ZT 700 developed vertical blade play when closed... How?

H

High King

Joined
Jan 4, 2013
Messages
235
There was no vertical blade play when my 700 arrived. I have not taken apart this knife, nor have I even removed a single screw.

I did adjust the pivot slightly, as it was incredibly tight when it arrived. After loosening the pivot, there was a little horizontal blade play, but that's understandable (imo) for a flipper -- I could eliminate horizontal blade play entirely, but then it wouldn't flip open completely.

Now, there is a vertical blade play when closed. How the hell did this happen? I have not dropped the knife, or thrown it, or anything of that sort that could cause a huge jarring.
 
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That's probably just the detent ball moving in the hole it drops in when closed. It's no big deal unless it's a substantial amount of play.
 
It's definitely the detent ball. However no amount of play should be acceptable when closed. Substantial or slightly, I would send it back for repair immediately.
 
Knifein said:
It's definitely the detent ball. However no amount of play should be acceptable when closed. Substantial or slightly, I would send it back for repair immediately.
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It's really not that big of a deal. If it was rattling when closed I would worry but a little movement isn't going to hurt anything.
 
Knifein said:
It's definitely the detent ball. However no amount of play should be acceptable when closed. Substantial or slightly, I would send it back for repair immediately.
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I'd send it back for repairs if shipping weren't so pricy.
 
Tighten the pivot back down and see if it goes away. The slack you put into the pivot probably means the detent ball isn't sitting as snug as it could...
 
I don't think the detent play is THAT big a deal. My blur does that, and I know that people have the same problem on their 0560.
 
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After some wear-in period, it may get smooth enough such that you can re-tighten the pivot screw, which may address the vertical play you're seeing. Most of the new knives to tend to be a little tight until they've had a chance to wear in. I've never had a 0700, but the same has been true of many of my other knives.
 
seelow123 said:
It's really not that big of a deal. If it was rattling when closed I would worry but a little movement isn't going to hurt anything.
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It's actually a very big deal, this is a defect in the knife. Right now it may be alright but in time the detent ball will fall out or fail in another way causing the blade to swing open in the pocket. It seems like the indent for the ball was milled slightly too big in depth and circumference.

To the OP:
I truly do advise that you send your 700 in for repair. Kershaw is a great company and they will make this right for you.
 
Knifein said:
It's actually a very big deal, this is a defect in the knife. Right now it may be alright but in time the detent ball will fall out or fail in another way causing the blade to swing open in the pocket. It seems like the indent for the ball was milled slightly too big in depth and circumference.

To the OP:
I truly do advise that you send your 700 in for repair. Kershaw is a great company and they will make this right for you.
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There isn't a dam thing wrong with this knife, except for the OP messing with the pivot. Don't send it in for repair because it isn't broken. Set the pivot back where it should be and all your problems will go away.

Dam, I'm getting tired of reading all these complaint threads. They are production knives, use them for what they are, and learn how to properly use a flipper.
 
spxtrader said:
there isn't a dam thing wrong with this knife, except for the op messing with the pivot. Don't send it in for repair because it isn't broken. Set the pivot back where it should be and all your problems will go away.

Dam, i'm getting tired of reading all these complaint threads. They are production knives, use them for what they are, and learn how to properly use a flipper.
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amen!!!
 
SPXTrader said:
There isn't a dam thing wrong with this knife, except for the OP messing with the pivot. Don't send it in for repair because it isn't broken. Set the pivot back where it should be and all your problems will go away.

Dam, I'm getting tired of reading all these complaint threads. They are production knives, use them for what they are, and learn how to properly use a flipper.
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Tightening the pivot doesn't change a thing. Before I loosened the pivot, the knife wouldn't open, period.
 
High King said:
Tightening the pivot doesn't change a thing. Before I loosened the pivot, the knife wouldn't open, period.
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Break the dam thing in, then re-tighten the pivot. If it still has play afterwards then send it in, if it bothers you THAT much.

Common sense people. You have a knife with the best customer service on the market, USE IT.

I agree, I'm sick and tired of all these complaint threads. Call customer service, and send it in, if you have a problem.

I'm surprised jimmer hasn't gone on a murder spree yet :p
 
High King said:
There was no vertical blade play when my 700 arrived. I have not taken apart this knife, nor have I even removed a single screw.

I did adjust the pivot slightly, as it was incredibly tight when it arrived....
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OK. so no blade play, then you messed with the pivot and now blade play.

This ain't rocket science guys.
 
TotalDbag said:
Break the dam thing in, then re-tighten the pivot. If it still has play afterwards then send it in, if it bothers you THAT much.

Common sense people. You have a knife with the best customer service on the market, USE IT.

I agree, I'm sick and tired of all these complaint threads. Call customer service, and send it in, if you have a problem.

I'm surprised jimmer hasn't gone on a murder spree yet :p
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:applouse:
Agreed. Break it in first or take it apart, clean it, lube it and then adjust pivot. Or just send it in. Don't get me wrong forums are a place for asking and learning, but imo trying things for yourself first is a great way to learn. Everyone is here to help, but the amount of threads with "I just got my (insert knife here) five minutes ago and I've got a (insert problem here) issue are getting to be a bit much. I think 95% of issues can be remedied by break in or a good clean/lube. The other 5% is when you should use the best warranty in the the industry. Sorry for the rant. Also, I didn't/ don't intend for this to be a shot at the OP. Hope the issue can be remedied to you satisfaction.
 
SPXTrader said:
OK. so no blade play, then you messed with the pivot and now blade play.

This ain't rocket science guys.
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Clearly not -- that's what I said in the first place. Still, repeating my problem isn't going to help anything, because as I already mentioned, tightening the pivot doesn't change anything.

I adjust the pivot of pretty much every folder I get to get it to a satisfactory point, and I have never ever had blade play on any of them. I know WHAT I did prior to the blade play, but I don't know what is causing it, because re-tightening the pivot to the point where the blade won't open, doesn't fix it. See, if I took the blade apart, then maybe I should pay more attention when putting it back. But loosening/tightening a pivot is self-explanatory, and with the exception of horizontal play, I don't see how vertical blade play could even have developed from loosening a pivot a hair, if tightening it back to where it was doesn't fix it.
 
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