ZT0900 Help

D

DJCHRISRECTOR

Joined
Jan 2, 2017
Messages
7
Hello

I'm new to the knife world so don't laugh at my question.


I bought a ZT 0900 LesGeorge and in my mind, it is the definition of perfection. Then ZT came out with the 0900GOLD:mad: "oh ZT, your going to make me spend another $300" I have both now.

On my original, there is (this is hard to describe) a mild stiffness on the flipper, so when you apply the over coming pressure with you finger, the blade flys out, it's perfect.
The new gold one is a fraction too lose, it still flys out but I want it just like my original.

Here's my question:

What Screw do I tighten? The side screw on the lock bar or the top screw?


Thanks
 
If I'm not mistaken "firing strength" or whatever you want to call it, is determined by the detente which is not adjustable except by the factory or with very special tools. You might be able to adjust some of the tension with the pivot screw, but really that just puts more pressure on the the bearings the blade turns on. You might try squeezing the lock-bar when you're opening it which is what made a lot of the early frame lock flippers so stiff. You should be able to see the detente as a small bump on the inside face of the lock-bar.
 
DJCHRISRECTOR said:
Hello

I'm new to the knife world so don't laugh at my question.


I bought a ZT 0900 LesGeorge and in my mind, it is the definition of perfection. Then ZT came out with the 0900GOLD:mad: "oh ZT, your going to make me spend another $300" I have both now.

On my original, there is (this is hard to describe) a mild stiffness on the flipper, so when you apply the over coming pressure with you finger, the blade flys out, it's perfect.
The new gold one is a fraction too lose, it still flys out but I want it just like my original.

Here's my question:

What Screw do I tighten? The side screw on the lock bar or the top screw?


Thanks
Click to expand...


Your knife does not have an adjustable detent. To get the result you are looking for you need to completely disassemble and give more bend in the lockbar. But I would not attempt this on your own as going even a tiny bit too far will make your knife impossible to fire. And you dont want to be yielding your lockbar back and forth a bunch of times trying to find the sweet spot. If you are not happy with the detent i would contact kai and see if they will adjust it for you.
 
Detent strength is just not something you can get 100% consistent in a production knife. If you want two knives to have dead on identical detent strengths, you need to step up to a custom.
 
Scurvy092 said:
Detent strength is just not something you can get 100% consistent in a production knife. If you want two knives to have dead on identical detent strengths, you need to step up to a custom.
Click to expand...

Detent strength can vary with customs as well.

If you're going to be really picky about flipping action, the only true solution is to handle the knife before you purchase it.

I wouldn't recommend trying to bend the lock-bar to increase the detent strength. What's more important, snappy flipping or proper lock-up?
 
A loose pivot can occasionally result in a weaker flip. The little bit of play even if you cant feel it , may effect the seating of the detent. You can look at the knives while assembled as well. Does one ball sit deeper than the other. If that does not help, you can take them apart and compare the bend. Only if your handy though. Otherwise you can use the warranty they offer if it keeps you from sleeping well.
 
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The detent is adjustable, but not with no risk. To adjust it you have to take the knife apart and bend the lock bar in a little bit at a time. I repeat, this is not without risks. Sometimes you bend it just a hair too far, and the knife is noticeably stiff, and bending it back is a massive pain for knives with an integral overtravel stop. You have to take the lock insert out, which is an agonizing process, they are nearly press fitted), then extremely carefully bend it the other way, millimeter by millimeter. The major risk is whenever you bend tensioner metal it can deform or break, obviously both catastrophic for a knife.

I have adjusted a few knives that just needed a hair more or less tension for perfect action, but others had to be send in for warranty work because it couldn't reach a sweet spot, either too stiff or too light. I have never ruined a knife, but it is an unlikely albeit real possibility.
 
dkb45 said:
The detent is adjustable, but not with no risk. To adjust it you have to take the knife apart and bend the lock bar in a little bit at a time.
Click to expand...

This.
I had the identical problem between an 0900 standard and an 0900BLU. I was very cautious and re assembled the knife after every attempt at a small adjustment. Took me three tries, and the BLU wound up just *barely* stiffer than the standard. Much better than where It started. Lockup and centering are still perfect.

It's a simple knife. The only challenge was related to very tight tolerances. Well done ZT!
 
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