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

Screwdriver said:
Did not say that Rick's design is a joke. But when many have said they had to send it in to fix the stiff detent, and KAI picked up the tab. There is a slight issue. Mine is breaking in well and can now be opened somewhat reliably.....but it has taken nearly three weeks of constant opening to get it there. I know by your #820....this pisses you off that someone calls out an issue. But that does not negate the real issue.
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Actually, you did! It's in bold for you.

Whether or not you have a softer or a stiffer detent, people are ALWAYS going to complain. Kai can't possibly make every single knife that comes out of that factory to the specifications of the customer. Those people sending the knives in for a detent "fix" aren't having Kai fix anything. They're simply just tuning the knife to the customers preference, not fixing anything. There was never anything wrong, maybe except for the user, but not with the knife.
Screwdriver said:
That is a flaw imho of this frame-lock. In another thread I made the same complaint and was given the same advice. I really like the knife, but in a stressful situation, there is no way I am opening it one handed. It is breaking in and after a few weeks and with proper hand placement it opens easily. But, from a design standpoint, it is a joke.

BTW, if you search about a 0550 hard detent.....this goes back to the first gen. This is a known and continual issue with this knife.
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Screwdriver said:
Glad you have not had an issue, but many have since Gen 1......it is well documented. I will not mention brands, but I have framelocks that were flawless from day one, and no internet chatter to the contrary.
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I'm glad you've had success with other companies. Maybe stick with them instead of ZT and Kershaw. More for us! :)
 
Gently please....let's not turn the conversation towards each other.
 
Screwdriver said:
Did not say that Rick's design is a joke. But when many have said they had to send it in to fix the stiff detent, and KAI picked up the tab. There is a slight issue. Mine is breaking in well and can now be opened somewhat reliably.....but it has taken nearly three weeks of constant opening to get it there. I know by your #820....this pisses you off that someone calls out an issue. But that does not negate the real issue.
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Nope. Not pissed at all. I have more pressing things in real life to worry about than whether or not someone has an issue with a knife I happen to really like. An issue is an issue whether it be qc error, user error, or plain old not man enough to open your own knife error. I'm happy the op figured out the issue. I will happily continue to help those who ask for it while others just complain.
 
I had one when they first came out and it was buttery smooth.

The second one had the same detent issue. Wasn't that bad, just hurt your thumb, every now and then


Nick
 
They do, I have 25 and they all worked perfect out of the box, maybe you don't know how to open it.

Screwdriver said:
I would rather have a knife that opens reliably from day one. BTW, many other makers have been able to do this with their framelocks, why can't ZT?

I do find it funny when people like you make quippy remarks because someone has a complaint about a product.
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KnottyEagle said:
Actually, you did! It's in bold for you.

Whether or not you have a softer or a stiffer detent, people are ALWAYS going to complain. Kai can't possibly make every single knife that comes out of that factory to the specifications of the customer. Those people sending the knives in for a detent "fix" aren't having Kai fix anything. They're simply just tuning the knife to the customers preference, not fixing anything. There was never anything wrong, maybe except for the user, but not with the knife.



I'm glad you've had success with other companies. Maybe stick with them instead of ZT and Kershaw. More for us! :)
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I meant ZT's shipping version of the design.....They make the knives, not Hindered......But nice try.
 
This guy on Youtube says he got a ZT 0550 gen 3, and the main difference is in the black screw on the lock bar which holds an stainless steel insert. Can anyone confirm this?

Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-9v9SxmcfY

My issue of course is that every store I see show pictures of old gen 2, and I don't know what they ship.

Thanks,

ID
 
I realize I am a bit late to this thread. I ordered and received a gen 3 0550 some weeks ago. When I tried to open the knife with my right thumb it was impossible without tearing my thumb up. I researched the 0550 on you tube

and found videos describing the problem as very common. Two of the solutions were over the top. First whack the detent ball with a hammer and hope you did it just right or take a drill slightly oversize and attack the detent hole

at the edge to allow the detent ball easier tracking. Neither of those solutions seemed very good to me so I plodded on opening and closing the knife hundreds of times.


I realized the knife was way easier to open left handed and seemed the perfect thumb stud action. I also recognized the pocket clip was a player in this as was the placement of the fingers on

the knife. I changed the clip to tip down and the blade was way easier to deploy. I really didn't like this option so I moved the clip back but bent it so it was barely touching the lock bar. This seemed to work very well and I kept

up the reps on opening and closing the blade. I now have it where the blade flies out perfectly and I consider this to be a fantastic EDC. At this point I am very happy with the knife and recognize it takes a long break in period to

make it super smooth. I don't know if this will help anyone, I am just relating my own experience. I put a micarta scale on it and it just rocks at this point.
 
InternetDominus said:
This guy on Youtube says he got a ZT 0550 gen 3, and the main difference is in the black screw on the lock bar which holds an stainless steel insert. Can anyone confirm this?

Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-9v9SxmcfY

My issue of course is that every store I see show pictures of old gen 2, and I don't know what they ship.

Thanks,

ID
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Yes, I have a 0550 Generation 3 (or 2.5, or whatever). Yes, there is a steel insert in the lockbar.

But, as pointed out by intrigue, the location of the pocket clip is an issue more so than the lockbar being too tight in the closed position. Apparently some of us use the pocket clip for leverage on opening and this pressure on the clip and resulting pressure on the lockbar is the problem. Not everyone squeezes the clip so some people have no difficulties opening the 0550.

Poster intrigue's solution worked for him. I just moved the clip to tip down carry. And I opened and closed the knife a lot until the mating surfaces wore in. As I said in an earlier post, tip up is my favored position but the 0550 has such a wide profile it doesn't carry well in my front pants pocket due to restricting hand access. It does carry well in a back pocket or in the thigh pocket of cargo pants. Tip down seems like a more natural way to carry in these pocket positions to me.

Bottom line is that some people have difficulties with the knife and some don't. There are solutions if you do. It's still a great knife.
 
I just got a 0550 Gen 3 and compared to the Gen 1 and Gen 2 it's a lot more sensitive to having any pressure on the lockbar when you're trying to open it. The slightest pressure will make it impossible to open. Strategically placing your fingers away from the lockbar and no issues opening it.
 
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