ZT 550 Am I missing something here???

D.Prichard

D.Prichard

Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
1,584
Okay, I know there are some HUGE ZT 0550 fans in here. In fact I think it's in the lead in the favorite knife thread. Here's the thing. I love the way they look and I LOVE the size, but I can't ever open the dang things with the thumb studs when I pick them up in the store. I wanna love this knife and my wallet wants to open up for one so badly (Especially the black blade one), but am I missing something here? All my other ZTs (0560, 0350, 0301) are flippers and I have a 566 on preorder cause of the size and the flipper, but please someone tell me the secret so I can buy this knife I want so badly and actually like it.
 
Most people would say that there's a certain amount of breaking in that is required. They'd also probably say to make sure you aren't applying an undue amount of pressure on the lockbar while you're trying to open it. I only know what "they" say because I have no experience of my own. If you want to love it, you probably will. In rare cases, it actually is too hard to open and that may require warranty
 
There have been many threads on this but there are two main factors. One is the knife needs to break-in. The second is the direction you push the thumb stud to open.
 
DEATHBYF1RE said:
Okay, I know there are some HUGE ZT 0550 fans in here. In fact I think it's in the lead in the favorite knife thread. Here's the thing. I love the way they look and I LOVE the size, but I can't ever open the dang things with the thumb studs when I pick them up in the store. I wanna love this knife and my wallet wants to open up for one so badly (Especially the black blade one), but am I missing something here? All my other ZTs (0560, 0350, 0301) are flippers and I have a 566 on preorder cause of the size and the flipper, but please someone tell me the secret so I can buy this knife I want so badly and actually like it.
Click to expand...


I have heard the same complaint many times. My Gen1 0550 was just a tad stiff from the box. I lubricated the washers/action with a teflon particle suspended oil then proceeded to open and close it about 500 times one night doing some routine report work. After this I would say it was 50% easier. It also depends on the direction you apply to the studs when opening. You need to make sure you use the correct upward and arcing angle.
 
Definitely helps by pushing the thumb studs in a upward motion. The next time you pick one up and play with it at a store, open it slowly, using two hands, and observe how the thumb studs seem to go almost straight up towards the top of the knife. As soon as I found that out, it became much easier to open and I fell in love with it all over again.
 
When I hand mine to someone to look at most are unable to open it. Then I show them and it shoots open faster than my ao's. Technique
 
BobSig said:
When I hand mine to someone to look at most are unable to open it. Then I show them and it shoots open faster than my ao's. Technique
Click to expand...

Technique. A little practice and you will get better at it.

I had a horrible time opening any knife with thumb studs for a while. Couldn't even get a Spyderco to open cleanly.

Now I can open most knives after fiddling for a bit. They are all a little different and have their own peculiarities but practice helps a lot.
 
You are not alone.

I have played with the 550 on numerous occasions and just can't get used to the knife using the studs. If I ever had to deploy it in a situation, I would not feel confident in the speed at which I could open it using the studs. I too have a 566 on preorder and have a 560 in the safe, however I do not have the same problems opening the 560 via the stud as with the 550.

I EDC a 350 that has the torsion bar removed and it is my go to knife until the 566 hits my door.

The 550 is not for everybody, thats why ZT makes a wide variety of knives, I am just glad they made a little brother to the 560 even though it doesn't have ti on the lock side it will still fit my requirements for the best EDC for my purposes.
 
Yeah I have a new zt0350or and its hell to open even with the flipper (I have 2 other 350s and they are smooth and easy). I've been sitting here flipping it all night trying to loosen it up. Only gotten it open with the thumb stud 2x and my thumb is getting raw. Might take out the torsion on this bad boy.
 
In my case with my 0550, it was a matter of shifting my grip slightly so I wasn't holding the lockbar down. Once you get the hang of it, the 0550 is seriously smooth (honestly, it feels as smooth as my 0560 w/ KVT). As for the 0350, it shouldn't be that hard to open. Perhaps try loosening the pivot screw a little. The Speedsafe should propel the blade open with minimal effort on your part.
 
rycen said:
There have been many threads on this but there are two main factors. One is the knife needs to break-in. The second is the direction you push the thumb stud to open.
Click to expand...

You forgot a couple. Not everyone has the same manual dexterity. Some folks just can't do it, then turn around and blame the knife. Hand strength is another factor, not everyone has strong hands. Definitely not for everyone. ;)
 
The wear break in period can be accelerated if you are handy with a diamond file. A small amount of chamfering in the detent hole does wonders.
 
I put my STRIDER back in the safe and took out the 0550 last night to carry again just to re-acquaint myself with it. I had forgotten how smooth the action had gotten and how I had LEARNED to manipulate it. With just a quick upward push of my thumb at about a 25-35 degree angle the blade flew open without having to ride the studs completely. I have less of a problem with the 0550 than either STRIDER SMF or SNG, although they are easy for me.
 
Buy the 0550; learn the 0550; thank me later...(jk). But really, buy it, then cope however you must. It's fabulous enough that it warrants whatever effort you need to put into it. I have a lot of knives, but the 0550 is my go to, and is always good to go.
 
When I first got mine, it was the same way - very difficult to open. And when I did open it with authority, it was almost impossible to unlock and close.
After about a week though, it broke in and is absolutely perfect now.
 
I think it's technique. I had problems deploying my Skyline with the blade stops and it was eating up my thumb. I know the Skyline is mean't to be a flipper knife, but I knew you could use the blade stops, and after awhile, I was able to get it to fly open faster than if I used the flipper.
 
prelude92 said:
Definitely helps by pushing the thumb studs in a upward motion. The next time you pick one up and play with it at a store, open it slowly, using two hands, and observe how the thumb studs seem to go almost straight up towards the top of the knife. As soon as I found that out, it became much easier to open and I fell in love with it all over again.
Click to expand...

Been playing with my ZTs all weekend opening with thumb studs. Watching how the stud opened and pushing that direction helped a lot. Picked up a ZT0550BLK on the boards this morning for $150 and can't wait to get it. Thanks again for putting up with a newb thumb stud question. I appreciate everyone's advice. Going to graduate from using my flippers as a crutch with this bad boy when it comes in. :D
 
DEATHBYF1RE said:
Been playing with my ZTs all weekend opening with thumb studs. Watching how the stud opened and pushing that direction helped a lot. Picked up a ZT0550BLK on the boards this morning for $150 and can't wait to get it. Thanks again for putting up with a newb thumb stud question. I appreciate everyone's advice. Going to graduate from using my flippers as a crutch with this bad boy when it comes in. :D
Click to expand...

On my Zing which has both studs and a flipper, I find that I naturally aim for using the studs. I don't know if it's something about how my particular one is tuned, but I feel like I'm faster on the draw with the studs. Nice get on the 0550BLK!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top