ZT 0562CF and ZT0452CF

A

Andrew124c41

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Mar 19, 2017
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I have collected knives for awhile but am by no means an expert and I am new to the Forums. Most of my collection is from a long time ago....I took a bit of a hiatus from collecting. In any case, I recently picked up a Benchmade Crooked River which I absolutely love as well as a number of other knives including two cheap ones that are actually pretty good...Rat I and II by Ontario. I have large hands and generally like larger knives even for EDC. I have problems closing the knives....the thumb stud is really I stop. The flippers work flawlessly...closing is the problem.

So, I hear all these raves about ZT and in particular the Hinder slicer. I get one from Blade HQ. I told them I did not want the 204P but they send it anyway. I send it back they send the Crucible version of the same steel which is what I wanted. (Are they different, probably not. However, I wanted Crucible's.) So, I get the second knife and the lockup is from hell. I have strong hands but I am denting my thumb trying to CLOSE it. There is no jimping and little clearance. The third knife they send has the same problem. I am waiting for the fourth. Meanwhile I get the 0452 from Amazon. It has the exact same problem. No, it is not sticking....it does not need Graphite or oil as far as I can tell. The frame locks are just very tight. It is just that the frame lock requires a lot of force to bend it. I am not going to send either of these to ZT because it takes weeks. I think this is just the way they are. I think the answer is simple, ZT is not for me. Any thouoghts would be appreciated. I do have other framelocks and do not have this problem.
 
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Have you ever owned any framelock knives? The first thing comes to my mind is that you are pressing the lockbar when flipping open the ZTs.
 
sharp_edge said:
Have you ever owned any framelock knives? The first thing comes to my mind is that you are pressing the lockbar when flipping open the ZTs.
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This. I cannot believe that you are having the exact same problem with each of these knives. They are quite popular for a reason and if they were having this level of QC issues, it would be everywhere.
 
If the ZT's are not for you, then most any flipper may not be for you.
The 452 and 562 are really nice smooth flippers believe it or not. It may be your technique opening them that is causing the issues. As stated, if you are putting any pressure on the lock bar, it will be almost impossible to flip them open, no matter what model it is.
I just got a 456 that had a stiff detent making it hard to open. Loosened up a tad on the pivot tension and it has made it a lot easier to flip open.
ZT has adjusted the detent on their knives where once the detent is overcome, the blade flies open. If it's not doing that, then you may want to look at some video's that demonstrate using a flipper.
 
These knives are not designed to be opened with the "thumb stud" but the flipper tab.

Note that he says he is denting his thumb.

Using the blade stop as a thumb stud is a quick way to a bruised thumb and not liking a particular knife, especially since they are not designed to be used to open the knife.

I think with a little bit of info, we can get you opening this knife just fine.
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Are you trying to use the nubs on the blade to open it or the flipper tab that stands out through the spine?

Are you applying any pressure to the lock bar while attempting to open the knife?

Do you hear or feel anything when you open the knife with two hands?
Any grinding, squealing or an abundance of rougher than expected rubbing?
 
Rereading it does make it sound like the lockbar, not the stop pin. Especially since the 452 doesn't have an external one.
EyeDog said:
452cf is great but a LONG blade. My overall favorite is the 562cf.
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Mike
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I have a ZT 456 and it snaps open with a touch of my finger using a KVT Ball Bearing, you can't find a better quicker opening knife and it has strong solid lock up, it's not small but it's a really great knife with quality CPM 20V steel.
 
Hmm. I have never had a problem with the lockbar on a ZT. Especially not my 0562. The stiffest lockbar on a ZT i have is maybe the 0566. Have you had much experience with Framelocks before these ZT? Maybe the way you are holding it?
 
It sounds like he has an issue with disengaging the lock. I have had similar issues with the 452CF. Maybe we just suck at disengaging frame locks.
 
If he's putting pressure on the lock bar while un locking, he can have an issue. I'll bet that's what he's doing.
Put fingers on the pocket clip when un locking the blade.
Hope that helps.
Joe
 
I had to re-read couple times to clearly understand the OP's issue. His use of the phrase "denting my thumb trying to open it" is confusing. I assume he means opening the lock to close the knife.

I can't speak to the 0562 as I neither have nor have handled one, though its lockbar cut-out looks similar to my 0452's. The 0452 is not the easiest knife to close, as the lockbar is flush with the opposite side cutout and indeed has no jimping. It does have a nice bevel to it, though, which I actually prefer to jimping in such a configuration. Closing the knife requires a more vertical attack with one's thumb and a fair amount of downward pressure before moving the bar to the side. When I haven't used my 0452 for a while it takes me one failed attempt at unlocking before I refamiliarize myself with the technique.

The other issue with unlocking is that one needs be sure to get the blade past the point where the detent ball over-rides the blade tang as the lockbar tension is strong. I think if the OP does indeed have strong hands but is consistently having a hard time unlocking the knife, then Joe's assumption is probably correct and OP needs to keep his middle finger off the lockbar.
 
Sorry guys....I was tired. It is NOT OPENING....it is CLOSING.

I am right handed with big hands and big thumbs. I can close it with my left hand more easilty but it really dents my thumb trying to close either knife....I have other frame locks and have no difficulty closing them....sorry for the confusion.
mattmanyam said:
I am reading the op like he is having problems unlocking the frame-lock... Not flipping?
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Yes, you are right. I was tired. The problem is closing with my right hand. The frame lock.
 
Dfunk1210 said:
Hmm. I have never had a problem with the lockbar on a ZT. Especially not my 0562. The stiffest lockbar on a ZT i have is maybe the 0566. Have you had much experience with Framelocks before these ZT? Maybe the way you are holding it?
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Yes, I have. What is weird is that I can open it easier with my left hand than my right. I think because the left thumb abducts pulling the lockbar whearas the right thumb has to adduct (push) and it is harder to get a grip...there is no jimping.
 
ChazzyP said:
I had to re-read couple times to clearly understand the OP's issue. His use of the phrase "denting my thumb trying to open it" is confusing. I assume he means opening the lock to close the knife.

I can't speak to the 0562 as I neither have nor have handled one, though its lockbar cut-out looks similar to my 0452's. The 0452 is not the easiest knife to close, as the lockbar is flush with the opposite side cutout and indeed has no jimping. It does have a nice bevel to it, though, which I actually prefer to jimping in such a configuration. Closing the knife requires a more vertical attack with one's thumb and a fair amount of downward pressure before moving the bar to the side. When I haven't used my 0452 for a while it takes me one failed attempt at unlocking before I refamiliarize myself with the technique.

The other issue with unlocking is that one needs be sure to get the blade past the point where the detent ball over-rides the blade tang as the lockbar tension is strong. I think if the OP does indeed have strong hands but is consistently having a hard time unlocking the knife, then Joe's assumption is probably correct and OP needs to keep his middle finger off the lockbar.
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Yes, you are absolutely right....I was tired when I wrote the post. It closes easier with the left thumb though I am right handed....why...because the left thumb abducts, pulls, while the right thumb adducts, pushes...difficult with no jimping and minimal area to get a purchase on the lockbar (framelock.)
 
I was tired when I wrote the post. You hit the nail right on the head. As I have said, while I am right handed this knife closes easier with the left hand because the thumb is abducting, pulling as opposed to adducting, pushing with the right thumb. With no jimping, large hands, and large thumbs...I think both of these ZTs are just not good knives for me. I have been careful not to grip the lockbar while closing but it still is not easy. Forget doing it with gloves. Sorry, I just do not get why people like this knife. It seems like a terrible design with respect to the lockup. Yes, it opens easily. As the the 0452, grip it too hard and the lockbar will over travel and you will have to pry it open...there is a youtube video about it. Are there ANY ZTs that I might like? Funny thing is I picked up these cheapo Rat I and IIs and they close far more easily lol.
 
Perhaps a pic or video of yourself attempting to close the knife. It does sound like you are applying pressure on the frame lock some how.
 
Well, I've been sitting here playing with my 452 and watching the Sox/Cubs game since posting and I've really got opening/closing down now. I've got thick thumbs, but can dig the inboard corner of my right down and in and move the lockbar over pretty easily now.

When my knife was new, flipping and closing was almost tear-inducing. 452s have notoriously stiff detents and it literally took about two weeks of forefinger and thumb agony to break the knife in. It's softened up quite a bit and is one of my best flippers now. I'd say stick with it, Andrew, and you should be really pleased with what you have when your knives break in.
 
Yes with more practice you will get it how to properly disengage zt 0452. Nevertheles, if I am going to pick one area of improvement of 0452, it would be the difficulty of disengaging the lock.
 
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