Zero Tolerance 0808: disappointing? [Resolved]

Random Dan

Random Dan

Joined
Jan 21, 2012
Messages
2,235
I just got an 0808 earlier today. So far I have never been able to make it flip properly. It only ever makes it 1/3 to 1/2 open. I am not touching the lock bar at all. The bearings are really smooth but it seems unnecessary because the lockbar rubbing on the blade makes it stiff anyway. This is the first manual flipper I've had so I don't know what I should expect but it's rather disappointing. Is there something I can do to fix it? Is it possible that I have a lemon?

I did some searching and it sounds like it should work better but I couldn't find anyone else having similar issues.
 
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What happens of you flip it so blade opens downwards with the help of gravity? Same problem or.....?
 
jbmonkey said:
What happens of you flip it so blade opens downwards with the help of gravity? Same problem or.....?
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With the knife held so that the tip would point down when opened it flips out maybe 2/3 of the way. I did manage to take a large chunk out of my fingernail from the flipper though.
 
ZT 0808 has a low profile flipper tab which doesn't give you as much leverage. Of course, you said you're not putting pressure on the lock bar but try flipping it with your left hand where you really can't put pressure on the lock bar. Also, a drop of oil on the detent ball should help.

Mine flips reliably now using the push button method. With the light switch method I sometimes misfire if I try to go too fast.
 
RamZar said:
ZT 0808 has a low profile flipper tab which doesn't give you as much leverage. Of course, you said you're not putting pressure on the lock bar but try flipping it with your left hand where you really can't put pressure on the lock bar. Also, a drop of oil on the detent ball should help.

Mine flips reliably now using the push button method. With the light switch method I sometimes misfire if I try to go too fast.
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I've tried it left handed and right handed and holding the handle with one hand will pressing the tab with the other. Nothing works.
I think the detent is causing too much friction. When it's 1/2 way open it takes a very significant wrist flick to even move it.
 
I finally found some oil. Turns out the only oil that I brought when I moved is the honing oil from my lansky. Anyway I put a drop of it on the detent and HOLY CRAP it is like night and day. This thing flips solid every time now. I knew oiling pivots was necessary but I never thought it would make this much difference on a detent. Thanks for the help guys I guess this was easier than I thought it would be.
 
Random Dan said:
I finally found some oil. Turns out the only oil that I brought when I moved is the honing oil from my lansky. Anyway I put a drop of it on the detent and HOLY CRAP it is like night and day. This thing flips solid every time now. I knew oiling pivots was necessary but I never thought it would make this much difference on a detent. Thanks for the help guys I guess this was easier than I thought it would be.
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Nice. The ZTs with the KVT are silky smooth.

Be careful of using too much oil in the pivot. Too much and it will attract lint and dirt and can muck up the action.
 
Random Dan said:
I finally found some oil. Turns out the only oil that I brought when I moved is the honing oil from my lansky. Anyway I put a drop of it on the detent and HOLY CRAP it is like night and day. This thing flips solid every time now. I knew oiling pivots was necessary but I never thought it would make this much difference on a detent. Thanks for the help guys I guess this was easier than I thought it would be.
Click to expand...

Great! Magic! :)

When it wears off add another drop to the detent ball. Always start with one drop at a time. The best oil I've found for the detent ball is Nano-oil 85 weight which is much thicker than 10 weight and stays in place longer. For pivot I use Nano-oil 10 weight.
 
I bought a ANIB ZT 0808 on the Exchange. I love it.
I don't carry it as I have a different EDC.

BUT, I just got it out of the box, and flipped it about ten times in a row, held up, down, right, left, upside down, blade down...and a few more angles and it flipped HARD and SMOOTHLY and POSITIVELY...every, every time. It's a great knife in my opinion.

I've had a ton of ZT's and generally they are too heavy for my casual use. But this one is a nice size, a nice weight at 4.3 ounces, and a fine blade-steel. I feel that it's the best ZT on the market, right now, for me.

Get yours figured out...send it in to get inspected/repaired whatever. Don't give up on this model.
 
Glad it worked out. Mine flips like a rocket. I usually run my pivots nearly dry. But a bit of oil on the detent does smoothen things out.




•••••••••••••••

Sent from my mind....using Tap-a-Thought. (tm)
 
Random Dan said:
I finally found some oil. Turns out the only oil that I brought when I moved is the honing oil from my lansky. Anyway I put a drop of it on the detent and HOLY CRAP it is like night and day. This thing flips solid every time now. I knew oiling pivots was necessary but I never thought it would make this much difference on a detent. Thanks for the help guys I guess this was easier than I thought it would be.
Click to expand...

Glad that solved it. After some time the detent ball will polish a track and you won't really need any oil.
 
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