New ZT0550 Thread !!!

Good point,Noctis3880.
Problem is: I run out of range-of-motion (outward) on my thumb,before it's fully open & locked. (Unable to form an "L" with thumb & first finger).
Sorry,guys! Didn't mean to go off on a tangent,here.
~Gnarly
 
Reeek said:
The one I got appears to be one that may have gone back to ZT for the Spa treatement because it was number 0024. Just an assumption though. It's a really good one too.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't bank on that, the serial numbers of the first ones released with the QC issue weren't sequential from what I have seen.

Regards,

Rich
 
Gnarly said:
Good point,Noctis3880.
Problem is: I run out of range-of-motion (outward) on my thumb,before it's fully open & locked. (Unable to form an "L" with thumb & first finger).
Sorry,guys! Didn't mean to go off on a tangent,here.
~Gnarly
Click to expand...
Can you move the blade enough to move it out of the detent? Because it's easy to wrist flick it the rest of the way(it's smooth).
 
I just thumb flick mine, little pressure on the thumb stud and "click" like a switchblade it comes open. To open it while keeping constant pressure on the stud and following with your thumb a change in hand position needs to be made, easier when in tip down carry.
 
CyberWarrior said:
Can you open your 051 without using the thumb stud? One handed?
Click to expand...

Yes you can - or at least I can with mine. I just put a little pressure on the side of the blade by pressing my thumb up against it, then I either flick it open quickly or slowly push the blade up; depending on what I want to do at the time.

The action is buttery smooth.
 
Gnarly said:
Good point,Noctis3880.
Problem is: I run out of range-of-motion (outward) on my thumb,before it's fully open & locked. (Unable to form an "L" with thumb & first finger).
Sorry,guys! Didn't mean to go off on a tangent,here.
~Gnarly
Click to expand...

Gnarly, your words provided an excellent visual picture! :thumbup:
I'm normally a visual learner. I usually have to see something being done, rather than understanding from reading a description.
 
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At the risk of repeating myself:

This is NOT a problem with the excellent ZT/H 0551; it's an operator problem!

And thanx! to the members who have answered,and are trying to help me solve this.

Noctis3880 said:
Can you move the blade enough to move it out of the detent? Because it's easy to wrist flick it the rest of the way(it's smooth).
Click to expand...

Noctis3880:
Not consistently.And it's too tight for a wrist flick,even if I get it past the detent.Have opened it at least 3 or 4 hundred times,using both hands,thinking it would open easier once it's 'broke in'.Not yet!

knifenut1013 said:
I just thumb flick mine, little pressure on the thumb stud and "click" like a switchblade it comes open. To open it while keeping constant pressure on the stud and following with your thumb a change in hand position needs to be made, easier when in tip down carry.
Click to expand...

knifenut1013:
Tip-down carry didn't work for me because my (adaptive) grip was putting pressure on the locking bar,as much as I tried not to.

BP Green said:
Yes you can - or at least I can with mine. I just put a little pressure on the side of the blade by pressing my thumb up against it, then I either flick it open quickly or slowly push the blade up; depending on what I want to do at the time.

The action is buttery smooth.
Click to expand...

BP Green:
I cannot exert enough pressure on the side of the blade to even start it out of the detent,(there's no flicking this one open ,even when partially opened) and have problems exerting enough forward/outward opening pressure even using the thumbstud.

tvcrider said:
Gnarly, your words provided an excellent visual picture! :thumbup:
I'm normally a visual learner. I usually have to see something being done, rather than understanding from reading a description.
Click to expand...

tvcrider:
Wasn't sure I was making sense; thanx! Must be the years of assessment & documentation coming out... ("If you didn't chart it; it didn't happen!").

Really love the knife,and hope to build up more thumb strength gradually.Trying to practice a bit every night after work,because I'm hesitant to try & loosen it up,despite having Wiha Torx & blue LockTite.

Meanwhile,my daily user (when not @ work!) is one of the following,from Kershawguy:a black AO Shallot or my black AO Spec Bump,or a JYD composite blade w/flipper.

~Gnarly
 
Gnarly,

I started to write a longer description last night detailing how the action became smoother the more I used it.

It is a huge difference in feel and actual operation after break-in. It's like night and day. For those of you just starting the break-in process, just keep at it and maybe give it a good cleaning and lube after you've been at it a while to get rid of whatever residue might build during that time.

I don't know if that's what actually happens but that's what I did with mine and it seems to have worked very well.
 
my dealer cannot get one yet, maybe mid february
I'm starting to worry not beung able to get one, price was much lower than MSRP

anyone can help me? even via email, i'd like to know some sellers that ship outside USA that have it

thanks
maxx
 
Gnarly, I don't understand??? when in tip down the pocket clip covers the frame lock making it easier to open the blade (no pressure from fingers on lock bar)

I like the tip down config. for this blade as its easier for me to remove from pocket and open in one motion. YMMV

I'd take it apart and clean out the factory lube, its thick and "gummy" and IMO not the greatest. After cleaning out the factory lube, smoothing the washers, and a little 2k paper to the liner where the washer sits, it was like a new knife and much smoother.

Some factory lubes for whatever reason will almost freeze a knife up, so if the knife is consistently getting stiffer I'd try a new lube first.
 
Gonna have to echo knifenut here and suggest taking the knife apart and cleaning out that factory lube. I used Chris Reeve Fluorinated Grease on mine and I really don't exaggerate when I say that this opens up as easily as my BM 710-1. The smoothness is almost as good as my XM-18:eek:.
 
Thanx,guys!

I probably (likely!) misspoke about the tip-down/pressure on locking bar....got it backwards,I guess.

When the ZT/H arrived,it was tip-up....which is how my AO knives & 1 flipper knife work best for me.That's when the squeeze-to-open/compensate for thumb limitations caused interference.

So I changed the clip,to try tip-down,which does make it physically easier to open.But now I hafta turn the knife around in my hand before I can try to open it....have I mentioned being big & clumsy?

Later today,I'll work up the courage to take it apart,clean it & mebbe polish it w/some Flitz & a Dremel pad,add a drop or two of Tuf-Glide or Microlon Gun Juice,and see if that helps me.

Then I'll go back to Observation Mode,because in reading back thru what I've posted about my problem,it sounds like one long sob story.

And so: I apologize. Not the knife's fault!

As Gunny would say,"Need some Kleenex?"

Thanx! for the patience with a rookie knifevulture,from the many long-suffering members here.

~Gnarly
 
Does anyone have any knowledge if the 1000 are all taken up? Or are there still some left that are going to dealers? I have one preorded and am on Daves list. Every night I come home from work and check run and check my email for some type of news but I get nothing. Am I sad or what?
 
Gnarly said:
No,CyberWarrior.

Can flick it fully open with my thumb,maybe twice out of 10 tries.

After 25-30 tries in a row,it cramps up.

Please note: this is not a flaw in the knife;it's an operator problem!

Just sayin',like most folks with hand injuries, my "trigger finger" is way,way stronger than my 'outward flicking motion' with my thumb.

And don't mean to whine,but there is a group of knife lovers who would love a flipper...and it's an issue mainstream knifemakers may/may not be aware of.

~Gnarly
Click to expand...

When new the thumb stub was a pain too open. I found pushing up on the blade with my thumb was easier too open. Until the thumb stud worked in. I wasn't sure if that work work better for you or not with your thumb.
 
BP Green said:
Yes you can - or at least I can with mine. I just put a little pressure on the side of the blade by pressing my thumb up against it, then I either flick it open quickly or slowly push the blade up; depending on what I want to do at the time.

The action is buttery smooth.
Click to expand...

I like the sound mine makes when I push on the blade too open it. I push it all the way until I hear that click. When it locks in place.
 
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