Saved (sort of) by my ZT0550; Alas...she didn't fare well.

sticktodrum

sticktodrum

Joined
Apr 16, 2012
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So, I just got the 0550 back from ZT yesterday. Of course, I wanted to use it, so it replaced the Knockout in my pocket for work. The Knockout is epic, by the way. SO happy with it. Anyway, as is my luck, I got stuck in one of the elevators at work just as I got in this morning. I work in midtown Manhattan, and this particular elevator brings me to the 16th floor of a 38 story building. I should preface the rest of the anecdote with the assertion that I'm not exactly a wuss, but I'm not one of the "Ermahgerd I can withstand the collapse of society!" people either. I'm more or less a manly guy, but with the slight defect of claustrophobia. Subways, buses, recording studios (my other line of work in more ways than one), all fine. I deal with the smaller parts of my life by reading or with music.

The elevator stops on my floor (more or less), it's about 8:30am, and I'm groggy. I don't realize that the door isn't opening, and it takes a minute for me to start pressing the button. Nothing happens, and I swallow the tiny panic feeling while pressing the call button. A nice guy comes on the speaker and asks me where I am, if I'm alright, or hurt, etc. He asks if I can call the maintenance staff of the building, but I can't, since I have no cell reception in that elevator bank until I'm at least 5 feet out the door (thanks Verizon, and your 4G...). He tells me help will be on the way and to sit tight. I'm there for exactly 22 minutes before I can't hold back the panic, and I royally start to freak. I can't control my breathing, my heart feels like it's palpitating, and I'm sweating like crazy.

Of course, I wasn't thinking straight anymore, and try to pry the door open a bit with my Leatherman since I start to feel like I can't breathe. No dice. I pull out the 0550, and shove it between the doors, and start wiggling. The tiny amount of movement in the doors gave me hope, and I pushed the handle to the right as hard as I can. The doors open about an inch and I hear a snap. I thought I broke something in the doors, but I could see the floor so I shoved a hand in, dropped the knife and pulled the doors a bit more open. They stuck open at about a foot and a half. I felt immediately relieved, so I picked up my knife and squeezed out. I immediately pulled out my phone, called the lobby and told them what happened. They came up, shut down the elevator, and I went to the office.

Yeah, it was impulsive and not very wise, but I panicked. I rarely am forced to deal with my claustrophobia, and this time I'm just glad that I was able to get out of it on my own. No, my life wasn't in danger (save for the possibility of a panic attack leading to arrhythmia), and I didn't save anyone. Nothing heroic here, sorry... Just a scared city boy that pried his way out of an elevator with a great tool.

So, thanks to ZT for making it, thanks to Steven at ZT for fixing it and sending it back, and thanks to ZT/Rick Hinderer for making a knife that I liked enough to buy and carry (as well as one strong enough to not totally snap in half). I called Steven at ZT today, briefly told him what had happened, and asked if they could replace the blade or something. I didn't, and don't, expect much, or anything, and figured it was worth asking. I'd be fine buying another one, and keeping this around at a token. However he mentioned that they might just be able to replace the blade, even for a cost, which I'm happy to pay if that turns out to be an option.

ZT, you're an amazing company. Thanks, seriously.

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Now thats what being prepared is all about. Good thing you didnt end up like that guy who was trapped in an elevator for like 40 hours
 
Well, the good news is that ZT can offer a new blade for you, but in all honesty, I don't think you should accept ZT's offer to fix it for free (if they do). In my eyes, I'd fork out the cost for the replacement blade because it was used as a pry bar.

ZT has great customer service, I just don't want to see it getting taken advantage of.


Besides that, I can totally understand your freak out, I can't stand being in tight places, my heart starts to race, rage starts to build, my temperature go up and start to panic. I was once stuck inside a bathroom because the knob broke inside of an old heavy door. It was a horrible experience.
 
DedRok said:
Well, the good news is that ZT can offer a new blade for you, but in all honesty, I don't think you should accept ZT's offer to fix it for free (if they do). In my eyes, I'd fork out the cost for the replacement blade because it was used as a pry bar.

ZT has great customer service, I just don't want to see it getting taken advantage of.


Besides that, I can totally understand your freak out, I can't stand being in tight places, my heart starts to race, rage starts to build, my temperature go up and start to panic. I was once stuck inside a bathroom because the knob broke inside of an old heavy door. It was a horrible experience.
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I agree completely. I openly offered to pay for any repair or replacement part should that be an option, as well as understanding if they choose not to fix it. As I said, I'm perfectly fine if it ends up with me buying another one, I know it was my choice to abuse the knife.

And yes...tight spaces, and in this case, the irrational image of the elevator falling. Not likely to happen, but tell that to my mind...
 
Why shouldn't he take them up on their offer to replace it for free? It's not like he lied to them about what he did with it or pretend that it didn't happen. He told them straight out what happened if they offer to cover it why shouldn't he graciously accept? They are deciding that it's covered. Some companies want to stand by the idea that there tools are rugged and will get you out of tight scrapes.
 
reskar said:
Why shouldn't he take them up on their offer to replace it for free? It's not like he lied to them about what he did with it or pretend that it didn't happen. He told them straight out what happened if they offer to cover it why shouldn't he graciously accept? They are deciding that it's covered. Some companies want to stand by the idea that there tools are rugged and will get you out of tight scrapes.
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I agree with you mostly, but the knife simply wasn't used or marketed as a pry bar or elevator-escape-tool (:p) and when it breaks under those conditions, I couldn't blame anything but myself. If it was me, I'd call customer service, ask how much a replacement blade was, and then I'd send it to them.

This is all just my opinion though, I'm not trying to preach it on you or sticktodrum. :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
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How was the side to side play afterwards? It'd be pretty awesome if you could get it re-ground, that way you have a story to tell when people ask you why the blades shorter.
 
Send it to someone that knows what they are doing and have them make it a tanto! Looks like it's already been started anyway. :D
 
Well, there was a little side-to-side play, but I tightened the pivot and it's pretty much gone, so this thing held up remarkably well. As for IF they decide they'll replace the blade, when Steven and I were discussing it, it was agreed that considering the model of knife and the blade, there would be a charge should they replace that part. To me, that would be ideal, as I fully admit that this constitutes abuse, and falls well outside of justifiable warranty coverage.

Should they decide that they would repair/replace it for a fee, they I can tell you I'd gladly pay it and consider myself lucky. If they decide that it's not covered and they won't repair it or replace the blade, then that's fine and as I said I'm perfectly fine with buying another one. I don't expect or feel entitled to anything, I'm just seeing what can be done and hoping for the best.

This thread wasn't meant to be a warranty discussion, since that matter is quite plain. This was more of a detailed "Thank you" to the folks and the knife that kept me from a panic attack and being stuck in an elevator. Cheers, and much love!
 
Really interesting story :) Too bad about the knife, but it's not a pry bar after all. It can certainly be used as one if needed in a situation like this, but a knife that would have easily withstood that would also not perform as well as a knife, in most cases. Good luck getting it fixed. I'm sure you will since Kershaw is great.
 
By the way, if they don't replace the blade and you have to buy another one, you could always have the blade reground to a size that actually legal in New York! Haha. I'm just kidding, I don't actually even know the NY knife laws. I just know they're supposed to be strict and I think no locking mechanism and sub 3" blades is the only completely legal way to do it, but meh. That's boring.
 
Cell phones don't work in elevators as they are a Farraday cage. Only the mighty power of the 0500 can break dem sortz of phziks myan!
 
I really shouldn't post when I'm half asleep. Sorry to hear about the knife, great to hear you are okay, and good to hear you may have a replacement worked out!

That you completely abused it and it came out ugly but still usable really is quite the testament. That is a damn good knife there!
 
Good story. I'm actually mildly surprised the tip broke. I don't know how much force it takes to pry an elevator door, but the tips of the 0550 a ground (or left unground) pretty thick.
 
I would want to keep the blade! That's pretty decent performance, IMO. Plus, I'd get the tip ground to a flat, chisel-point like one of those Razel designs, and carry it as an alternative tool. And get a new 550.
 
rockspyder said:
I would want to keep the blade! That's pretty decent performance, IMO. Plus, I'd get the tip ground to a flat, chisel-point like one of those Razel designs, and carry it as an alternative tool. And get a new 550.
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YA! Ask to keep the old blade and put it in a frame on the wall. ZT's are great. I would also be more than happy to pay for a new blade, but I am betting ZT will not accept payment and just send it back to you. When I saw the pic I thought "he must had been using that on one big screw."

Glad you made it out on your own, Id be half tempted to tell the building managers they need to replace your knife since their elevators are trapping you inside. I think they would do it, once you mention the mental anguish you suffered, from the broken knife that is.
 
Wow, what a story. I can sympathize with the whole panic attack thing. I have anxiety disorder, and it can be a real PITA sometimes. Glad to see you made it out (literally) okay.
 
Lol, I am glad you are out of te situation but now that it is behind you I have to say this is probably the most epic story I have heard all week :)
 
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