Adhesive/spacer in S30V AR

M

Mark Schmitt

Joined
Oct 5, 1998
Messages
340
I had posted this elsewhere, but I thought I would try it here as well:

On my AR, the asymmetric washer in the pivot does not rotate with the blade. This causes a failure to lock when the blade is opened.
The knife functioned perfectly until I took it on several dives (salt water). After the second, there was what appeared to be rubber cement coming out of the space between blade and washer. Once this material was removed, the pivot was very loose and lock up was sporadic from that point forward.

My question: Is there adhesive or a rubber washer which retains the position of the asymmetric washer?

I will take advantage of your great warranty and send the AR back to you (once my back up AR comes in), but I would like to know in case my knife lube is degrading a fragile spacer/adhesive. I have used everything from Break Free to Tri-flow to 10W40 to Hawaiian Tropic on it with good results, until it hit the salt H2O.

Thanks,
Mark
 
I would strongly suggest you sending it in asap. Don't wait on another AR if yours isn't locking up properly. That could lead to serious injury if what you say is occuring is true.(not calling you a liar) They will probably have it back to you in a week or less and the Strider Guys will feel better about one of their knives working properly again. Send it; it is a wiser decision to live without your AR for a week than to live without a finger if something should go badly.
 
Hello,
I answered this in the other forum also so am posting it here again.

I had the same thing happen. Talking with Strider Knives via e-mail the spaces are bronze impregnated oil spacers. They are held on with a 3m adhesive which is VERY resistant to oils, salt water, or a whole host of fluids! According to Mick, occasionally someone has or finds a chemical lube that breaks down the adhesive. This causes the liner lock side pivot spacer to move. This spacer is not round it is more of a horse shoe shape space to allow the liner to move across and contact the blade when open.
Now I have a Strider GB in S30V and have not had this problem occur, my older AR in BG-42 had this problem twice. I don't know how old your AR is but sending it in to the Strider Guys for tuning is the trick. I sent my AR in and it only took 7 days for it to be returned to me. I also have used the GB in salt-water with no problems, I have zero rust spots on my GB so far. Its not the salt-water that breaks down the 3m adhesive, the stuff is the toughest adhesive out there its beyond military grade.

Things that help cut down on adhesive spacer degredation are, don't use a lot of lube, and don't scrape the stuff away from the spacers. When cleaning just spray the folder down with brake cleaner or CLP military Clean Lube Protectant, then blast off the folder with an air hose.
This method has kept my spacers working very well.

Sorry for the long post.
 
This bugs the **** out of me…
For a few YEARS we had no issues with the adhesive.
This year we have had about ten.

I have made some changes that will correct the issue.
Send that sucker in and we’ll hook you up.

Sorry

m
 
the brass washer doesn't rotate with the blade on my BS either.

but i don't understand how this could affect the lockup.

my lockup is tip top, and it opens/closes very smoothly. i was never aware there was any "adhesive" among those washers in the first place. maybe BS's are different.

the knife is working great for me... yesterday i sharpened it, and then cut myself. it sucked.
 
Thanks to all for the detailed info.

My other Strider AR arrived today (this one with dual thumb studs). I'll shoot my other one up to you, Mick. Maybe get the dual thumb stud treatment on it while it is getting a new spacer fitted.


Thanks again to all,

Mark
 
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