Just got my new 561... Lock is insanely strong.

Great vid sticktodrum. I think there is a lot to be said about technique. My 550 was the first non-assisted frame lock I owned. When I first got it I had issues opening it. Didn't take long to figure out that I was putting pressure directly on the lockbar. Tried to open lefty and no issues at all. It was a learning experience for me.
Back on topic of op with what sounds like lock stick. Try the above mentioned sharpie/pencil lead tactic. Give it time to "break in". Then if you are still having issues send it in for warranty work or back for a refund. Hope it all works out for you.
 
is the pocket clip too tight? agree with bladestop/thumbstud opening, it's technique. if you can use the flipper on the 560 easily, it should also be deployable from the bladestops/thumbstuds. It's no different from the 550 when using the thumbstuds.
 
is the pocket clip too tight? agree with bladestop/thumbstud opening, it's technique. if you can use the flipper on the 560 easily, it should also be deployable from the bladestops/thumbstuds. It's no different from the 550 when using the thumbstuds.

Possibly. The pocket clip does put some pressure on the lock. That said, I have absolutely no problem deploying the blade via the flipper, regardless of angle. No wrist-flicking needed either. Right now it hurts to apply force using my thumb, so I may simply not be using sufficient strength; I'll wait for my thumb to heal, and then I'll try again with the studs.
 
A lot of this "flipper only" "they aren't thumbstuds" stuff... :rolleyes:

Just because you can use something doesn't mean that's what it was designed for.


The 0560 / 0561 are set up with a strong detent from the factory so that they function best as a flipper. There is some variation from knife to knife, so some of them can be opened with the thumbstud/stop pin, but some of them will be near impossible to open with the stud. If this is a dealbreaker for you, I would recommend trying the knife out in person or explaining this to the dealer who sells you the knife.

This is not a defect in the knife, it is simply the way we tune them at the factory.

- Jim


Thought I would address the 0560/61’s since they have now hit the streets and are being reviewed.

First I’d like to say thank you for the support with this project. It has been quite overwhelming from a forum/thread standpoint. Really unlike any single knife I can recall. With all that excitement comes the customer hype that follows, which brings pressure on a product that I’m unsure it can live up to. I will say that I'm giddy to be in that crosshair though. :)

We’ve heard back on quite a few initial responses with early reviews on the 0560. I’m happy to see that many of these reviews are coming from members with very low post counts. It seems the 0560 has reached lurkers, and enthusiasts that have gone deep to purchase a ti frame lock flipper for perhaps the first time. We need the input, as it assists in up producing better products.

I suppose I need to explain the detent portion of the 0560, and our reasoning behind the set up. After some internal conversation yesterday, we feel we’ve brought forth confusion with this knife. By utilizing the studs as the blade stop, we’re enticing folks to use the studs as a way of opening the knife. The set up (heavy detent) can make the studs difficult if not impossible (for some) to deploy the blade. Inexperience hands will additionally perplex the situation. In retrospect, we should have left the studs off, done up an internal stop pin, and made the 0560 a no doubt flipper…our bad on that one. For those of you that can utilize both the flipper and the studs effectively…we’re happy you’ve found that balance. From a production build perspective it is near impossible for us to repeatedly dial in a 0560 that balances a perfect detent set up to accommodate for both flipping and thumb stud deployment.

We’re definitely siding more on the heavy detent with the 0560, as when paired with KVT, it enables the blade to fly open effortlessly. Additionally without a heavy detent, this knife can open way to easy, and married with KVT…well I think you can see where I’m going there.
I’ve seen a few 0560’s that have come back from warranty with a detent that they say was too heavy, and the blade impossible to open. Truth is they were set up perfectly. Opened by a multitude of folks internally without effort. These heavy detent flippers are tough as a first flipper. It's kinda like getting a refined manual transmission as your first car experience.
I remember quite a few years ago with Tim Galyean’s custom flippers…damn I felt like less than a man when trying to deploy them. Tim looked up at me like “really?”. I got my flipping business shored up in short order after that. Recently I received a flipper from RJ. It was a man’s flipper. There were some in the office that strained trying to open it, nothing. No problem for some, impossible for others. Point is, the set up is perfect, absolutely perfect.

As to the locks being sticky. Well this is a subject that has been covered 1000 times here on the forums. With Ti frame locks, you can have a bit of stickiness. It's inherent (sometimes)...Give it some time prior to tweaking. Don’t saturate with oil!!!! You get oil on the lock face it furthers the stick. Saw a 0560 back yesterday, had more oil on it than a Mickey D’s french fry. The lock was sticky…you don’t say? I understand that some don’t understand, but thought we should address a few “issues” here. Time can assist with stickiness.

As to cracking open your 0560. I would say that unless you know what you’re doing, and have the proper tools to accomplish the task, did I mention know what you're doing?, don’t do it!!! We see more knives come back from folks that think they know what they’re doing…
Again, give the piece some time to settle in. If the problem exceeds time, send it in and know you have our apologies, along with our guarantee that we will fix your knife.

I’ve also heard of those complaining about sharp edges and the piece needs a bit of softening. We’ve heard you and will massage future parts a bit longer so to keep the pain to a minimum. Personally it hasn’t really bothered me, but I can understand the complaint.

I’ve addressed the comments on the weight and feel earlier.

For the most part I’m satisfied with your initial reviews , and appreciate the input. We’ll continue to refine the 0560’s to the point where they are dialed in perfectly, but wanted to address some of the threads I’ve been seeing over the last little bit. We do know that not everyone will feel the 0560 is what they were expecting, but are hoping there are realistic expectations as well.

Oh could someone use one already!!!:)

Thanks again for the support and valued input with the ZT line-up.
 
Just because you can use something doesn't mean that's what it was designed for.

Very true, however the inclusion of this kind of language:

jimmer_5 said:
that they function best as a flipper. There is some variation from knife to knife, so some of them can be opened with the thumbstud/stop pin,

Says that the studs are indeed thumb studs, and can be used that way. There are studs such as the ones on the Packrat that have no clearance whatsoever, and can't reasonably be used that way. Another example is the Skyline. The right handed grip allows the thumb stud to be used, however not on the left, as it functions as a closed and open blade stop. The 0560 has an internal stop pin for the closed position, and no blockage of the stops at all on either side of the closed position.

That design shows that they were indeed meant for thumb deployment, not solely as stops. Further, the 0550 is only a thumb deploy design, and the thumb stud placement and function (with an internal stop pin for the closed position) is nearly identical to that of the 0560.

These studs and their placement were designed to be used for deployment, despite the 0560 having a lean toward the flipper deployment.


Thomas W said:
By utilizing the studs as the blade stop, we’re enticing folks to use the studs as a way of opening the knife. The set up (heavy detent) can make the studs difficult if not impossible (for some) to deploy the blade. Inexperience hands will additionally perplex the situation. In retrospect, we should have left the studs off, done up an internal stop pin, and made the 0560 a no doubt flipper…our bad on that one. For those of you that can utilize both the flipper and the studs effectively…we’re happy you’ve found that balance. From a production build perspective it is near impossible for us to repeatedly dial in a 0560 that balances a perfect detent set up to accommodate for both flipping and thumb stud deployment.

Keep in mind that the 0560 was told to be based on the XM-18, which uses studs in the same way. The XM is offered with and without a flipper. So from the origin of the design to the build of the 0550 (which I understand now is a form of Hinderer's Camp knife), these studs were designed to be used for deployment. That's why they can be used.

There are a lot of flipper designs that people have trouble with. While I agree with you that being able to use something doesn't necessitate it's design for that purpose, the inability to use something doesn't necessitate that it wasn't designed for that as well.
 
Well, I'm not going to tinker with it because I don't think I can take it apart and put it back any better than it came, therefore I only stand to lose.

That said, I'm going to leave the knife in a semi-opened position for a bit -- the blade would be open to a 90degree angle -- to see if it can break-in the lock's tension a little. Would that damage the knife?
 
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It wouldn't damage the knife, but I doubt it'll do much for the tension of the lock bar either. It's too small an extension I think to change the bend any. I could be wrong though...
 
It wouldn't damage the knife, but I doubt it'll do much for the tension of the lock bar either. It's too small an extension I think to change the bend any. I could be wrong though...

Well, if it's stored in this position for a couple of days/weeks, it might mimic the pressure needed to close knife several hundred times.
 
I'm well aware that they can be used for thumb studs and other designs that definitely can't be. The reason why I posted those is very simple. I just don't want people think that if they can't use the the stops as thumb studs there's a problem with their knife.
 
try removing the clip and see if it's still hard to use the thumbstuds. then try using your left hand. might be that the clip is too tight, or your grip applies pressure to the lockbar when using your right hand to open the knife via the thumbstuds.
 
I'm well aware that they can be used for thumb studs and other designs that definitely can't be. The reason why I posted those is very simple. I just don't want people think that if they can't use the the stops as thumb studs there's a problem with their knife.

I agree with you. That's why I wanted to qualify what I was saying earlier when I said:
A sticky lock is one thing, but don't blame lack of technique on design of the knife.
 
Oh, and can any thing be done about the detent? It's nearly impossible to open using the thumbstud. Is there a "break in" time?

Mine can with ease.

[video=youtube;ZMae2DdBu2Q]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMae2DdBu2Q[/video]
 
Sigh.... As I have said before, this knife is primarily intended to be a flipper. Because there is some variation from knife to knife, some will be able to open with the thumbstuds, some will not. There is really nothing more to argue about.

- Jim
 
A quick question. HOW do I put pencil lead on the lock? It seems kinda hard to reach the lock and color it.

I don't have to take it apart, do I?
 
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Reach in with a sharp pencil mark all over it open close, repete. Might take awhile. Just put it on the blade base while closed.
 
I've had better luck with a sharpie and also it's much easier to put it on the blade tang rather than the lock face.
 
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