ZT 0561 Opens too easily.

M

middleofsomewhere

Joined
Feb 8, 2014
Messages
11
Hello,

As the title says. I've had a 0561 for a few months now and really like the knife other than one thing. It will open in my pocket when wearing anything other than jeans. The first(and last) time in happened I clipped in my sweatpants pocket when outside to do some yardwork and reached for it and cut my finger.

I called ZT and they said I could either take it apart and bend the lock bar tighter or send it in to them. I looked at the wait period and tried doing it myself. The results were a knife that stayed secure but once opened it took a flat blade screw driver to unlock the lock bar.

Next I had my Snap On guy send it back to ZT for repair(letting them know what was going on and what I wanted). The result was a knife I could unlock without a screwdriver but it still opens way too easily. I can open it by holding the frame in my hand slinging it forward with a quick stop. Don't even have to touch the flipper.

I would send it back to ZT(again) but it took sooooo long and I missed it:(

Anyone have any advice?
 
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You need to just send it in. Working on a knife isn't for everyone, and things can go sideways pretty quick.
 
middleofsomewhere said:
Hello,

As the title says. I've had a 0561 for a few months now and really like the knife other than one thing. It will open in my pocket when wearing anything other than jeans. The first(and last) time in happened I clipped in my sweatpants pocket when outside to do some yardwork and reached for it and cut my finger.

I called ZT and they said I could either take it apart and bend the lock bar tighter or send it in to them. I looked at the wait period and tried doing it myself. The results were a knife that stayed secure but once opened it took a flat blade screw driver to unlock the lock bar.

Next I had my Snap On guy send it back to ZT for repair(letting them know what was going on and what I wanted). The result was a knife I could unlock without a screwdriver but it still opens way too easily. I can open it by holding the frame in my had slinging it forward with a quick stop. Don't even have to touch the flipper.

I would send it back to ZT(again) but it took sooooo long and I missed it:(

Anyone have any advice?
Click to expand...

With out the knife in hand its gonna be pretty hard for any of us to tell if the detent strength on your 0561 is abnormal. One thing you have to realized is with ZT's and other makes with thicker (than average) blade stock is that the blades are heavier. If you're used to thin super slicing Spydercos than the blade on your ZT will seem to almost break the detent on its own. Just food for thought.

As far as fixing your knife. Unless the detent ball itself is out of spec, all KAI will do is bend the lock bar. You seemed to have the right idea, probably just did it a little too much. It takes a lot of care and finesse... If you're at all competent with fixing things, you should be able to do it your self. If you're unsure send it it to KAI, but like you've already experienced it may take a month to come back as something you still don't like.
 
Does it feel like it has some detent when you try to open it? I wonder if the detent is defective, that's what it sound like.

I have a ZT 0561 and no way is it opening in my pocket, I have fairly strong hands and I can't open it at all with the thumbstuds, and it takes a lot of force on the flipper to open it. Once the detent releases you are putting so much force on the flipper that the blade fully opens very fast.
 
Pretty sure this is a known problem with this model. I cut myself the same way you did while in the middle of hurricane sandy evacuation. Horrible to reach in you pocket and pull out a bloody hand. My solution....switched it to tip down.
 
I think the 0560 series has gone through a few iterations with detents I think. When they first came out, they had nice tight detents. Then there was a bunch of chimp screaming about people not being able to open their knife with the thumb studs. Then I think ZT tried to adjust the detent strength to satisfy them. Then people complained about weak detents.

I've had three models.

My first was an 0560. The detent initially was a little weak but it was because the ball and hole didn't line up 100%. After a few months of use, it broke in and they lined up improving the detent.

My second is my 0561 blem which has a perfect detent. I have it set up for tip down.

My thrid is my 0560cbcf and also has a perfect detent. I have it set for tip up.
 
Of the quantity I have handled. Most were perfect and required a significant amount of force to open.
That is what the customer service is for.
You should make a detailed note of exactly what you want fixed being the detent. And say you want it fixed so you are not injured.
They will take care of you. Or like these guys said, tip down for a temp fix.
 
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awh said:
Pretty sure this is a known problem with this model. I cut myself the same way you did while in the middle of hurricane sandy evacuation. Horrible to reach in you pocket and pull out a bloody hand. My solution....switched it to tip down.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was gonna ask OP how he's carrying it.
Hard to have a mishap when it's tip down.
 
I would suggest trying to bend the lock bar in to give it a stronger detent. If that doesn't work, sadly it will have to go back to ZT.

If you don't know how to bend the lock bar, there are dozens of videos on YouTube demonstrating how to.
 
RevDevil said:
You need to just send it in. Working on a knife isn't for everyone, and things can go sideways pretty quick.
Click to expand...

Indeed.. I took my 560 apart to clean it. Was more difficult than I thought. Much more than my PM2 which took forever to adjust perfect.
 
My first 0561 was so easy to open I considered it unsafe. No detent essentially. I returned it and bought another from a local shop and it is perfect. Easy to flip open but strong enough that it won't open on its own. It is a great knife and operates like it should.

It might suck, but you need to call them, speak to someone about it and send it back it. They aren't cheap knives so why settle for one that doesn't work as it should?
 
Thanks for the replies. As to wearing it tip down, I don't want it open slightly and stab me in the thigh(and the clip would be more in my grip area).

After examining it closer it looked like the detent ball wasn't dropping very far into the hole. So I drilled it a tiny bit larger(using a 1/16th drill bit). The result is very good, I can no longer fling the blade out like it used to. Also the flipper action is a lot better. IE I can open it with the flipper and no wrist action. I might try going a hair larger??hmm
 
You're braver than me. I wouldn't carry any folder while wearing sweat pants. Too much freedom of movement for a folder.
 
I wouldn't try self-modifications unless I seriously knew what I was doing and could accept the fact that it would legitimately void the warranty. If maintenance doesn't work, I would respectfully ask for another one as I felt mine was defective. If the other one has the same problem, it could either be an issue with the knife, or how you carry it.

To date, I haven't had an issue with the 056X models. My 0560CF opens even easier and smoother than the production model, and I've still never had it open in my pocket.
 
I'm not going to again, even after messing with it. I think my SAK is pretty safe to carry in loose pockets lol. I kinda feel stupid but I never thought of this happening...until it did.
 
middleofsomewhere said:
Thanks for the replies. As to wearing it tip down, I don't want it open slightly and stab me in the thigh(and the clip would be more in my grip area).

After examining it closer it looked like the detent ball wasn't dropping very far into the hole. So I drilled it a tiny bit larger(using a 1/16th drill bit). The result is very good, I can no longer fling the blade out like it used to. Also the flipper action is a lot better. IE I can open it with the flipper and no wrist action. I might try going a hair larger??hmm
Click to expand...

Smart man !! I have chamfered more than a few detent holes.

A loose blade tip down is not a good idea.

A little common sense goes a long way.
 
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