Hello,
It took me a while to find my next knife but I ended up with a ZT 561. Out of box the blade centering was perfect. Both sides are ground even from tip to flipper. It came sharp enough to cut arm hair and the lock face is carbidized. Lock up is about 25% with zero blade play in any direction. I took it apart right when I got it, I always do it to any new knife. The over all finish is very good, the only machining marks are on the lock bar cut out and I don't mind it at all. It was a little more difficult to reassemble then I expected it to be but I think its because of the tight tolerances. When I reassembled it everything seems the same. None of the hardware had lock tight but Im not sure if it will need it. In hand it feels very light because of all the weight reduction in the handle. The bearing system makes it very smooth and the blade falls on its own. I have two small issues with the knife. Disengaging the lock bar is a little difficult because you don't really have a cut out to access it and its a little stiff but I can get used to it. Now comes the detent. I expected it to be very strong because of what I had read online. I like stiff detents on a flipper, it helps me with flipping. The first thing I noticed about mine was the detent when using the flipper was that its a little weak but when using the thumb stud/blade stop its perfect. I've gotten used to the detent when using the flipper so its not a problem. Over all my first impressions are very good. Its a great knife for the money, if it doesn't develop any issues. Time will tell but I have confidence it won't disappoint.
Have a good one,
Chris
It took me a while to find my next knife but I ended up with a ZT 561. Out of box the blade centering was perfect. Both sides are ground even from tip to flipper. It came sharp enough to cut arm hair and the lock face is carbidized. Lock up is about 25% with zero blade play in any direction. I took it apart right when I got it, I always do it to any new knife. The over all finish is very good, the only machining marks are on the lock bar cut out and I don't mind it at all. It was a little more difficult to reassemble then I expected it to be but I think its because of the tight tolerances. When I reassembled it everything seems the same. None of the hardware had lock tight but Im not sure if it will need it. In hand it feels very light because of all the weight reduction in the handle. The bearing system makes it very smooth and the blade falls on its own. I have two small issues with the knife. Disengaging the lock bar is a little difficult because you don't really have a cut out to access it and its a little stiff but I can get used to it. Now comes the detent. I expected it to be very strong because of what I had read online. I like stiff detents on a flipper, it helps me with flipping. The first thing I noticed about mine was the detent when using the flipper was that its a little weak but when using the thumb stud/blade stop its perfect. I've gotten used to the detent when using the flipper so its not a problem. Over all my first impressions are very good. Its a great knife for the money, if it doesn't develop any issues. Time will tell but I have confidence it won't disappoint.
Have a good one,
Chris