ZT Blade Play and Warranty Question

VermontEdge

VermontEdge

Joined
Jun 10, 2015
Messages
1,144
Hey All,
Bought a ZT 0566 a few months ago. At the shop, it had a little side-to-side play, but it was the only one they had so they bought it. Endlessly played with the pivot screw, but found that if it was tight enough to have zero play, the blade either wouldn't deploy or would deploy really sluggishly.
Took it apart, polished the washers and the steel around the washer with 2,000 grit wet/dry and then with my green strop compound (~ 6,000 grit), and lubed everything. Put it back together and the play is worse :eek: ! Now if I tighten enough to eliminate bladeplay it won't flip at all, even assisted.
Any advice? Will ZT take care of it even though I took it apart? Anything else I can try?
Thanks!
 
Send it in, include a note explaining exactly what you feel is wrong with it. Don't assume they will know automatically.
 
You can send it in and it'll almost certainly be taken care of. You can also email or call and they can just send you new washers at no cost if you want to keep working on it yourself.
 
They will fix it. Heck you can send it to them already apart and they will fix it. ZT has great customer service and they do not have a policy against taking a knife apart!
 
My brother just got a zt 0350 and has the same side to side play. (it's way off center as well - almost rubbing the liner..) I would have expected better quality control from a knife/brand that is so loved...
Side note - if/when I get a knife on line I ask the seller to check for dead centering and ZERO blade play.. worked for me so far..
 
I just want to make sure we're on the same page.

The blade had a little side to side wiggle because there was a tiny bit more room between the handle scales for the blade and the washers...

Then you POLISHED the washers, removing material and making them every so slightly thinner...

And the blade play got worse?

color me shocked.

Regardless, I'm sure ZT will take care of it.
 
I had read that the flipping action got smoother upon polishing the washers. Was hoping that smoother washers would equal smoother action and result in me being able to tighten the pivot more and still be able to flip it open. I'm just trying to solve the problem. Thanks to every one that provided helpful feedback!
 
Pretty sure they will take care of you anyway. They have the best customer service I have ever dealt with in a knife manufacturer. And ZT I believe is one of those companies that believes you should take apart your knife to clean and properly maintain it, unlike some.
 
Don't polish the washers, it removes metal once that metal is gone, there is no way to get the tolerances back. Basic geometry at work here. When you have a new knife, everything is new, and the fit is or should be somewhat tight. Just like a pair of shoes. If you want to have the knife smooth out, it happens over time naturally with use. If you want one that is broken in already, buy one that is used.
 
jasonbroni said:
My brother just got a zt 0350 and has the same side to side play. (it's way off center as well - almost rubbing the liner..) I would have expected better quality control from a knife/brand that is so loved...
Side note - if/when I get a knife on line I ask the seller to check for dead centering and ZERO blade play.. worked for me so far..
Click to expand...

As a dealer I have no problem with this. I respect the request and I think most dealers do. Knife nuts are picky and for the amount of money some spend this is a very minor request!
 
Regardless of all that you did and shouldn't have done, your best recourse in the first place was/is to send it in to KAI/USA and they'll fix it. Be descriptive in the issues as is and next time send it back to the dealer for a better specimen. ZTs are really good at no blade play and blade centering.
 
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