ZT0303 sticking lock after reassembly

[prng]

So I took my ZT0303 apart, cleaned, and lubed. Put it back together and it seems everything runs smoothly except one problem. Most of the time when trying to unlock the knife it resists and hurts my thumb to unlock the knife.

Any thoughts on how to make it not stick like this?

 

[jimmer_5]

You probably have some oil on the locking surface - this will cause sticking every time, and it's easy to do when you're re-lubing the knife.

Clean the locking surface on the tang of the blade with a Q-Tip and try applying some pencil lead to it. If that doesn't work, try using a Sharpie marker on the tang. Good luck!

 

[prng]

You probably have some oil on the locking surface - this will cause sticking every time, and it's easy to do when you're re-lubing the knife.

Clean the locking surface on the tang of the blade with a Q-Tip and try applying some pencil lead to it. If that doesn't work, try using a Sharpie marker on the tang. Good luck!

The oil makes it difficult to push the lock bar to unlock the blade? I would have thought it would be the opposite and would have made it less stick. Maybe I explained wrong, I think it is difficult to unlock because there's metal against metal.

I'm assuming the locking surface is where the lock bar and blade steel meet?

What does the pencil lead or sharpie do to the surface?

 

[turk.919]

Graphite/sharpie marks make the metal on metal bond smoother. Oil gets sticky over time as well if it's not continuously moved or kept warm. Trust us, we are experts.

 

[CrimsonTideShooter]

The oil makes it difficult to push the lock bar to unlock the blade? I would have thought it would be the opposite and would have made it less stick. Maybe I explained wrong, I think it is difficult to unlock because there's metal against metal.

I'm assuming the locking surface is where the lock bar and blade steel meet?

What does the pencil lead or sharpie do to the surface?

Oil is great for steel on steel, not so great for Ti on steel.

Oil will cause the Ti to slip a little further than it normally would, essentially wedging the lockbar against the tang. It sticks because it is wedged, and when you push the lockbar over it roughs up the surface of the titanium (called galling).

Graphite will lube the surface of the steel without causing galling, and will make it much more smooth.

 

[prng]

Oil is great for steel on steel, not so great for Ti on steel.

Oil will cause the Ti to slip a little further than it normally would, essentially wedging the lockbar against the tang. It sticks because it is wedged, and when you push the lockbar over it roughs up the surface of the titanium (called galling).

Graphite will lube the surface of the steel without causing galling, and will make it much more smooth.

Ah interesting. Since I've opened it a few times like this, should I worry about the galling on the titanium? I'll try getting rid of the oil and drawing on it with a pencil, I only have a few mechanical pencils, hopefully that'll work.

 

[wolf5391]

Ah interesting. Since I've opened it a few times like this, should I worry about the galling on the titanium? I'll try getting rid of the oil and drawing on it with a pencil, I only have a few mechanical pencils, hopefully that'll work.

I use my mechanical pencil for my locks when they stick. I clean my lock face with alcohol, let dry and then apply graphite. I find it works better that way. If what everyone is saying doesnt work, send it to zt they have a great warranty and theyll fix it for u. The wait isnt bad either, turn around time for me was like 8 days.

 

[prng]

Cool, just took it apart to make sure it applied totally. Works like magic! Thanks for the tips guys.

How often would you have to apply the graphite? Would using a sharpie last longer?

 

[CrimsonTideShooter]

Cool, just took it apart to make sure it applied totally. Works like magic! Thanks for the tips guys.

How often would you have to apply the graphite? Would using a sharpie last longer?

In my experience the graphite lasts longer, but of course that will vary. Just reapply when it gets sticky again, eventually it'll get to the point where it is no longer needed.

 

[Jason B.]

You did not torque the screws in the correct pattern, lube may "fix" it but you did not fix it.