Question about my new ZT301 - Should I care about less than perfect blade centering?

B

Brian6244

Joined
Aug 25, 2004
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This knife is very impressive. I am 100% satisfied with all but one aspect of this knife, and I'm not sure if it's something I should care about in a knife in this class, or not. The one issue is that the blade is not perfectly centered. There is no blade play when opened or closed, but in the closed position it is not centered. With Benchmade's and Spydercos I have owned I have had plenty if not most that were not perfectly centered. Every single (6 or 7) Chris Reeve folder I have owned has been absolutely perfectly centered. This knife, at least price-wise, sort-of falls in between. So, I don't know if I should care. Is this common or is it unusual in ZT knives--specifically the 030x series? And, does it matter?

I'm hoping that other ZT owners and knowledgeable folks can help me out here. Here's a couple pics that may help. I apologize for the quality. I snapped them with my phone, sitting at my desk at the office. :D

Thank you!

imag0070ns.jpg


imag0074i.jpg
 
You could try tightening the pivot but just a bit and then make sure it still opens easily.
 
I don't have the ZT 0300 but I would guess that it is just like most knives in the sense that your can adjust blade centering but loosening the handle screws(not take them out, just loosen them), pushing the blade towards the side you want it to go to and tighten the screws with the blade still being pushed over. There are other ways but that's what I always do and it works great for me.
 
I say it's your money and your knife...call them and ask them if they'll center it for you. If it didn't bother you I don't think you would have posted. Highend knives should have highend quality. I do agree it is not a big deal if it isn't rubbing, but like I said, why not be 100% happy with your new knife.
 
I guess it would matter to me more if I was buying a knife just as a collection item, but if I was going to use it, I probably wouldn't care too much. That said, if you are concerned enough to ask here, it will probably bug you going forward. If you can't adjust it yourself, I would talk to the company and see what they would be willing to do.
 
Tightening the pivot just a hair will bring the point toward the Titanium side.
Loosening it will move it toward the G10 side.
Just a hair means very little, 16th of a turn or less, at a time until you have it centered as you like. Check for ease of opening as you adjust.

Really though, it looks fine as is.
 
C Ben Susrool said:
Tightening the pivot just a hair will bring the point toward the Titanium side.
Loosening it will move it toward the G10 side.
Just a hair means very little, 16th of a turn or less, at a time until you have it centered as you like. Check for ease of opening as you adjust.

Really though, it looks fine as is.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I will certainly give this a shot when I get home... unless I can find a wrench around the office somewhere.
 
Mine is like that too. So long as it doesn't hinder the opening and closing of the knife, it doesn't really bother me at all.
 
The blade looks to have plenty of room on the skinny side and the liner.
If you tighten to center it might slow down the assist/opening.
If you are going to use it, don't let it bug you cause it doesn't impact performce one bit (I'll have to check mine now :))
These 301's are great knives. Enjoy it!
 
Mine looks the same and works perfectly. Not to worry-it'll cut like a mofo.:thumbup:
 
That is unusual and is not the norm for Zero Tolerance from all the ones I have handled. Both my ZT 0200 and 0350 are dead nuts perfect. In fact if I didnt know any better, the fit and finish look like they are both custom knives. I think a simple trick listed above will correct it. It's not that far off.
 
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I've got an Emerson CQC 11 that's off center to the point where there are small scuff marks on the blade where it touches the liner as the knife is opened and closed.
I paid too much money for that knife to be happy with the situation. In fact I never carry it because everytime I do, I get irritated all over again. Maybe I should try fiddling with the pivot, but I'm not the most mechanically inclined guy in the world.
One object lesson though is that even knifes from makers that seem to be highly respected sometimes aren't put together that carefully. [my other 5 Emerson folders are fine] In fact my CS, Sog and CRKT folders are centred considerably more accurately than the CQC 11.
 
All of my ZT knives are well centered. Did have a Blur once that rubbed the liner when opening and closing. Tried all the tricks with loosening the handle screws and pivot, but couldn't get it centered. Wound up sending it back and got a new knife that was centered much better.

Try doing it yourself first if your mechanically inclined. Be careful to soften the Loctite up first or you might strip the screw heads. Good luck.
 
Just to update you guys... I decided to returned it to the vendor for a replacement. I received the replacement ZT0300 a couple days ago. I am very pleased with the the replacement knife, and the service I received from the vendor.

Thanks for all your input!
 
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