ZT 560, Does It Need lube?

Razor

Razor

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Dec 8, 1999
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I was wondering if the pivot needs any oil on it every so often? I was wondering if this knife was as good as some you guys said it was. It sure is! It blue me alway when I first held it. I could not beleive the fit and finish and how easy the blade would open. The lock seems perfect on mine and no blade play what so ever. Also, came razor sharp. I already know I will have to get a 561 to go with it. Best knife I have ever own! You sure get your moneys worth with ZT.
 
Razor said:
I was wondering if the pivot needs any oil on it every so often? I was wondering if this knife was as good as some you guys said it was. It sure is! It blue me alway when I first held it. I could not beleive the fit and finish and how easy the blade would open. The lock seems perfect on mine and no blade play what so ever. Also, came razor sharp. I already know I will have to get a 561 to go with it. Best knife I have ever own! You sure get your moneys worth with ZT.
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You just answered your own question. When the blade becomes less easy to open or you get lots of grit stuck up in there, clean it and re-lube it.
 
No it doesn't because it has bearings.. I don't think lube would make it open any better then it already does.
 
A pin head drop of 3-in-1 oil wouldn't hurt. If you're worried about oil/gunk build-up, then you can also use some Dupont drying teflon lubricant. It goes on as a liquid and dries leaving a thin layer of teflon. NO metal is rust "proof". All metals rust just at different rates which are affected by metal treatments. Even gold can oxidize or tarnish, it just takes a very very long time. You can make a metal rust "resistant" like stainless steeel but not rust proof. Oil stops rust because it creates a thin layer between the metal and the air and/or moisture which can accelerate rusting or oxidation.

I use both, each on certain knives I EDC. I use the oil on my 0561 since I don't EDC it as often as my other blades.

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you can choose to leave it as is. . .
 

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Aren't they dust-sealed ball bearings? 3 in 1 oil did have some wax in it - it protects, but gets gummy with dust over time. Did they change it's formulation?

Stainz
 
Stainz said:
Aren't they dust-sealed ball bearings? 3 in 1 oil did have some wax in it - it protects, but gets gummy with dust over time. Did they change it's formulation?

Stainz
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Not sure about any formula change, but I prefer to use the drying teflon lubricant on my EDCs I carry the most often since the pocket lint and junk does gum up the action after a while.
 
I called up KAI and asked this exact question. I was told they lube them at the factory with a mixture of a silicone based lube and grease. I think I remember them actually saying they used tri flo.
 
They are not sealed. When I had mine apart to trace the scale it had what i would say looked like a tiny amount the white grease they use on the t-bar assisted knives and a tiny bit of oil.
 
Yeah 3-in-1 oil can get gummy and eventually even harden over time. I had to clean a bunch of 3-in-1 oil lubed guns once that had been stored for 6+ months. The 3-in-1 oil was almost like a shellac, it locked up the foregrip on the pump shotgun, couldn't cycle it at all. Eventually i got it loosened up with a toothbrush and lighter fluid.
 
tholiver said:
Yeah 3-in-1 oil can get gummy and eventually even harden over time. I had to clean a bunch of 3-in-1 oil lubed guns once that had been stored for 6+ months. The 3-in-1 oil was almost like a shellac, it locked up the foregrip on the pump shotgun, couldn't cycle it at all. Eventually i got it loosened up with a toothbrush and lighter fluid.
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That would suck! I will have to remember that! For now I use remoil on the guns.
 
Gold will not tarnish. If it's mixed with other metals they may tarnish. Also there are a lot of rustproof metals just not a lot appropriate for blade steel.
 
I have found, through use, that CRK lube works outstandingly well on my bearing pivot knives.
 
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