Zero Tolerance 551 Problem?

Alann45

Alann45

Joined
Jul 4, 2009
Messages
1,910
Posting this in General rather than GBU, because I'm looking for feedback from 551 owners or others, NOT complaining or questioning ZTs practices in any way.
I sent the following message to ZT and got a VERY quick response.

I have a 551 I purchased in February, 2011, from xxx.
The framelock was initially very hard to disengage. I've been able to adjust it so that it is tolerable, while still being able to open fairly easily.

1. I understand some "breakin" is necessary with this type of design/materials, but was wondering if what I'm experiencing is normal or not.
2. I read there was a recall of the initial 551s in late 2010, because they were not "finished properly" and wondering what the reasons were and if mine might be affected. I have Ser. #0681​

The reply I received simply said send it in for warranty repair and gave instructions for doing so.

Not sure if that reply means there is a problem so send it in; it seemed more a standard positive response if a customer is in any way unhappy.
Didn't really answer the questions I asked and I'm still wondering if this is normal or not or what the recall was about.
Not sure if worth the hassle/expense of sending to them or not. Or maybe waiting until Blade and getting someone to look at it.
I'm certainly in NO way complaining about ZTs promptness and willingness to check it out.

I've read thru the threads on the 551, and it seems there have been various degrees of issues with the framelock.
I'm just not sure where that line is between "normal bearkin" and "it shouldn't be that way."
 
Alann45 said:
I sent the following message to ZT and got a VERY quick response.

I have a 551 I purchased in February, 2011, from xxx.
The framelock was initially very hard to disengage. I've been able to adjust it so that it is tolerable, while still being able to open fairly easily.

1. I understand some "breakin" is necessary with this type of design/materials, but was wondering if what I'm experiencing is normal or not.
2. I read there was a recall of the initial 551s in late 2010, because they were not "finished properly" and wondering what the reasons were and if mine might be affected. I have Ser. #0681​

The reply I received simply said send it in for warranty repair and gave instructions for doing so.

Not sure if that reply means there is a problem so send it in; it seemed more a standard positive response if a customer is in any way unhappy.
Didn't really answer the questions I asked and I'm still wondering if this is normal or not or what the recall was about.
Not sure if worth the hassle/expense of sending to them or not. Or maybe waiting until Blade and getting someone to look at it.
I'm certainly in NO way complaining about ZTs promptness and willingness to check it out.

I've read thru the threads on the 551, and it seems there have been various degrees of issues with the framelock.
I'm just not sure where that line is between "normal bearkin" and "it shouldn't be that way."
Click to expand...

I'm a little confused by your post and am not entirely sure what you are asking exactly as it seems you have multiple issues you want addressed and some of your post seems contradictory, but I'm going to give it a shot. For the record I am in no way affiliated with ZT. I just like this knife and have been following its progression.

To begin with, the sticky lock bar was not the reason some of the knives needed to be sent back. There was no "recall". Some of the early knives made it out of the factory with unfinished liners that had developed varying degrees of surface rust. Again, not all the knives were affected so ZT put out that those that did get one with the issue could send it back for correction. So to answer what I think you are asking, no your sticky lock bar has nothing to do with that early issue.

As far as your question about whether you should send it back to correct the lock bar, that one only you can answer. If it bothers you, send it back. If as you say, you have mostly taken care of it and it is no longer an issue, then why bother? Unless it still bothers you, then feel free. They already told you to do so, so why ask?

Having said that, the lock bar does seem to give some people trouble with this knife. My own did. I took care of it by painting the tang surface with a Sharpie marker. It seems to last for a good while but it requires occasional touch ups. I haven't bothered to send it back, but I know I have the option if I ever choose to do so.

I guess what confuses me about your post is what difference does it make what the reply was? They said send it back and they'll take care of it. Either way the knife will get fixed. It's up to you what you want done.

Hope this helps. . . .
 
Make sure you aren't pushing on the part of the frame that the lockbar is part of while you're disengaging the lock. If you still have a problem, Kershaw should be able to fix it.
 
I think the question was pretty simple-

Is the issue he's having just part of breaking in the knife, or is it something that needs to be sent back to the manufacturer.

If it's simply a breaking in issue, no need to send it back...


OP would like to know if other's have had a similiar issue so maybe he can make a more informed decision...

right?

:D
 
BP Green said:
I'm a little confused by your post and am not entirely sure what you are asking exactly as it seems you have multiple issues.

To begin with, the sticky lock bar was not the reason some of the knives needed to be sent back. There was no "recall". Some of the early knives made it out of the factory with unfinished liners that had developed varying degrees of surface rust.
So to answer what I think you are asking, no your sticky lock bar has nothing to do with that early issue.
Click to expand...
Sorry if it got confusing, I probably should have just asked the questions and not bothered with copying my email.
I was really asking two questions and you just answered the first one...Thanks very much!

Michael Dye (NGK) refered to it as a recall, so I used his term.

As far as your question about whether you should send it back to correct the lock bar, that one only you can answer. If it bothers you, send it back. If as you say, you have mostly taken care of it and it is no longer an issue, then why bother?
Click to expand...

My experience with Ti framelocks is limited, the only Ti I have is an EROS, which is much thinner Ti and any unlocking issues less noticeable.
I've read the tips about using a sharpie, and seen several comments about how Ti framelocks will become smoother with use.

Just trying to get a clear picture of what is considered normal for Ti framelocks, and what is a defect that should be fixed.

All things being equal, I'd rather have a lock that was a little hard to disengage that one that unlocks too easily.

I guess what confuses me about your post is what difference does it make what the reply was? They said send it back and they'll take care of it. Either way the knife will get fixed. It's up to you what you want done.
Click to expand...

The reason I asked was because their response was rather generic...positive and customer oriented, but not at all infomative.
Had they included the info you did on the "recall", I might have just gone back to reading the other threads to see what I wanted to do.
 
ono724 said:
I think the question was pretty simple-

Is the issue he's having just part of breaking in the knife, or is it something that needs to be sent back to the manufacturer.

If it's simply a breaking in issue, no need to send it back...


OP would like to know if other's have had a similiar issue so maybe he can make a more informed decision...

right?

:D
Click to expand...

They told him to send it back. seems like a pretty self explanatory response to me. . . .

Whether he wants to or not is up to him.
 
Last edited:
Tsujigiri said:
Make sure you aren't pushing on the part of the frame that the lockbar is part of while you're disengaging the lock. If you still have a problem, Kershaw should be able to fix it.
Click to expand...

Thanks. When it seemed to be giving me trouble I watched my hand position closely to make sure I wasn't doing that.

I also moved the clip to tip-down when it seemed a bit hard to open. The way I normally grip I was putting pressue on the clip.

ono724 said:
I think the question was pretty simple-

Is the issue he's having just part of breaking in the knife, or is it something that needs to be sent back to the manufacturer.

If it's simply a breaking in issue, no need to send it back...


OP would like to know if other's have had a similiar issue so maybe he can make a more informed decision...

right?

:D
Click to expand...

Yes sir. Glad I wasn't totally confusing. :D
 
My ZT 0551 that I bought in Feburary had an uneven blade grind, the studs had machining marks, there was a little bit of up and down play after only a week of using it, the blade wasn't centered and the detent kinda sucked. That being said, Ive been using it ever since for edc and the defects dont bother me too much, as it is an awesome knife. I may send it in one day, but not for a while. Milage may vary, but my knife didn't come with a sticky lock bar, or atleast I don't think it did. When unlocking it, don't touch the blade until the lockbar is moved out all the way, or put some Sharpie on the lockbar like the other members suggested.
 
It's not normal. Many ZT owners have experienced this. Me included. Send it back, I am.

-Freq
 
The reply I received simply said send it in for warranty repair
Click to expand...

That's what your solution is. You may want to eclose a note that detail specifics that you are finding worrisome. :)
 
I just got mine today. The only functional problem is that its very stiff. The only aesthetic problem is that the grind is more pronounced on one side than the other. I'm not sorry I got one though...
 
rororo64 said:
My ZT 0551 that I bought in Feburary had an uneven blade grind, the studs had machining marks, there was a little bit of up and down play after only a week of using it, the blade wasn't centered and the detent kinda sucked. That being said, Ive been using it ever since for edc and the defects dont bother me too much, as it is an awesome knife. I may send it in one day, but not for a while. Milage may vary, but my knife didn't come with a sticky lock bar, or atleast I don't think it did. When unlocking it, don't touch the blade until the lockbar is moved out all the way, or put some Sharpie on the lockbar like the other members suggested.
Click to expand...

If you don't want to send the knife in for repair, the front/back play can easily be fixed by disassembling the knife and bending the lock bar more. A few other members, as well as myself, have done this with good results. Mine had a fair amount of front/back play after a few weeks of use. Bent the lock bar a little more and it locks up solid again.
 
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