ZT 0801 long term use?

M

Mrbladedude

Joined
Aug 2, 2010
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I am very interested in this model. I watched a review on it from "Apostle" or something on youtube and he was saying that the ball bearing system has already started to become weaker after only using it a few times.

I watched another review of the knife in use and the Elmax dulled very fast. Within 4 minutes. Is this typical for Elmax?

How does this model hold up to long term medium use?
 
Well, if a couple random YouTubers say its true, it must be. :rolleyes:

Really, its a quality knife from one of the more respected manufacturers on the planet. It'll be fine.
 
marcinek said:
Well, if a couple random YouTubers say its true, it must be. :rolleyes:

Really, its a quality knife from one of the more respected manufacturers on the planet. It'll be fine.
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Ya that's why I came here for more opinions. I just want to know for sure how the knife holds up with time.
 
I've had mine for awhile and it holds up very well. The Elmax is fine and so is the bearing system. If you ever have any problems ZT has one of the best warranty services out there. I would have no concerns about getting one if I were you; they are an exceptional value for what you get IMO.
 
Love my 0801. Have owned it now for 6 months, I have experienced none of the problems that are reported with this knife. 0 blade play, my pivot has not moved or loosened up, the elmax is amazing and outlasts my S30V in cutting tasks (in my own personal experience), the bearing system is still awesome (even while covered in a ton of pocket lint), and the steel insert lock bar is still at 25% or so after being flipped 10+ times a day.

On an average day I open 10-20 letters with it, open and cut down 10-15 cardboard boxes of varying size for recycling, cut through shrinkwrap on skids (the knife comes in contact with the wood at the bottom). I have only had to touch up the edge on it once, and not because it needed it... but just because I'm a freak and it was no longer clean shaving my arm hair off. When I dragged it down there were some half cut hairs still there after the first pass... I stropped it on some 3k grit a few times and it was back to clean shaving like a babies bottom.

I wouldn't let a bad review detour you from this great knife. Out of the 15k+ people that own one there are bound to be a few that slip past QC or stand to their expectations.

Please keep in mind that this is my personal opinion of MY 0801. There will be others with the same opinion, and others that will argue different. Best bet is to get one and find out for yourself, If you end up not liking it... sell it on the exchange!
 
YUes, Elmax will go dull after 4 minutes of scraping against concrete. In the real world though, it is an outstanding steel, one that KAI has down pretty dang well (i own an Elmax Blur, and love it).
 
Mrbladedude said:
I am very interested in this model. I watched a review on it from "Apostle" or something on youtube and he was saying that the ball bearing system has already started to become weaker after only using it a few times.

I watched another review of the knife in use and the Elmax dulled very fast. Within 4 minutes. Is this typical for Elmax?

How does this model hold up to long term medium use?
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ApostleP is a trustworthy source. He calls it like he sees it and I like that about the dude. Contrary to some KAI zombies on these boards I to am open to criticism by users and that includes ApostleP. I own the ZT0801 myself and he was right about stuff like the pivot screw coming loose after a while and once that starts happening the problem won't go away easily. The treading is so wide it takes a filthy amount of blue loctite to fix it. ApostleP came up with an elegant solution by wrapping the threading in teflon tape which I did and it solved my problem.

Also regarding Elmax. I have hit and miss experiences with it. My 0560's Elmax came out the box sharper and has noticeably better retention than my 0801. I'm not saying the 0801 is a bad knife because it certainly isn't but it's not created in the heavens by the Elder Gods and beamed down to Earth as some will have you believe. There are better blades for the price, ZT's own 0550 is, IN MY OPINION, the better more durable blade.

Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW0TVkcBFkw

On my trip to the Belgian Ardennes I cut/chopped down a 2,5" branch with a ZT0550. The lockbar didn't move, no play developed and the S35VN would still easily shave the hair off my arm. Other than cleaning it, the knife didn't require any maintenance. Would the bearing on Ti pivot in the 0801 have endured that abuse? Maybe, but I'm not confident in trying.
 
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My 0560 (ikbs and Elmax) has seen pretty regular use over it's life (~2.5 years or so between its two owners). It's been broken down once for cleaning, the day I got it, and only ever very very lightly sharpened. Most of the factory edge grind is still there and the bearings are as smooth as new lubed or dry.

The 0801 isn't my cup of tea but given the similar build, I can't see it failing in your life time if treated as a knife and taken care of.
 
I have been using mine 6 days a week working on a horse farm for well over a year. I sharpen it on the wicked edge once every 4 or 5 weeks as long as I don't make a mistake and roll the edge, I take it all apart and clean the bearings and everything a couple times a year and it has been no problem. Cutting through a lot of nylon bailing twine, vet wrap, and thick multiple layers of duct tape dulls it so it won't shave hair after about a week of my use, takes another 3 or 4 weeks before it seams like it isn't laser cutting through those things anymore... And that's when I sharpen it..
 
I have had my 0801 for 5 months now and with normal use it is still hair shaving sharp and one of my smoothest knives. Don't abuse it and it will last you quite some time. For the price you really can't beat it.
 
NetshadeX said:
On my trip to the Belgian Ardennes I cut/chopped down a 2,5" branch with a ZT0550. The lockbar didn't move, no play developed and the S35VN would still easily shave the hair off my arm. Other than cleaning it, the knife didn't require any maintenance. Would the bearing on Ti pivot in the 0801 have endured that abuse? Maybe, but I'm not confident in trying.
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You say that like KVT bearings are made out of paper machet. I guarantee you anything bronze washers can handle, bearings can too.
 
Contrary to what everyone has said, my 0801 has given me more problems than all my other knives combined.

-Pivot screw loosens a tiny bit with each flip, after about 20 flips, its loose enough to tighten with my fingers
-Lockbar moves too far over too soon (within the first couple of weeks mine was consistently locking up at 70%)
-Lockbar stick
-Have had the titanium strip so that pocket clip screws would not fit
-KVT bearings get rust (salt water was involved, but this knife is STAINLESS AND TITANIUM)
-Detent gets scratched (maybe not hard enough?), or rusts (again, probably the salt water) and completely screws the smoothness of the flipping action.
-Black standoffs get rust
I understand that knives and salt water typically shouldn't be associated with each other. But one would hope that the bearings, detent and standoffs were stainless. As far as I can see (with 0 research) these components are not stainless.

I am not trying to take shots at KAI, I love their products and their warranty department has been extremely accommodating of my needs. I also understand that sometimes things slip past QC. Still, based on all of the above issues, and the amount of time the knife has spent at the factory, I would not recommend this knife for long term use.
 
You should always put a dab of blue loctite on screws when reassembling a knife, without it the pivot screw coming loose is a common issue on all knives. Also how did you strip the titanium for the pocket clip? The screws are much softer than the titanium they should strip way before the threads in the scale do.
 
If you're spending more time in humid, sweaty or salty areas you should wash & rinse your folder daily thoroughly with tap water, dry and lube it afterwards. The exception are folders in the Spyderco Salt line using H-1 steel or in the Benchmade H2O line using N680 steel. These steels with more nitrogen instead of carbon inhibit rust.
 
farokhsidhwa said:
Contrary to what everyone has said, my 0801 has given me more problems than all my other knives combined.

-Pivot screw loosens a tiny bit with each flip, after about 20 flips, its loose enough to tighten with my fingers
-Lockbar moves too far over too soon (within the first couple of weeks mine was consistently locking up at 70%)
-Lockbar stick
-Have had the titanium strip so that pocket clip screws would not fit
-KVT bearings get rust (salt water was involved, but this knife is STAINLESS AND TITANIUM)
-Detent gets scratched (maybe not hard enough?), or rusts (again, probably the salt water) and completely screws the smoothness of the flipping action.
-Black standoffs get rust
I understand that knives and salt water typically shouldn't be associated with each other. But one would hope that the bearings, detent and standoffs were stainless. As far as I can see (with 0 research) these components are not stainless.

I am not trying to take shots at KAI, I love their products and their warranty department has been extremely accommodating of my needs. I also understand that sometimes things slip past QC. Still, based on all of the above issues, and the amount of time the knife has spent at the factory, I would not recommend this knife for long term use.
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I don't believe that KAI has ever insinuated that any of their knives are rustproof. Stainless is not typically rustproof...it just stains less than non-stainless steel.

Sounds like a touch of loctite and keeping the knife out of the ocean would cure most of your issues. As for the lockup, 70% should be fine...but there shouldn't be any stickyness...especially with the steel insert. Hopefully warranty took care of that.
 
kniferbro said:
You say that like KVT bearings are made out of paper machet. I guarantee you anything bronze washers can handle, bearings can too.
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Possibly, like I said I haven't tried it. That said I'd pick washers over bearings everytime if given the choice. I understand the attraction but I believe simple is sturdy. The bearings are much harder than the titanium they run over and I don't think it needs explaining what the downside could be. I know at least one brand, I believe it's Lionsteel but I could be mistaken, adds a stainless steel ring insert in the Ti to have those bearings run over.

But again, I'll take washers over bearings any day.
 
marcinek said:
Well, if a couple random YouTubers say its true, it must be. :rolleyes:

Really, its a quality knife from one of the more respected manufacturers on the planet. It'll be fine.
Click to expand...
True. The great thing about YouTube is that anyone can post their opinion as fact, that in turn also makes it one of the worst things when they have limited knowledge on the topic, or rely on what someone said to their brothers, cousins, neighbors barber.

Mrbladedude said:
Ya that's why I came here for more opinions. I just want to know for sure how the knife holds up with time.
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Hard to say as it is still a realtively new knife, it was only released about 20 months ago. Long term use as would be measured in "years" we can't say yet. Just keep in mind, nothing lasts forever. As Marcinek states, it'll be A-Okay.
 
NetshadeX said:
On my trip to the Belgian Ardennes I cut/chopped down a 2,5" branch with a ZT0550. The lockbar didn't move, no play developed and the S35VN would still easily shave the hair off my arm. Other than cleaning it, the knife didn't require any maintenance. Would the bearing on Ti pivot in the 0801 have endured that abuse?
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Yes, it would. Mine has held up to use just fine.

As for the "OMG, titanium wears down SOOOO fast!" worries, try making stuff out of titanium.
Not scratching it, but actually removing meaningful amounts of material...it ain't easy.
Do that, and your "disintegrating titanium" fears will vanish. :thumbup:
 
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