ZT lockbar questions...PICS Added

NDJeep · Oct 21, 2016

Did the 0566 ever receive any retrofit lockbar inserts?
Could they?

My lockbar goes over about 95% when flipping it open. Its been de-assisted.
Would a lockbar insert "remedy" this to a more desirable 50-60%..?

Would Kai warranty this de-assisted, aftermarket-scaled, 2nd owner ZT for the lockbar issue?

Scurvy092 · Oct 21, 2016

The 566 is a steel frame already.

If it still locks up and functions then there's really no issue.

whitty · Oct 21, 2016

I am afraid Scurvy092 is correct. No lockbar insert ever was done on this model to my knowledge.

NDJeep · Oct 21, 2016

Thats right... forgot about no Ti so no need for insert probably.

Ya, I understand the knife lock is till functioning at 90%. Ive seen the "Its fine" responses given to guys whos knives do this. Ive also seen many members still want a warranty remedy.

Whattaya think, Whitty...? Any warranty solution given the parameters I mentioned?
Or any ideas from anyone that I can do myself? I can live with it but would prefer an earlier lockup.

grownstar · Oct 22, 2016

Not sure what you can do from home but Kershaw/ZT pretty much has the best warranty in the biz.

They'll work on your knife, for sure. Give them a call.

toker · Oct 22, 2016

If your knife doesn't have any lock rock, I wouldn't worry another moment about it.

Shing · Oct 22, 2016

You could try carbidising the lock face, it adds a few thou to the metal.

NDJeep · Oct 22, 2016

No lock rock. Is a bit sticky disengaging being that far over. I guess it'll be OK being steel. wear shouldn't be as much an issue. if it were Ti, lockup that late would bother me more.

Glenn056 · Oct 22, 2016

Place abit of electrical/rubber tape around the blade stops, enables the blade to lock up earlier. A temporary "fix"

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NDJeep · Oct 22, 2016

Some pics always help...

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whitty · Oct 22, 2016

NDJeep said:
Thats right... forgot about no Ti so no need for insert probably.

Ya, I understand the knife lock is till functioning at 90%. Ive seen the "Its fine" responses given to guys whos knives do this. Ive also seen many members still want a warranty remedy.

Whattaya think, Whitty...? Any warranty solution given the parameters I mentioned?
Or any ideas from anyone that I can do myself? I can live with it but would prefer an earlier lockup.

I literally was asking for the pic when you posted the pics! It might be worth sending it in, especially if the lock stick is bad. That is as far over as I have ever seen a lock bar on a ZT.

Rival1314 · Oct 22, 2016

NDJeep said:
I can live with it but would prefer an earlier lockup.

Key word here is prefer. There's nothing wrong with a knife that has late lock, but I get that you like it earlier...unfortunately I don't think it's a warranty issue. Perhaps sell this one and purchase a new one with earlier lockup. Personally I don't understand the early lockup fad, seems like that's where alot of failure issues stem from.

A previous suggestion was to have the lock carbidized...that will help a little...but only adds about 0.001in.

NDJeep · Oct 22, 2016

Thanks for the replies...
Ya, just a preference stemming from down the road wear but it is steel and Im not a rabid "gotta be early lockup or else" guy. Its probably MORE secure this way actually.
theres no movement at all any direction yet but it is a sticky releasing as mentioned. theres still a bit of tang visible on the right. I could try to send it in but wasnt sure about warranty work being modified and 2nd owner??
Im kinda 50/50 on what to do...

JuJu- · Oct 22, 2016

Have you tried disassembling the knife since you've owned it? Sometimes weird things happen and when you put it back together it will be a bit better. The good news is I highly doubt you will ever have to worry about the lock disengaging on you! Really it's your call. Contact KAI Warranty if you feel like it's a problem you can't live with. Doesn't matter if you are fifth owner or first.

Glenn056 · Oct 22, 2016

NDJeep said:
Some pics always help...

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That looks normal!.... If that was a CRK😁. Im guessing either the stop pins have dented or the liner/frame, so the blade stop further in, thus a later lockup

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NDJeep · Oct 22, 2016

bad_juju said:
Have you tried disassembling the knife since you've owned it? Sometimes weird things happen and when you put it back together it will be a bit better. The good news is I highly doubt you will ever have to worry about the lock disengaging on you! Really it's your call. Contact KAI Warranty if you feel like it's a problem you can't live with. Doesn't matter if you are fifth owner or first.

Yea... I put the custom scale on and de-assisted it. the lockup was the same before and after. I also did the "Hinderer Centering" trick for a slightly off-center blade and it worked.
Good to know warranty still covers 2nd and on owners.

NDJeep · Oct 22, 2016

Thanks again for the opinions...
If it were Ti Id be more concerned but since its a steel meetup Ill just roll with it for now. We'll see how it goes.

symphonyincminor · Oct 22, 2016

The more important question here is how is the spring tension?

Seems the standard in the industry is early-as-possible lockups on framelocks, but I've had $475 (no names mentioned, take a guess) knives come with early lockups and lock rock right out of the box, due to poor spring tension and travel. As long as you're not getting any vertical play, check the tang radius. If the lock is hitting that sweet spot where the incline starts, then the knife is 100% secure and built properly.

Titanium barely travels across the tang as it work-hardens, unless you're slamming the knife open on a regular basis, in which case you're denting the stop pin by doing so, cause lock travel (not wear on the actual lockface). Same thing can happen to steel-on-steel.

Don't be fooled by this early lockup craze.

NDJeep · Oct 22, 2016

Being de-assisted I do wrist-flip it open sharply. maybe I shouldnt. hadnt given stop pins any consideration.

Good info... thanks

sharp_edge · Oct 22, 2016

I could be wrong but I feel it is just a matter of time and its not gonna be long before it develops lock rock. I would not worry too much though because that happening, you can simply send it in for service. In the worst case, ZT can replace the lock side scale.