1st Spyderco & Minor Issues

Mad Mensch

Mad Mensch

Joined
Jan 25, 2015
Messages
74
Hi all,

Just received my first Spyderco last week a Yojimbo 2 and I have to say I love the design of this knife. I've already gotten a titanium clip from Casey Lynch and just ordered Cuscadi scales for it which I'm really excited about.

Although I absolutely love the knife I have observed some issues with it that I wanted to get some feedback on. First is purely cosmetic and is regarding the deployment hole. I've noticed what seems to be extra steel material inside the hole and I'm just curious if this is a normal characteristic of the hole cut-out? You can see it in the photo below.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1429689765.723442.jpg

My second issue is more disappointing and it deals with the blades action. When opening the blade there is an extremely chalky and tight feel to the action. I wouldn't describe it as gritty by more of a feel similar to dragging chalk across a chalk board with firm pressure. The amount of force required to open the blade prevents me from being able to flick open the blade unless I use a lot of wrist inertia. I'm guessing it's the detent ball scraping against the blade surface so I was hoping to gather some advice for anyone else who has experienced this. I do plan to take it apart and lube it however might it be necessary to polish the detent ball as well?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.
 
I would start by just adjusting the pivot and putting a couple drops of oil on it. Then just give it time to break in. I would wait on disassembly until you have given that a try.
 
The mark on the inside of the Spyderhole is normal. Some models will have it, some won't, and the "look and feel" of the mark will vary depending on the process the maker uses to cut the hole in that specific steel. Water jet leaves one kind of mark, laser another, and there's at least one other method used.

As for the flicking issue, are you saying that you're unable to flick the Yo 2 open with just wrist action, or that you can't even flick it using a combination of thumb and wrist flick? I ask because most folks who talk about "flicking" their Spyderco's open use a thumb flick, or a forefinger flick, rather than a wrist flick and it's rare to find a Spyderco that can be opened with just a wrist flick, as there are too many places in the world where kinves capable of being opened that way are illegal.
 
Definitely wait before disassembling the knife. Like bearfacedkiller said, throw some lube in on it and just wait for it to break in. With a spyderco in satin finish it shouldn't take more than a week. I've been breaking in an emerson CSF and a strider SMF and those are a whole different ball game. If you feel ready and don't mind messing with the spydie-hole I would talk to a pimper on the forums and get their advice then maybe just go to an auto parts store and get automotive sandpaper (1500 grit-2200 grit) and maybe an 440 grit as well. I'd say a few swipes with 440 then work your way up with more and more swipes to the 2200 grit. should give some polish as well. Best of luck
 
I suggest not messing with it at all until you've open/closed it several hundred times. In my haste to smooth out the action on a newly bought Griptilian I managed to dissolve the loctite on the pivot screw by oiling it. My PM2's action was similar to what you describe here, but after a week or so it became buttery smooth with a gratuitous amount of flicking open/closed [emoji4]
 
Agree with Darby but before even adjusting anything, wash it good with warm water and soap. That can often flush out any small debris which is likely the culprit. My yojimbo is probably my smoothest opening knife. Opens and closes like its on bearings. Hopefully yours will get there too once it's cleaned, oiled and broken in.
 
Wow, thank you everyone for the great feedback and I'll definitely try everyone's advice before trying to take it apart. Much appreciated.

@Deacon: The flicking I was referring to was not being able to deploy the blade without using a combination of thumb or forefinger and wrist movement. On my other knives I can deploy the blade with just my thumb or forefinger but on the Yojimbo the action is too sticky.
 
Mad Mensch said:
Wow, thank you everyone for the great feedback and I'll definitely try everyone's advice before trying to take it apart. Much appreciated.

@Deacon: The flicking I was referring to was not being able to deploy the blade without using a combination of thumb or forefinger and wrist movement. On my other knives I can deploy the blade with just my thumb or forefinger but on the Yojimbo the action is too sticky.
Click to expand...

When you get those new scales you'll take it apart anyway. Give it a good inspection and clean up all the assembly grit before you lube and reassemble. That should clear up any issues.
The Yo2 is generally a quick and smooth opener with that heavy blade.
 
I suggest giving it some break in time and when you swap scales do your cleaning and lubing, I've found with mine I prefer a grease to oil. I happy a thin layer on both sides of the blade and each liner. All of my knives are ridiculously smooth
 
I also suggest getting an ultra fine sandpaper and lightly going over each side of your washers a few passes
 
CryoGuy5272 said:
I also suggest getting an ultra fine sandpaper and lightly going over each side of your washers a few passes
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback, I'll give this a shot and report back on how it goes.

Edit:
I don't know why I didn't do this before but I took everyone's advice and placed a couple drops of oil in the pivot area and its 10x's better. I just hope the smoothness doesn't go away!
 
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As a follow up, I didn't realize how ridiculously addicting it is to play with a spyderco once you get the action smoothed out!
 
Based on the description of the "nails on the chalkboard," I'm pretty sure its the detent ball. Open the blade almost all the way (about 10 degrees short) and you'll feel the ball "drop" off the ricasso. Look into the handle slot from the back and you'll see it between the blade ramp and the stop pin. Put a drop of oil or even better, a dab of lithium grease right on the detent ball. A toothpick works great for this. That should solve the problem.

If it doesn't, apply pressure to the lock release and, while holding it down, move the blade up and down to ensure it moves freely. Unless the blade is binding when the lock is depressed, don't mess with the pivot tension.

I hope this helps and that your Yo2 serves you well.

Stay safe,

Mike
 
Just checked my Yo2 as well as my other spydercos and they're all perfectly smooth on the inside of the spydie hole so I wouldn't say it's a common issue. Maybe one got passed through QC when it shouldn't have? As for the action being chalky, mine was exactly the same way when I first got it. I considered taking it apart and cleaning/polishing but decided to just open and close it hoping it would be smoother after a bit of break in. After a couple of weeks the action is now super smooth and fast, probably one of the smoothest knives I own.
 
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