Checklist for fixing a loose lockback?

[gomipile]

If the lock on a good lockback (Buck, Spyderco, etc) wears and develops vertical play, is there a list of things you do to try to tighten it up again?

Preferably these would be things possible to do on a pinned lockback.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I've never heard of any 'easy' ways to fix a lockback with vertical play, unless one skilled user finds it 'easy' to disassemble the knife. Even then, being that the vertical play usually results from metal being worn off of the lockbar face, or the blade tang, or BOTH, there's no way to put that metal back on it. Meaning, of course, something needs to be replaced (usually the lockbar, I think). At least in the case of Spyderco and Buck, they both have relatively good (if not excellent) warranty service. Buck, in particular, is known for sometimes going above and beyond to fix issues like this, if they have the parts/means to do it. The exceptions usually are with older products for which they no longer carry spare parts.

So, I think your best option, if any, is to call the manufacturer and ask them (nicely) what they might be able to do. Even if there's a repair fee involved, it may still be worth it, if the knife has some value to you.

 

[Gerard Breuker]

If you haven't done so already you could try scraping out the notch in the blade first. When my Endura finally developed some play recently I found I had been collecting a lot of junk in there.