550 Hard to open?

My 550 was very hard to open and now it opens fine. Someone suggested leaving it open at a 90 degree angle for several nights. I also used graphite on the detent area. After a few days, it opens like it should. These things are like good boots, takes time to break them in. Be patient, you won't be sorry.
 
USACelt said:
My 550 was very hard to open and now it opens fine. Someone suggested leaving it open at a 90 degree angle for several nights. I also used graphite on the detent area. After a few days, it opens like it should. These things are like good boots, takes time to break them in. Be patient, you won't be sorry.
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I get the breaking in part, but what would leaving it open at a 90° angle do???
 
bad_juju said:
I get the breaking in part, but what would leaving it open at a 90° angle do???
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I don't know about a 90° angle, but leaving mine open slightly during storage helped a lot on my 0560. I assume it is because of the constant pressure being put on the detent ball, making it engage the hole in the blade slightly less when fully closed.
 
Thanks for the clarification Rycen and S.O., I personally don't think that would help but atleast now I understand the reasoning behind it. I think the opening and closing style breaking in would be, and is still the best option for me.
 
I took mine apart, cleaned out the factory lube and put some of my gun grease on the washers/pivot. Tightened it back up, no worries. The hard detent will get easier with use and the action is damn smooth. Been carrying this knife religiously, I love it.
 
Sorry bad juju for not responding sooner. Rycen is correct, metals have "memory", they will stay in whatever position you bend the piece into. What you are doing is keeping the detent bar at it's extreme position, which will eventually releave some of the tension. That is my understand of what is happening.
 
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