Questions/concerns about ZT 0561 lock up.

S

see4

Joined
Sep 6, 2014
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Hi all, first time poster.

I've just purchased my first high end knife (unless you consider kershaw blur). I have a couple pictures of the lockup when flipped open. My questions are:

-Does the frame lock look like it's far enough over on the tang?
-last question pertains to the second picture. It seems like there's a gouge in the bottom of the tang where it meets the frame lock.

What do you guys think? Would rather return it now if there is a problem. Thank you.

Apparently I can't post photos. I'll upload them via image hosting site later when I'm home.
 
Without seeing the pictures hard to make a call but I can say as a fellow 560/1 owner that there are a few things to look at. Is there any blade play (horizontal or vertical)? If so does it adjust out if you tighten the pivot screw? Any lock rock or lock bar flex? Open the knife so the lock engages. Make sure your fingers are clear of the blade's closing path. Smack the spine firmly a couple times against your leg. Does it close? If the answers to all these is no then you're probably fine. Remember, the stop pins are taking the majority of the pressure when the knife is in use, not the lock bar.

As far as gouging, can't say anything without seeing pics, but it's not uncommon for the tang to become very shiny where the lock bar is engaging it and vice versa. I have 2 plain jane 560s and a 560bw and the lock ups are roughly 90%, 50% and 20% respectively and it makes no difference, all 3 are equally solid knives. The black wash with the 20% lock up is actually my edc, and has never failed at work, at the house or in the woods. Also the lock up may increase as you use it. If you're still uncomfortable about the lock up, send it back to KAI and they'll fix it up for you. Good luck and enjoy that 561, it's one of the best full production knives out there.
 
Both my 560 and 561 arrived flawless and lock at about 45 %. Generally, early lockup within reason is fine. Less than 25 % may be cause for concern, IMO.

I have some minor scuffing on the tangs where the locks seat but that's normal.
 
Thanks for the responses. I feel like the lockup is looking OK. I'm just a little paranoid because this being my first big purchase and all.

As far as the the little gouge, it's really hard to make out, and maybe it's just a part of the tang/design that I'm not aware of. It was hard to take a picture of. You can see it both when the lock is engaged and on the top of the knife in the picture when it is folded up, next to the little oil/discoloration spot.

Do you guys think I'm alright? And yes, no vertical or horizontal play, thank God.



photo_1.jpg



photo_2.jpg



photo_19.jpg



photo_20.jpg
 
Not sure about the gouge, other's that are more familiar with ZT can tell you if that is common or not, but the lockup is perfect. Definitely no worries there.
 
After looking at your pics more, it kind of looks like the 'gouge' follows a path for the detent ball. Hard to tell when it isn't in front of me though.
 
Perfectly normal, that's the detent ball track. Mine looks exactly the same, though my lockup is at about 60%.

Edit: Your lockup looks more like 40% to me. Totally fine.
 
Lock up looks good. Percentages can vary from knife to knife but since there's no blade play I wouldn't worry about it.

biggerjon said:
After looking at your pics more, it kind of looks like the 'gouge' follows a path for the detent ball. Hard to tell when it isn't in front of me though.
Click to expand...
Yep, this is my conclusion as well. Every knife that I've taken apart that had a detent ball has this mark to some degree.
 
Thanks a lot guys for assuaging my fears! Absolutely love this knife so far.
 
The mark is there so you don't damage the detent ball on closing. Think of it as a detent ramp, not a gouge.
 
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