problems with your zt560 or is my detent just really light.

blades&wrenches · May 6, 2015

Sounds fairly light. I usually gauge a detent by holding horizontally with blade down and lightly shaking it. Light shakes shouldn't cause deployment. Hard shakes usually will. At least that's my preference. Also see how far the detent ball is engaging the hole. Either way, I'd send it in if you're not comfortable adjusting it yourself.

PURPLEDC · May 6, 2015

This comes up more times than most care to admit. The short of it is originally that series of knives had strong detents. People complained. So they changed them to a lighter set up. Then the other people complained. So they now do strong detents again and as to be expected not everyone is happy. There is no right or wrong here as everyone prefers a different set up. The good news is they have one of the best (imho thee best bar none) warranty in the business and are usually very easy to work with. If you arent satisfied with the set up on your knife I would suggest sending it in with a letter. Dont send it in anything you want back so in other words leave your original box and papers at home if you want to keep them. But send the knife with a typed note plainly and clearly stating what you would like to be done. And if you are picky about things like sharpening or other caveats make a small to the point bullet point list of things you DONT want done to the knife. Try to keep it short though. Bullet points, no paragraphs. And I would be a sport and put the return shipping in there as this is a preference and not necessarily a defect. That last part isnt required but I always feel its a nice gesture especially when just wanting an adjustment which is subjective. You could theoretically give a light tweak in on the lockbar which is all I would do and probably all that will be done unless there is a reason that wont work on your particular knife. But many take the opinion that they would rather have ZT handle any adjustments. Either way whether you send it in or tweak it yourself or leave it I personally feel its simply a matter of preference. And as such there is no harm in having it tweaked to your liking.

craytab · May 6, 2015

I would send it in. The 0560 has a history of the detent being at various levels. People have complained about the detent being too strong so I think on a certain batch of these they went lite on the detent. I like a strong detent. The two 0560 I have are perfectly strong in the detent department IMO. If it cuts you or your clothing with accidental openings send it in. Make sure to call and explain the problem and include specific written details when you send it in. ZT should take care of it, as what you describe seems completely unacceptable.

nwmetalbug · May 6, 2015

Are you carrying it tip up right side? Safest way to carry (assuming you are right handed).

RJ80 · May 6, 2015

Both my 0561 and my 0560 blem have pretty light detents. Since I bought the 0561 new and the detent was so light that it was, IMO, unsafe, I sent it back to ZT. There was no noticeable change the first time it came back, so back to ZT it went. The second time they sent me a different knife back. That one's only slightly better, but good enough that I could deal with it. Mainly I was sick of waiting around for them. I carry tip up, so I haven't had any problems with it opening. I wouldn't be comfortable carrying it tip down. On the 0560 blem I was on my own since there's no warranty on blems, so I took it apart and tweaked the lock bar until I got an acceptable detent. Other than the weak detents I really like the knives, so I'm always tempted to try to get my hands on one with a stronger detent, but I'm not willing to take the chance on buying another one without handling it first.

I'd recommend sending it in first (following PurpleDC's advice above). It the fix isn't satisfactory you could try tweaking it yourself. You could also consider trying to put it up for trade; someone on the forum probably has one with a strong detent and would prefer to trade for one with a lighter detent.

bdmicarta · May 6, 2015

My 0561 has a very strong detent. I am not weak but I cannot open the blade using my thumb on the thumb stud. Using the flipper I pull pretty hard and then when the detent is overcome the blade flies open pretty fast.

keroscene · May 6, 2015

yet another ZT detent problem thread. yikes!

Jasonsdman · May 6, 2015

If you love flippers, learning to tweak your own detent can be extremely satisfying. Half of my high end production knives are flippers, and I can tell you that quite a few of them are not "perfect" to me. I learned to tweak them, and now they are "perfect". As a matter of fact, I just tweaked my 0392 yesterday, and I'm carrying it today see how I like it.

As long as you have the right tools, it's pretty simple. I'd consider easily opening your knife using both the light-switch method and the pushbutton method as having the perfect detent.

Geneo · May 6, 2015

Jason,

Is the steel insert pressed in, or does only the screw hold it? I have replaced my steel screw with a titanium one on my 550 and it is a bit soft - I used locktite and didn't tighten it too tight.

Thanks

Jasonsdman · May 7, 2015

Geneo said:
Jason,

Is the steel insert pressed in, or does only the screw hold it? I have replaced my steel screw with a titanium one on my 550 and it is a bit soft - I used locktite and didn't tighten it too tight.

Thanks

The pin and the detent guides the plate, but the screw actually holds it in place. I was also very careful not to over tighten any scews.

dkb45 · May 7, 2015

The 560 is notorious for having detent issues. Some people get it with a finger breaking detent, and others have a detent so light it seems like more of a concept. My 561 had a sad detent and I sent it in, and the replaced blade actually had a worse detent. That said, many ZT models are great on the detent, like the 801 or 562, both of which have been perfect for me. I have also heard almost all good things about the 2015 models.

TurtleguyFive · May 7, 2015

I am carrying it right side tip up

Czechmate · May 7, 2015

bdmicarta said:
My 0561 has a very strong detent. I am not weak but I cannot open the blade using my thumb on the thumb stud. Using the flipper I pull pretty hard and then when the detent is overcome the blade flies open pretty fast.

Same goes for my 561; I want to use the thumbstuds to open it - but I can't...

:foot:

It flips like a beast though with the flipper tab. :thumbup:

EChoil · May 7, 2015

Yeah the 0560 series detents are all over the place. I was lucky enough to get a perfect one---I can open with thumb or flipper with equal ease and perfect detent. I hear most of them won't do that equally well.

Save the hassle and send it back for adjustment or replacement. You'll be glad you did.

PURPLEDC · May 7, 2015

bdmicarta said:
My 0561 has a very strong detent. I am not weak but I cannot open the blade using my thumb on the thumb stud. Using the flipper I pull pretty hard and then when the detent is overcome the blade flies open pretty fast.

Zt has maintained for awhile that the "studs" on the 0560/1 should be viewed as blade stops and that they are not intended to be used as thumb studs. The lighter detent setups they work fine but from what I understand its not their intended purpose. They have said before on this forum a few years ago that in hindsight they should have done without them but its a matter of remaining faithful to Ricks design.

Inspiribomb · May 7, 2015

I recently sent my 0560 back to ZT for some work. My detent was also very light, so I asked them to firm it up. Came back great, although it doesn't flip nearly as great as my 0392. I've never been particularly impressed with the flipping action of the 0560. Smooth, yes. But nowhere near what the newer ZT's are like.

EChoil · May 7, 2015

PURPLEDC said:
Zt has maintained for awhile that the "studs" on the 0560/1 should be viewed as blade stops and that they are not intended to be used as thumb studs. The lighter detent setups they work fine but from what I understand its not their intended purpose. They have said before on this forum a few years ago that in hindsight they should have done without them but its a matter of remaining faithful to Ricks design.

You understand correctly. That is what ZT says. Even so, it works fine for me...like it was designed as a thumb opener.

I do like the fact that they have the studs and designed them into the retention. IMO it makes for a very secure lock, as good or better than your average stop-pin. I have an older Masters of Defense folder that uses them the same way, first time I ever saw it done.

Just sayin, with their "detent control" obviously loose I got lucky and got one (actually two---my 560 was the same way) that operates perfectly by either method. It will probably never happen again.

PURPLEDC · May 7, 2015

EChoil said:
You understand correctly. That is what ZT says. Even so, it works fine for me...like it was designed as a thumb opener.

I do like the fact that they have the studs and designed them into the retention. IMO it makes for a very secure lock, as good or better than your average stop-pin. I have an older Masters of Defense folder that uses them the same way, first time I ever saw it done.

Just sayin, with their "detent control" obviously loose I got lucky and got one (actually two---my 560 was the same way) that operates perfectly by either method. It will probably never happen again.

Oh yeah, if you have one with the weaker detent and want to use the studs thats awesome. Im just trying to inform those with the heavy detent that may be concerned about not being able to use them that there is a reason for it and not to think they have a defective product.

Geneo · May 7, 2015

Jasonsdman said:
The pin and the detent guides the plate, but the screw actually holds it in place. I was also very careful not to over tighten any scews.

Looking at my 550 Gen 3 insert - I haven't taken it apart but I can see in it well enough - there are two pins to hold it in place an align it, a hole for the retaining screw, and the detent ball appears to be directly pressed into the steel insert. With yours, the post that holds the detent ball also does duty as the second alignment pin. So there are different flavors. just a data point.