Closing Knives?

Sir_Tedward25 · Jun 16, 2013

Hi all, I recently got an American Lawman, and though I love the knife, I have been having some trouble closing it. Usually, what I do is press down on the lever thing on the back with the tip of my thumb, and then close the blade with my other hand which is on the back of the blade. However, this is very uncomfortable for my thumb, such that I cannot repeatedly close my knife. It also leaves a deep indentation on the tip of my thumb, which is already beginning to callous. Is this something that I just have to repeat until I get used to it, or is there another easier, practical way to close it? Thanks for your help!

caseguy · Jun 16, 2013

After closing the knife a great many times the spring will soften a bit and the mating surfaces of the blade and lock will wear in and become smoother. It's never going to be as easy to close as a typical lockback knife.

Mephtyrm · Jun 16, 2013

I'd say try using pressing the lever from the side; instead of holding the knife normally and pressing the lever from there try to use the part of your thumb where the skin line is.

GCG199 · Jun 16, 2013

Yes, you might have better luck with using the middle of your thumb instead of the tip—this has always worked for me.

One other helpful tip:

Don't let the blade "slam" shut, this helps prevent the part of the blade that rests against the back inside of the knife from going dull.

pbcg · Jun 16, 2013

caseguy said:
After closing the knife a great many times the spring will soften a bit and the mating surfaces of the blade and lock will wear in and become smoother. It's never going to be as easy to close as a typical lockback knife.

^^^This^^^

Tri-Ad locks vary model to model and individual knife. Some of my Tri-Ad locks close fairly easily. A couple of others took a bit of time to break in and ease up a bit. The Hold Out II was the hardest and ironically the Hold Out I the easiest.

Still, as mentioned it will probably always be a little harder then your are used to with other lockbacks. But it will get better. A little oil will help some of the parts smooth out a bit but as it's mainly spring pressure that has to wear a bit, Best thing to do is open and close and it will break in.

ursamajor · Jun 22, 2013

Leave your knife half open for a few nights. It will aid in softening up the spring a bit. Give it a nice blast of CLP too

Rat Finkenstein · Jun 22, 2013

get a stronger thumb or a different knife.

cbxer55 · Jun 22, 2013

Guess I must have a strong middle finger. Because all I ever use to unlock lockbars is my middle finger, left or tight hand. Picture this: Rotate knife until thumb is over slot atop pivot pin area, index finger on spine of blade, middle finger on lockbar. Depress lockbar with middle finger, push blade up with index finger until the non-sharpened area on the blade contacts thumb, move thumb out of slot area and use thumb to fully close blade.

Never ever cut myself using this method, and works just as well on any of my Tri Ad lock knives including Large Espada.

Sittin here playing with my Black Rhino right now, effortlessly opening and closing one-handed, left or right.

The only knife I have where I cannot use this method, is my old original Vaquero Grande. On this I have to use my ring finger instead of my middle finger. Still works, just a small modification since the lock bar is further back on the handle.