Kershaw/ZT Issues

F

Fate0n3

Joined
Nov 10, 2012
Messages
71
Well after carrying a kershaw needs work for a long while I decided to jump into the higher knife game. I joined a few forums and decided I would make my first purchase a ZT0350TS. Upon receiving it first thing noticed was the blade was off center. I decided to just fix it myself, after reading quite a bit I got it nice and center. Then I decided I wanted to pick up a Cryo. I could not believe it passed QC the blade was so off center it would barely open from rubbing the frame. I called Kershaw up and what was I told send it in and we will have it back to you in 4-6 weeks :( not much help there for a knife that was less 10 mins out of the box. Anyways fixed that one. I went out and decided I had to have me a ZT0560. Well wouldn't u know the blade it is centered but there is a few knick in the blade near where it has laser engraved 0560.

I want to know how normal all these issues are? Is this the quality Kershaw/ZT put out? I love my needs work and the 0560 feels great so smooth.

Also what would u guys do about the 0560??? I know it is just cosmetic but for a knife with a cost $260 I would expect it to be pretty close to perfect lol.
 
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Maybe it's just Karma, LOL. You know sometimes people expect too much and there are a lot of us here on the forum that are just extremely anal. With the cryo, there is no QC it comes in from China, I have not seen a bad one though. Lots of minor issues with the higher end ones, because a lot of people expect them too be perfect and forget they are production knives. The only reason it was going to be 4 -6 weeks on the Cryo, is because they have been so popular that they are out of stock again. My overall suggestion for you is that if you are unable to lower your expectations some about perfection, then you need to work with Custom makers and then for 500 to 1000 or more I guess you can expect perfection. Just an example of expectations, I use to expect my daughter to keep her room and bathroom clean, it caused me a lot of anxiety, one day I decided it just wasn't going to happen, been happy ever since.
 
If the nicks were on the cutting edge id worry. Ive learned to be more forgiving because there is almost always something if you look hard enough. I have gotten many perfect knives from Kershaw/ZT sometimes I get one and there is an issue that bothers me and either I just let it go, or I will send it in. If I were you and the 0560 was going to be a user, I wouldnt care.
 
[Just an example of expectations, I use to expect my daughter to keep her room and bathroom clean, it caused me a lot of anxiety, one day I decided it just wasn't going to happen, been happy ever since./QUOTE]

That is priceless advice !!

OP the good news is you can fix stuff yourself.. Just imagine how people who can't fix things feel.
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BobSig said:
Ive learned to be more forgiving because there is almost always something if you look hard enough.
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But then how is it that with 99% of the blems you see for sale on the forum the seller "can't see anything wrong with it?" What makes a blem a blem?
 
arskrg said:
But then how is it that with 99% of the blems you see for sale on the forum the seller "can't see anything wrong with it?" What makes a blem a blem?
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Again, expectations are different, you don't look that hard at a blem because you know you bought a blem. A lot of times buyers remorse is invalided too, if I feel I spent tooo much money , I can find something wrong with any knife.
 
FateOn3 not to burst your bubble but it's a knife.. Not a museum piece.. The centering thing is just a minor issue..Can be easily fixed or like Kershaw said send it to them...they say 4-6 weeks but normal turn around is 2-3weeks...they just say that just in case..Also if your so picky you should order from Kershaw Guy and he will look it over before shipping.. Also I guess you never owned a Strider cost $400+ and they are not flawless by any means..But it is a hard use knife and does what it is supposed to do.. I've had nothing but good times with Kershaw/ZT.. Any little problem I've had they go above and beyond to fix and are great folks..but like I've said it's a knife..use it!
 
Believe it or not, my track record with getting a perfect Kershaw, Spyderco, and Benchmade hasn't been that great either. The Taichung Taiwan Spydercos that I have gotten are all perfect though. My SOG knives have also been perfect. I've invested in all of the necessary accessories to "fix issues" with my knives including several sets of torx and hex drivers, different types of lubes, and metal polish.
 
I have 4 ZT's (two blems)and 6 kershaw's and never had any problems with them. All were centered and I couldn't find the blem on the two ZT's. 3 of the four were from kershaw guy, that might have something to do with it. I was a cold steel pocketknife guy, never had a problem with them, but now ZT guy for pocket knives(at least till my Demko comes). Don't give up on them, they are near custom level for far less.
 
Thank you everyone for all the responses! I ended up giving ZT one more shot and picked up a 0300 Blem From KershawGuy and what do you know the Blem knife was PERFECT lol. I will be contacting Kershaw after the holidays to get this 560 replaced, the marks on the blade kill me everyone who look at it mention them they are very noticeable the knife was not bought to have the day lights wore out of just a nice carry knife. And to everyone who says it is just a production knife do you guys go and purchase a TV and upon getting it home realize the bezel is scratched up and just say oh well it is a mass produced TV. I would highly doubt it, whatever the item is has no difference on the quality a person should expect and the QC that should be going on. I know every company has its mess ups but I will admit I was a bit worried when I purchase 3 knifes within a month and every one of them has something wrong it. I have several other knifes I use when needing a work horse on the farm or at work the 0560 won't be one of them.

Guys thank you again for the reassurance of the quality of Kershaw/ZT that is what made me try my luck one more time with a ZT. Now to figure out what ZT i want next lol I am thinking 0200
 
0300 is a great knife. If the marks on the 0560 are bothering you and if others notice it too then I'd send it back also. Better to not have bad feelings towards a knife. I had bought a knife with a funny mark and when I showed it people said "Oh, is it a blem?" So I sent it in for a replacement :)
 
Wolverine666 said:
What's a "blem" ?

Yeah , I'm new here.
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Blems are knives that while functionally safe, have cosmetic flaws that didn't pass QC. This could be issues with blade coating, wavy edge grinds or dings in the handle etc. Most are marked with XXXX on the blade and come with no factory warranty.
 
Morrow said:
Blems are knives that while functionally safe, have cosmetic flaws that didn't pass QC. This could be issues with blade coating, wavy edge grinds or dings in the handle etc. Most are marked with XXXX on the blade and come with no factory warranty.
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Oh okay , good to know. Thanks for getting me up to speed. I had never heard of the "blem" term before. Are blems commonly sold through online dealers ? Would the online description mention that it is a "blem" or that it has cosmetic flaws ?

I am so very grateful that my newest ZT acquisition is practically perfect.
 
This is an example of a blem...
photobucket-5740-1353599147630.jpg


KershawGuy sell Blems at a great price.. many online retailers do not sell them..Most get them from KG or evilbay
 
Thanks chester22. I see the XXXX in your pic. Awesome looking blade though.

And I have more questions too since I'm a ZT rookie and I'm eager to learn :

(1) Are all ZT knives made in USA ?
(2) Are these issues that the OP mentioned fairly common among ZT knives ?

I have read nothing but great reviews on most ZT knives either through reviews online or on YouTube. This was the first I'm hearing of bad CQ from Kershaw/ZT. But again , I'm pretty new to ZT so maybe I am just out of the loop (?)
 
Yes all ZTs are USA made..

No they are not common and ZT goes above and beyond to take care of issues like these.. I've had 6 different ZT0560s and all were perfect
 
I have had nothing but good experiance with Kershaw/ZT.

I have owned many 500-1000 customs that had many flaws.

I once sent 2 knives back to a custom maker for refurbish and repair and the one with a sticky frame lock came back with a sticky lock and the one sent for refurbish came back sharpened and he charged me a hundred bucks.
 
chester22 ,
Awesome. The 0560 is sweet. I was just looking at it online. And you have had six of them ? Wow , you must adore that design.
 
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