Stiff Lockbar 0561 ? [Problem Solved]

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I don't know if it's the same for the 560/561, but when I first got my 550, I kept resting my index finger on the lockbar when I went to open/close it. This made the knife very hard to open and close.
 
Sikmike said:
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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That is normal. Mine came really stiff, to the point where I thought there was something wrong with it. I would have to apply a lot of pressure to "click" it out of place to disengage the lockbar. I posted a video a while back asking about this and got teased by a couple members here lol. What I did was used a pencil and just kept putting lead on the lock face. It will smoothen out over time, trust me. My 561 is my EDC along with my Para2. I recommend against bending anything for the time being despite some of these higher post count members recommending it. Use graphite. You will have to reapply it after about 10 openings but keep reapplying it and keep flipping it open. IT WILL DISENGAGE THE WAY IT SHOULD OVER TIME.
 
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This is how I have to disengage the lock bar, by rolling it over and using my index finger. There's just no way it will release using my thumb. When I do disengage it there's an audible tuning-fork-like "ping." It's not a big inconvenience actually. Pretty easy to do it that way with the bigger ZT knives.

ZT0561ClosingA.jpgZT0561ClosingB.jpg

and yes, I did cut my finger on my Leek, the little devil.
 
kreole said:
Have you owned a integral lock knife before this one?
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I called this a "frame lock" but perhaps that's not the correct nomenclature? I noticed that Mike responded to that comment by mentioning his Leek and Volt SS which I don't believe have a frame lock version. They have liner locks, so not nearly as much "beef" in the lock bar.
 
I posted a review of my 0560 in which I listed a few simple mods I did to it. I believe the two mods that helped my sticky lok bar the most were a little dab of antiseize on the face, and sanding down the liner where it hangs over the thumb release. I posted some pics to show what I am talking about. After
Some use, I have no issues disengaging the lock bar now.
 
Nicegy525 said:
I posted a review of my 0560 in which I listed a few simple mods I did to it. I believe the two mods that helped my sticky lok bar the most were a little dab of antiseize on the face, and sanding down the liner where it hangs over the thumb release. I posted some pics to show what I am talking about. After
Some use, I have no issues disengaging the lock bar now.
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Found it. I hadn't noticed that overhang, and you're right that might well be what's keeping me from using my thumb effectively. Did you remove all of the overhang, or just part of it? I assume this modification to the scales doesn't void the warranty. I wonder if the Hinderer replacement scales will have that same overhang, whenever they come out?
 
Niceguy's suggestions about modifying the G10 around the choil works out pretty well. The bar is still very stiff, but I can disengage it with my thumb because I have better leverage. I'm not sure I understand the logic of leaving this overhang, but it's clearly a conscious decision. The only explanation I can think of is that it serves the goal of an ambidextrous knife since the overhang makes disengaging with the left hand a little easier (because it gives you something to wedge against).
 
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Nicegy525 said:
I posted a review of my 0560 in which I listed a few simple mods I did to it. I believe the two mods that helped my sticky lok bar the most were a little dab of antiseize on the face, and sanding down the liner where it hangs over the thumb release. I posted some pics to show what I am talking about. After
Some use, I have no issues disengaging the lock bar now.
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Cosigned on sanding down the G10 side to match the curve of the steel liner. I just wrapped sandpaper around the butt-end of a marker and went to town. Doing this gives you more area to apply lateral force to disengage the lockbar. I actually was quite bummed about my 0560 before I did this, now I love it.
 
Murky Depth said:
Cosigned on sanding down the G10 side to match the curve of the steel liner. I just wrapped sandpaper around the butt-end of a marker and went to town. Doing this gives you more area to apply lateral force to disengage the lockbar. I actually was quite bummed about my 0560 before I did this, now I love it.
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Yes, it works *very* well. I used the Kershaw diamond stick sharpener mostly, although took some of it off with an old Gerber multitool I have. What's your theory as to why they didn't ship them from the factory like this? I'm pretty sure that when the Hinderer replacement scales come out for this model they'll be presculpted this way. Most of Kershaw's other knives are, so it's odd that they'd neglect it on this one.

Update: You know, I have to say that the little Zing blems I got from kershawguy are both smoother pivoting, with a more decisive detente, than the 561. Maybe it needs some grease in the bearings.
 
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I just bought a 0561 and was having similar issues. I didn't look it up on how to solve it.

However I did take it apart, sand away the overhang on the g10 scale to match the liner. Helped a lot for thumb control on the lock. I cleaned and greased the bearings. Action is so much smoother now.

I may try the sharpy trick too :)

I love this knive.

I do have the clip for tip up right hand carry
 
Iv opened and closed mine about a million times, did the pencil and sharpie trick numerous times and cleaned everything a few times. Its still pretty damn sticky. This is my second 560/561, the first one didnt do much for me so I wanted to give it another chance and picked up this 561. Not sure what ill do but for now its back in the box and I put my emersons and crk back in my pockets. Itz not nearly as severe as some of the other cases but I feel like iv done more than I should have to for a knife at this price. Maybe ill trade it off for something. They sure nailed it with the first run 550/551 though.
 
Mine was the exact same way...luckily it does wear in eventually. Mine is still sticky, but can now be disengaged with one thumb, even when flicked open hard. I know it is frustrating...hang in there. I have owned many many Ti lockbacks and NONE of them behaved this way. It baffles me that everyone seems to just accept it, personally I expected more from a $275 knife. Trust me, several people have had similar experiences. The real issue is a lack of finishing of the contact surfaces at the factory...which can easily be remedied at home if necessary. Anyway, I love the 560...it's an awesome knife....but the initial frustration with it was dissapointing. Looking on the bright side, I feel very confident that the knife will never accidentally close while in use.
 
Ahhhh. To top it all off......it came sharp as hell. I cut a few pieces of paper and then my gf asked me to cut the tag on her shirt. Whenit wouldnt cut it I looked at the blade and noticed the edge was rolled a bit. So I assumed the edge got heated a bit from sharpening on a belt sander. So I put a nice polished edge on it and its been cutting good. Then I put it up for a bit cause of the sticky lock thing. I decided to give it another chance tonight. I dropped it, blade opened up and the tip got a chip and a couople nicks. Now I cant even sell this thing. Its brand new with a sticky lock, weak detent, already been reprofiled and now has nicks in the edge. Fml. I have bad luck with this knife. Its going back in the box for sure now and ill try not to forget about the money lost on it. And yea , im whining like a baby cause im pissed.
 
freewheeling said:
I called this a "frame lock" but perhaps that's not the correct nomenclature? I noticed that Mike responded to that comment by mentioning his Leek and Volt SS which I don't believe have a frame lock version. They have liner locks, so not nearly as much "beef" in the lock bar.
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Leek is most certainly a frame lock. At least the one I am looking at on my desk next the keyboard I am typing on is.

FYI - I have a 560 that I can open and close with one hand. Make sure your fingers and thumbs etc. are clear of and not applying pressure to the lock bar when opening and closing. On my 560 the lock bar engages about 50% of the lock stop surface on the blade. Solid lockup. No blade play. Maybe 500 open/close cycles on this knife. It was a little sticky opening for approx the first 250? cycles. Knife is about a month old. I bought it new from Kershawguy.
 
simplespeed said:
Ahhhh. To top it all off......it came sharp as hell. I cut a few pieces of paper and then my gf asked me to cut the tag on her shirt. Whenit wouldnt cut it I looked at the blade and noticed the edge was rolled a bit. So I assumed the edge got heated a bit from sharpening on a belt sander. So I put a nice polished edge on it and its been cutting good. Then I put it up for a bit cause of the sticky lock thing. I decided to give it another chance tonight. I dropped it, blade opened up and the tip got a chip and a couople nicks. Now I cant even sell this thing. Its brand new with a sticky lock, weak detent, already been reprofiled and now has nicks in the edge. Fml. I have bad luck with this knife. Its going back in the box for sure now and ill try not to forget about the money lost on it. And yea , im whining like a baby cause im pissed.
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or you could call ZT and they would be happy to take care of you, ya big baby :D ..they're very awesome people to talk to on the phone..
 
Yea, guess im gonna have to contact someone over ther and ask for some help. The problem is that the lock ist always sticky. Sometimes its great sometimes its locked up like a bank vault. When they get it im sure itll be working perfectly fine lol. One sideof the boade has some very distinct grind marks than can be felt. When you scratch it with a finger nail its similar to scratching a hologram card. Otherside is nice and stonewashed. Makes me wo der If the heat treat is messed up?
 
Not to sound like a baby, but i just got mine and have opened it 500+ times now. It was buttery smooth when it arrived, after about 400 flips or so id say i developed this exact problem that everyone's having. My lock is never the same really when flipped open. It suffers severely from being flipped open with any type of force. I literally have worn both my thumbs raw working with this knife to the point i keep putting it back up in my safe, so i dont look at it and want to play with it.... Ive waited a very very long time to actually purchase this knife and so far am really disappointing. Also from the factory mine came with a blew out pocket clip(which zt has already sent me a replacement +1 on Custo service so far) that i had to take off and pinch closed about a half inch.

I have not contacted them yet, I was sorta figuring it was part of the break in process but something made me get online and search for this anyways and it appears alot of people with serial numbers close to mine(#3528)are experiencing disappointing tolerances and quality control from the factory. I guess ill give them a call and just see what they say first. I dont really agree with having to modify a 200+$ knife (got mine for 209$).

But im literally very upset at the results of my purchase so far, other than its one friggin sexy fackin beast and i cant wait for it to be reliable enough for me to carry everyday and not have to think about the warfare that has taken place on my thumbs.
 
Giving mine another chance today. I really want to love this knife. It doesnt seem to be sticky at all today. Im stull bummed about the nicks from dropping it on the ground but it possible that I took the edge too far down to survive a fall on concrete. So I decided to use the hellout of it and try to dull it. Then ill put a more obtuse polished edge on it. Wonder what its gonna look like with two different polished angles lol. Im loving the way it cuts though. My serial number is #3371 for reference.
 
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