zt 0600 feedback

[d2k5000]

Well I just made my first $300+ knife purchase, and I thought I would share my impressions. First of all, the knife looks great. I was not a huge fan of the pattern in the titanium from pictures, but in real life it looks nice. The blade profile is gorgeous. Like everyone says, this thing is huge and weighs a lot. It would have been nice if KAI had milled out some of the titanium or used a lighter back spacer, but maybe the tank feel was what they were going for. The lockup is very solid and inspires a lot of confidence. The bearings a smooth, and the carbon fiber feels nice. I have kinda wide hands with short fingers, so I found the long thin profile to be very comfortable.

Unfortunately, not all of my impressions were so positive. The grind near the tip was kinda poor. I was a little disappointed that my skyline may have been ground better than my limited edition zt. the blade centering was also a bit off. I was surprised to find that the lock is kinda sticky even with the steel insert. However, my biggest problem with the knife is that the detent is kinda weak for its size. For such a heavy blade, the detent is just not strong enough to make it flip well. In comparison to the zt 0561 and Spyderco Southard that I used to own, it is very easy to get incomplete deployment.

I live very close to the KAI wharehouse, so I went down to the warranty department to see if they could improve the centering or detent. After the warranty department did their thing, the blade centering does look slightly better, but the detend showed no improvement. I was told that it did not flip like I wanted because the knife does not have a torsion bar, which was not very helpful. I love a lot of the design aspects of this knife, but I am disappointed to find so many problems.

+ good looking design + nice stone-wash + good materials + comfortable + nice carbon fiber + secure in hand + solid lockup + smooth opening

- poor flipper - poor centering - poor grind on tip - sticky lockbar - weighs a lot

 

[annasoH323]

Those seem to me like reasonable observations. I think the lock thing may go away in time. After the tang and lock insert have had some time to dance, they may like each other better. I'm not sure about the detent thing. Sorry it's like that. I remember when people were going back and forth about the 056x because of detent strength ranging from too soft to too hard. So, there is some variability based on who tunes it. Maybe it just needs to smooth out some? My 0801 was like that. It came almost feeling a little gritty but with time, it smoothed out. Some people will disassemble it to clean it out and add a little bit of oil. That might help you if the problem is that it's not deploying all the way. Maybe it just needs to have a little less friction for it to carry all the way out.

Can you post pics of the grind? I'm curious what you consider to be a bad grind. Or just post pics. I like looking at the 0600

 

[jill jackson]

+ good looking design + nice stone-wash + good materials + comfortable + nice carbon fiber + secure in hand + solid lockup + smooth opening

- poor flipper - poor centering - poor grind on tip - sticky lockbar - weighs a lot

Mine has none of those problems. I'd be let down if it did at the price it goes for. (I don't consider the weight to be a problem) Mine flips open easy, even if I flip it softly while the blade is pointing up. Centering is spot on, grind is even, the lock-bar doesn't stick at all, it's surprising to me any of them would, with the steel insert.

 

[Scurvy092]

My lock is a little sticky but it's no big deal to me. I'm not as anal about a $300 production knife as I am about a $500+ custom.

I know people think it's an expensive knife but you have to understand that most of the extra expense is in the complex 3d machining, fitting the carbon fiber inlay and the machined ti backspacer and clip.

Throw slabs of titanium with standoffs and a spring clip and it's probably around the 801 in pricing.

 

[jill jackson]

My lock is a little sticky but it's no big deal to me. I'm not as anal about a $300 production knife as I am about a $500+ custom.

I know people think it's an expensive knife but you have to understand that most of the extra expense is in the complex 3d machining, fitting the carbon fiber inlay and the machined ti backspacer and clip.

Throw slabs of titanium with standoffs and a spring clip and it's probably around the 801 in pricing.

The steel is probably a lot higher priced than Elmax.

 

[Catrepair]

Mine is centered perfectly, flips out ok, but wasn't nearly as sharp as other knives I have.
The grind is also a little off but I can fix that.

 

[pageyjim]

Mine flips nicely even with out a strong detent, no wrist action needed. Does not stick at all, blade is centered nicely. Should be sharper out of the box imo.

 

[Silvanus]

OP, the best way I've found to fix a sticky titanium lock bar is to draw on the part of the blade that contacts the lock bar with a pencil. As far as the other issues, if they truly bother you, ZT's warranty will take care of you.

 

[jill jackson]

OP, the best way I've found to fix a sticky titanium lock bar is to draw on the part of the blade that contacts the lock bar with a pencil. As far as the other issues, if they truly bother you, ZT's warranty will take care of you.

The 0600 has steel on steel lock-up. I've never seen one stick like Ti on steel can. The OP also stated he has already been to the warranty department and apparently is still not 100% happy.

 

[TheModernNeanderthal]

OP, the best way I've found to fix a sticky titanium lock bar is to draw on the part of the blade that contacts the lock bar with a pencil. As far as the other issues, if they truly bother you, ZT's warranty will take care of you.

I have used a regular sharpie as well, I've had more success with that

 

[jill jackson]

I have used a regular sharpie as well, I've had more success with that

You've used it on steel on steel lock-up with good results? I am just asking, because I didn't know it would help in those cases. In fact I've always heard steel on steel doesn't have sticking problems, because it's not two different types metal.

 

[JDunn709]

Mine was awesome but I ended up selling it to fund another purchase.

I've been keeping my eye out for one at a fair price but they only seem to pop up when the paypal is empty

This knife changed the way I feel about recurves, it's a great cutter for the thickness of the blade stock!

 

[pageyjim]

You've used it on steel on steel lock-up with good results? I am just asking, because I didn't know it would help in those cases. In fact I've always heard steel on steel doesn't have sticking problems, because it's not two different types metal.

My 0801 would be sticky and magic marker helped. That's a steel insert if I'm not mistaken.

 

[netidolweb]

My stonewash & DLC looks fine except the DLC got fade marks.

 

[mjolnir74]

You've used it on steel on steel lock-up with good results? I am just asking, because I didn't know it would help in those cases. In fact I've always heard steel on steel doesn't have sticking problems, because it's not two different types metal.

I had a Kershaw Random Task about 12 years ago that would stick so badly I had to pry it with a screwdriver to close it. Sent it back to Kershaw. They fixed it, no further issues. It was a steel liner lock.

 

[duro]

Well I just made my first $300+ knife purchase, and I thought I would share my impressions. First of all, the knife looks great. I was not a huge fan of the pattern in the titanium from pictures, but in real life it looks nice. The blade profile is gorgeous. Like everyone says, this thing is huge and weighs a lot. It would have been nice if KAI had milled out some of the titanium or used a lighter back spacer, but maybe the tank feel was what they were going for. The lockup is very solid and inspires a lot of confidence. The bearings a smooth, and the carbon fiber feels nice. I have kinda wide hands with short fingers, so I found the long thin profile to be very comfortable.

Unfortunately, not all of my impressions were so positive. The grind near the tip was kinda poor. I was a little disappointed that my skyline may have been ground better than my limited edition zt. the blade centering was also a bit off. I was surprised to find that the lock is kinda sticky even with the steel insert. However, my biggest problem with the knife is that the detent is kinda weak for its size. For such a heavy blade, the detent is just not strong enough to make it flip well. In comparison to the zt 0561 and Spyderco Southard that I used to own, it is very easy to get incomplete deployment.

I live very close to the KAI wharehouse, so I went down to the warranty department to see if they could improve the centering or detent. After the warranty department did their thing, the blade centering does look slightly better, but the detend showed no improvement. I was told that it did not flip like I wanted because the knife does not have a torsion bar, which was not very helpful. I love a lot of the design aspects of this knife, but I am disappointed to find so many problems.

+ good looking design + nice stone-wash + good materials + comfortable + nice carbon fiber + secure in hand + solid lockup + smooth opening

- poor flipper - poor centering - poor grind on tip - sticky lockbar - weighs a lot

I'm striking out with KAI. My 0600 is off center. The pivot fixes it, but induces blade play. I really don't want to send it in, as I carry it daily. I've requested a new lock insert, we'll see how it goes.

I did however mail back my 0801 and expect to receive it back next week. I love some of their designs, but I think I'm done. I wouldn't care about blade centering if the 0600 wasn't so expensive. You're right about the skyline, my skyline is also flawless, and after being broke in; it flips like a dream.



As far as your issues, I would talk to someone else in the warranty department. Luckily you're close.

 

[drichardson67]

I got 2 SW and 2 blk 0600's, and they are all perfect. And I agree with above. They changed the way I think about recurves. The simple fact of the length of the blade may be what makes this recurve work for me functionally. But beyond that, it's even more the sheer artistry that does it for me. The lines of the handle against the recurve when it's open. It just flows. It maintains balance.

Also, the flipper/finger guard is perfectly situated in relation to the the thumb jimping on the top of the blade, making for a secure grip; regardless of motion or pressure. I would have to say, with my eyes closed, I would ultimately choose this knife over all ZT knives I've held. It feels right. And it feels right in both standard and reverse grip (although I do wish the jimping were a little higher on the butt end in reverse grip).

What I can say about all four is that they really came out of the box perfect: centered, as sharp as any knife I've ever had out of the box, and with lock up as solid and authoritative as any knife I've ever held.

And what's not to like about a FFG with a thick spine? It's the best of every world.:thumbup:

Perhaps the remarkable truth is: granting equivalent steels and overall quality, IF I were blindfolded (as I alluded to above), I'd choose the 0600 over probably all the best ZT knives that I've held, including the 0560, 0777, and 0888.

Of the 0600 I am a big fan. I just want to see it now in cts-maxemet steel. Whew!!!... cold shower...

 

[Austerim]

ZT 0600 not worth the money.

 

[d2k5000]

After some more time breaking it in, its gotten insanely smooth. Unlike titanium lock interfaces, a tiny bit of oil seems to help the lock-face. It does not stick at all now. I notice that the back of the blade tang seems to have what looks kinda like grind lines. Maybe it smoothed out with use. Either way the lock seems fine now. After the warranty department looked at it they loosened the locktight on the pivot screw, and I was able to adjust the blade centering to be more satisfactory. It still does not flip as well as I had hoped, but I am feeling better about it now.

 

[jill jackson]

ZT 0600 not worth the money.

Have you even seen one in person? Because it's as impressive to me as any other folder that costs about the same. If it were as limited as the 0888 I bet it would be bringing the same sky high prices. When the 0600 becomes hard to obtain, I bet it will go way up in price.