ZT 0550 Question

jasonp

jasonp

Joined
Oct 7, 2002
Messages
1,213
OK guys, I picked up a 2nd Gen 0550. The fit and finish and everything about this knife is top notch. HOWEVER, out of the box it's one of the dullest knives I've ever bought new. It's no big deal as I like sharpening anyway. Out of the box, I can drag the sharp edge across the palm of my hand with pressure and not cut it. Just curious as to others experiences with this knife; is this the norm or did I get a fluke? Like I said, no big deal I'll sharpen it right up. Thanks!
By the way Kershaw Guy is top notch as well. Great price, fast shipping! :)
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id7td...=youtube_gdata
 
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Just checked my 2nd gen and not only did it make me flinch a little testing with a finger (I thought I sliced my finger, but didn't get to blood), but I can assure you I won't try the "palm of my hand with pressure" test with mine lol. My blade is sharp! Not the norm according to my knife, but let's see if others chime in.
 
The two I got (older generation with short pocket clip) were plenty sharp. I know I saw a video somewhere of the Kershaw/ZT factory where they do the paper test on them after sharpening before sending them out.
 
Just checked my 2nd gen and not only did it make me flinch a little testing with a finger (I thought I sliced my finger, but didn't get to blood), but I can assure you I won't try the "palm of my hand with pressure" test with mine lol. My blade is sharp! Not the norm according to my knife, but let's see if others chime in.
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I did the same thing with my 0550 on my desk and it put a small cut but no where near drawing blood [fortunately]!
 
I see what you mean, but trust me when I tell you that would not be recommended with mine! I think it's a fluke and a mirrored edge is in order. Post the after sharp pics and tests, just not the palm drag, okay? :D
 
jimw451 said:
I see what you mean, but trust me when I tell you that would not be recommended with mine! I think it's a fluke and a mirrored edge is in order. Post the after sharp pics and tests, just not the palm drag, okay? :D
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Trust me, no palm drags after I hit it with the Lansky...I'll try and convince a co-worker to try it and I'll video it :)
 
Hmmm. Thats interesting, I don't own a 0550 yet, but would not think about doing that with the 4 I have! Poor co-worker!
 
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Mine came fairly dull, I don't think it shaved, and with quite a bit of a recurve near the ricasso. I had to take a good amount of steel off to get the edge even and sharp. Also the primary bevels on mine are not even.

I am happy with the knife, though...after flipping it for a while it has become very smooth and the steel is nice as well, it gets super sharp easily and holds it.
 
orangehero said:
Mine came fairly dull, I don't think it shaved, and with quite a bit of a recurve near the ricasso. I had to take a good amount of steel off to get the edge even and sharp. Also the primary bevels on mine are not even.

I am happy with the knife, though...after flipping it for a while it has become very smooth and the steel is nice as well, it gets super sharp easily and holds it.
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This morning I hit the knife with a Lanksy and it sharpened VERY easily. S35VN (my first experience with it) seems to sharpen VERY easy, easier in fact than most steels on many of the other knives I own. I took it out to work in the S. TX brush and found some tests for it (report later when it's been put through the wringer). Mine came VERY smooth opening out of the box, I didn't get to experience the need to break it in like some have reported and thats a good thing. The inevitable comparison to my Hinderer XM-18 (my favorite knife) is being put to the test. Thus far, I am happy to report that the comparison is going very well; this seems to be one WELL made knife. Truthfully, I haven't been this impressed with a knife in a while. I couldn't convince my co-worker to redo the palm test after I sharpened it though. :)
 
My 0551 (late model) as delivered was absolute perfection (lock up, blade centering, smoothness of opening) except for sharpness, which I would equate to that of the common non-serrated butter knife. Trying to cut paper and cardboard resulted in tearing of the material rather than cutting. As a result, it's sat in my drawer for nearly a year. I plan to send it back to get it sharpened up (as I don't want to screw up having never sharpened elmax before) but the moral of the story is some dull ones certainly do make their way out of the manufacturing plant.
 
Jasonp-I think your pivot screw is loose...not the one on your knife either..I would never have thought to test the sharpness on a blade like that video. :eek: LOL
 
Oldbugr said:
Jasonp-I think your pivot screw is loose...not the one on your knife either..I would never have thought to test the sharpness on a blade like that video. :eek: LOL
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Yes, my wife confirmed that my pivot screw is loose...and a few others :)
 
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