ZT 550 Am I missing something here???

I dont know if this was mentioned in the other threads but when Ive had a knife what had way too stiff of a detent for my taste I was pretty successful in speeding up the break in period. My method was to apply inward force to the lockbar so it would keep the detent ball in the hole in the blade. Then while applying force I would pull the blade open. I wouldnt put so much force on the lockbar that you cant pull out the blade without serious effort. You may just rip the detent ball out of the lockbar. But if done with enough finesse you can help break the knife in pretty fast. Also dont expect it to work miracles. Much of the "break in" period is the user getting stronger with repetitious use.
 
Well she's here and I've been sitting here opening it all morning with the stud. This thing's a tank. Loving it so far. Every once in a while, I'll go to open it and it feels like pushing my thumb against a concrete wall, but I think it might be my position and putting pressure on the bar. Thanks again every for the advice...

zt0550blk.jpg
 
Yeah, been trying different grips all morning now. Thumb is raw... :D 3 finger seems to be where I end up on the times I do get it open.
 
This is quite simple really. Adjust your thumb position until it feels good to you and opens fast. Open until your thumb becomes a bloody mess. While your thumb is healing sharpen your knife. Cut off the hard callus that forms on your thumb. Flip, Heal, Sharpen, Cut. Repeat as needed.

After one cut or two on your thumb you will be a master and it won't hurt at all anymore. Then you can hand your knife to your friends and laugh when they can't open it. Then show them how easy it is to open and how fast you can do it. Hand over knife, Laugh, Show. Repeat as needed.
 
lintonindy said:
This is quite simple really. Adjust your thumb position until it feels good to you and opens fast. Open until your thumb becomes a bloody mess. While your thumb is healing sharpen your knife. Cut off the hard callus that forms on your thumb. Flip, Heal, Sharpen, Cut. Repeat as needed.

After one cut or two on your thumb you will be a master and it won't hurt at all anymore. Then you can hand your knife to your friends and laugh when they can't open it. Then show them how easy it is to open and how fast you can do it. Hand over knife, Laugh, Show. Repeat as needed.
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nailed it.
 
Wow, and now it's become my EDC... Soooooo easy to open. So glad I stuck with this one. Opens first time every time. Thanks again everyone for the help... Amazing knife.
 
I gotta say, I just got another 0550 after getting rid of a gen 1 last year due to not liking it so much. This one is a gen 2 and may have already been broken in but it is VERY smooth and fires open. I had an XM-18 for a little while and am glad I had that experience. The 0550 in my mind is SO close to that XM-18 in terms of function (flipper notwithstanding). I think the 0550 is just as stout and "tank like" and even a little bit smoother. It is a great ZT. Here is a pic, this thread needs more pics:
 
What it comes down to is technique. I suggest you EDC a non-flipper manual for a few days and practice opening the knife. Plus, you'll build up a nice callus on your thumb which makes it even easier. Good luck. :D
 
DEATHBYF1RE said:
Wow, and now it's become my EDC... Soooooo easy to open. So glad I stuck with this one. Opens first time every time. Thanks again everyone for the help... Amazing knife.
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Glad you like yours as much as I like mine.
It's one of my favorite EDCs and while initially a pain to open you get the hang of it quickly.
Just a perfect knife IMO, I love everything about it.
 
Best way to get the right technique on this is to buy a Blur. The ramp on the thumb stud is oriented in the right direction. Or maybe it's cheaper just to look at a picture, but muscle memory is better.
 
Honestly I have EDCed a Gen2 to 0550 for a few months now and still can't overcome the detent lol. I'm pretty sure I just lack the raw hand strength. I have found that by flicking more or less directly upward using my thumb nail I can open it 99% of the time. I have also broken it down and wiped up all the factory lube with a microfiber cloth and re lubed with CRK fluro-grease, so now as I pop the detent it flies open, kinda feels like flipper deployment, only with a thumb stud. Finger placement on the lock bar makes a difference too.
 
Place the center of the tip of your thumb at the 6 o'clock of the thumb stud and then travel clockwise. Easy peasy...
 
This should be interesting as I just ordered my first ZT, and it's the 0550. I read enough reviews and got one at a good price to check out, so hopefully I end up liking it.
 
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akula83 said:
This should be interesting as I just ordered my first ZT, and it's the 550. I read enough reviews and got one at a good price to check out. I am sending off some favorite duplicate Spyderco's I own to balance out the cost, so hopefully I end up liking it.
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Did you get the BLK? Give it some time if you don't like it at first. It's a tank. Been carrying it for a week and it's a totally different knife now. Hated it day one, loving it 10 days later.
 
freewheeling said:
Best way to get the right technique on this is to buy a Blur. The ramp on the thumb stud is oriented in the right direction. Or maybe it's cheaper just to look at a picture, but muscle memory is better.
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Dead on. I've had knives my whole life, and got into the tactical one handers when they came out, but I never could flick a blade open without using some wrist. I got my first blur, and now I can thumb flick anything with a thumb stud. I'd go as far as to say that while I believe a slippie should be everybody's first knife, a blur should be everybody's first one hander.
 
DEATHBYF1RE said:
Well she's here and I've been sitting here opening it all morning with the stud. This thing's a tank. Loving it so far. Every once in a while, I'll go to open it and it feels like pushing my thumb against a concrete wall, but I think it might be my position and putting pressure on the bar. Thanks again every for the advice...

zt0550blk.jpg
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man that thing looks good, I may have to order one, that black blade with the grey ti is sweet! has anyone put a grey scale on one of these yet?
 
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