ZT 0561 lockbar too heavy-duty?

Sonnydaze · Apr 20, 2013

When I deploy the blade on my new 0561, it really snaps in with authority. That is one strong lockbar. However, when I want to close the blade, I have to use two hands...one to release the lockbar, and one to close the blade. The lockbar is NOT sticky at all; just very strong and heavy-duty. Is this normal for this knife? I had a 0550 and numerous 0350's that closed rather easily...
Thanks,
Sonny

RevDevil · Apr 20, 2013

Yep, sounds to me like you got a good one. Keep in mind the knives are overbuilt for a reason.

JBK2596 · Apr 20, 2013

NO this not normal! lol, if it dosent stick and is just that stiff contact ZT.

Locutus D'Borg · Apr 20, 2013

I have another brand with the exact same issue. Extremely strong lock bar. It allows the knife to lock up like a vault, but I almost strained my hand pushing the lock bar aside to close the knife. And there is no way I know to adjust that.

Sonnydaze said:
When I deploy the blade on my new 0561, it really snaps in with authority. That is one strong lockbar. However, when I want to close the blade, I have to use two hands...one to release the lockbar, and one to close the blade. The lockbar is NOT sticky at all; just very strong and heavy-duty. Is this normal for this knife? I had a 0550 and numerous 0350's that closed rather easily...
Thanks,
Sonny

JuJu- · Apr 20, 2013

JBK2596 said:
NO this not normal! lol, if it dosent stick and is just that stiff contact ZT.

No this IS about normal. This is not a Real problem. It is a good "problem" to have.

DedRok · Apr 21, 2013

Well, if you guys consider it normal why is mine easy to unlock with one hand? Keep in mind I've been fondling mine daily for probably a year now. Probably 10,000 engages and its at about 55% lockup and has no wiggle room side to side or up and down. Ocassionally I'll add pencil lead or sharpie marker to the lock up when I add oil to the ball bearings. I can also open mine up with the thumb studs easily... I think I have an amazing 0560!

Sonnydaze, you said its not locking, but I still suggest applying either pencil lead or sharpie to your lock. It can't hurt.

Locutus D'Borg · Apr 21, 2013

I'm not sure you are understanding what we are saying. The lock bar, even with the cut-out to make it flexible, is stiff when you push it out to close the blade. It is not sticking on anything, it moves freely, it is just less flexible on some brands than on others.

DedRok said:
Well, if you guys consider it normal why is mine easy to unlock with one hand? Keep in mind I've been fondling mine daily for probably a year now. Probably 10,000 engages and its at about 55% lockup and has no wiggle room side to side or up and down. Ocassionally I'll add pencil lead or sharpie marker to the lock up when I add oil to the ball bearings. I can also open mine up with the thumb studs easily... I think I have an amazing 0560!

Sonnydaze, you said its not locking, but I still suggest applying either pencil lead or sharpie to your lock. It can't hurt.

Sonnydaze · Apr 21, 2013

Locutus D'Borg said:
I'm not sure you are understanding what we are saying. The lock bar, even with the cut-out to make it flexible, is stiff when you push it out to close the blade. It is not sticking on anything, it moves freely, it is just less flexible on some brands than on others.

Well-stated. I'd imagine that all of these titanium lockbars come from a similar batch of product and one wouldn't expect to find a large bell-shaped curve to encompass the flexibility of various similar lockbars. I've had 350's, a 550 and a 560 that were "free and easy." Interesting situation.
Sonny