ZT 0801 long term use?

RevDevil said:
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.
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We're all a bunch of random internet strangers with our own opinion of things. It's up to the reader what he wants to do with the information. My opinion is that the youtube source OP mentioned is knowledgeable enough on the subject. He's pointed out several weaknesses in high end production knives that are actually true. One of them being the pivot on the Lionsteel SR1 and the ZT0801.
 
NetshadeX said:
He's pointed out several weaknesses in high end production knives that are actually true. One of them being the pivot on the Lionsteel SR1 and the ZT0801.
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I'm not buying it.
The pivot screw is prone to loosening; yep, that part is true.
Solution: tighten it up every so often, or use Loctite or Teflon tape.

The bearings on titanium is such a non-issue it's actually really, really funny that anyone can be convinced that it's a problem.

But yes, the pivot screw on the 0801 does seem to be more prone to loosening than some other knives...that part is true.
 
NetshadeX said:
We're all a bunch of random internet strangers with our own opinion of things. It's up to the reader what he wants to do with the information. My opinion is that the youtube source OP mentioned is knowledgeable enough on the subject. He's pointed out several weaknesses in high end production knives that are actually true. One of them being the pivot on the Lionsteel SR1 and the ZT0801.
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I don't know who you refer to as "he", doesn't matter really. I'm referring to random videos that I've seen where the reviewer states things in a matter of fact manner with no evidence aside from their word. I think anyone that gives information in such a way to where they paint themselves into a corner and leave no room for error should be taken with a grain or 2 of salt.
I've yet to see someone accused in a bad way of being humble. You do understand that some people that do not know better watch the videos and think, "Welp, this product sucks. I saw it on YT." We've all seen the crapstorms that have involved such epic reviewers such N&F. I do agree that people should go and do their own research and find out for themselves if a product is right for them or not. I have no hotdog on this grill, nor any bone to pick with any reviewer.
 
stabman said:
I'm not buying it.
The pivot screw is prone to loosening; yep, that part is true.
Solution: tighten it up every so often, or use Loctite or Teflon tape.

The bearings on titanium is such a non-issue it's actually really, really funny that anyone can be convinced that it's a problem.

But yes, the pivot screw on the 0801 does seem to be more prone to loosening than some other knives...that part is true.
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I had a 0801 with a big pivot issue. I would tighten it up in the morning before work, and by lunch time the pivot had loosened so much that the blade was scraping the scales because it was so off-center from the pivot loosening.

I used loc-tite, and it made a difference, but that difference was only keeping the pivot tight for a few hours more. By dinner time, it was loose and scraping because of the off-centering again.

This was such a nuisance that I sold it off. I won't carry around a torx bit all day to re-tighten my pivot several times.

In all fairness, though, I would have probably kept trying to fix the issue, but I really don't like the feel of ZT's bearing knives. They just feel loose and flimsy to me, just not a fan. I like some bearing knives, but ZT's are just not my thing. I love the design and value of the 0562CF, but I sold mine off almost immediately after receiving because, shocker, I still didn't like the feel of the bearings! To each their own, I guess.
 
stabman said:
I'm not buying it.
The pivot screw is prone to loosening; yep, that part is true.
Solution: tighten it up every so often, or use Loctite or Teflon tape
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I don't get it? You're not buying it but then acknowledge the problem? So are you buying it or not? J/K

Listen ofcourse it's possible to fix the problem with teflon or copious amounts of screw glue but the question here is should you have to on a higher end production folder?

Oh and if you can't see the potential problem of a hardened stainless steel bearing running endlessly on 6Al4V Titanium with a rockwell hardness of around 36 than I don't really know what to say other than personally I tighten the pivotscrew on my 0560 and 0801 juuuust enough to lose play but not more than that.
 
The bearings really shouldn't be "running" on titanium, the blade moving across the bearing is where the real contact is happening, I know the rest in the titanium scale, but I doubt they are running circles in the scale...

I have had my 0801bw for a month now, carried it every day and flip it 100 times a day and nothing is loose...I wonder if Zt addressed the issue of the pivot coming loose, or maybe it was an isolated issue....either way, I couldn't be happier with mine, or Zt
 
I've had a SR1A for close to a year now and carried it most of they time, I have had to put a torx bit on the pivot maybe 5 times and that was only to correct centering. There is no issue with the pivot I use Teflon tape because I won't use loc tite on my knives. This experience is no different than any other knife I have owned except for pinned knives. Hey, it's called maintenance nothing is truly set it and forget it.
 
NetshadeX said:
I don't get it? You're not buying it but then acknowledge the problem? So are you buying it or not? J/K

Listen ofcourse it's possible to fix the problem with teflon or copious amounts of screw glue but the question here is should you have to on a higher end production folder?

Oh and if you can't see the potential problem of a hardened stainless steel bearing running endlessly on 6Al4V Titanium with a rockwell hardness of around 36 than I don't really know what to say other than personally I tighten the pivotscrew on my 0560 and 0801 juuuust enough to lose play but not more than that.
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Can you please site your source for the RC of 36 on the 801 Ti scale?

Please don't site the "facts" listed on the youtube site you frequent, as his facts are also unsubstantiated on that point.

Also, I would add that I literally have over 50 folding knives, and every one of them will eventually loosen at the pivot from the rotation of the blade opening and closing in cycles unless I take precautions in the form of thread locker. Most manufacturers don't put thread locker on the pivot bolt because that is something that is able to be tuned to the wishes of the owner of the knife.

Once you put some thread locker on the pivot bolt, set it to the sweet spot of your desire and let it cure for 24 hours, you are good to go. Never has failed for me.

There are a lot of ex-spurts on youtube.

best

mqqn
 
NetshadeX said:
Oh and if you can't see the potential problem of a hardened stainless steel bearing running endlessly on 6Al4V Titanium with a rockwell hardness of around 36 than I don't really know what to say other than personally I tighten the pivotscrew on my 0560 and 0801 juuuust enough to lose play but not more than that.
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Why would you tighten it more than that with bearings anyway? :confused:
I suppose that if a gorilla-man liked compulsively tightening his bearings equipped knife to the point where it hurt his thumb opening it, then there might be a problem with wear. :D
 
NetshadeX said:
mqqn said:
Can you please site your source for the RC of 36 on the 801 Ti scale?

http://asm.matweb.com/search/SpecificMaterial.asp?bassnum=MTP641
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Thank you for the link.

That link lists annealed Ti as delivered. Can you say that the ti that ZT uses is not work hardened, solution hardened beyond the as delivered annealed state?

I have tried to work with some of the Kershaw/ZT ti - and any ti for that matter, and it is very tough stuff to drill and tap or cut.

Your own links shows that the material is highly abrasion resistant along with highly stable in terms of corrosion.

Even as delivered without any kind of treatment, you will not see grooves worn into your inner scale from the ball bearings rolling along happily under the almost zero stress application of rotating a knife blade from a folded position.

I am not sure where the fears are coming from, and I have yet to see anyone come up with an actual knife that has the problem that you are insisting is a problem.

I guess I have been lucky.

best

mqqn
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mqqn said:
NetshadeX said:
Thank you for the link.

That link lists annealed Ti as delivered. Can you say that the ti that ZT uses is not work hardened, solution hardened beyond the as delivered annealed state?

I have tried to work with some of the Kershaw/ZT ti - and any ti for that matter, and it is very tough stuff to drill and tap or cut.

Your own links shows that the material is highly abrasion resistant along with highly stable in terms of corrosion.

Even as delivered without any kind of treatment, you will not see grooves worn into your inner scale from the ball bearings rolling along happily under the almost zero stress application of rotating a knife blade from a folded position.

I am not sure where the fears are coming from, and I have yet to see anyone come up with an actual knife that has the problem that you are insisting is a problem.

I guess I have been lucky.

best

mqqn
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^This. Plus, its not like the bearings are supporting a significant weight that would cause them to grind into the Ti.

My 0801 has been fine. I've had it 5 months. My 0770CF, however, has had a some problems. Pivot screw thought it was a merry-go-round. Loctited and left sitting for a few days and no problem. Took a lot of messing with to get it to center. I own three ZT's, 0801,0770, 0561. I used to have a 0350TS. Both the 350 and the 0770 had centering issues. No issues at all from the 560 or 0801.

PROPER maintenance is the most important part of keeping anything mechanical working correctly.

As far as Elmax goes, no issues at all. Can't say the same for S30V though.
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vinnier6 said:
The bearings really shouldn't be "running" on titanium, the blade moving across the bearing is where the real contact is happening, I know the rest in the titanium scale, but I doubt they are running circles in the scale...

I have had my 0801bw for a month now, carried it every day and flip it 100 times a day and nothing is loose...I wonder if Zt addressed the issue of the pivot coming loose, or maybe it was an isolated issue....either way, I couldn't be happier with mine, or Zt
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Same for my 801; aside from late bank vault lock up it's GTG. :thumbup::thumbup::cool:
 
K.O.D. said:
PROPER maintenance is the most important part of keeping anything mechanical working correctly.

As far as Elmax goes, no issues at all. Can't say the same for S30V though.
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Two key points.

Firstly, not only is maintenance important it becomes even more so depending on the climate and environment it's being used at. That's why being close to Pacific Ocean with the added salt, sand and sweat it behooves me to wash, rinse, dry and lube.

Secondly, I never encountered any issues with ZT's Elmax but I did not buy my 0561 until about 18 months ago. If there ever was an issue with the edge retention of ZT's Elmax it was before my time.
 
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I have had no issues with the pivot on my 0801 (and it is an extremely early one). I think I mentioned it in another thread, but the you tuber mentioned in the first post loses most of his credibility regarding wear from bearings when he recommended really cranking the pivot down tight on all bearing knives. (I would describe him more as the sort of person that tells it like he thinks it is, than it actually is.) If there is anything that is going to cause increased wear from bearing travel, it is overtightening. Ball bearings are going to be a fair bit harder than just about anything they are rolling against, including the mentioned stainless steel races. Overtightening will cause the bearings to displace the softer material over time, no matter what the two materials are. In the case of bearing knives, if the pivot is tightened only to the point of removing blade play (as has been mentioned) and the bearings and faces are cleaned and lubricated properly there should be negligible wear or material displacement.
 
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