Just picked up a ZT0550 - does anybody else have an issue with this knife?

GhostAlpha0

GhostAlpha0

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Apr 9, 2014
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I recently picked up a new ZT 0550 and holy crap is the detent stiff. I tried all night and I simply cannot operate this knife one handed. Does it just need to be broken in or does it actually need to be adjusted some other way?
 
It may be how you are opening it. Make sure your index finger is not pressing the lock to the blade. All it takes is a very slight amount of pressure applied in this manner to make the blade feel glued it.
 
550 is my favorite of all time. No issues with any of mine and I've had a half dozen at one point or another. Make sure you're not putting pressure on the lock when you are opening it.
 
Mine requires an upward/outward combination movement on the thumb-stud. You might try adjusting the angle at which you are pushing a bit. Great knife though.
 
You've to check the pivot screw and watch out for lock bar. It's a great knife and I've no problem with it. 550 is one of my favorite ZT knives. Enjoy ;)
 
Take a drill bit that is larger than the detent hole, and use a drill set at its lowest speed to take a TINY amount of steel off the edge of the hole.

Seriously, I'm talking like one or two revolutions of the drill bit with little/no pressure.

The idea is to just break the edge, NOT to create a divot.
 
I've had 3, still have 2. My favorite ZT. 1 of mine was so stiff when I first got it that I couldn't even open it one-handed. Perfect now though. I had to watch out for putting pressure on the lockbar too, but once it breaks in it is really not an issue. Give it some time to break in and you won't be disappointed!
 
Make sure your fingers are nowhere near the lock bar. Sometimes if there is any pressure and I mean ANY pressure on the lock bar, the detent will be super stiff. I use the pocket clip as a grip instead, and the blade will fly out like an assisted.

Also if you happened to get a Gen 1 those were notorious for opening difficulties due to a stiff detent, as well as some other issues.
 
Try opening it while held in your left hand. If it opens fine, then your right-hand technique is keeping pressure on the lockbar.
 
Mines perfect. The first time my dad handled it he thought it was assisted. Id rather it too strong than too weak.
 
hoppes no9 said:
Take a drill bit that is larger than the detent hole, and use a drill set at its lowest speed to take a TINY amount of steel off the edge of the hole.

Seriously, I'm talking like one or two revolutions of the drill bit with little/no pressure.

The idea is to just break the edge, NOT to create a divot.
Click to expand...

I don't know, man. Decent advice, but we wouldn't want him to ruin the knife. I modded an older Kershaw that way and ended up ruining the detent. Thing just flops open now.

To the OP, like everyone else has suggested, back off the pivot screw half a turn or so. Maybe a little more. Check finger placement to make sure you aren't pressing down on that lockbar. If there's still an issue you can always send it to ZT and they'll hook you up. Excellent customer service, those guys.

Oh and for what it's worth, I have an 0551 which was released before the 0550. It uses the same Gen 1 lockside and that blade still fires out like all hell. You need to push up on the thumbstud. Or at least, that's what works for me.
 
gooeytek said:
Try opening it while held in your left hand. If it opens fine, then your right-hand technique is keeping pressure on the lockbar.
Click to expand...

That should be the first thing you try.

Drilling the detent out is extremely dangerous if not done correctly. The bit can catch and cause the blade to helicopter, and even if you manage to do it without severe injury it might just make the detent stronger. I wouldn't reccomend that method.

Here is a link with further links within regarding the stiff 0550:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1058026-ZT-550-Am-I-missing-something-here
 
You have "girly" thumbs! You need to get some grippers and build them up. ;)
 
benchwarmer380 said:
It may be how you are opening it. Make sure your index finger is not pressing the lock to the blade. All it takes is a very slight amount of pressure applied in this manner to make the blade feel glued it.
Click to expand...

+1 to the above.

I had the same issue, easily fixed with a little practice now it flips open better than most others :)
 
hoppes no9 said:
Take a drill bit that is larger than the detent hole, and use a drill set at its lowest speed to take a TINY amount of steel off the edge of the hole.

Seriously, I'm talking like one or two revolutions of the drill bit with little/no pressure.

The idea is to just break the edge, NOT to create a divot.
Click to expand...

Do not do this. The 550 is very flickable, unless something is wrong with your technique or the knife. If it is the knife send it in to be fixed.
 
benchwarmer380 said:
It may be how you are opening it. Make sure your index finger is not pressing the lock to the blade. All it takes is a very slight amount of pressure applied in this manner to make the blade feel glued it.
Click to expand...

This is exactly the problem. I didn't even realize I was putting pressure on the lock bar. You're right, it doesn't take much pressure at all. Now that I realize what I was doing I'm able to operate it properly.Thanks!
 
I switch the clip to tip down which gives you more real estate off of the frame lock. The tip of my middle finger seats in the indent on the frame lock to keep the pressure off the lock. I also left the blade partially open over night.
 
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