ZT801 Break-in Required?

AJR576

AJR576

Joined
Feb 15, 2014
Messages
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I had a ZT801 a while back and if my memory is correct, it was extremely smooth (from the box) and didn't require any wrist-flick when opening. The ZT801 that I just bought seems much tighter / not nearly as smooth and requires some wrist-flick when opening. Is it common for the ZT801 to require a little break-in or is mine a bit tighter than normal?
 
It's not normal compared to the 3 801s I had over time. Even tightening the pivot didnt slow down the blade movement.

Send it in/back, or take it apart and carefully put it back together. There could be something slightly misaligned.

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My 0801 didn't need any breaking in period. Was super smooth out of the box.
 
That's what I thought. By comparison, my Domino flicks open with ease / authority.
 
My 0801 is about six months old & didn't require any breakin. It did seem a bit tighter than my 0562 at first, but after a few days of OCD flipping they're about the same now.
 
I've had some ZT's (not specifically an 0801) that required a little breaking in, and some others that seemed perfect out of the box. I'd suggest just using it for a bit to see if it wears in before messing with it too much.

One thing to try though... Push the lockbar out of the way, and see if the blade swings freely. If so, then it's probably the detent ball needing to wear in where it rubs on the blade while opening. A small drop of oil along the detent track (I usually just put the drop in the detent hole itself) will take care of that.
 
I have had 2 801's. The first which was brand new had a somewhat weak detent and a very meh factory edge. Lockup was good, though. After living with it for a month or so I went ahead and sent it back to ZT because it just needed a stronger detent. They replaced the whole knife (not new box, but a brand new knife, even replaced the handle) and the new one came out Kershaw sharp, and the detent was almost too stiff, I had to break it in a little, but once I wore it in the detent was perfect. I still say I am stupid for trading that knife.
 
My first bearing flipper was a 801. That thing was like a fine watch. Superlative action and feel. Zero break in.
 
Mine was great. No break in. Had a very strong detente. Sold it a year agoish as it just wasn't for me. I don't like metal handles or bulky/heavy knives. I enjoyed it while I had it. In all truth, I wish I would have kept it and gotten rid of my TSF Beast. Alas, I needed the money.
 
Thanks, I just contacted ZT. Probably going to send it in for warranty service.
 
I bought a zt0560 off a guy on ebay once, who said it was like new, flipped great. We'll when I got it, it was just the opposite. It flipped horrible! And it almost sounded like a grinding noise when i tried opening it. Well I climbed on YouTube and did some searching, and stumbled on a video by norseman knives. I think I the name of the video is "norseman knife maintenance-lubrication." In it he tells how the detent ball on his knives require a bit of oil from time to time to keep the knife operating properly. The sound it was making unoiled was just like the 0560. The action was (or lack of) was just like the 0560! So, I followed suit from the video, and added a drop of 3 in 1 oil on the detent ball, and bam! Like new again. Never had a problem after that. Try that first and see, it just might be that easy.
 
Yup! Little lube and lots of flicking.......BEFORE any adjustments or take downs!
 
I tried a drop of oil on the bearings and detent. Also flicked it a bunch but it's still sluggish and fails to lock up half the time. My first 801 fired out out with a light switch pull (no wrist-flick at all) and locked up everytime. This new one feels more like it has bronze washers than bearings.

I also just got a Hogue Ex02 (always wanted one)...strong detent but it fires open and locks up everytime.

I'll continue to flip the 801 over the weekend and see if it gets better. If not, it's going back to ZT. I'm sure they'll take care of it.
 
My zt801 was a little stiff when I got it but after flip on a couple hundred times it's better. I've never used it. The only thing it has ever cut is me. I don't want it anymore.
 
I would say no. All four of the ones I had were super smooth rockets from day one. Detent was a tad firm, which I liked.
 
I can only think of one that I have seen in our shop that has been a little sluggish.
 
I adjusted the pivot / flicked it a bunch and it's much better now. I've also changed the way I'm flicking it a bit by placing some downward pressure on the flipper while pulling back.
 
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