RJ Martin 0609. Yes, I'm insane. But how crazy am I?

WilliamEdward

WilliamEdward

Joined
May 17, 2012
Messages
102
First zt. Absolutely in love with this knife.

I've always respected the brand, heard nothing but good things (by and large) about quality control. Style just wasn't my cup of tea.

Purchased this through knife center (and I am not throwing any shade at all just getting feedback from you guys in this valuable community).

Knife came in box labeled for S35VN DLC version while the one I purchased was 20CV satin blade bronze ano. Anyway it's hard to show through the pictures, but one side of the "pivot ring" seems rough and shows not just blemish marks but noticeable concentric circles from the original machining. If you look very closely at the other side you can still see the circles but it's polished in a way where it feels, to me, night and day.

I'm wondering first how crazy am I because I readily admit I'm capable of finding fault with anything short of a CRK, but the same time this hit my gut as ugly so I could really use feedback. Centering is about 15 to 20% off but that I can live with. A few concrete lead questions would be did knife center ever even sell the s35 black dlc version or is this evidence of a return? Also has anyone else noticed a discrepancy between the fit and finish of one pivot face vs the other?
Show side pivot has the "issues" lockbar side what I would consider "normal"

Had some annoying glitches with imgur app, but they should be posted now.
Ignore first "IMG" it's a ghost thing I can't delete, sorry!

Nibsuhd

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WilliamEdward said:
First zt. Absolutely in love with this knife.

Congrats. ZT makes some nice knives.


I am not throwing any shade

What do you mean?

Knife came in box labeled for S35VN DLC version while the one I purchased was 20CV satin blade bronze ano. Anyway it's hard to show through the pictures, but one side of the "pivot ring" seems rough and shows not just blemish marks but noticeable concentric circles from the original machining. If you look very closely at the other side you can still see the circles but it's polished in a way where it feels, to me, night and day.

I'm wondering first how crazy am I because I readily admit I'm capable of finding fault with anything short of a CRK, but the same time this hit my gut as ugly so I could really use feedback. Centering is about 15 to 20% off but that I can live with. A few concrete lead questions would be did knife center ever even sell the s35 black dlc version or is this evidence of a return? Also has anyone else noticed a discrepancy between the fit and finish of one pivot face vs the other?
Show side pivot has the "issues"

If you are not unequivocally happy with your purchase - and it doesnt sound like you are - then return it if possible.
Else it might just nag you later.
A new knife within a certain price range should be expected to be 100% in order and to your full satisfaction.

Had some annoying glitches with imgur app, but they should be posted now.

Cant see your first pic but might just be on my end.

Nibsuhd
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Thank you. First picture is experiencing technical difficulties. It is of the box labeled s35vn DLC, a product knifecenter doesn't even show as a discontinued sprint.
The not throwing shade comment was meant to mean I don't have anything against knife center as a vendor after this post I'm only curious what, given this info, you guys think about this specific knife and its circumstances.
 
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WilliamEdward said:
Thank you. First picture is experiencing technical difficulties. It is of the box labeled s35vn DLC a product knife doesn't even show as a discontinued sprint. The not throwing shade comment was meant to mean I don't have anything against knife center as a vendor after this post I'm only curious what, given this info, you guys think about this specific knife and it's circumstances.
Click to expand...
In fact as ridiculous as I am I already purchased another identical knife from knifecenter to compare. Btw bladescout do you happen to own the knife in question?
 
Did you compare serial numbers? If it isn't 0929 as the barcode indicates it is definitely the wrong box.
 
Does the blade have the same serial number as the box? If so, the label on the box must of somehow got printed wrong. If not, that knife doesn't belong to that box. Either way my first move would have been to contact the vendor about the issues.

BTW, I have a 0609 and the blade is slightly off-center like yours. Everything else was fine.
 
b00n said:
Did you compare serial numbers? If it isn't 0929 as the barcode indicates it is definitely the wrong box.
Click to expand...

hectorsn said:
Does the blade have the same serial number as the box? If so, the label on the box must of somehow got printed wrong. If not, that knife doesn't belong to that box. Either way my first move would have been to contact the vendor about the issues.

BTW, I have a 0609 and the blade is slightly off-center like yours. Everything else was fine.
Click to expand...

So I checked and sure enough the serial number matches! Thanks for the tip.
That mystery is solved... Was just a printing error from ZT I assume.
The marred, scuffed pivot face is something I really want to love because I hate having unrealistic expectations for what is already a relatively high value production folder.
But as bladescout mentioned, if I'm not satisfied enough perhaps I will go through the return process. Hi Hector, you didn't have a lot of nicks and scuffs on your pivot then I assume?
Thanks for the information guys.
 
My blade is centered and both pivots look the same. The detent is snappy, like the 450. Carrying it every day right now and looking forward to the MXG milled 609 clips.

side.jpg
 
Pivot hardware was perfect when received. I put my knifes through fairly good use so I'm sure its dull and scratched by now
 
The knife will get scuffed up over time but I want to be the guy to put them there. Many scuffs on my knives have a story about them and many are from frequent carry. Many scuffs and dings have stories or fond memories. I personally would return it. I would imagine you got a dud. Not a knock on the vendor or the manufacturer. S#&t happens. Yeah it can be frustrating but life happens.....
 
A new knife shouldn't arrive pre-scuffed. I bought a 0609 used on the Exchange and the seller fully disclosed a scratch on the pivot that he put there. Other than that, the centering is good and the pivot hardware has an even, uniform finish.
 
My guess is this knife was a demo model or something similar. This could explain the scuffed pivot and wrong box. As far as the centering. I would not be concerned about that. It's damn close. My 0609 was bought second hand but was basically new. The pivots are perfect as is the centering. I have my doubts yours came from the factory like that.

By the way it does not flip as quickly or as consistently as my 0450. Two reasons: 1) I have an aftermarket pocket clip on the 0450 which does not touch the lock bar and 2) The 0450 blade is lighter. It's important with the 0609 to make sure you don't put pressure on the clip when flipping the blade. My technique has my middle finger near the pocket clip screws when opening the knife.
 
Thank you everyone!! Seriously helps to get a little outside perspective. Sometimes it's hard to think clearly about my/our knives :D

I will go ahead with the return process. As one MM mentioned- these things happen. My "theory" is the final polish/clean up on one side just slipped through the cracks. No biggie.
Thank you great people of BF!!!
 
MSchott said:
My guess is this knife was a demo model or something similar. This could explain the scuffed pivot and wrong box. As far as the centering. I would not be concerned about that. It's damn close. My 0609 was bought second hand but was basically new. The pivots are perfect as is the centering. I have my doubts yours came from the factory like that.

By the way it does not flip as quickly or as consistently as my 0450. Two reasons: 1) I have an aftermarket pocket clip on the 0450 which does not touch the lock bar and 2) The 0450 blade is lighter. It's important with the 0609 to make sure you don't put pressure on the clip when flipping the blade. My technique has my middle finger near the pocket clip screws when opening the knife.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. In my opinion the clip on the 0609 is designed in a way where the very edge actually rests on the frame not the lock bar, a nice design touch IMO. Maybe yours doesn't though.
Also the serial numbers matched so it was probably a labelling mixup plus unlucky QC.
 
And you can always wait to get the tool, disassemble it and polish up the pivot yourself down the line, a little sandpaper and drill re-purposed as a lathe than do wonder. At least if you're the DIY type who doesn#t feel the need to send it back. Plus some tweaking might take care of the centering as well. To me tinkering and disassembly is half the fun. :):thumbsup:
 
WilliamEdward said:
Thanks for the advice. In my opinion the clip on the 0609 is designed in a way where the very edge actually rests on the frame not the lock bar, a nice design touch IMO. Maybe yours doesn't though.
Also the serial numbers matched so it was probably a labelling mixup plus unlucky QC.
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My clip clearly puts all its pressure on the lock bar.
 

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