Just got New ZT 561 flipper doesnt work,,

begreen61

begreen61

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2008
Messages
2,031
Just got New ZT 561,, flipper doesnt work,,their no spring action in it ,beautiful knife but i thought it would open up like the ZT 301,, ,in fact you go to flip it and it wont lock in place with out a flick of the wrist,,any one else haveing this problem,,????

Respect
Gary
 
Last edited:
The ZT 301 is an assisted opener as you noted and not the same design as the 0560/0561. You're probably putting pressure on the lockbar which impedes the action. I hope you're not unhappy with ZT because you didn't know what you were buying?
 
If it makes you feel better I'll trade you my mildly modified 0560 that flies open like a dream and locks like a vault for your "tempermental" 0561.
 
begreen61 said:
Just got New ZT 561,, flipper doesnt work,,their no spring action in it ,beautiful knife but i thought it would open up like the ZT 301,,Im not happy ,in fact you go to flip it and it wont lock in place with out a flick of the wrist,,any one else haveing this problem,,????

Respect
Gary
Click to expand...
Hi Gary

The 0561 is a manual flipper not an assisted opener like bh explained. If you haven't experienced a manual framelock flipper in the past, you should know there is some technique needed and some don'ts that go along with opening your blade. Sure some of the experts will be by to assist in helping you experience the 0561 to complete understanding.
 
Badhammer said:
The ZT 301 is an assisted opener as you noted and not the same design as the 0560/0561. You're probably putting pressure on the lockbar which impedes the action. I hope you're not unhappy with ZT because you didn't know what you were buying?
Click to expand...

I love ZT's ,and Im not putting pressure on the lockbar,,my EDC is the ZT 301,,I use the flipper tang and it just drops I can close it just by turning the knife up right.,,Zero spring action,,,,I can get it to lock by pointing the knife down and use the tang or thumb stud but thats it,,PS Thank you for your time and responce

Respect
Gary
 
What comes to mind is the following:
1. Your technique is really off. You might be pressing the lockbar against the blade increasing the tension holding the blade in place. This happens to a lot of folks that are new to frame locks an flippers in general.
2. The pivot is possibly in need of an adjustment. You will need a torx driver that will fit. They are available at any big box hardware supply store. If you own more than one knife, it is advisable to buy to buy sizes from T5-t12, buying a single size won't do much good against 2 or more different sizes.
3. Could you have purchased the wrong knife? As stated the 0560 is in no way (nor was it ever to my recollection) announced as an AO knife.
4. Have you ever owned a knife with a flipper before this one? If so, which ones?

It's always a good idea to verify and figure out exactly what you are talking about, before blasting someone in a public forum. There might actually be something wrong with your knife, nothing is perfect. Te way your post reads, you are very new to these kinds of knives and user error might be the actual problem. Otherwise, I'll apologize preemptively.
 
Thank You For your info ,No Spring is what your saying,,FYI Love your designs,,,

Respect
Gary
 
Bottom line I thought it was spring assisted,,like the ZT301 and I apoligize to all,it opens smoothly,,and Im a gunsmith on the side have every swrew head,by adjusting do i tighten the main screw??Knife is glides smoothly,,Just got in to ZT about 3 months ago Love em.and am a collector with about 16000.00 in knives Busse mostly and CRKs,,,but only carry the ZT301 liked it so much bought another for my display case.Thanks for your time also.

Respect
Gary
 
Yes, adjust the pivot screw. Try about 1/8th of a turn counter clockwise. That might help. If not, try and go clockwise (to tighten), let us know what works.
 
Start learning the flipper technique by activating the fipper with your finger tip on the outside tip of the flipper rather than the pad of the finger at first. Draw the finger tip straight back firmly and quickly as if you are curling your finger.

That is a good way to get a locked deployment when using a manual flipper without much experience at first - it gets easier quickly

You can also use gravity as your friend by opening the knife in any starting blade orientation except spine facing upward at first . If the blade has a chance to gain some inertia by not "climbing a hill at first", kinetic energy and gravity help a lot, especially with the awesomeness of the KVT pivot. This means it will be easier to obtain a locked deployment by flipping the knife open with the closed spine of the blade facing either sideways or downward until your technique adapts and improves. Flipping used to be a task for me and I didn't like flippers but once I got it, I really am liking it. In fact, I've caught myself trying to flip non flipper knives recently, thanks to ZT and Kershaw!

Within a short time, the technique blossums - the beauty of being a human ;) We adapt quickly
 
Last edited:
I got it down now,,I was just expecting the spring assit,,I get to open just by holding the handle and flicking my wrist with a one quarter turn downwards,then it opens like an auto,,,Thanks everyone for the advice your all a great bunch of members you have my Respect.

Nothing but Respect
Gary
 
Not trying to be the voice of dissent here but it sounds like your lockbar isn't bent enough inwards to put enough pressure on the tang.
 
I think Jimmer said, paraphrasing: when you push the flipper, push it like you are trying to push it through the handle, not so much down along the handle. It works better that way.

I have a Kerhsaw Groove that opens almost as freely as my Tilt. Its funny, I can flip it open with my left hand, by pushing down along the handle, but with my right hand I have to remember to try and push it through the handle, weird. I am right handed too. The real test is to try to flip it open where the tip will have to go up against gravity.

Just keep flipping it (knifesterbating), it takes a little time to wear in. I would add a little oil, wd-40, RemOil, etc first, then maybe loosen the pivot screw.
 
Iv had no problem with flipping my knife open at all. Its perfect. But, i just tried the pushing the flipper through the knife thing, WOW. I believe that is probably the best way to open it lol. Even with the blad facing up and my palm facing the sky, it flies right open. Friggin awesome knife.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top