Cause (and fix for) overly strong pull

C

cwt

Joined
Nov 20, 2014
Messages
19
I just picked up an older Queen stockman from the auction site and find the blades nearly impossible to open without tools. My first thought was that it just needed to be cleaned, so I cleaned it with WD-40 and then mineral oil (opening it loads with each to try and work stuff out). This seems to help some, but not nearly enough. Before I try any more 'fixes' (I'm new to this game and might mess something up!), I wanted to see if I could get a better understanding of what might be going on.

I *think* the three causes of an overly strong pull are

1) Dirt/rust/gunk - can be fixed with cleaning
2) Overly strong backspring - I have no clue how this can be fixed
3) Things being squeezed too much at the pin (the joint where the blades pivot; I'm not sure what this is called...) - possible solution: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1034905-I-m-an-idiot-(Loosening-a-pinned-knife-)

Are there other things that might be going on? How would you try to make this knife usable? Thanks for any help!
 
I got a couple of Case knives with very stiff springs. I prop the blade open at the point where the spring is under the most stress, sticking out as far as possible, and leave it that way for a day or more; that will gradually lessen the tension.

But remember that if you do that you're changing the spring permanently so go slow and check often.
 
I started a thread exactly about this some months back. You can read about it.http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1200582-Solution-for-fixing-overly-strong-spring/page2

There are some very good suggestions there. I just received a Schatt and Morgan Moose that also has a beartrap spring on the clip blade and I'll be using the method described in post #21 of the above thread as it's worked for me previously. You may want to try it but please be careful. I can't guarantee that it'll work for you or that you won't damage your knife.
 
@chuckgp: Thanks for the suggestion! So this will actually loosen the backspring, then. Good to know! :)

@yatsunil: I knew there would be a thread on this very question if I could only find it! Thanks for the link. I just might have to try suggestion #21 now!
 
chuckgp said:
I got a couple of Case knives with very stiff springs. I prop the blade open at the point where the spring is under the most stress, sticking out as far as possible, and leave it that way for a day or more; that will gradually lessen the tension.

But remember that if you do that you're changing the spring permanently so go slow and check often.
Click to expand...

I have done this also several times, on knives that should be users anyway ;) - But a wise man here on the forum mentioned that this could cause blade play, so I would do it with care...
 
cwt said:
@chuckgp: Thanks for the suggestion! So this will actually loosen the backspring, then. Good to know! :)

@yatsunil: I knew there would be a thread on this very question if I could only find it! Thanks for the link. I just might have to try suggestion #21 now!
Click to expand...

You're welcome.
 
Humppa said:
I have done this also several times, on knives that should be users anyway ;) - But a wise man here on the forum mentioned that this could cause blade play, so I would do it with care...
Click to expand...

I had to do it on a Case Mammoth/Damascus toothpick, it was pliers to open otherwise. Took at least a week, along with a million open/close cycles and several dabs of gun grease.

Had a few others that just a day or so makes a difference.

Thanks for the warning there, definitely this will change the knife, so gradual change is best
 
Well, there are also special Knife / Blade Openers available. Made for stiff springs, short fingernails or people with athricit disease.

I have some of them, ordered several years ago. I don´t use them. They are made by Rough Rider and I got them for a few bucks.

Just another aspect, but it doesn´t solve the problem.
 
I might have to give the 'open partway' approach a go. It's nice to know there are a few options. I want this knife to be usable, but I'm also at a point where I'll be okay if I break it but learn some lessons in the process. :)
 
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