ZT 0300 Disappoints...

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craytab said:
Too bad you are falling for marketing terms and ignoring the fact that it is a folding knife! Look at the warranty. That's what is covered. That's what it is meant to do and in fact ZT explicitly tells you that.
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Oh what irony. Get on with the topic, Craytab. We're talking about the act of the knife staying in open position after being folded (as well as the inability to stay open), NOT the act of cutting which you're so fixed upon. Tsk, kids these days.

Also Warranty is good and all but more than one ZT 200 and now 300 has those issues. Small wonder the 200 is now discontinued. Perhaps it became too costly fixing each and every 200 (and perhaps 300's) so it can go back to performing as the company intended it to perform.
 
Never had an issue with my 200 or 300, but I don't spine whack them either. If I need to clear brush or baton I use a fixed blade. My fixed blades seem to pass the spine whack test every time. Go figure.
 
I'm glad we have one of these threads every month or two. They're so very illuminating. :barf: :yawn:
 
I really get sick of these "spine whack" failures. If you expect your knife to fail a test it was never designed to pass, then it is going to fail. Stupidity is not a valid reason for complaining/ranting. I have yet to be in a situation where batoning/spine whacking a folder was necessary, and I've been carrying knives for 30 years.

No matter how "overbuilt" a folder may be, it was never designed to be idiot proof.
 
Jeez. This feels like the third or fourth thread to come up recently on what's use v abuse and what 'hard use' encompasses.

If I feel the need to check a lockup, I smack it my palm a little. Can't say I've ever heard of smacking your shin though.

If you feel the knife isn't performing how you want it to, send it back for a check up. If they say its fine then you need to realign your expectations or move on.

I had a 0301 that had ever so slight vertical play but the lock never came close to failing. I have a 0300bw that is rock solid all the way around.
 
K.O.D. said:
No matter how "overbuilt" a folder may be, it was never designed to be idiot proof.
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When you purchase an "overbuilt" folder you make compromises in terms of greater weight, bulkiness, and price. The idea is that you're getting extra strength in return.

It seems that lock failures like OP described are not particularly rare when it comes to ZT's framelocks. Of course they're not common, or ZT would be out of business, but they occur enough that there are a multitude of Youtube videos & forum posts discussing them.

There are lighter & cheaper knives that are not marketed as overbuilt, produced to be overbuilt, or have an overbuilt 'aesthetic', yet seem to withstand much more violent spinewhack tests just fine with much fewer reports of failure. In some cases, it appears that those knives' locks are also stronger in other aspects as well.

So why make the compromise?
 
K.O.D. said:
I really get sick of these "spine whack" failures. If you expect your knife to fail a test it was never designed to pass, then it is going to fail. Stupidity is not a valid reason for complaining/ranting. I have yet to be in a situation where batoning/spine whacking a folder was necessary, and I've been carrying knives for 30 years.

No matter how "overbuilt" a folder may be, it was never designed to be idiot proof.
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Couldn't have said it better myself.
 
asdf12345 said:
When you purchase an "overbuilt" folder you make compromises in terms of greater weight, bulkiness, and price. The idea is that you're getting extra strength in return.

It seems that lock failures like OP described are not particularly rare when it comes to ZT's framelocks. Of course they're not common, or ZT would be out of business, but they occur enough that there are a multitude of Youtube videos & forum posts discussing them.

There are lighter & cheaper knives that are not marketed as overbuilt, produced to be overbuilt, or have an overbuilt 'aesthetic', yet seem to withstand much more violent spinewhack tests just fine with much fewer reports of failure. In some cases, it appears that those knives' locks are also stronger in other aspects as well.

So why make the compromise?
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I would argue that a few dozens videos out of what must be tens of thousands of ZT owners does not justify a significant percentage of impacted users. I would wager that if I changed my search for Emerson, or Strider or even CRK you can find a few videos of people complaining about locks sticking or failing. Perhaps more attention is drawn to ZT cases because people expect to be able to use them as jack stands on their car without issue because the word "tank" is on the box.
 
I'm sure ZT would say save yourself the trouble of making a youtube video,posting it on Bladeforums in a another thread that's like a monkey having sex with a football.
Send us your knife and we will fix it! ;)
 
jprime84 said:
I would argue that a few dozens videos out of what must be tens of thousands of ZT owners does not justify a significant percentage of impacted users. I would wager that if I changed my search for Emerson, or Strider or even CRK you can find a few videos of people complaining about locks sticking or failing. Perhaps more attention is drawn to ZT cases because people expect to be able to use them as jack stands on their car without issue because the word "tank" is on the box.
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I don't see lock stick is an issue in use. Yes, it can wear a lock quickly, and a sticky lock can fail, but it's not an indicator that the lock is more likely to fail.

Locks failing is an issue no matter the manufacturer, whether it's ZT, Emerson, Strider or CRK.

However, it's more annoying the more compromises you make for the overbuilt aesthetic.

Take the Cold Steel Recon for example. It's relatively lightweight at 5.3 ounces for a 4 inch blade, and relatively slim and easy to carry.

Then look at the ZT 300. It gives you a 3.7 inch blade at 8.1 ounces. It's much thicker & bulkier, and costs more than double what the Recon does.

In a hypothetical world where the instances of lock failure were equal for both knives, the ZT 300's failing is more annoying, since comfort is sacrificed in exchange for "strength".

But have you ever heard of any reports of the Triad lock failing by a spinewhack test?

Or compare the Benchmade Adamas to the ZT 300. They weigh the same & have the same blade length, with the Benchmade $50 cheaper.

Have you ever heard any reports of the Axis lock on that knife failing by a spinewhack test?

The Cold Steel & Benchmade are more reliably strong, and do it at a lighter weight & cheaper price. It's therefore more annoying when knives like the ZT 300 have a higher failure rate & have more finicky locks, while being likewise designed & marketed to be & feel "overbuilt".

Of course, if "fit & finish" and brand-name matter very much to you, and you're purchasing knives more for the "feeling" of that knife being strong rather than its actual strength...

skyhorse said:
I'm sure ZT would say save yourself the trouble of making a youtube video,posting it on Bladeforums in a another thread that's like a monkey having sex with a football.
Send us your knife and we will fix it!
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"They will fix it" shouldn't be the immediate defense of a company when issues with their product come up. Speaking of which, with ZT a knife might need to be sent back & forth more than a few times to get it fixed...
 
I have 2 ZT 0550's, both are Gen 2s. One of them suffers from the lock slip, I can close it with about the same force as a stiff slip joint. The other is as solid as any framelock I've ever had. I have contacted ZT, and they advised to send it in to them for warranty work. I'm quite sure they would fix it and I've been happy with their responses, but I haven't gotten around to sending it in. It's not really a problem as anytime I am using the knife properly, I am applying force to the lockbar, which would keep it from disengaging anyway.

Also, I have technically voided the warranty by disassembling the knife, and I have disclosed that to the warranty department, and they are still willing to fix it.

I should add that I've also had a 1st gen (completely solid) and a 0551 (also completely solid)
 
LadyEarth said:
This is directly from the website: "...premium-quality folding knife built to stand up to heavy-duty use and harsh, real-world conditions."
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Well! If its ad copy on a website it has to be true! Though, I have yet to open a beer and have a bunch of women in bikinis run up to me in slow motion. What gives?
 
Geneo said:
I think the lock is acting as a spring and when you whack it, it compresses it and it springs back into the unlocked position. The 550 has a stabilizer that prevents the lock bar from compressing. Now why does the 300 do this when it has a stabilizer?
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The lockbar stabilizer prevents the lock from OVER-EXTENDING as you close it.
 
I agree,

Zt is not more prone to lock slip or failure than any other manufacturer. Some people would like to believe that though.

OP, send your knife in for warranty its FREE
jprime84 said:
I would argue that a few dozens videos out of what must be tens of thousands of ZT owners does not justify a significant percentage of impacted users. I would wager that if I changed my search for Emerson, or Strider or even CRK you can find a few videos of people complaining about locks sticking or failing. Perhaps more attention is drawn to ZT cases because people expect to be able to use them as jack stands on their car without issue because the word "tank" is on the box.
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Emersons are damn near or more money than zero tolerance, use g10 and liner lock that is over come by spinewhacks, and has154cm but your not trolling against them are you ? At least zt will send free clips,screws,bolts,nuts, and has free warranty. Oh and emerson claim to be 1# hard use knife in the world...



Your more knife for the money argument doesn't just apply to zt does it?

Axis lock is very strong but has omega springs that WILL fail, its only a matter of time.....could be 4months or 10 years anyone's guess.

Every lock has pro's and cons, I prefer frame lock to back lock (tri-ad) for ease of disengagement. I own several cold steel ak47s and have had a few zts currently a zt0620cf in my pocket.

Your logic against zt applies to other manufacturers do you voice your same disdain for them as well?



asdf12345 said:
I don't see lock stick is an issue in use. Yes, it can wear a lock quickly, and a sticky lock can fail, but it's not an indicator that the lock is more likely to fail.

Locks failing is an issue no matter the manufacturer, whether it's ZT, Emerson, Strider or CRK.

However, it's more annoying the more compromises you make for the overbuilt aesthetic.

Take the Cold Steel Recon for example. It's relatively lightweight at 5.3 ounces for a 4 inch blade, and relatively slim and easy to carry.

Then look at the ZT 300. It gives you a 3.7 inch blade at 8.1 ounces. It's much thicker & bulkier, and costs more than double what the Recon does.

In a hypothetical world where the instances of lock failure were equal for both knives, the ZT 300's failing is more annoying, since comfort is sacrificed in exchange for "strength".

But have you ever heard of any reports of the Triad lock failing by a spinewhack test?

Or compare the Benchmade Adamas to the ZT 300. They weigh the same & have the same blade length, with the Benchmade $50 cheaper.

Have you ever heard any reports of the Axis lock on that knife failing by a spinewhack test?

The Cold Steel & Benchmade are more reliably strong, and do it at a lighter weight & cheaper price. It's therefore more annoying when knives like the ZT 300 have a higher failure rate & have more finicky locks, while being likewise designed & marketed to be & feel "overbuilt".

Of course, if "fit & finish" and brand-name matter very much to you, and you're purchasing knives more for the "feeling" of that knife being strong rather than its actual strength...



"They will fix it" shouldn't be the immediate defense of a company when issues with their product come up. Speaking of which, with ZT a knife might need to be sent back & forth more than a few times to get it fixed...
Click to expand...
 
LadyEarth said:
ZT is meant to be "abused" via hard use. But if the locks cannot be heavy duty and disengages too easily, like I and others has already mentioned above, that is not performing as per advertised by ZT. That simply means the lock is not up to par for its task such as my case. I don't see why it is such a hard thing to understand; Zero Tolerance is not a Gentleman knife. It is a line of knives that is designed to stand up to "abuse" and hard use. This is directly from the website: "...premium-quality folding knife built to stand up to heavy-duty use and harsh, real-world conditions."
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Define abused. Define disengages too easily. and then read real world conditions.
 
Oh yay. We're at the let's compare two knives made in different countries with completely different materials in a strength per dollar metric. Woohoo.
 
We should all get opinels, the lock strength to dollar amount is off the charts lol
Scurvy092 said:
Oh yay. We're at the let's compare two knives made in different countries with comoletely different materials in a strength per dollar metric. Woohoo.
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