Buck 503 not closing all the way

coyote711

coyote711

Joined
Sep 19, 2009
Messages
1,679
Got a new 503 a couple of days ago. (3 3/8" lockback, in case you're not familiar with this particular little knife). Anyway, it doesn't quite close all the way by itself - stops about 1/16" short of where it should be. I'm thinking it's probably just a piece of crud left over from the manufacturing process that's stuck somewhere in there. I've washed it out with soap and warm/hot water, WD40, Brake-Kleen and it hasn't helped. Note: all 3 of the preceding at different times, not all at once, and thoroughly dried in between. :D

I'm not ready to give up yet and send it in to Buck for repair - although I know they will take care of me if I do. Any other suggestions on what to try, or similar experiences to relate?

Thanks!
 
coyote711 said:
Got a new 503 a couple of days ago. (3 3/8" lockback, in case you're not familiar with this particular little knife). Anyway, it doesn't quite close all the way by itself - stops about 1/16" short of where it should be. I'm thinking it's probably just a piece of crud left over from the manufacturing process that's stuck somewhere in there. I've washed it out with soap and warm/hot water, WD40, Brake-Kleen and it hasn't helped. Note: all 3 of the preceding at different times, not all at once, and thoroughly dried in between. :D

I'm not ready to give up yet and send it in to Buck for repair - although I know they will take care of me if I do. Any other suggestions on what to try, or similar experiences to relate?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

If it was not a mail order item, I'd take it back to the outfit you bought it from and exchange it. I have not had this issue with any of my knives yet....so someone who has had to deal with this type of issue will be along with some tip's.
jb4570
 
Thanks, JB. It was a mail-order knife.

Here comes the understatement of the year -- Nice knives and pics in your photobucket album! :thumbup::thumbup:
 
I had this problem on a couple new 110's, so the problem for me wasn't buildup of stuff. The blades weren't seated correctly, the foot needing some grinding. The blade tips were exposed when closed.

Rather than working it myself I sent both knives to Buck for warranty adjustment. More than two months later, I'm still waiting for them. I called Buck last month and they said they did indeed have them, but with a Christmas rush and reduced staff they were running way behind on their repairs.

You must now expect a 2 month turn around for warranty repairs, they said.

There are people in this forum who can tell you how to correct this problem. It is, I think a simple fix. I would have done it myself, but didn't want to void the warranty.
 
That's my problem, Wolfdog - blade tip is exposed when closed. I can easily push it closed all the way, but I figure that if I forget to do that, it will either snag my pocket, or snag my finger when reaching in to get it. :grumpy:

I also have a little Buck 505 that was the same way for a few days after I first got it; I tried all the "cleaning" operations I stated above to no avail. Then all of a sudden one morning when I grabbed it, and worked it a few times, it closed all the way. Been okay ever since. Guess I'm hoping this one will do the same. But, like you say, it could be a manufacturing defect, too.
 
I first noticed my problem when I reached for my knife in the sheath I was wearing and cut my finger. The blade was just at the edge of the frame so you wouldn't likely notice it. I then looked through all my other folders and found another knife with the same problem and sent them both to Buck on November 9th.

Good luck with yours.
 
wolfdog said:
I had this problem on a couple new 110's, so the problem for me wasn't buildup of stuff. The blades weren't seated correctly, the foot needing some grinding. The blade tips were exposed when closed.

There are people in this forum who can tell you how to correct this problem. It is, I think a simple fix. I would have done it myself, but didn't want to void the warranty.
Click to expand...

Thank you, thank you Wolfdog! My knowledge of knife terminology is severely lacking, but I think I just ground down the foot (or is it called the kick?) of my knife. It closes like it should now! I spent some time just operating the knife and looking and trying to figure out where the problem was. Took the grinding real slow so as not to grind off any more than necessary. Looks like a guy could grind off too much, and then have the blade close too far and damage the edge on the innards of the knife, if that makes any sense. The knife will be a user, so I wasn't afraid to experiment a little.

Anyway, a big THANK YOU for the idea! :thumbup:
 
HA-ha, a Wolf and coyote got together and figured it out . Guys not meaning anything by this it was just funny to me . Yes, the blade seat foot, kick is the cause and you gave the correct cure doctor . I'm not so sure just doing that would void the warranty .
Glad everybodies happy on this one . DM
 
David Martin said:
HA-ha, a Wolf and coyote got together and figured it out . Guys not meaning anything by this it was just funny to me . Yes, the blade seat foot, kick is the cause and you gave the correct cure doctor . I'm not so sure just doing that would void the warranty .
Glad everybodies happy on this one . DM
Click to expand...

By golly, it WAS a wolf and an ol' coyote that got together and improvised a fix! :D

Now that it's operating properly, it's time to pull out the sharpening gear you recommended David, and keep on experimenting/learning!

This is a great site, populated by good folk! :thumbup:
 
Yes, during your cold winter evenings would be a good time to try that . Hope it works out . DM
 
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