ZT 0450 rattles

neffarious

neffarious

Joined
Jun 23, 2012
Messages
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I wanted to ask the advice of BF here. I have acquired a ZT 0450 G10 and the blade rattles in the closed position. It doesn't seem to be something that can be tightened away, its vertical. Is this something that would be covered under warranty? It's as if the detent hole is too big. There is a detent, it's just "loose" It doesn't seem to affect functionality, but it does seem to bother the hell out of me as none of my other knives rattle when I shake them. I'm not a perfectionist anymore, but this is going to make me nuts, to the point that I won't carry it. Is this in any way normal for this model? The last thing I want to do is sent it in only to have them tell me it's within tolerances. Thanks in advance for any help.
 
neffarious said:
I wanted to ask the advice of BF here. I have acquired a ZT 0450 G10 and the blade rattles in the closed position. It doesn't seem to be something that can be tightened away, its vertical. Is this something that would be covered under warranty? It's as if the detent hole is too big. There is a detent, it's just "loose" It doesn't seem to affect functionality, but it does seem to bother the hell out of me as none of my other knives rattle when I shake them. I'm not a perfectionist anymore, but this is going to make me nuts, to the point that I won't carry it. Is this in any way normal for this model? The last thing I want to do is sent it in only to have them tell me it's within tolerances. Thanks in advance for any help.
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That would bug the snot out of me too. I would call them and explain what the knife is doing and politely inform them that you are bothered by this. Even if it is within company specs, they still might be tweek it a little to stop the rattle.
 
I would just email them with all the information you've given here and see what they suggest you do. Their customer service is absolutely top notch. But I'm with you, not a perfectionist, but that would drive me 100% up the wall.
 
If it has the spring assisted opening what you're hearing is the spring rattling when it's not under tension. Just apply a small bit of grease or silicon to the spring and it will stop the rattling.
 
Soleil, that would be a great suggestion, unfortunately the ZT 0450 is not spring assisted. But I had a Kershaw Blur a while back which had the same problem. Bit of grease in the area where the spring was housed, nice and quiet afterward.
 
Contact KAI and request warranty service. They offer some of the best support in the industry. What you're hearing isn't normal and should be covered. They'll take care of you.

Alternately, if you're within a return window with your retailer, you could return the knife for an exchange.

Good luck!
 
Nautique said:
How does it flip, is there excessive blade play in the closed position?
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It moves a couple of MM when closed. Enough that I know that is why it is rattling.
Hackenslash said:
Contact KAI and request warranty service. They offer some of the best support in the industry. What you're hearing isn't normal and should be covered. They'll take care of you.

Alternately, if you're within a return window with your retailer, you could return the knife for an exchange.

Good luck!
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I am not in the return window anymore.
 
Definitely give them a call......mine won't rattle no matter how hard I shake it. Also haveno blade play at all.
Good luck!
Joe
 
yep send to zt/kai and have them fix or replace it.
 
Very curious how this ends. I have the same problem, as if the extent hole is too big. No rattling, but the blade has 1 or 2 mm vertical play when closed!
 
Yes, that is exactly right. It rattles if you shake it. I honestly have no idea why I shook it, but I did. I have also now shaken all my other folders. None rattle or move.
 
I shaked mine very hard a minute ago and there is a neglectable amount of rattling. You can hardly hear or feel it. Still the play annoys me! You feel it every time just before you flip the knife open. I think it might need a bigger detent ball!
 
We have one ZT0450G10 left in stock and I just checked it. It has no rattle. Just to be on the safe side I also checked a couple of 450s, 450CFs and 460s and none had any rattle at all.

In the past couple of months I probably took 15-20 of the 450G10s apart for anodizing and never once noticed an issue. Not sure what is rattling but it does sound strange. I am sure ZT will gladly fix it for you. If not and you want to send it to me I will be happy to check it out and see what I can do.

Just curious, have you taken it apart or changed anything on it?
 
My 450CF does the same thing, but mine only has about 1mm of play in it. It's good to hear it isn't a massive out of spec nightmare, because it has a perfect detent and zero play otherwise.
 
I did not take my 0450 apart yet. But my guess is that the detent hole is too big. This can cause the rattling and small amount of vertical bladeplay when closed. I think a bigger size detent ball is the only way to solve this.
This is a pity, because other then that this little knife is perfect!
 
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neffarious said:
It moves a couple of MM when closed. Enough that I know that is why it is rattling.
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Are you sure about the movement range of a couple of mm? That would be larger than the size of the detent hole.

Regardless, I would send it in for warranty service. You can call KAI but I am certain you will be told to send it in.
 
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