Chaparral scratchiness

[RipD]

Have a Raffir Noble Chap. Only complaint is a little scratchiness or grittiness when I open it. Blade action could be a little better. So decided to disassemble and clean it up, assuming debris in the pivot.

Beautifully machined knife, btw. Just a joy to take apart. No issues getting it apart and very simple design. Looks like some blue locktite on the screws. No issues at all.

Pivot had some stuff in it, and both the blade and washers are showing much more wear than I expected given that the knife has been carried 30-40 days at the most. Put the washers on a strop with grit to clean them up. Cleaned, lubed, and reassembled. Action is now much better - blade drops like crazy when I press the lock. Just what I wanted to see.

Pivot is still gritty feeling. Seem worse than before. Maybe due to the blade wear around the pivot? The washers cleaned up nicely, but maybe I missed a small burr? Scratching my head on this one (yes, that was intentional).

 

[shark_za]

The etching or cutting of the lettering on the blade (Taichung Taiwan) is what causes the gritty feeling, I rubbed mine with the white sharpmaker rod and its creamy smooth now.

 

[RipD]

I never would have considered that. Seems obvious now that you mention it. Will give it a try.

EDIT/UPDATE: Done! Easiest 30 second fix ever. Now buttery smooth all the way around.

One other thing I forgot to mention: when putting this back together it seems logical to move the lock spring all the way back into the slot that holds it. When position this way the lock is very hard to operate - it becomes a shorter lever in this position. If you slide it toward the blade a little it's easier to operate and seems to stay in that position.

I'll post pictures if this doesn't make sense.

 

[DocT]

The way they do the lettering is the cause of the grittiness? I never would have ever thought of that. My LW is very smooth, but my CF has always been a tad gritty.