New Zing - 1730SS - rattles and has weak deployment - send it back?

A

agile_1

Joined
Dec 2, 2012
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Just got new stainless Zing. I like it but something is off and am I wondering whether to send it back under warranty or try to fix it. I have not really taken any knives apart, much less and assisted opener. Not sure what it should look like even if something is wrong. On the other hand, I know how to fill out the warranty form and mail the knife back to the factory.:o

What happens is that the blade deploys slowly and sometimes does not lock. If I open it slowly by hand, when the blade gets out to about a 90 degree with the handle/frame it starts to rattle if you jiggle it. When the blade is fully deployed and locked it rattles too. There is obviously something loose in there and I would probably see it if I took it apart but again, I am a ground level novice when it comes to knife repair.:(

Sooo, if anyone has had a similar situation and was able to fix it I could use some pointers. Otherwise I think it will go back to the factory under warranty.

Thanks.
 
Take the knife apart and put some grease in the torsion bar cavity. That should take care of the rattling, not sure about the deployment. Taking it apart isn't as scary as it sounds. I was the same way at first, but now it's actually interesting and fun to do.
 
The rattling is the torsion bar (assist mech.) it's not a big deal if it rattles but you could always apply some grease to the cavity where the bar sits. Have you tried loosening the pivot a tad to compensate for the slow opening?
 
Just be sure when you take apart your knife... the blade is in the OPEN position. Otherwise, you’ll find the torsion bar lodged in your eyeball.
 
KnottyEagle said:
Take the knife apart and put some grease in the torsion bar cavity. That should take care of the rattling, not sure about the deployment. Taking it apart isn't as scary as it sounds. I was the same way at first, but now it's actually interesting and fun to do.
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I know. But I got to start somewhere. Might as well start on a relatively inexpensive knife. Think I will open it up. What kind of grease is recommended? Grease or light oil? I usually use a drop or two of Remoil on sticky flippers.

seelow123 said:
The rattling is the torsion bar (assist mech.) it's not a big deal if it rattles but you could always apply some grease to the cavity where the bar sits. Have you tried loosening the pivot a tad to compensate for the slow opening?
Click to expand...

Will try adjusting the pivot so it deploys easier when I put it back together. Thanks.
 
agile_1 said:
I know. But I got to start somewhere. Might as well start on a relatively inexpensive knife. Think I will open it up. What kind of grease is recommended? Grease or light oil?
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I have used straight up vaseline a couple times. That works pretty well. You just want something that will stick in the torsion bar cavity and not leak out when its in your pocket :)
 
I've never had to grease a torsion bar cavity, but I've heard that Militec Grease is pretty good. You could also use Vaseline, but make sure it doesn't get to hot.
 
The higher temp rated grease will work better, do not use any type of oil. personally I use simple white bearing grease. And it only takes a small dab...
 
If you're going to take it apart, make sure the blade is open before you start. As an added measure of safety, you can also put some tape over the edge just to prevent accidental nicks and cuts (especially if this is your first time taking a blade apart). As for the grease, I use white lithium grease (commonly available at hardware and home improvement stores). It has a high temperature tolerance (won't get runny/messy as easily) and is cheap. If you don't have some threadlocker, that might be useful to pick up as well for when you re-assemble things.
 
I thought the Zing was a manual flipper, and not assisted. If it's a manual flipper it won't have a torsion bar, will it?
 
mley1 said:
I thought the Zing was a manual flipper, and not assisted. If it's a manual flipper it won't have a torsion bar, will it?
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The old Zings that were US made were manual. The new chinese ones are assisted though.
 
seelow123 said:
The old Zings that were US made were manual. The new chinese ones are assisted though.
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Ooooh, OK. I have an older model then. That's why I was a bit confused on the issue. Thanks for the clarification.
 
mley1 said:
Ooooh, OK. I have an older model then. That's why I was a bit confused on the issue. Thanks for the clarification.
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The old ones are cool. Really wish they still made them though. The damascus ones were pretty dang cool looking.
 
stebolicious said:
Just be sure when you take apart your knife... the blade is in the OPEN position. Otherwise, you’ll find the torsion bar lodged in your eyeball.
Click to expand...

Never did take it apart. Just adjusted the pivot screw and got it to open really well.

seelow123 said:
The rattling is the torsion bar (assist mech.) it's not a big deal if it rattles but you could always apply some grease to the cavity where the bar sits. Have you tried loosening the pivot a tad to compensate for the slow opening?
Click to expand...

RE - pivot screw - see above. Yes I did and it worked really well and was stupidly simple. No grease yet. I want to get some white lithium grease then when I get time I will crack open the knife to see what's up with the rattle.

KnottyEagle said:
Take the knife apart and put some grease in the torsion bar cavity. That should take care of the rattling, not sure about the deployment. Taking it apart isn't as scary as it sounds. I was the same way at first, but now it's actually interesting and fun to do.
Click to expand...

Deployment was a simple adjust of pivot - see above. That was so simple I am psyched to add a dab of grease when I get set up.


Thanks for the tips everyone. Much happier with my Zing now. And really happy to find out adjusting the pivot tension is a simple procedure.
 
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