Just got a NIB ZT 0551 in BUT a strange issue? IS It Broken?

I also cannot flick it open with my middle finger.

I've determined that the videos I saw it in contained some sort of sorcery.
 
I think what it is that the new knife detents are just very very stiff. My knife is an 1180 serial number maybe just maybe knives in that area were made a bit too tight. I'm not sure if there is anything that could be done. I used a little miltec 1 on the joint but so far not much change.

I am considering getting a wrench to fit the pins and taking the knife apart and dremel polishing the insides. Probably couldn't hurt.

Even if I do nothing I think it will get better from use.
 
I find the 0550/551 easier to open left handed. The lock bar doesn't come into play with the left hand.
 
Perhaps your detent is a tad heavy which is making it difficult to start the opening procedure. Sounds like you need to either send it back to where you purchased it, or send it in to warranty here at the factory.

Sorry for the issues.
 
Thanks Thomas. I bought the knife from Daves Knife World because they had one. They are hard to find. I've only had it two days but would not want to send it back! It's a great knife otherwise!

Warranty work procedures are on the Kershaw website I assume? It is slowly getting looser if I keep my finger off the frame lock. I may wait a week to see how it goes.

Thank you sir.
 
Billthesheepdog said:
I think what it is that the new knife detents are just very very stiff. My knife is an 1180 serial number maybe just maybe knives in that area were made a bit too tight. I'm not sure if there is anything that could be done. I used a little miltec 1 on the joint but so far not much change.

I am considering getting a wrench to fit the pins and taking the knife apart and dremel polishing the insides. Probably

couldn't hurt.


My 0551is #0560 and is stiff like yours. I've had it since early March of 2011. My 0550 is #0610 and is butter smooth. Just got it about 3 weeks ago.

I don't think it has much to do with date of production, just luck of the draw.
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My 0550 is in the 600's .. so I agree that it must just be luck of the draw. I'm sending mine back and may try my luck on another one, it's just too hard to open for me to want to carry it, the skin on the end of my thumb is pretty much raw from trying.
Otherwise a great knife and I'm sad that I won't be getting to use it, but hopefully if I do try my luck on another, it'll open fine! If not I'd probably send it in at that point. Even opening two handed, the detent is really strong.
 
mines serial # 0511 and I am having the same problems, bloody thumb and hard to open! But I am getting stronger at opening it. I noticed there is a tiny ball on the lock bar when opening the knife. Maybe that tiny ball needs to wear down a bit for a smoothing opening?
 
[video=youtube;DjcDjHIvf-Q]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjcDjHIvf-Q[/video] I made a video of me talking alittle about mine. ignore the extra stuff i said in the start and ending... I talk about how hard it is to open in the middle
 
I wonder if warranty is a long process in getting the knife back? I am trying to decide between returning it to the seller, having warranty work done, or just keeping it and hoping it gets to be OK.
 
Billthesheepdog said:
Thanks Thomas. I bought the knife from Daves Knife World because they had one. They are hard to find. I've only had it two days but would not want to send it back! It's a great knife otherwise!

Warranty work procedures are on the Kershaw website I assume? It is slowly getting looser if I keep my finger off the frame lock. I may wait a week to see how it goes.

Thank you sir.
Click to expand...

Bill - I would give it some time and I bet it will feel smoother to you. If it still bugs you in a month or two, feel free to contact our warrantee department. However, I am confident that this should not be an issue if you give it some time, and focus on finger position as you open the knife.
 
I've said it before, but once more - I love my ZT. It may not be 'easy' to open, but right now it sure as shit isn't tough. Hang onto it for abit, Kershaw isn't going anywhere.
 
And as the OP for this thread I want to say that I do not and did not intend any slight to the forum, my knife the 0551, Zero Tolerance employees, or Kershaw.

I just couldn't figure why I was having a problem as the 551 is so well built. Based on the knife and the company support I have received so far I can say I will be continuing to send money to ZT/Kershaw in the future for more products and have confidence my issue and a few others like mine will be resolved happily either by a little time; or warrantee work if needs be.
 
Try letting it set overnight with the blade halfway open so it's not all the way locked nor is it closed. Doing this puts normal opening strain on lockbar for an extended period while not over stressing. Its helped with some of my framelocks in the past by shortening the "break in" time
 
You can also practice opening it with just a wrist flick.

With the blade spine facing the ground, give a sharp, short down and up flick of the wrist. Instant open. I only use the thumb stud (when I remember it) while I'm around sheeple.


∞
 
RV03VOM , I don't think that would work with mine now. The detent seems kinda tight. It doesn't like to give up the blade enough to open it at all.

When it gets a bit looser I would love to try that tho!
 
I decided I'll give mine more time before sending it back/in for warranty.. I just love it too much despite my bloody thumb :p
I can do the wrist flick, but only if I give it an extremely hard flick.. guess my detent is just to tight still as well. I did take it and with two hands open/close it a ton to hopefully loosen it up a bit quicker.
 
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