New ZT0550 Thread !!!

2) Why is 410 steel used for the liners. 410 has roughly the corrosion resistance of D2, and it seems a more corrosion-resistant steel would be better for hard to clean places.
We use 410 everyday in all sorts of knives, and it's great. It's gets very hard, and works extremely well as a scale or liner.
With a knife that utilizes studs as the stop, 410 can be very beneficial.

As to corrosion, when finished properly, there is little to worry about. We have a little history to prove this out.

Hope that helps with understanding.

3) The titanium lock bar is massive, but the cutout is thin and the lock bar seems to angle in quite a ways to lock up the blade. It looks like angle focuses the lock resistance on that cut out, with the pressure vector coming at it from an angle, decreasing its strength.
Under normal usage, I'm not too concerned about the cutout.
 
Hard use? I think so, 50 pound brick of rubber turned into 6 pieces
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Of all the photos I've seen about this knife to date yours are the ones I like best because they show the knife in some real use. Jroden, can you tell us how did you find the knife perform? Thanks.
 
Of all the photos I've seen about this knife to date yours are the ones I like best because they show the knife in some real use. Jroden, can you tell us how did you find the knife perform? Thanks.

Thanks man, so far I'm really liking it, the ergos are the best of any folder I've ever used before. the kinda downward angle that the blade has while you hold it just screams to be cut with. and yet, with all the power and thickness it feels and looks like it has, its is EXTREMELY controllable for fine cutting with the tip. The steel (elmax) is holding up very well, no discoloration from sitting in my pocket all day (sweating and South Florida humidity are a bad combo) and after two and a half days for cutting some very tough materials, the edge will still slice paper and needed only a leather stopping to shave hair again:thumbup:
So far so good, I'm gonna keep using her and posting pics and feelings all week:D
 
This is gonna sound pretty hypocritical, after all my "why pimp a sprint run?" talk earlier in the thread (and in the previous one), but the more I look at it, the more I want a custom scale. That brick pattern G10 is awesome, don't get me wrong, but it's a lint and dirt magnet, and the texture makes it hard to clean.

Besides, now that I've seen, handled, and pocket carried this thing, there's no reason to try and keep it pristine and perfect. It's pretty much made to be used and abused, sprint run or not. Maybe I'll get a Ti liner made for it, too, just to say I did. And some sort of tricked-out backspacer or stand-off replacements...
 
One for sale on the exchange now - looks good! :thumbup:
 
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Thanks man, so far I'm really liking it, the ergos are the best of any folder I've ever used before. the kinda downward angle that the blade has while you hold it just screams to be cut with. and yet, with all the power and thickness it feels and looks like it has, its is EXTREMELY controllable for fine cutting with the tip. The steel (elmax) is holding up very well, no discoloration from sitting in my pocket all day (sweating and South Florida humidity are a bad combo) and after two and a half days for cutting some very tough materials, the edge will still slice paper and needed only a leather stopping to shave hair again:thumbup:
So far so good, I'm gonna keep using her and posting pics and feelings all week:D

I love the Elmax:thumbup: I think it's one of the best steels Kershaw has used on their knives in a while. I love the edge retention, it's not too hard to sharpen, stays free of corrosion, pretty darn tough in my experience. I hope to see lots more of it. I'm even using it in my own handmade knives solely based on my experience with Kershaws that utilize it.
 
Just a couple notes on mine:

I have #30. Zero rust or discoloration on the liner. Stiff opening for now, I think it will break in. One helluva strong lock tension, 50% travel. Ideal imho. Not worried about the lock cutout at all, extremely strong. Wish the detent ball rode the blade a bit longer so the last 30 degrees didn't ride the lock, it slows opening. Perfect centered blade, no play lateral or vertical. Love the G10 pattern, great traction. Pocket clip was very tight, I bent it a bit. The belly of the blade is great for slicing and I'm glad it didnt end up with a choil. I would LOVE a flipper and/or the new thrust bearings used in the Tilt. Would prefer a Blur thumb stud. Elmax seems to be pretty decent but I need to sharpen and cut more.

I would say this is the best ZT to date honestly. Stronger lock than my 30x models I've owned but much more EDC sized.
 
410 has roughly the corrosion resistance of D2....
Where did you get this information?

To be considered stainless there should be about 13% free chrome. Lots of the chrome in D2 is tied up in carbides. After 410 is heat treated all the chrome goes to corrosion resistance.

410 has much more corrosion resistance than D2.
 
Any more bad behavior by anyone in this thread will result in banning.

I hope the people posting in the childish manner understand the above is not a threat. It is a fact.
 
Let's see who's the sad human being dude. Put up or shut up! One for sale at the same price that the 3 others on the exchange have sold for. Click the link http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=795555
Hmmmmm, thanks for the thoughtful hot tip. :thumbup: But no need. #0178.. slightly rusty liner and all.... has already been paid for and should be headed my way this morning. Thanks Phillip.. :) ....
It was at a slightly better price also, btw.
Roger is also supposed to be getting his any day now, I found out yesterday... so a spare is now on order too.

Turns out my initial fear of having "missed the boat" on this cool knife was premature. Seems I got to the "party" just in time.. after only finding out about the ZT 0551 Tuesday afternoon late.

Thanks to 'Whitty' of course. :).... See post #227.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=790954&page=6

I have never had a ZT before. For whatever reason, I have just never checked them out.
However, from all the fantastic pictures being posted.... it looks like this one will be a good one to start with. :thumbup:
 
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What the heck, since we're talking comparison shots......

Here is a shot of some fine titanium framelocks, including the 0551:thumbup: I couldn't be happier with this knife!

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Jon, we are twins of the knife world brother. The only difference between the knives in that pic and if I took one of my own is that all the clips have been flipped on mine (except for the Speedform... for now). That is a great picture with some outstanding knives.

Why don't you, DD and Teacher take this little hissy fit to PMs?

AMEN! I wish I this would have been said about 4 pages ago.

Any more bad behavior by anyone in this thread will result in banning.

I hope the people posting in the childish manner understand the above is not a threat. It is a fact.

Praise the powers that be!
 
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