ZT 0562 detent differences

ekastanis

ekastanis

Joined
Jan 16, 2018
Messages
83
I have two 0562s that I picked up on the secondary market, each with quite different detents. The first is an 0562CF (SN high 10000s) that has a pretty nice detent, maybe even on the soft side. This knive was in virtually new condition when I got it, factory edge, on tiny scratch on the clip, that's it. In practice the blade always deploys fully, but if I want I can make it only come out half way.

The second I bought is an 0562 Elmax (SN low 5000s). The detent on this one is very strong. It is older and appears to be more carried and well-used than the 0562CF, although still in good condition. When I first received it, I noticed some grime inside the knife so I disassembled and cleaned it, and put a drop of lightweight oil on each of the bearings and the detent hole and track. After reassembly and tuning the pivot tightness, the blade travels very smoothly, but the detent is still very strong. If I accidentally get a finger on the lockbar when trying to open it, it often won't deploy at all until I adjust my grip.

If I hold them both up, I notice that the detent ball on the 0562 is more prominent than on the 0562CF. All the information I've found about ZT's changes in the detent set-up refer to making it stronger in the timeframe of the early 0562 production.

Sorry for the wordy post with no photos, I can upload some when I get home. Just wondering if some member may have any insight on this difference I'm experiencing.

Thanks.
 
I just received a brand new one from a dealer in the mid 5000 range also in elmax, and yes, you are correct, its a very strong detent. I can however use the blade stop and flipper at the same time to achieve a controlled opening. If grip is on the lock bar tight it will not open and I do have to adjust grip but its not an issue. After opening the 562 for a few days I went to open my domino and when i used the flipper the blade wouldn't open all the way, I really had to use more momentum on the domino to get it to open. IT does seem the higher serial numbers seem to be a little weaker on the 562's I have played with. I much prefer a stronger detent as opposed to a weaker, for one, it helps keep the knife closed in pocket and accidentally opening. This 562 is a tank, IMO the 550 was the only other ZT folder that just feels like its bomb proof.
 
Mine is Elmax, serial 1683. The detent is stronger than most non-ZTs I’ve handled by a little. Consistent with my 0609, and the dozen or so other 0562s I’ve handled. I can flip mine consistently and with authority even with pressure on the lockbar.

I’m not disputing what you’re saying. Simply reporting that my personal experience has been that the 0562s I’ve handled have been very consistent with each other. They’ve also matched well to 0801s, 0609s, and the two 0470s I’ve handled.

The (4-5) 0393s I’ve handled have been lighter, and all but one flipped like mush. That’s a side note, but it does acknowledge possible inconsistency.
 
My regular S35VN version of the 0562 has a very strong detent, as does my 0562blk but they’re consistent with most other ZT’s (0452, 0801, 0909, 393s...)...however my 0562orange/blk is a little weaker, no wrist flick needed, but different enough that it takes a few flips to get used to the difference and be able to open it. I have a 0200, 0560 and a 0095blk that are a little weak too but they still open. Doesn’t bother me either way.
 
I've got a newer 0562cf in 20cv and the detent is a little bit on the lighter side too. It doesn't fly out nearly as fast as my 0452 without a little bit of a wrist flick.
 
It is easy to adjust the detent to your liking of strength, by bending the lockbar in or out CAREFULLY. My 0562 Elmax detent was a bit too light. I bent the lackbar inward slightly and now it has medium/strong detent, which I prefer.
 
Thanks for the replies folks. These are my first ZTs and the only ones I've ever handled, so I have no point of reference. I appreciate you chiming in.

sharp_edge said:
It is easy to adjust the detent to your liking of strength, by bending the lockbar in or out CAREFULLY.
Click to expand...

Sorry if this bit belongs in 'maintenance, tinkering & embelishment': I assume in order to bend the lock bar out, I would need to remove the lock bar stabilizer and lock bar face insert, in order to get it to flex far enough. In bending the lock bar out, wouldn't there be a risk of inducing some lock rock, or would that be way beyond the amount required to adjust the detent?
 
ekastanis said:
Thanks for the replies folks. These are my first ZTs and the only ones I've ever handled, so I have no point of reference. I appreciate you chiming in.



Sorry if this bit belongs in 'maintenance, tinkering & embelishment': I assume in order to bend the lock bar out, I would need to remove the lock bar stabilizer and lock bar face insert, in order to get it to flex far enough. In bending the lock bar out, wouldn't there be a risk of inducing some lock rock, or would that be way beyond the amount required to adjust the detent?
Click to expand...

Have you taken either one apart yet ?
Do that first, take both apart and see if you can see any apparent differences. See if both detent balls are the same distance protruding out of the lock bar. See if the detent holes in the blade are the same. See if the tension on the lock bars are the same. See if the pivot assemble has the same tightness on both knives.
Then, consider making an adjustment on the lock bar tension.
 
After having a 0562cf open in my pocket I will always prefer a folding knife with a stronger detent.
 
ekastanis said:
Thanks for the replies folks. These are my first ZTs and the only ones I've ever handled, so I have no point of reference. I appreciate you chiming in.



Sorry if this bit belongs in 'maintenance, tinkering & embelishment': I assume in order to bend the lock bar out, I would need to remove the lock bar stabilizer and lock bar face insert, in order to get it to flex far enough. In bending the lock bar out, wouldn't there be a risk of inducing some lock rock, or would that be way beyond the amount required to adjust the detent?
Click to expand...

You will have to do it very carefully and incrementally. Honestly I would not bend it since the detent is strong rather than weak.
 
sharp_edge said:
You will have to do it very carefully and incrementally. Honestly I would not bend it since the detent is strong rather than weak.
Click to expand...
Agreed^^ If the detent is strong it should break in over time. I had a problems deploying my 0462 when I first got it but a slight change in my grip solved that
 
I have 19 ZTs and with the exception of my 0462blk my 0562 has the second weakest detent. My 0562cf has a pretty strong detent which I prefer.
 
Thanks again all for the replies. It looks like there are varying experiences here. Of course there are variations in mass-produced items. I'm an engineer in the auto industry and we deal with this, but depend on good design and manufacturing process control to minimize it. The difference between my two knives is outside what I would expect from normal process variation. Maybe I'm out to lunch on that, but in auto manufacturing it wouldn't cut it.

As I mentioned in my first post, I can visually observe that the detent ball is more prominent from the lock bar insert in the 0562 with the stiff detent. I bet if I were to swap the lock bar inserts, the detent strength would follow it (not going try it, both knives lock up perfectly and I'm not going to mess with it). It could be manufacturing variation, a design or process change that ZT made at some point, or even a modification made by a previous owner of the softer detent knife, who knows.

The strong detent knife is well used enough that I'm not sure how much more break-in there will be. But as other posters have wisely pointed out, too stiff is better than too weak, and luckily neither of mine are too weak. As long as I make sure to keep my fingers off the lock bar when I grip it for opening, it deploys, so I'm going to leave it as is.

Thanks again all for the input. I've learned a lot from reading these forums.
 
ekastanis said:
Thanks again all for the replies. It looks like there are varying experiences here. Of course there are variations in mass-produced items. I'm an engineer in the auto industry and we deal with this, but depend on good design and manufacturing process control to minimize it. The difference between my two knives is outside what I would expect from normal process variation. Maybe I'm out to lunch on that, but in auto manufacturing it wouldn't cut it.

As I mentioned in my first post, I can visually observe that the detent ball is more prominent from the lock bar insert in the 0562 with the stiff detent. I bet if I were to swap the lock bar inserts, the detent strength would follow it (not going try it, both knives lock up perfectly and I'm not going to mess with it). It could be manufacturing variation, a design or process change that ZT made at some point, or even a modification made by a previous owner of the softer detent knife, who knows.

The strong detent knife is well used enough that I'm not sure how much more break-in there will be. But as other posters have wisely pointed out, too stiff is better than too weak, and luckily neither of mine are too weak. As long as I make sure to keep my fingers off the lock bar when I grip it for opening, it deploys, so I'm going to leave it as is.

Thanks again all for the input. I've learned a lot from reading these forums.
Click to expand...

Good decision, just use them and enjoy them, if it becomes to much for your OCD to handle, (you have to have some being an engineer), send it to ZT, they will resolve it.

I have OCD also.
 
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