Is my ZT 0561 good to go?

[maximus83]

I've had my ZT 0561 for several years, I think based on the serial (which you'll see below) I must have a fairly early model. I've heard lots of various issues with them on the locking engagement and blade play, but never had a single problem with mine yet. It locks up strongly, is smooth as glass both opening AND closing the blade, and blade is well centered in the frame with no play, despite the very substantial framelock engagement as you'll see below, at least 80%.

Do I have anything to worry about with this ZT?

 

[Dadpool]

Has it settled in at 80% for some time? If so, given that there's no play/lock rock/etc., you should be just fine. There's nothing wrong with a substantial lock engagement percentage in a well-designed knife.

 

[maximus83]

It's always been 70% to 80% range, entire time I've owned the knife. Unfortunately I didn't take earlier pictures of it, but I do recall thinking that frame lock was pretty far over when I first bought it several years ago.

 

[Munchy]

It's good to go

 

[Ajack60]

You could always find someone to re carburize the lock face to see if it would give you a little earlier lock up or prevent it from going to 100%.
I've read here that some of the earlier models had issues. I think that was more of a lock stick issue than a late lock up issue.
As long as there's no blade play or lock stick, you're good to go. It may not move for the rest of the time you own it.

 

[maximus83]

I'm not getting lock stick, but I did just realize something after comparing it to my new ZT 0452cf. The 0561 does NOT have the steel lockbar insert like the newer ZT models have. Which, I assume, means that the titanium lock face will wear faster and is not replaceable. I assume eventually, it's the lock face that will be the first thing that wears out on the knife and basically on this knife, that part cannot be replaced.

 

[VS_Power]

I sent a 560BLK to ZT's customer service department a couple months ago.

It didn't have a lockbar insert and I was hoping they'd add one. They said since the knife was discontinued they couldn't do this service, but, they offered a $325 store credit to their online store.

Even though I didn't get what I wanted, I was pretty impressed with their overall level of service. I ended up getting a ZT0562 instead but that's irrelevant.

Point of this post is that if you want the lock face updated you probably need to find a third party service to do it instead of ZT.

 

[jumpstat]

I've had a 560BLK and finally let it go as I couldn't get the nasty lock stick to go away. Mind you, the opening and closing is super fast but the stickyness was the main issue. Where I was, it was costly to send it back to ZT for servicing, so hopefully the new owner gets to overcome the issue.

 

[bearfacedkiller]

If you have had it for several years and it hasn't really changed I don't know why you are worrying about it. I find they tend to change early during break in and then usually stay where they are after that.

I have never understood the obsession with early lockup. People worry a lot about wearing a lock out. If you open it a thousand times a day then maybe but otherwise it seems silly to worry about it. I would rather have more engagement like you have for a more secure lockup. For me 50-80% seems ideal. It still has some room for wear but also has a good amount of engagement. However, that is just my take on it.

 

[palonej]

I'd say GTG. I prefer a later lock up.
I have a couple of knives without inserts for years. They have moved a tiny amount and stopped......each one.
You're fine.
Joe