ZT Fans - Need Help with my MUDD

Toyz

Toyz

Joined
Nov 2, 2006
Messages
1,838
OK - so after picking up a 0301, I had to also pick up a 0500 MUDD (esp. after reading the passaround thread on BF).

Both are great knives, and I have had some fun with the MUDD around the property. I've been hacking at an Oak tree that was blown over in a recent wind storm and cutting everything I can get my hands on. Everyone I have shown this one to is impressed.

Its holding a great edge - I have not touched it up since I got it - I want to see how long the 154CM stays sharp.

I had to take the Dremel to it as it was just too pretty coming out of the box. I knocked some of the G10 off with sandpaper, and took some of the black off the thumb studs, screws and pivot with a steel wire wheel. I also sanded the edges of the G10 to make it less "grippy". It actually had some sharp edges where the G10 got narrow in the rear near the clip screw.

Now it looks like a UFC fighter, which is how this one should look.

So heres what I need help with.

It's opened up in my pocket twice now and cut me twice as I unsuspectingly put my hand in my pocket to retrieve it (the first time with the clip on, the second time without the clip). The thumb studs have agressive knurling around the edges that catch the lining of the pocket.

I removed the pocket clip as I absolutely do not like it. I did modify it so as not to get the pocket of my pants wrapped up and under it, but I still dont like it so its gone.

I carry it "in-pocket" with a rubber band around it so it does not open on me again. Its kinda ghetto, but I really like the knife and want to carry it. Anyone else have this problem, and if so - what are you doing about it? I do not like belt pouches.

Also - I want to put a lanyard on this one - any suggestions? Pics appreciated if you came up with a creative way to put one on this beast. Its a little awkward as the lanyard slot is along the back and not in the rear. I tend to make my own lanyards and not buy them pre-made.

I rarely ever put a folder thru its paces - I end up moving onto another edc well before the old knife gets good use. This one is going to be the exception - I plan on beating the crap out of it.

I put a few pics in for some context for those that have not seen it yet.

If you're into hard use folders and size and weight do not bother you I highly recommend you check one of these bad boys out.
 

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I remember having the same detent problem as you're having when I first got my knife. It seemed like there was zero blade retention. Somehow, over the course of it's life, the detent has gotten much better. Now it's nicely positive. I often throw the knife into my climbing pack, and I haven't had it open accidentally in a long time.

I can think of two reasons the action has improved. The simple reasoning is that the knife simply had to break in. My other guess is that disassembling, cleaning, and lubricating the mechanism was the reason for the improvement. I suggest that if you're impatient, go ahead and take the knife apart and see if you can smooth things up.

I've seen some really nice lanyards on other people's MUDDs. I'm not a fan on lanyards, so I'll let someone else chime in.

Phillip

p.s. Isn't scuffing up the knife with a Dremel "cheating"? You should have to earn your wear marks. :) (Admittedly, this knife doesn't show wear easily.)
 
Thanks for the feedback - I did take the knife partially apart but it seems like I have to go all the way now.

With the Dremel - I was actually trying to "pimp" it by removing the black off of certain parts, but I kinda liked the grey look better. I was originally going for a chrome shine.

No worries as far as me earning the scars thru use. This knife is sweating right now because it knows what its in for.

Also - it bit me twice - so I bit it back. We are all good now. It was trying to become the Alpha.
 
I'm not sure I understand what the problem is, but you can just tighten the pivot to reduce the pocket opening. I prefer a tight pivot anyway, and my ZT0500 will not open accidently, but will still open fast. I've heard that you can get a type of pliers that enable you to turn the pivot on the 0500, just had a brain fart and can not remember the name of these pliers, but I simply took a couple of nails the right diameter, ground the points flat, inserted them in opposite holes, and took a screwdriver between them to tighten up my pivot. Worked like a charm. I lowered my clip down to between the "ears" on the back of the handle in order to do away with the excessive movement it has due to its positioning , and then cut about 1/2 of it off and rebent the tip. Covered it with 3M stair step tape to give me a firm grip when pulling it out of my pocket, works like a charm also.:thumbup::thumbup::)
 
I use two 1/16" drill bits as a makeshift spanner to tighten the pivot - and this does not help the detent.

Maybe with some wear the pivot can be tightened further and will help with the detent.

It takes very little effort for the knife to come open in the pocket. The fabric of the pocket catches on the thumb studs and partially pulls the blade out of the handle. If the detent was stronger this probably would not happen as easily as it does.
 
i was going to suggest the same thing as cutter17. :) i've never had my MUDD bite me yet,so i guess i'm lucky! :D
 
Can you gravity open the knife by flicking your wrist without moving the lock? If so, you need to send it in (b/c the detent is screwey). If not (and it is just the studs catching on your pants fabric) then you need to carry in a different method.

ETA: If the detent is within normal tolerances, and you don't mind possibly voiding your warranty, you could increse the detent by shiming the springs on the Hawk-Lock. I have never tried it, but, I am fairly certain that it would work.
 
spiralarchitect said:
Can you gravity open the knife by flicking your wrist without moving the lock? If so, you need to send it in (b/c the detent is screwey). If not (and it is just the studs catching on your pants fabric) then you need to carry in a different method.

ETA: If the detent is within normal tolerances, and you don't mind possibly voiding your warranty, you could increse the detent by shiming the springs on the Hawk-Lock. I have never tried it, but, I am fairly certain that it would work.
Click to expand...

I have to flick my wrist VERY VERY hard to get the knife to open. It took me about 12 tries before I swung my hand hard enough to get the blade out of the handle. I guess the rubber band trick will have to do while I continue to break the knife in - hopefully that will tighten up the pivot and put more pressure on the detent.
 
Toyz said:
I have to flick my wrist VERY VERY hard to get the knife to open. It took me about 12 tries before I swung my hand hard enough to get the blade out of the handle. I guess the rubber band trick will have to do while I continue to break the knife in - hopefully that will tighten up the pivot and put more pressure on the detent.
Click to expand...

You could disassemble and lightly dremel out the detent notch a little to increase the depth of lock up.
 
i've carried and used mine a few times, often it "waves" open when pulling it out of the pocket, depends on HOW I pull it out, does not open itself often
never opened itself alone or in the pocket btw, the "detent" holds pretty well, much much more than the 0301 wich now rides tip up, much safer

mine did not come kershaw sharp from the factory but i'ts working well, a couple stopping moves with 2500 paper and it shaved, thumbs up

the lanyard I use on my "tip uppers" is very simple, I put my pinkie in it and pull, knife is safe in my hand ready to be opened, the pinkie in the lanyard is also good when you accidentally drop it, remains hanging instead falling on the ground

Maxx
 
I suggest that you put the clip back on it, and use the lanyard to remove the knife from your pocket.

If I yank VERY HARD on the lanyard on my MUDD, it will open in my pocket. The key is to remove the knife nice and slow, don't try and do it fast.

I haven't had mine try to open in my pocket for a very long time, and I carry it almost every day as my work knife.

Andy
 
Just a follow up - I sanded the metal piece that catches the pin and locks the blade, along with taking the knife apart totally and lubing the pivot area. I added blue loctite to the pivot screws so the blade does not loosen. I also took a wire brush bit on my dremel to the knurling on the thumb studs to take the edge off. I added a homemade lanyard.

This seems to do the trick. The detent holds better now, and if I retrieve the knife by the lanyard it comes out of the pocket closed.

Thanks for the good tips!!!:D
 
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