Can't get knife open...............

[jebib]

Figuratively I mean. It is a New Cudeman slipjoint knife without a nail nick and I swear it takes two hands and patience to open. It's not an expensive knife so I'd like to fix it myself. Only problem is that I don't have a clue what to do. Help!

 

[killgar]

Clean the pivot as best you can (shoot it with WD40, then rinse with hot water), then lube it.

I would add a thumb stud by drilling a hole through the blade with a 3/32" carbide drill bit, and installing a screw-in thumb stud from Knifekits.com.

Even if the thumb stud doesn't allow you to open the knife one-handed, the stud can give you something to grab onto and pull on when opening the knife using both hands.

 

[EyeDog]

You might try storing it at 3/4 open or at the place where it expands the tension the most. Every few days work the blade in the open position back and forth with out letting it close. A little oil on the pivot.

I've had to do this with a couple of knives...can take a few weeks to a few months to loosen the opening.

Mike

 

[Rey HRH]

If you think a bit of gunk is in the pivot, I've had good luck using CLP to make things smoothly moving.

 

[bonzodog]

I used a small dremmel cutter to cut a nail nick in one of my knives that was like yours.

 

[Rich S]

Yes, this is what I did on one of mine. I used a Dremel cutting wheel and made a nail nick in the blade. Works fine now. Alternative, get a "Kwik Thumb Stud" (attaches to the blade top with a set screw). Just Google them for several sources. They work great with no drilling or modifications to knife.
Rich

 

[jebib]

Thank you all for your assistance. I admit being kinda lazy and am going to opt for the thumb stud opener. Best to all.