ZT 0350 series de-assist. Yay or nay?

If you deassist it then it is a good idea to drill a detent hole for retention when closed.
 
I prefer just to leave the ZTs as is. If the bar fails, ZT will send you a new one. If you have to wait on the bar to get there, big deal, the knife will still work (and let's face it, if you're here posting then certainly have another knife to rely on for a few days).
You could also just request one now and keep it on hand. I dont think I have heard of anyone burning through two torsion bars without meaning to.

I DAed my 350 once when I took it apart to see what it looked like inside. It was ok, but I liked it assisted better.
 
I have a ZT 0350.
Bought it because it was assisted. If you dont want an assisted knife, do not buy a 0350..simple!
I happen to like assisted knives and autos...some don't.
 
Try to find a 0200.

As mentioned, the SG Spider Monkey is great.

I've owned a few ZT'S. I deassisted my 0350, premature torsion bar breakage. It worked fine. But I got a new one, re-assisted, sold it.

Also deassisted my 0770CF. It wouldn't center, didn't flip worth crap. Put the torsion bar back in, sold it. I don't like assisted knives.

For ZT money, there are plenty of options out there. I don't really understand the whole overbuilt thing, tried it, wasn't a fan.

It's hard to go higher end but want something other than Ti or CF.

I guess my best suggestion would be an Emerson CQC 7 flipper.
 
I de assisted mine works fine the 350 has a detent hole already it’s the 300 series that doesn’t unless you drill one, also the 560/561 series didn’t have the best detent flips so so cheers John
 
I removed the torsion bar on my 0566. The problem is the detent was not precisely drilled so theres some slop in it without the tension from the spring bar. I also had to add thin perforated washers and grease to aid in smoothing the action.
 
I deassisted my 566cf. The torsion bar would pop, so I chucked it. Works fine! Not as smooth as a bearing knife, or my para 3, but it deploys fine using the pushbutton technique.

Also deassisted my 770cf. Took a little tuning, but it too flips pretty well, have to lightswitch it though. Detent isn't that strong, might look at working on that later. Can shake it closed. No complaints from me. Might reassisst later, who knows. Do what makes you happy.
 
hhmoore said:
<shrugs>
Different strokes...
I couldn't wait to get rid of my 0350, and I never had any interest in the 0562 (I had the 0560).
For an office environment, I'm not a fan of assisted openers or flippers...controlled opening is the way to go. No need to announce to everybody that you've got your knife out (again).
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That is why I deassisted my 350. It is now opened with a thumb stud for controlled operation. And it can still be flipped. And a 3.25 inch blade doesn't concern the bystanders. Good edc/work knife with g10 handles.
 
I just put the spring bar back in my 0566 G10 after coating it w/some lube grease to keep it from rattling (which was why I took it out in the 1st place). I like it better assisted.
 
Armen said:
I wouldn't say tons. It's a small handful that are still in production or available on Amazon.

I don't like all titanium scales or coated finishes because Im OCD about scratches (usually look for CF or G10 because of this)
I live in California so the blade has to be under 4" (even 3.5" is questionable in some jurisdictions).

If you have any models you can recommend I'd appreciate it.

I owned a 0450CF but wasn't too crazy about it because of the narrow handle and slick CF scales. I dropped it a few times
I currently have a 0562CF in my possession which I love but it may be too much for the sheeple around the office.
Click to expand...

Since when is there a law in California on a blade length for a folder? I was under the impression there were no restrictions unless you lived in Los Angeles. I'm just curious because I've not heard anything to the contrary until your post about 4 in, can you elaborate please?
 
I have de assisted some of my 0350
It work correctly and you can even ask ZT for a set of washers
This will allow you to put 2 large washers rather than one large and one small when you will have removed the torsion bar


The last I keep is assisted
At the end I like the assist on this model and after more than 9 years with a 0350 i never had any issue with the torsion bar

Great knife as it is
 
I’ve used the living fool out of my Kershaw knockout, and am willing to bet that I won’t wear that little torsion bar out before I die.
 
I love my 0350 and I've never considered de-assisting it, despite strongly preferring manual knives in general. Blasting it open is part of its appeal, and it's one of the best-implemented assists I've ever used.

My torsion bar only rattles if the knife is half-open, and even then only rarely. If it ever starts rattling when it's open or closed (closed seems unlikely, given that it's holding the blade shut), I'll pop it open and drop in some grease to quiet it down.
 
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