No ZT for me sorry

[Mo2]

My zt Lockbars, nearly every single one of them can be pushed too the scale side. Very poor craftsmanship in this regard. Lockbars shouldn't do this. Especially not something "overbuilt"

 

[jill jackson]

My zt Lockbars every single one of them can be pushed too the scale side. Very poor craftsmanship in this regard. Lockbars shouldn't do this. Especially not something "overbuilt"

Like this 0452. My ZT's don't all push over like this, but I have found many of them will. I think they're nice looking knives, but I'm not buying anymore because of lockup issues. Way too many other knives with better lockup that lockup tight and won't be defeated by a light spine tap. Some even cost a fraction of the price.

 

[Mo2]

Like this 0452. My ZT's don't all push over like this, but I have found many of them will. I think they're nice looking knives, but I'm not buying anymore because of lockup issues. Way too many other knives with better lockup that lockup tight and won't be defeated by a light spine tap. Some even cost a fraction of the price.

Yes exactly like that. Even the ones that don't push all the way like that still move alot. You can count me out also because of this. Great action and materials and great looking very bad lock geometry.

 

[jill jackson]

What did it for me was the 0909 folding like a cheap 5 dollar gas station knife, then I think surely this Kizer Dukes will too. Tapped it harder than I did the 0909 and nothing. It remained solid and locked. If Kizer can make a lock that is solid and ZT doesn't something is wrong.

 

[Twindog]

It's sad to see all these reports of trouble with ZTs. I have close to a dozen ZTs, and all can pass a series of light spine whacks. Only my 804CF and 0095 have a lockbar that can be pushed all the way to the far side -- just like my only Sebenza. But the lockup is solid.

My 220 is like a rock. I can't budge the lockbar. Lockup feels like a fixed blade.

I wonder what percentage of ZTs have problems.

 

[jill jackson]

It's sad to see all these reports of trouble with ZTs. I have close to a dozen ZTs, and all can pass a series of light spine whacks. Only my 804CF and 0095 have a lockbar that can be pushed all the way to the far side -- just like my only Sebenza. But the lockup is solid.

My 220 is like a rock. I can't budge the lockbar. Lockup feels like a fixed blade.

I wonder what percentage of ZTs have problems.

7 out of 7 for this guy. I have a 0562 CF that seems dead solid. It seems hit or miss on lockup to me. All of them should be dead solid and withstand spine taps though, IMO.

 

[Lapedog]

My zt Lockbars every single one of them can be pushed too the scale side. Very poor craftsmanship in this regard. Lockbars shouldn't do this. Especially not something "overbuilt"

Honesty being able to push the lockbar over like that doesn’t bother me at all.

As long as the knife continues to lockup well over its life time it just seems like
A non issue. I’ve had knives with lockbars that can do that but the lock as it wore in still remaind solid for the life of the knife.

The things that really bother me are lockslip, lockrock and a lock that skips when the spine is hit.

 

[jill jackson]

This 0909 fails light spine taps very easily. You can see the lock is not fitted correctly. It has nowhere to go but out under stress. The liner locks I have that won't be defeated by spine taps are fitted flush and tight. Not just on the inside edge.

 

[Twindog]

I agree with you that every ZT should have a solid lockup, and every ZT should pass a light spine tap. And all of mine pass those tests.

I can't explain why that guy's ZTs -- all of them -- fail a spine whack. Seems weird to have such discrepancies between different owners.

 

[Twindog]

This 0909 fails light spine taps very easily. You can see the lock is not fitted correctly. It has nowhere to go but out under stress. The liner locks I have that won't be defeated by spine taps are fitted flush and tight. Not just on the inside edge.

That's pretty clear. A spine whack would push that lockbar open.

 

[jill jackson]

A liner lock (and even a frame lock) that will withstand the stress of spine taps is fitted like this Spyderco Military.

 

[b00n]

I gave it a brief attempt earlier, and it's not very scientific but essentially it went like this:
- Whacked the 0909 with the spine downwards on top of the table edge = blade closed half way or fully with 2-3 hits
- Whacked the 0909 with the spine upwards (similar to a sudden pulling motion) = blade closed/tried to close , flipper tab obviously nudged/hit my index finger, it needed subjectively 1-2 more hits and firmer whacks, but that might have been due to the awkward motion
- I didn't get it to close on the edge of firm cardboard, I basically put a deep dent/blunt cut into the cardboard

I might try it with some of the frame locks and will update during the week. I didn't really change my perception of the knife, I still think it's a weird test and I don't see it becoming a real world issue, but I do agree that ideally it shouldn't happen since the other knives don't do it either.

 

[b00n]

Oh and I agree with Jill, the whole issue with being able to push the lockbar over to the show side is bothering me more than the spine whack testing. Since the lockbar being able to travel so far means it's more likely to wear out/travel over on its own.

 

[Twindog]

Here's my 0220. The only part that contacts the tang is the adjustable part of the lockbar, so even if it was bad, it could be corrected.

 

[craytab]

Just tried all of my ZTs after firmly flicking them open. Not one failed. It is a stupid test at best but any knife should pass I light whack. No way I am going to purposefully try to push a lock bar over on one of them.

Perhaps Jill is getting crappy knives from Thomas

 

[ScooterG]

Like this 0452. My ZT's don't all push over like this, but I have found many of them will. I think they're nice looking knives, but I'm not buying anymore because of lockup issues. Way too many other knives with better lockup that lockup tight and won't be defeated by a light spine tap. Some even cost a fraction of the price.

I’ve had very similar experiences with ZT. Many will close too easily and all can have the lock bar pushed over, demonstrating how much play they designed(?) into them.

 

[James Y]

A liner lock (and even a frame lock) that will withstand the stress of spine taps is fitted like this Spyderco Military.

I agree. I also like how the Military's blade tang contact surface is ground concave instead of at a flat angle, for more gradual wear and much less chance of slipping off. The Military is my favorite liner-locking knife, and I've never had one even come close to slipping during use or with heavy hand pressure.

I don't own any frame lock ZTs, but I do have a couple frame lock Kershaws that barely engage and do not feel like the lockup is sturdy. Once in a store, I handled a couple of Kershaw Vapors, and both of them failed by unlocking with the same hand pressure I use to close a SAK. The frame lock would just slip right off. Obviously, I didn't buy one.

Jim

 

[sharp_edge]

Is the issue being discussed in the last few pages more of ZT framelock, or framelock in general? I am talking about lock failing the spine whacking test. It seems the issue has been reported more of ZT than other brands (Hinderer, CRK, Reate, etc.).

The issue of lock overtravel sucks too but at least it is not as unsafe to the user as lock disengaging due to pressure on the spine.

 

[MSchott]

Like this 0452. My ZT's don't all push over like this, but I have found many of them will. I think they're nice looking knives, but I'm not buying anymore because of lockup issues. Way too many other knives with better lockup that lockup tight and won't be defeated by a light spine tap. Some even cost a fraction of the price.

I don’t understand how this is pertinent in normal use. The blade is locked up and the force is against the detent not the lockbar when you are cutting. I would not say most ZT flippers are heavy duty knives but for 95% of applications they are perfectly fine. If you really need a heavy duty knife, use a fixed blade.

 

[jill jackson]

I don’t understand how this is pertinent in normal use. The blade is locked up and the force is against the detent not the lockbar when you are cutting. I would not say most ZT flippers are heavy duty knives but for 95% of applications they are perfectly fine. If you really need a heavy duty knife, use a fixed blade.

I have many framelocks and liner locks with much more solid lockup than that. Some are even ZT. I just prefer the ones without mushy lockup and that will hold up to spine taps. If it doesn't matter to someone else that is their business.