question re: zt 0630

Aias

Aias

Joined
Aug 1, 2012
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5,188
So I just received my new 0630, and it looks great...

But...

When disengaging the lock I noticed only really light tension from the lock-bar. It is the lightest I've ever felt--I've had a ZT 0561 and I currently carry an sng, both of which require(d) more force to disengage. Even some of my liner locks (Emerson, Spyderco) seem a little stiffer.

Now, I've tried applying pressure to the spine and even whacking the spine on my hand to see if the lock bar moves, and I have not noticed anything. Should I be concerned? Is this design or defect? Based on this one aspect of the knife, I'm on the fence about keeping it. Can anyone tell me if they've had similar experiences, and whether or not they kept/used the knife that had light lock-bar tension.

I know the 0630 is just out; maybe there are some parallels that can be drawn between the 0630 and the 0620?

Thanks
 
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If it locks up tight and there is no blade play, you should be fine. I've had light lockup framelocks before, never a problem.
 
I noticed the same on my 0620. The lockup felt totally safe and secure, but it required very little pressure to disengage. Probably a good thing once you get used to it, though it is a bit different than what I'm used to.
 
Thanks guys, I really love the design/materials, and f&f is great... but that light tension was new to me; really not sure what to make of it. If it is just something to get used to, that's fine. I just don't want the light tension to translate into accidental disengagement. I prefer my fingers just where they are :D
 
Aias said:
Thanks guys, I really love the design/materials, and f&f is great... but that light tension was new to me; really not sure what to make of it. If it is just something to get used to, that's fine. I just don't want the light tension to translate into accidental disengagement. I prefer my fingers just where they are :D
Click to expand...

I noticed that on my 0550... loved it, was rock solid.
After a few weeks of legitimately using it... (cutting carpet, wood etc) she's got lock rock like a champion... ymmv.
 
Reignman said:
I noticed that on my 0550... loved it, was rock solid.
After a few weeks of legitimately using it... (cutting carpet, wood etc) she's got lock rock like a champion... ymmv.
Click to expand...


Really? Does the 0550 have the steel insert? Would this make a difference? Did you send it in to ZT for service? --Thanks
 
So you're talking about the ZT 0630? I thought you were talking about the Onion 0360! The title messed with me haha.
 
just pulled out my 0620. The lock bar tension is on the lighter side. However, the detent is stronger than most other manual openers.
 
bedgoo said:
just pulled out my 0620. The lock bar tension is on the lighter side. However, the detent is stronger than most other manual openers.
Click to expand...

Thanks--I can't say that the detent is strong either; it is there, but if I flick my wrist I can make the blade fly out. It is super smooth, however.
 
A couple quick cell phone pics:

2z67dhh.jpg

34htd1y.jpg
 
What do you think guys, time to look at the Emerson hd-7 again? I'm a bit bummed... I was really looking forward to this knife.
 
You could always bend the lockbar in more, but that will increase the pressure on the detent as the blade rides. This bothered me on my 0562. It locked up solidly but I hated how a light graze from my hand could almost disengage the lock. At first the added detent pressure made the knife not open as fast but after wearing in, the blade falls back into the handle with the tiniest shake.

Tinkerer beware.
 
True, you could always bend the lockbar ever so slightly in. If you're not too keen on that, you could always give ZT a call and see what they have to say. You may have to send it in for them to look at it, but I'm sure you have other knives to use while it's gone :thumbup:

ZT makes a great product, man. I've had several and don't think you should write this knife off just yet.

You think we could get a pic of the lockup, broseph?
 
I wouldn't write it off yet. With your combination of issues it sounds easily fixed with a gentle bending of the lockbar.
Keep in mind lockbar tension and detent strength are largely a matter of personal taste. I'm sure some guys are very excited to have them light on the tension.
 
This is common with some framelocks and is a small issue at most.

If you had the knife assembled but without the blade, you would see that in the following, the lock bar is not bent to the other side. Maybe 60%- 90%. These are just a few that I have had recently. I am not speaking on behalf of all knives, just mutiple samples of each of these i have used.

Striders
0620
0562
0550
Reate horizon
Stedemon DSM

Unlike a RIL on a sebenza as an example. On the sebbie the lock bar is bent about 1mm further than the other side of the frame yet allows the knife to operate smoothly and always apply further pressure during use. Even with the added bend it will still lock up solid at a 50% or whatever and not go further without a solid monkey grip. Also the pressure required is much higher than the others yet disengages smooth. The only other knife I have used that does this are made by Pohan and also a custom Dozier. Im sure many others as well, those are just recent knives I have played with as an example.

If I had a few knives here I would take some pictures and certainly will in the future, but I only have my EDC.


On the knives listed above only your squeezing the knife will lodge the lock bar over.
It is not a major issue, but very common in those and a dozen others that I have worked on. On some of these if they had the proper bend it would make operation a bit too tight and not as smooth. However on the ZT flippers. I dont see it affecting those and they can take it.
That said this the reason the detent on my 21 seems stronger than all the knives listed above without a doubt.

I have added bend to many striders , ZT and others that resulted in blade play after the 60% mark due to this.
It was a very easy fix, but you would think they would just do the proper bend at the factory.
IMO it would just make a better detent and actually make flipping better.
That said I love all the knives listed above and they are still amazing knives. Just something I have noticed.
 
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Wow, thanks so much for the info and support guys (this is such a great place). I have some thinking to do--I'm not big on tinkering with ti... I'd hate myself if I messed it up, and sending it to ZT sucks after just getting it. I get that much of this is about taste/ preference... mine just happens to gravitate toward more tension. OK, I've got to get Grownstar a pic of the lock-up! Stay posted.
 
Sorry--just saw that one; here it is with blade in. I don't want to void my return option by disassembling it either.
 
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