Stiff Lockbar 0561 ? [Problem Solved]

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Sikmike

Sikmike

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Nov 12, 2012
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After searching the forums and watching countless youtube videos it seems the 0560 and 0561 come flawless to MOST customers, but there are the occasional problems with some.

My 0561 which was a LARGE investment for me, came with zero blade play and centered perfectly, but the lockup is overly strong. Yes I've used a mechanical pencil led on the correct spots, yes I've opened it over 500 times, I do not see a future with this knife where the "factory carbonized" edges will wear in any time soon. I've done hours of research trying to reassure myself about this problem but to be blunt I shouldn't have to use TWO hands to CLOSE a knife straining the blood vessels on the side of my head with the amount of force I am applying (Yes I am not even touching the frame on the opposite side).

From what I've seen on videos most people can close there knife no problem, meanwhile my right thumb is Literally Bleeding trying to remedy the situation.
I have my doubts that anyone here has anything to say except add sharpie marker or led to it, but I've done this, and countlessly opened and closed it.

One video, someone sent there's in and it came back with the titanium framelock not being flat with the blade, which still seemed sketchy (mine is %100 flat with blade).
If I open the blade with extra force the lock will be around %60-%70, meanwhile if I unrealistically open it gently it's around %40 and easier but still more difficult to open compared to what I've seen.

Should I send this in? I have many Kershaws and this being my first ZT, which is huge investment for me, I expected More honestly...
 
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I just got a ZT 561 and really didn't know what to expect. I'm used to being able to use my right thumb on the lockbar to unlock the blade but it's nearly impossible with this knife. However, I find that if I roll it over and pull out with my index finger it's no problem operating the knife with one hand. I noted that my other frame lock knife, a little Cryo that looks very much like the ZT 561 has a pretty stiff lockbar too, so perhaps it's a "feature" of frame locks? What was the production number on yours? Mine is 3513.

BTW, it just occurred to me that some of the early ones had a wider cut in the frame so there's a bit more material left after the hairline laser cut.
 
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I think when dealing with titanium, unlike the cryo, letting the lock up wear for some time is a must. Weather it be the lock face on the blade wearing for the lock bar or the bar molding to the tang. If i have an issue right out the gate ill give it some time until it becomes an issue. I don't have a 560 series knife but anything that helps me pick a southard or a 56x is a lot of help hahah!

Ill add that if you have some lubricant on the lock face it may make it very sticky. I would break down the knife and clean everything and see if that helps.
 
Mine's 3842.
I'd say it's not a feature of frame-locks based on my leek, volt ss, and others.
I mean, I've done alot of research and those in videos I've watched seem to have zero difficulty closing their blade.
Kinda stinks man.
 
On mine, I backed off the engagement from 60% to 30% by slightly bending the lockbar and the stickiness went away.

The thing I like about ZT knives is that they are easy to take apart and adjust till they are perfect. Same goes for the detent on the ZT0551.
 
I find that graphite isn't really that effective on the 0560. I recommend you clean that all of with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol. Then use Sharpie. Put a coat on the engagement surface of the tang, then wait for it to dry. Put another coat, then let that dry. After that, your issue should be much lessened. Also, don't go nuts with flicking it open. A press of the flipper is all that's needed, and for a new 0560 to hit 70% engagement is a bit much.

The lock bars aren't carbonized, they're carbidized. It helps offset wear, however lock stick like this is usually more so to do with the strength of the bar. So, try the Sharpie process, or take it apart and relieve some of the lock bar tension. Lastly, the lock bar isn't really supposed to lay completely flat against the tang of the blade. I'm not sure where you got that idea.
 
too much locking pressure, remove the lockbar over-travel stop and bend the lockbar back out a bit and see if that helps.

seriously, two hands?
 
I just opened it a lot, and flipped it open HARD a good amount of times, and it is fine now. Although I did not count the number of openings, I don't believe it was as high as 500; maybe around 200 when the lock disengagement became smoother. It's perfect now.
 
gooeytek said:
too much locking pressure, remove the lockbar over-travel stop and bend the lockbar back out a bit and see if that helps.

seriously, two hands?
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I'm afraid modifying it, even as simple as bending, might void my warranty?
Yeah I've got a wine bottle opener next to my desk where I've had to use it to get the frame unstuck, craziness.

Well I did the mechanical pencil trick last night which did not help at all, I will try rubbing alcohol to clean the tang surface then apply some sharpie. The thing is, this shouldn't be the only way to have the knife function, so I'm hoping IF that works that eventually the $200+ knife will have worn in.

(DEEP BREATH)

I love this knife! I hope this problem will get resolved, worst case is I use it plenty this summer with work and if it's still ridiculous then I'll send it in.
Thanks for answers.
 
Turborocket said:
I just opened it a lot, and flipped it open HARD a good amount of times, and it is fine now. Although I did not count the number of openings, I don't believe it was as high as 500; maybe around 200 when the lock disengagement became smoother. It's perfect now.
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This! I say in my recliner watching Tv for two days just opening and closing it. And it is now very smooth I can close it one handed with my thumb. A side note I have relatively severe A.D.D and while this may sound silly I usually sit in my chair and play with a slinky while watching TV but since I got the 561 I sit around and open and close it to keep my hands busy lol. This is now my EDC and easilyy favorite folder I've ever had.
 
Sikmike said:
Well I did the mechanical pencil trick last night which did not help at all, I will try rubbing alcohol to clean the tang surface then apply some sharpie. The thing is, this shouldn't be the only way to have the knife function, so I'm hoping IF that works that eventually the $200+ knife will have worn in.
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Well in many cases, this isn't even necessary. On my 0560, when I got it, it was perfectly fine, no stick or play. Then, after a month, it developed stick. I cleaned it off with alcohol, and the stick went away. Then it came back, and didn't go away after cleaning. I put two coats of Sharpie on it, and voila. Never stuck again. It's finicky sometimes, but in my opinion the knife is worth the finagling.
 
sticktodrum said:
Well in many cases, this isn't even necessary. On my 0560, when I got it, it was perfectly fine, no stick or play. Then, after a month, it developed stick. I cleaned it off with alcohol, and the stick went away. Then it came back, and didn't go away after cleaning. I put two coats of Sharpie on it, and voila. Never stuck again. It's finicky sometimes, but in my opinion the knife is worth the finagling.
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I tried the sharpie trick on mine, although didn't take it apart so the sharpie couldn't get in far enough to blacken the very edges. Anyway, it didn't work. I just became resolved to rolling the knife over and pulling with my index finger and my thumb up near the flipper so that as soon as it disengages I give it a little push. I'd probably do the same thing on my other knives since it feels pretty natural but they don't have enough of a gap to get my index finger in there easily. I suppose I figure that it will eventually wear in, but I don't really mind doing it this way.
 
I think the main issue is that the lock up is never consistent so it's more than just an issue with stiffness when thinking about it. In my first post I mentioned if opened very lightly the lockbar is usually around 35%-%40, but normal lock up is around 50-60 and when opened hard its about at 70%. The 50-70% giving it the highest chance to be impossible to disengage without finding something metal nearby to pry it open.

So my question is, are those who's folders work perfectly, getting the same consistent lock up % each time? If so then I clearly have an issue more than stiff a stiff lockbar. Thanks.
 
Sikmike said:
I think the main issue is that the lock up is never consistent so it's more than just an issue with stiffness when thinking about it. In my first post I mentioned if opened very lightly the lockbar is usually around 35%-%40, but normal lock up is around 50-60 and when opened hard its about at 70%. The 50-70% giving it the highest chance to be impossible to disengage without finding something metal nearby to pry it open.

So my question is, are those who's folders work perfectly, getting the same consistent lock up % each time? If so then I clearly have an issue more than stiff a stiff lockbar. Thanks.
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Mine seems to always lock up at around 40%. So I think the fact that it "sticks" us due to the surface contact although I also can't flip it all the way open with either the flipper or the tumb stud. (I mean without flicking my wrist, just using my finger.)
Try removing the pocket clip to see if that makes a difference? I'm assuming that your pocket clip is in tip up right hand carry like mine, in which case it presses directly on the lock bar.

Update: And just to clear up how I unlock, I roll the knife over, place my thumb on the frame near the thumb stud and my index finger under the lock bar and pull up on the lock bar. It's a very natural movement. Unlocking the blade isn't speed-critical as long as you can do it with one hand, so to me it's no biggee. Not being able to flick it open without wrist action is bigger, but I figure that will come.
 
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Mine locks up the same every time. I would send it in, let the experts fix it.
 
I wanted to add by way of completeness that when I roll over the knife to pull up on the lock bar there's an every-so-slight tuning-fork-like "ping" and I can feel (and hear) the tiny vibration as it lets go. I have no idea what causes this. Just thought it was interesting.
 
2 shot said:
Mine locks up the same every time. I would send it in, let the experts fix it.
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Funny these things trying to figure it out. Originally I was thinking the lock up closing issue was due to stiffness, which it certainly does have. But the fact that the lock up % is a different amount EVERY time I open it screams issues (when it's stuck at 70% and I have to pop it unstuck with a metal bar, but I gently let the frame fall back into place it sits comfortably at 30% lock up and closes easy enough where I would never have even made a forum post about it).

I'll be sending it in on Monday and hopefully I'll get a new frame or something because the knife is not usable even in the slightest. Here's to hoping for thorough inspection and swift customer service.
I appreciate the comments.

Mike
 
Good thread. I just got my 561 too and have raw fingers from closing this beast. I was going to try some graphite but I will try sharpie first
 
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