Zero Tolerance 560 detent is killing me!

**Headshrinker** · 06-25-2012, 10:18 PM

I was so excited about this knife, but when I tried to use the flipper; it would not even budge. I put Tuf Glide all over but it is still way to tight to flip open. I have been playing with the knife until my fingers hurt, although it is better it is not like all the You-Tube videos. Any advice?

**redbike** · 06-26-2012, 12:49 PM

Have you tried loosening the pivot to free it up a bit? I received a ZT 200 last Friday and worked the action over the weekend - it now flips just fine.

**waterdogs** · 06-26-2012, 01:02 PM

Yes, the ball detents on the new ZTs ARE a motherfucker (!) I have found that using your thumb on the stud, and your index finger on the flipper, and using both together (like snapping your fingers), combined with a slight flick of the wrist, seems to work well.

**cornnutt** · 06-26-2012, 02:54 PM

If you upta talking it apart, take it down and put some pencil lead on the detent and on the lockbar cut out. When you put it back together, tightin' the pivot all the way down, then body screws. Lightly unscrew the pivot, til' you find the sweet spot.

**Mike Stewart** · 06-26-2012, 02:57 PM

My 560 worked fine right out of the box.

**Tony8179** · 06-26-2012, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by Mike Stewart

My 560 worked fine right out of the box.

So did my 0561. Zero issues.

The detent is supposed to be strong on these knives. The strong detent combined with the KVT washers should make for a super smooth and fast flipper. Granted, I have not handled any other 056X models besides mine, but the problems almost always seem to be with folks having an issue with the stong detent, but most of those problems are with using the thumbstuds and not the flipper.

The very first piece of advice I give is to make sure that your fingers are completely off the lockbar when opening. If this doesn't help then I would say that the pivot is too tight. Loosen the pivot a bit and see if that fixes the problem. If that doesn't fix the problem then I would contact Customer Service because something may be a bit off. Most of the issues I've seen have been due to user error though. Sometimes it's just poor flipper technique. You have to experiment with the best way to open a blade with different style flippers. On some, you need to "load" the flipper by pushing in on the flipper and then pulling down. On others you just need to use a pushing in motion. Then again, on others you may need to just pull down on the flipper. I've found that on my 0561 the last method works the best. Just by simply pulling down on the flipper, while making sure my fingers are off the lockbar, my blade really pops out of the handle and into the open and locked position

Good luck, but remember that Kershaw/ZT has some really great customer service and will try their damndest to take care of you.

**spydusse** · 06-26-2012, 04:21 PM

No 0560 here but my tilts thumbstuds are useless but i wouldnt use them if they were

**purpledc** · 06-26-2012, 07:40 PM

Man, I wish I had this problem. i think the detent on mine is a little too weak. Are you sure your not putting any force into the lock bar as your trying to flip it? if so your pushing the detent ball into the blade and it preventing it from releasing.

**Headshrinker** · 06-26-2012, 09:02 PM

Thanks guys, I was putting pressure on the locking bar! I feel like a newbie. The finger snapping motion made it fly out with authority. I guess I was use to my 301 assisted opener. My fingers are still sore from practicing...

**flash900** · 06-30-2012, 08:22 AM

No problems here, but I did find a lube that seems to work even better than Tuf Glide -- Nano Oil.

**waterdogs** · 06-30-2012, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by flash900

No problems here, but I did find a lube that seems to work even better than Tuf Glide -- Nano Oil.

"Zoom Spout Turbine Oil" is great stuff, available at Ace Hardware stores for a few bucks.

Attachment 92926

**sandwich** · 07-10-2012, 06:42 PM

I received my 0561 yesterday and have been trying to break in the lock. The lock sticks so bad sometimes I have to use both hands to release it. Hopefully this doesn't last too long

**waterdogs** · 07-10-2012, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by sandwich

I received my 0561 yesterday and have been trying to break in the lock. The lock sticks so bad sometimes I have to use both hands to release it. Hopefully this doesn't last too long

It ain`t *the lock*, Bucko....it`s the *detent*....see Post #3 above....

**sandwich** · 07-10-2012, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by waterdogs

It ain`t *the lock*, Bucko....it`s the *detent*....see Post #3 above....

The detent is good, actually a little on the lighter side of where I like it. The lock is sticking to the blade tang when in the open position and very hard to release them from eachother. Sorry for the confusion, Bucko.

**waterdogs** · 07-11-2012, 01:12 AM

Originally Posted by sandwich

The detent is good, actually a little on the lighter side of where I like it. The lock is sticking to the blade tang when in the open position and very hard to release them from eachother. Sorry for the confusion, Bucko.

Gotcha....had `zackly the same situaton with my 0560 & 0561....with the blade open, work the lockbar back & forth against the blade tang with your fingers until it stops sticking (don`t worry, it *will* stop after awhile). I think it`s just that the dissimilar metals need a chance to "seat" against each other. Prior to doing this, I was hardly getting *any* lockup at all, and it was a sticky sumbitch to disengage, as well. Now it just glides right into about a 40% lockup, smooth as silk.