Poll: Have you ever had a ZT knife fail on you?

Have you ever had a ZT knife fail on you?

  • Yes

  • No

Results are only viewable after voting.
RBid said:
I did a less antagonistic reshoot of my spine whack video from the previous thread, once my channel started getting unexpected traction. I got an unfortunate surprise.

Click to expand...

I noticed the two you have that were the most solid both have lock bar stabilizers, and the one you were having trouble with would maybe benefit from one. Are stabilizers a more recent thing for ZT?
 
cbrstar said:
I noticed the two you have that were the most solid both have lock bar stabilizers, and the one you were having trouble with would maybe benefit from one. Are stabilizers a more recent thing for ZT?
Click to expand...

Lock bar stabilizers are typically Hinderer style disks at the midpoint of the lockbar, designed to prevent front to back play of the lockbar under pressure, as opposed to regulating lock integrity or tension. They double as overtravel stops, but don’t hold the lock bar in when locked, unless they use a system like some Lionsteel or Real Steel knives in which you may ‘lock them down’.

I don’t believe they should effect spine whack testing. Others reporting failure have had failure with models like the 0562, which has a stabilizer.

I am very curious about the inconsistency across model lines, years of production, etc. This is an odd thing to me.

Per the follow up toward the end of the video, I’m also not personally soured from the brand, because it took so little contact to prevent failure that I couldn’t use it in a way in which it could fail in use. I do feel an obligation to report honestly, and to allow others to make their own informed choices.
 
I took delivery of my 0609 last night, and it’s solid as a rock.

My only minor complaint about the knife is the lockbar tension is a bit excessive; it’s manageable but noticeably more than with my other ZT’s (all of which are solid, btw).

Question for R RBid , how’s the lockbar tension on your 0609?
 
4mer_FMF said:
I took delivery of my 0609 last night, and it’s solid as a rock.

My only minor complaint about the knife is the lockbar tension is a bit excessive; it’s manageable but noticeably more than with my other ZT’s (all of which are solid, btw).

Question for R RBid , how’s the lockbar tension on your 0609?
Click to expand...

Mine is stronger than my 0470, 0562, etc, but disengages comfortably. I wouldn’t describe it as problematic. How strong are we talking about with yours?
 
I prefer strong detent tension, not just because it makes the knife flip hard but also because it reduces the chance of lock slip.

R RBid - thanks for making and sharing your both spine whacking videos. How early/late is the lockup of your 0609? I wonder if the lock failure out of spine whacking had something to do with a too early lockup.
 
RBid said:
Mine is stronger than my 0470, 0562, etc, but disengages comfortably. I wouldn’t describe it as problematic. How strong are we talking about with yours?
Click to expand...
I’d describe it as mildly difficult. I know part of it has to do with thinner blade stock giving less space between the scales to jam ones thumb, but even still the tension seems a bit too much.

I’m going to see if I can judiciously ease it up a tad by leaving it open with a clothespin holding the lockbar out. The technique seemed to work for an 0900 I once owned.

I’m sure that if I dork it up I’ll check back in to moan about how stupid I feel. :D
 
Last edited:
I have a ZT 0393 for 2 weeks now and due to this thread I tested it and retested all the ZT I have at the moment and seriously I didn’t have any issue with any of them

I also tested my other knives and they all went fine

To be honest the only knife I sold due to locking failure was an Emerson Horseman ... and I loved this knife, I was sos as to let it go :(
 
sharp_edge said:
I prefer strong detent tension, not just because it makes the knife flip hard but also because it reduces the chance of lock slip.

R RBid - thanks for making and sharing your both spine whacking videos. How early/late is the lockup of your 0609? I wonder if the lock failure out of spine whacking had something to do with a too early lockup.
Click to expand...

Forgive the short reply. I am using talk to text while I drive. Here is the lock up.

q8T1BZD.jpg
 
I voted yes, I have had a ZT fail on me. I bought a 0562 in G10 and Elmax when they first came out and was outside playing with the kids and cleaning up fallen branches. I had it in the zippered pocket of my snow pants and the pocket clip snapped right at its base. ZT replaced it right away no questions asked. Great knife.
 
CPP said:
I voted yes, I have had a ZT fail on me. I bought a 0562 in G10 and Elmax when they first came out and was outside playing with the kids and cleaning up fallen branches. I had it in the zippered pocket of my snow pants and the pocket clip snapped right at its base. ZT replaced it right away no questions asked. Great knife.
Click to expand...
That was not the zt failing.

They are very good about sending out clips though.
 
so if I hold any frame lock in hand like a knife is supposed to be held, it will never fail a spine wack test. Your hand secures the lock.
 
I've had, or still have these ZT knives. Zero failures.

0301, 0551, 0560, 0561, 0562, 0566.
 
32308820_2241046439456222_1027883564827410432_n (2).jpg Own 0350, 0560, 0561, 0562 and 0566. My 0566 torsion bar broke and I sent for a replacement. Three times they sent back the wrong one. Even after the second time when I sent a photo showing the broken one beside the wrong one they sent with a ruler in the photo. I have since just left it unassisted and it suits me fine.
 
I have the 450,770 and 909. I was gifted the 909 NIB and thought it was a tank off the bat so I decided to use it removing a large volunteer tree in combination with a sawzaw. I used the 909 harder than a typical folder, it performed so well I couldn't be more pleased. I barely tapped the back of the spine on the ground setting the knife down (with the blade deployed) and I was shocked but it closed on me.

Lost a lot of faith in ZT lock geometry that day.
 
taste.blade said:
I have the 450,770 and 909. I was gifted the 909 NIB and thought it was a tank off the bat so I decided to use it removing a large volunteer tree in combination with a sawzaw. I used the 909 harder than a typical folder, it performed so well I couldn't be more pleased. I barely tapped the back of the spine on the ground setting the knife down (with the blade deployed) and I was shocked but it closed on me.

Lost a lot of faith in ZT lock geometry that day.
Click to expand...
So it didn't fail under use.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top