ZT 300 flipping action?

[monger4142]

I want to get a ZT knife and handled a 0300 today at a store. the assisted opening was really weak, the blade opened all the way but sort of slowly flopped out. Is this how they usually are? Otherwise I know these are very nice knives.

 

[K.O.D.]

Sounds like a weak/broken torsion bar. They normally fly out. Are you sure it was a 0300 and not the 0200? The 0200 is non-assisted, but still flips pretty good.

 

[UpChUcK]

My ZT0300 does not open like say my SOG Twitch 2 or my non-assisted Kershaw Skyline or even my large-ish ZT0550. I wouldn't call it flopping out though, but it is not as quick deploying as other assisted or non-assisted folders. But I can tell you that when the big ol' blade of the 300 hits the stop pins, it literally shakes my whole arm.

If you like it and have a chance to get it, by all means do so. It is a fantastic large hard-use folder.

 

[BladeCommander]

My 300 is a little slow on the assist. The blade is big and heavy and it seems the torsion bar takes some time to swing that bad boy out there. Its not really slow on mine, but there is a noticeable lag when you flip it, to snaping open.

Instead of a TWACK, I get a TWWWACK. But when it locks up it recoils in my hand, so the spring is still strong.

 

[Czechmate]

My user 0300 is a bit slow sometimes to open; how the knife is held can often be the culprit. IE putting tension on the lockbar. Not to mention the torsion bars do wear out and/or break as mentioned above by K.O.D.

If I flip mine lazily it does open with less force but still no wrist flick required.

Overall a really awesome knife. :thumbup: I carry a 3/8" dremel wrench attached to my keys; makes pivot adjustments easy peasy!

 

[monger4142]

Sounds like a weak/broken torsion bar. They normally fly out. Are you sure it was a 0300 and not the 0200? The 0200 is non-assisted, but still flips pretty good.

yes I'm sure, it was an all black 0300.

My ZT0300 does not open like say my SON Twitch 2 or even my non-assisted Kershaw Skyline or even my large-ish ZT0550. I wouldn't call it flopping out but it is not as quick deploying as other assisted or non-assisted folders. But I can tell you that when the big ol' blade of the 300 hits the stop pins, it literally shakes my whole arm.

If yo like it and have a chance to get it, by all means do so. It is a fantastic large hard- use folder.

I do like it a lot, I prefer the design over the 560 and 550.. I wish the 300 was a manual knife. It would probably be faster to open that way.

My 300 is a little slow on the assist. The blade is big and heavy and it seems the torsion bar takes some time to swing that bad boy out there. Its not really slow on mine, but there is a noticeable lag when you flip it, to snaping open.

Instead of a TWACK, I get a TWWWACK. But when it locks up it recoils in my hand, so the spring is still strong.

has it become weaker over time? maybe the one I handled has been opened so many times it's worn out, but it looked pretty mint. it opened pretty slow. however, it was smooth, due to the lack of a detent ball right?


Thanks for adding pics. It looks like the coating holds up really well. I'm on the fence between all black and the tiger stripe. I really like the handles on the 300, way better than the 350 imo. I've never found a 0200 to hold in person.

 

[Czechmate]

has it become weaker over time? maybe the one I handled has been opened so many times it's worn out, but it looked pretty mint. it opened pretty slow. however, it was smooth, due to the lack of a detent ball right?

It could be that the pivot is set too tight; I've done that on mine after tearing it down and re-assembling it... The giant PB washer on the assist (non-lock side) would create a lot of clamping force if the pivot was torqued down.

 

[Todd21969]

My user 301 hasn't slowed down over time. Still fires open , no problem.

Of course it has never fired as fast as a Cryo I have, but it has a much longer and heavier blade.

 

[wolf5391]

may be an old or worn out tension bar from sitting over time. I noticed mine was a bit sluggish and took it apart. I noticed the torsion bar had a hair line crack in it and ask zt for another. They replaced it and it made a world of difference afterwards. Nice and snappy now.

 

[pellidon]

Mine is smooth and fast but it isn't going to thwack with the crack a lighter blade will make. My 350 seems snappier but is around 90% of the 300's size, according to ZT. The stubby blade on my Twitch seems fastest. Due to short, light blade I guess.

 

[Scurvy092]

I find that if you try to flip the 0300 as if it was a manual flipper, it will deploy much faster. If you just push on the flipper softly to start the assist, it comes out a little lazy because the blade is so heavy.

 

[RevDevil]

I find that if you try to flip the 0300 as if it was a manual flipper, it will deploy much faster. If you just push on the flipper softly to start the assist, it comes out a little lazy because the blade is so heavy.

You are correct.

 

[Pete3]

I actually just looked at one in the store today as well, It was a little underwhelming in the assist, though, its one sweet knife!
definitely on my list, Its great how thin it is for its size.

 

[KLJTech]

Mine was a tad slow opening when I first got it and at times wouldn't open all the way but after using it for a while it started opening faster and faster. I've had mine for a couple years now and it flies out so fast that there's a bit of a kick to it. Great knife...liked it so much that I bought the 0301 to go with my 0300.
Good luck!