ZT 0650ST - Automatic Folder

kneedeep

kneedeep

Joined
Jan 28, 2007
Messages
2,155
Well it's been a while since I've gotten a new knife, the other day I got two.
I finally got hold of the new ZT Autos, a 0610ST and a 0650ST.

I'll post some pics of the 0610ST a bit later on, but for now here are pics of the Grant & Gavin Hawk designed 0650ST.

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This is a look at how the Hawks' innovative new Crossfire Auto Lock mechanism is triggered. Locked and safe the button is toward the belly of the handle. Sliding the button toward the spine arms it. Sliding the button toward the butt of the knife releases the blade. When you let the button go it slides forward again locking the blade open, sliding the button toward the butt will unlock the blade (like the Hawk Lock on the 0500), for added safety, slide the button back toward the belly, locking out the mechanism. Once you get the feel for it (two or three tries) you can unsafe and release in one smooth motion.
It fires really solidly, the kick is right up there with the Offset, only faster.

I had been concerned that closing the knife one handed would be difficult, bit I don't find it to be any tougher than any of the larger assisted openers. It might me safer, in that your fingers don't need to get in the way of the blade to unlock like you do with a frame lock.

There look to be a few changes from the prototype pictured on the ZT brochure. The changes all look to be improvements to me. The jimping on the spine of the blade is coarser/larger (the jimping on the proto made it look like it had a crew cut). The recurve is gone from the serrations, and the grind looks to be higher, likely making it a better slicer. The last thing I noticed is that the bevel on the G-10 is reduced, making it fill out the handle a little better.
 
i'm a mechanism freak... I wasn't going to but, after seeing your little animation (great job) I'm going to go pick one up to try out
 
Thanks for the fantastic pics, kneedeep! I would love to have one of those knives, unfortunately true 'autos' are prohibited in Canada. I just thank my stars that AO knives are fine.
 
if you don't mind me asking.... is the button stiff enough there's no chance of it locking the mechanism on it's own? I assume not
 
Very cool! How's it feel in the hand? Some of the Hawk designs seem a bit "boxey" to me, sometimes.

Nice shots; nice gif anim. :thumbup:
 
After seeing the slot in one of the 1st pics I was going to ask about it sliding
to open..then I seen your great animation(gif). Looks awesome!!
Thanks for the pics KD. :thumbup:
 
OregonEdge said:
if you don't mind me asking.... is the button stiff enough there's no chance of it locking the mechanism on it's own? I assume not
Click to expand...

I'm not 100% sure what you mean, the button clicks fairly solidly into either the safe or ready position and seems unlikely to move on its own during normal carry. If it were stiff enough for there to be no chance of it moving accidentally, I doubt that it would be very quick or convenient to use.

riffraff said:
Very cool! How's it feel in the hand? Some of the Hawk designs seem a bit "boxey" to me, sometimes.
Click to expand...

Seems pretty comfortable so far, but I definitely haven't spent any time actually using it to cut anything yet. If I could change the handle a bit, I think I would make it a little bit narrower toward the butt end. The shape as it is, allows for a solid grip.
 
Excellent photos and very nice review. That button animation is very clever work.
 
kneedeep said:
I'm not 100% sure what you mean, the button clicks fairly solidly into either the safe or ready position and seems unlikely to move on its own during normal carry. If it were stiff enough for there to be no chance of it moving accidentally, I doubt that it would be very quick or convenient to use.

That's pretty much what I was wondering. I bet it's fun to play with. I gots to find one. Congrats
Click to expand...
 
jack lowe said:
are they coming out with a plain edge version or should i suck it up and get the combo? :)
Click to expand...

My understanding was that they probably would eventually, but Slade is right, buy the ST now and the PE when it becomes available. :D
 
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