Just received my ZT 0542, questions answered

[Retlawman590]

Hi, I just received my 0542CF. This is my first ZT. The blade is perfectly centered and locks up well. I did look at the detent lock and it appears to be 20%, at most. Is this normal and does it break in further with use? I also notice a touch of vertical play when closing the knife. If I open it 90 degrees and shake it, I can hear and feel movement. Is this normal for this knife. Dies tge pivot need to be tightened slightly? I cant do anything until Thursday, when my torque set is arriving. I never experienced this before.

It is a nice looking knife, very fast action and super light for its size.

Thanks

 

[Retlawman590]

Wow, I just noticed that I can move both pivot points with my fingers, clockwise and counter! WTH, they are very loose.

 

[Bryan J]

uhhh is this a joke?

 

[Sharpoholic]

The lockups fine, id tighten the pivot though

 

[HexY3co]

Adjust the pivot and should be fine. Don't over tighten though.

 

[Hashishiin]

Yeesh, I would not like that straight from the factory! I hope this is just a lemon. Sorry about that. Hopefully you can fix the pivot without further issue. Sometimes it justs needs a little tweak - hopefully this is one of those times.

 

[Retlawman590]

Thanks, yeah, I had a similar issue with the Spyderco Military I sent back. That had a loose pivot also, was off center and had very tight action. It was my first liner lock though. Not a fan. It did have a much better and sharper blade in S110V. This ZT definitely looks sharper, great action and fits my hand better. Sucks that I can't do anything until my Amazon Wiha wrench set comes in.

 

[unwisefool]

Put some loctite on the pivot screw once you get it dialed in right.

 

[pholder]

Not enough lock up for me , nice looking though

 

[Dadpool]

I did look at the detent lock and it appears to be 20%, at most. Is this normal and does it break in further with use?

Yes, and yes.

I also notice a touch of vertical play when closing the knife. If I open it 90 degrees and shake it, I can hear and feel movement. Is this normal for this knife.

What does this mean?

Do you notice vertical blade play when the knife is fully open? That would be my signal to send it back.

But "play" of some sort when it's halfway between open and closed sounds like a non-issue (and I wouldn't even describe that as play).

 

[Retlawman590]

Well, the loose action was definitely the pivot screws. I taped up my thumb with electrical tape and dug into those mag wheel pivots. I tightened them up slightly more and no more looseness/rattle in between closings! I will have to adjust correctly when I get my wrenches and blue loctite looks like a must. As for the lock up, I've read that with time it will improve. Hmmm. Thanks

 

[TheEdge01]

Well, the loose action was definitely the pivot screws. I taped up my thumb with electrical tape and dug into those mag wheel pivots. I tightened them up slightly more and no more looseness/rattle in between closings! I will have to adjust correctly when I get my wrenches and blue loctite looks like a must. As for the lock up, I've read that with time it will improve. Hmmm. Thanks

As far as lock up goes, open the blade and lightly tap the spine on a hard surface with your fingers out of the way. If the blade stays locked in the open position, I’d say your good to go. I had a WE frame lock with early lock up and it was rock solid.

 

[sgt1372]

Assume this you know that the knife is an 0452CF. It's printed on the blade. You should edit your title accordingly.

I own 5 variations of it.

Never attempted to shake any of them w/the blade at a 90 degree angle to the handle but 1 of them (the GL) does "rattle" when it's shaken in that position but NONE of them have any up/down play or rattle when locked open.

I assume tightening the pivot would eliminate the rattle at 90 degrees but, since I don't play w/any of my folders w/the blade in the 90 degree position, I wouldn't bother but, then again, tightening the pivot might negatively affect the ability of the knife to open normally.

If that happens, you have a choice of just living w/the rattle at 90 degrees (which I personally don't think is a matter of concern) or return it for an exchange, explaining to the vendor what you think the problem is and asking him/her to make sure the replacement doesn't have that "problem" before sending it out or just return it for a refund.

PS: OP, I just noticed that you already messed w/the pivot which may negate the ability for a return. So, you may just have to live w/it one way or the other.

 

[tony281sc2]

Assume this you know that the knife is an 0452CF. It's printed on the blade. You should edit your title accordingly.

I own 5 variations of it.

Never attempted to shake any of them w/the blade at a 90 degree angle to the handle but 1 of them (the GL) does "rattle" when it's shaken in that position but NONE of them have any up/down play or rattle when locked open.

I’ve had more than a couple ZTs come BNIB with a rattle (especially when the blade is closed.) Putting a drop of blue lube or nano oil in the pivot and the detent hole (followed by a few flips to wear everything in) has made the rattles stop

 

[MrStabby7]

Lockup looks a little iffy to me but if it hold consistantly it should be fine.

 

[Retlawman590]

Yes, and yes.

What does this mean?

Do you notice vertical blade play when the knife is fully open? That would be my signal to send it back.

But "play" of some sort when it's halfway between open and closed sounds like a non-issue (and I wouldn't even describe that as play).

Thank

Yes, and yes.

What does this mean?

Do you notice vertical blade play when the knife is fully open? That would be my signal to send it back.

But "play" of some sort when it's halfway between open and closed sounds like a non-issue (and I wouldn't even describe that as play).

I’ve had more than a couple ZTs come BNIB with a rattle (especially when the blade is closed.) Putting a drop of blue lube or nano oil in the pivot and the detent hole (followed by a few flips to wear everything in) has made the rattles stop

Thanks, mine is nice and tight when closed. It was only when knife was in the open position, but not locked. It is because of my loose pivot screws. I will tighten in properly once I receive my T8 wrench. It will probably need blue loctite, but I will first try without.

 

[Retlawman590]

Yes, and yes.

What does this mean?

Do you notice vertical blade play when the knife is fully open? That would be my signal to send it back.

But "play" of some sort when it's halfway between open and closed sounds like a non-issue (and I wouldn't even describe that as play).

Thank

Yes, and yes.

What does this mean?

Do you notice vertical blade play when the knife is fully open? That would be my signal to send it back.

But "play" of some sort when it's halfway between open and closed sounds like a non-issue (and I wouldn't even describe that as play).

I’ve had more than a couple ZTs come BNIB with a rattle (especially when the blade is closed.) Putting a drop of blue lube or nano oil in the pivot and the detent hole (followed by a few flips to wear everything in) has made the rattles stop

Thanks, mine is nice and tight when closed. It was only when knife was in the open position, but not locked. It is because of my loose pivot screws. I will tighten in properly once I receive my T8 wrench. It will probably need blue loctite, but I will first try without. T

Assume this you know that the knife is an 0452CF. It's printed on the blade. You should edit your title accordingly.

I own 5 variations of it.

Never attempted to shake any of them w/the blade at a 90 degree angle to the handle but 1 of them (the GL) does "rattle" when it's shaken in that position but NONE of them have any up/down play or rattle when locked open.

I assume tightening the pivot would eliminate the rattle at 90 degrees but, since I don't play w/any of my folders w/the blade in the 90 degree position, I wouldn't bother but, then again, tightening the pivot might negatively affect the ability of the knife to open normally.

If that happens, you have a choice of just living w/the rattle at 90 degrees (which I personally don't think is a matter of concern) or return it for an exchange, explaining to the vendor what you think the problem is and asking him/her to make sure the replacement doesn't have that "problem" before sending it out or just return it for a refund.

PS: OP, I just noticed that you already messed w/the pivot which may negate the ability for a return. So, you may just have to live w/it one way or the other.

Thanks. I'm definitely keeping her. I'm almost positive it's the pivots. They were so loose. I could rotate them with my thumbs. I'm just waiting on my torque wrenches to tightened her properly.

 

[Retlawman590]

It's perfect, after approximately a 10 to 15 degree turn on both ends of the pivot. I went to my hardware store and bought a T8. I just couldn't wait on Amazon. I'm going to hold off on the loctite and see if it loosens again. Thank you all for your feedback!