ZT Quality Control...

[salmonkiller]

This thread is giving me Déjà vu....... Did the OP ever get his knife fixed?

 

[Knivery]

What do you happen to carry and trust since you are not willing to get a ZT since you like to follow others opinions?

Assuming that post was for me....I carry knives other than ZT's.

I registered at this site to stay up to date on what's really happening in the blade world, from those closest to it--and according to many peoples' experiences, as reported here over the years (inordinately so over other brands i might add), ZT's seem to be a bit more of a risky buy compared to other quality knives out there.

One more time: I'm sure the ones that work properly are wonderful.

OK?

 

[chester22]

I'm just sick of people slamming companies before they even reach out to them. It's not just ZT, it's alot of companies. That's why alot don't have forum connections anymore. I've had lemons from CKRT, Spyderco, Benchmade, Strider, and Kershaw and all were good with supplying parts, fixing the issues at hand and in some instances a whole new knife.

 

[BellaBlades]

Well , that did not answer my question at all. And I am clearly wasting my time here.
I hope that the OP has been taken care of at this point. And that threads like this end no matter who it is about. I have friends to discuss designs with now.
Best to all as I leave as fast as I can.

 

[dishcore]

Assuming that post was for me....I carry knives other than ZT's.

I registered at this site to stay up to date on what's really happening in the blade world, from those closest to it--and according to many peoples' experiences, as reported here over the years (inordinately so over other brands i might add), ZT's seem to be a bit more of a risky buy compared to other quality knives out there.

One more time: I'm sure the ones that work properly are wonderful.

OK?

You registered here to stay up to date on what's really happening in the blade world? Why not just buy knives and decide if you like them or not? Why would you need anyone else's opinion's to help establish yours?

If it works for you in yours hands, what does it matter if some slack jawed Billy from Artexansaw tried to use his 0560 to baton through a redwood and the lock failed.

If it works for you in yours hands, what does it matter if Sir Elsworth Strumpetsmith III received his and the blade was slightly off center and the handle screws weren't aligned with Jupiter properly.

 

[Knivery]

You registered here to stay up to date on what's really happening in the blade world? Why not just buy knives and decide if you like them or not? Why would you need anyone else's opinion's to help establish yours?

If it works for you in yours hands, what does it matter if some slack jawed Billy from Artexansaw tried to use his 0560 to baton through a redwood and the lock failed.

If it works for you in yours hands, what does it matter if Sir Elsworth Strumpetsmith III received his and the blade was slightly off center and the handle screws weren't aligned with Jupiter properly.

Yes.
Sometimes I do.
Because I'm human.
It doesn't.
It doesn't, Sir Elsworth.

 

[dishcore]

Yes.
Sometimes I do.
Because I'm human.
It doesn't.
It doesn't, Sir Elsworth.

Fair enough!

 

[dkb45]

I got a brand new 801 from Kershawguy, and it is not perfect. The detent is a smidge too big so you can rattle the knife while it is closed. Flips perfectly, detent is perfectly fine otherwise. Blade also came with a shaving edge, as sharp as I can get a knife before stropping. Should QC have caught this? Yeah, but it is purely an aesthetic problem, as it effects function in no way.

Now if the OP's problem is bend spacers (mine a slightly out of spec, nothing bad) then it should just be a simple matter of getting new ones sent. If Kershaw tries to say they can't, either they changed their policy (entirely possible) or they are lying, because I have had backspacers sent to me a few times. Or I had an employee be awesome and bend the rules, in which case... you saw and heard NOTHING! *smoke bomb*

 

[jill jackson]

ZT has had some "growing pains" I believe, the 0780 was terrible. But. they made it right, I had two and one I sent back they sent me a new 0350 that was perfect. Why they rushed that model out with so many problems, then just cut them from the line is still a mystery to me. My 0560 is perfect, all besides the blade edge is ground way off on one side, near the tip. A 0300 came to me new with silver showing through the blade coating in a few places, but they sent me a replacement, that was much better even though it still wasn't perfect. Since then I've bought a 0600 that is flawless a 0777 that is too, and a 0550. The only one I bought that made me wonder how they even considered shipping it out was the 0780, as it had very poor fit, plus the lockup was very poor.

 

[Knivery]

Fair enough!

Thank ya, Sir.

 

[pvicenzi]

Defective products are going to get out, no matter who the manufacturer is. The measure of a company is how they deal with such problems.

 

[PURPLEDC]

And where is your data on QC falling, because I am not seeing it and I see much more of their product than you ever will, you can't just say "I FEEL that the QC is falling" , Now I say BS to that. I had more Titanium bumps returned to me than any other model to date.

My data comes exclusively from being a consumer. I am simply sharing my experience. And my experience is that I have been having more issues with their products in recent years than I ever have in the past. And I actually can just say that "I do feel as if QC has fallen a bit". I am simply stating an opinion based on my own experiences and was written plain as day as an opinion and not a fact. Your mileage obviously varies. Just because your experience is different than mine doesnt mean my experience didnt take place. There are a lot of variables as to why your and my perceptions are different. I am not trying to give ZT or Kai a bad name. But I also dont feel I should have to NOT share my experiences because I am a fan of their products.

These are maybe 4-5 knives out of thousands. In the long run there QC is great. You just never see people posting about every good knife they receive only the bad ones. Show me one company with no faults. Especially on the scale ZT and KAI are doing it.

No one is perfect as Dave Said. But how they handle there mistakes should be how they should be seen. And from my experiences they've gone above and beyond for alot of folks. And are some of the nicest people to talk to. One of the few places I'd rather call then email.

This I actually do have to agree with. It does actually bother me that people are much more quick to speak up when they feel they have got the short end of the stick than when a company did good. Of say the last 100 or so threads I have seen started about not liking the quality of a product I cant even think of more than 2 times that the OP posted the resolution or lack of resolution. I dont really care for when people show up simply to blow their stack and never update anyone after that fact. To the defense of ZT in their case I can pretty surely bet the outcome would be "they fixed it" or "they replaced it". I think the fact that many people never update the thread (they most certainly would have had they not been satisfied) only validates that theory.

 

[Knivery]

It does actually bother me that people are much more quick to speak up when they feel they have got the short end of the stick than when a company did good.

Well YEAH people speak up quick when they get screwed.

When a product is good that's the way it's SUPPOSED to be. People don't spend much time verbalizing when something's as it SHOULD be--usually they've exchanged good money for it and EXPECT it to be as it should.

Sheesh.... :thumbdn:

 

[Rubicon_Joey]

This I actually do have to agree with. It does actually bother me that people are much more quick to speak up when they feel they have got the short end of the stick than when a company did good. Of say the last 100 or so threads I have seen started about not liking the quality of a product I cant even think of more than 2 times that the OP posted the resolution or lack of resolution. I dont really care for when people show up simply to blow their stack and never update anyone after that fact. To the defense of ZT in their case I can pretty surely bet the outcome would be "they fixed it" or "they replaced it". I think the fact that many people never update the thread (they most certainly would have had they not been satisfied) only validates that theory.

I have to disagree with the first part of this. I think Knivery pretty well sums up my thoughts so...

Well YEAH people speak up quick when they get screwed.

When a product is good that's the way it's SUPPOSED to be. People don't spend much time verbalizing when something's as it SHOULD be--usually they've exchanged good money for it and EXPECT it to be as it should.

Sheesh.... :thumbdn:

I'm not sure if the comments about updating the thread are directed towards this one but, if so you will find that this thread has been updated throughout the process and it's spilled out onto the pages of this thread. I even put my updates in the first post so those who don't read the entire thread can read them earlier this morning.

 

[Knivery]

And where is your data on QC falling, because I am not seeing it and I see much more of their product than you ever will, you can't just say "I FEEL that the QC is falling" , Now I say BS to that. I had more Titanium bumps returned to me than any other model to date.

*laughing* There's more denial in this thread than a courtroom.

Pretty good data on ZT's QC falling is right here in these pages for a long time now. Please read my first post to this thread.

Shouldn't you maybe be putting a bug in the ZT bigwigs' ears that they may have a problem developing instead of decreeing to the unwashed there is no problem? Most of your posts had been very judicious and even handed before this one.

If he can't say it, I can: I feel the QC is falling at ZT.

As I said in an earlier post, I WILL buy my first ZT from you--I've seen that you at least were paying attention to what some are trying to tell you and you showed sincere concern about all this up to now--as soon as I feel like I'm not taking a risk ordering a ZT.

 

[Kyle_4]

I have to disagree with the first part of this. I think Knivery pretty well sums up my thoughts so...


I'm not sure if the comments about updating the thread are directed towards this one but, if so you will find that this thread has been updated throughout the process and it's spilled out onto the pages of this thread. I even put my updates in the first post so those who don't read the entire thread can read them earlier this morning.

Did tightening the pivot help to get it centered?

 

[Rubicon_Joey]

Did tightening the pivot help to get it centered?

Yes and it is centered pretty well now.

 

[ibute21]

It's been a while since I've chimed in on this thread.

I think us, as enthusiasts, tend to forget that the amount of money we spend on folding knives and fixed blade is ludicrous by most people's standards.

When someone new to the hobby (addiction amirite) or brand, comes in and puts down a significant amount of money on a highly praised knife and then gets a lemon, you would imagine they wouldn't be thrilled. They spent hard earned money and they don't understand why everyone else is raving. So when they make a thread complaining, in this case, the KAI Internet defense force comes out and berates them for having a differing opinion. Tempers flare, and threads spin out of control. Us, as enthusiasts, need to recognize that this happens and not jump down the OP's throat. Create an atmosphere of civility so we can have great discussions.

On a different note. At times I truly wish the Kershaw/ZT subforum still existed for I wouldn't have to view these kinds of threads. These sorts of threads drove me away from BFC for quite some time and only recently have I returned. Just my experience.

 

[kershawguy]

*laughing* There's more denial in this thread than a courtroom.

Pretty good data on ZT's QC falling is right here in these pages for a long time now. Please read my first post to this thread.

Shouldn't you maybe be putting a bug in the ZT bigwigs' ears that they may have a problem developing instead of decreeing to the unwashed there is no problem? Most of your posts had been very judicious and even handed before this one.

If he can't say it, I can: I feel the QC is falling at ZT.

As I said in an earlier post, I WILL buy my first ZT from you--I've seen that you at least were paying attention to what some are trying to tell you and you showed sincere concern about all this up to now--as soon as I feel like I'm not taking a risk ordering a ZT.

You sir are really not in touch yet, I am. If I thought there was a problem I would say so, there is no problem. You can laugh all you want, I have been collecting and selling Kershaw products for over 30 years, I am as in touch with Kershaw and ZT products as much as anyone and more so than most on this forum. My customers know that if they get a knife from me that isn't up to par, that they can return it and I will take care of them. How can you be taking a risk buying a ZT, will it explode when you open the package ? They are 100% guaranteed by Kershaw and by myself. Some of these threads on BF just get really weird and totally blown out of proportion, I am now mad at myself for even opening my mouth , I knew better. I am going to go the way that others have gone, gonna keep my mouth shut and just sell knives and you guys that don't want to buy ZT because of one that wasn't perfect, well, your loss. My closing point is this, I sold over 10,000 knives last year, all I sell is Kershaw/ZT products (with the exception of a handful of Spydercos that I am trying to get rid of) I may have had 5-10 returns that were QC related. QC is Falling ? NO, it is not falling, all of you that believe that, are deceived by only seeing the negative posts that are so quickly talked about, not the thousands of happy customers that don't have time to make videos. Good day !

 

[Rival1314]

When a product is good that's the way it's SUPPOSED to be. People don't spend much time verbalizing when something's as it SHOULD be--usually they've exchanged good money for it and EXPECT it to be as it should.

Sheesh....

I believe the point that was being made, and missed, was that there are many more positive examples than negative ones. KAI produces several thousand knives per year. There are a few handfuls of "QA Issue" threads on this forum spread over a several year period. Thats what ytou call "acceptable fallout" in manufacturing regardless of the industry. Most of the threads result in a positive warranty experience.

If he can't say it, I can: I feel the QC is falling at ZT.

You are entitled to your opinion. In this case I think we can all agree that there were some issues with the original product. I applaud the OP for working with ZT to address the issue the proper way. Its unfortunate that he had to twise the pivot 3 or 4 turns to center the knife upon return, but that doesnt mean QC is failing. In fact a loose pivot is something most companies wont address because you can "fix" it yourself.

I'll go ahead and say it, My opinion is that you are wrong.

Go ahead and call me a fanboy because i am, but i have also worked in large scale manufacturing for a very long time and am familiar with the acceptable losses and quality control issues that come along with it. For each person that feel there was a major issue here, there are others that feel the opposite. No company can please everyone, its how you address the issues as they arise that shows your worth. I think ZT has made effort to address the OP's concerns each time he formally presented them.