New ZT0550 Thread !!!

I just received my #0551 in the mail today. Number 269. It is a beauty and quite sharp! Maybe the sharpest factory production knife I have purchased. Blade is centered. Mine is a pretty smooth to open one-handed, without any break-in, and that is with my small hands (see my comment below).

Any down-sides to the 0551?
Possibly one for me personally. I have pretty small hands for a male. My edc for many years has been a Benchmade Mini-AFCK model 812 (smaller blade). It is a very good fit in my small paws. The ZT 0551 is considerably more massive in my palm than my AFCK.
In fairness the 0551 seems to fit in my front jeans pocket just fine.
 
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I felt the need to void my warranty and see how the break down and reassembly went of my 551. (disclaimer - don't take your stuff apart if you're not willing to pay someone to fix it:rolleyes:)
I had zero fidget time. It realigned perfectly very easily. Most of my 'really nice' blades have a fidget factor that drives me nutzo.
I'm leery to label a tool a quality unit until it's shown the ability to be maintainable by Joe Nobody.
So far it's a very big thumbs up for the 551 in my book.
A second break down and reassembly suggests to me that this thing was machined pretty well.
I've attained repeatability (something that was forced into my philosophy during my shipwright apprenticeship) without even trying.
That suggests to me that good things were happening at the shop.:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
That's good news

termiteslayer said:
I felt the need to void my warranty and see how the break down and reassembly went of my 551. (disclaimer - don't take your stuff apart if you're not willing to pay someone to fix it:rolleyes:)
I had zero fidget time. It realigned perfectly very easily. Most of my 'really nice' blades have a fidget factor that drives me nutzo.
I'm leery to label a tool a quality unit until it's shown the ability to be maintainable by Joe Nobody.
So far it's a very big thumbs up for the 551 in my book.
A second break down and reassembly suggests to me that this thing was machined pretty well.
I've attained repeatability (something that was forced into my philosophy during my shipwright apprenticeship) without even trying.
That suggests to me that good things were happening at the shop.:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Click to expand...
 
I don't see how taking it apart voids warranty, they send you tools and parts to do your own repair.
 
You're right,knifenut1013...Just a guess,but I'd say termiteslayer was perhaps filled with glee & merriment,over his ? finest knife purchase of 2010 ? or maybe freakin' ever!?! like I am,and simply misspoke....like I frequently do. :foot:

It is possible---since he had tools out,for disassembly,he may have inadvertently referred to a company who builds nice tools with blades & scissors & pliers on them---but,alas and alack,where disassembly indeed voids the warranty,much to our dismay.(Their company name rhymes with "Weatherban".) :confused:

Or mayhaps I am mistaken...he may only own tools without 'security torx' screws,and from a company who builds one to take apart & modify,to suit the owners' needs.And even sells said parts,online,(openly;blatantly) in front of God & everybody.( Their company name rhymes with "BOG".) :D

And it may have been a gentle poke at rookies like me :jerkit: ,who was afraid to take it apart,when I first got it.I had to chuckle at termiteslayer's disclaimer!:cool:

Likely,all my supposition is wrong...and I just need more coffee.

~Gnarly

~Gnarly
 
termiteslayer said:
I felt the need to void my warranty and see how the break down and reassembly went of my 551. (disclaimer - don't take your stuff apart if you're not willing to pay someone to fix it:rolleyes:)
I had zero fidget time. It realigned perfectly very easily. Most of my 'really nice' blades have a fidget factor that drives me nutzo.
I'm leery to label a tool a quality unit until it's shown the ability to be maintainable by Joe Nobody.
So far it's a very big thumbs up for the 551 in my book.
A second break down and reassembly suggests to me that this thing was machined pretty well.
I've attained repeatability (something that was forced into my philosophy during my shipwright apprenticeship) without even trying.
That suggests to me that good things were happening at the shop.:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Click to expand...

KAI-USA does not have this policy - you are free to take apart your knives as you please :thumbup:

EDIT: Just be sure that you have a basic understanding of the mechanics of folding knives.
 
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I was a little hesitant to take mine apart too. I bit the bullet and just did it; had no problems getting it back to the original condition.
 
Thomas W said:
Not that we recommend it. We've seen waay too many box's that have lot's of pieces inside of them.
Click to expand...

Slipped my mind, yeah it would be good for those who attempt to take knives apart to have a basic grasp of mechanical items. At least it's comforting that you won't be charged if you aren't, somehow, able to put it all back together after cleaning a pivot. :p
 
Well, crap... I'm wrong again.
Thought it was a safe assumption and didn't want to give any ideas to people who aren't mechanically inclined.
Okay, well, that's another big plus for ZT.
 
Thomas W said:
Not that we recommend it. We've seen waay too many box's that have lot's of pieces inside of them.
Click to expand...

Hi Thomas -

I can only imagine what you folks see.

We appreciate your being there for us.

best regards -

mqqn
 
I took my carry 0551 apart last night and cleaned/lubed her good and it went right back together dead center. I love knives that can be easily serviced by me.
 
Thomas W said:
We've seen waay too many box's that have lot's of pieces inside of them.
Click to expand...
LMRO, I bet that is not an exaggeration!!! :thumbup: .. :)

I can only imagine also the "disasters" you have seen sent back to be "fixed" after some "internet expert" disassembled their knife and had no earthly idea how to get it back together. :confused: .. :eek: .. :D .. :D

Sad for sure.. but I guess everyone has to learn how sometime ;)
You should charge for reassembly though.... the car dealer would. :)
 
Thomas W said:
Not that we recommend it. We've seen waay too many box's that have lot's of pieces inside of them.
Click to expand...
Oh I don't know... I happen to really appreciate a knife that's simple and straightforward for the user to maintain. I happen to use my knives to process produce quite a bit and it seems even the best of supersteels will begin to corrode around the pivot eventually, despite my best efforts. Then I'll eventually have to take the knife apart to get into those hard-to-reach areas for a nice rub down with Brasso:thumbup:.
 
Noctis3880 said:
Oh I don't know... I happen to really appreciate a knife that's simple and straightforward for the user to maintain. I happen to use my knives to process produce quite a bit and it seems even the best of supersteels will begin to corrode around the pivot eventually, despite my best efforts. Then I'll eventually have to take the knife apart to get into those hard-to-reach areas for a nice rub down with Brasso:thumbup:.
Click to expand...

Here I thought I was the only one left using that vile smelling stuff. :) It sure does work though. :thumbup:
 
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