Complete lock failure on Dodo.........

Tactical

Tactical

Joined
Feb 3, 2001
Messages
331
Any one else have this problem? I just got my new Dodo today and was really enjoying it. After about 5 minutes of handling, the spring siezed up in a compressed position. The blade just flops around now and won't lock open or closed. I tried jiggling it with a toothpick, but the piston and ball bearing are free to move. The spring seems to have some of the coils stuck. Now I have it soaking in CLP Break Free, but so far the upper part of the spring is still stuck in a coiled position. If this doesn't help it will be sent to Spyderco customer service. I haven't seen a Benchmade Axis-lock omega spring or SOG arc-lock spring fail like this before. Hopefully it is just a bad spring and not indicative of a weakness in the ball-bearing lock. The Dodo is in many ways a brilliant design, I would hate to see it let down by the lock.
 
I've had mine for 24 hours. I've fondled it for more than 2 of those hours.
I'm sitting here, pulling back the ball/spring as far as I can, TRYING to make it stick.
Nothing will break/freeze on mine.
I hope you've got the one bad one.;)
Best of luck!
 
Now don't go and break your knife Speed Racer.......... :eek: Thanks for the reply, it 's good to know that the spring can be fully compressed without problems. Another thought on the Dodo.......the intricate grind and swedge on the small CPMS30V blade is VERY impressive. Has to be difficult to manufacture.
 
In fact, I've seen at least 2 reports of Omega springs breaking in the forums before.
It's likely that it's a bad spring instead of a lock weakness. Coiled springs tends to be more resistant to breakage.
 
Woah, that's bad! I've been working mine since it arrived on the 23rd, (and checked the spring on another Dodo which arrived same time)with nothing even remotely similar. My spring sits there, working all the time. Sorry to hear about yours, but if it were mine, it would be in transit to warrantee section now!
 
It's good to hear that others are not having this problem. I just checked my Dodo again before bed. After soaking in Break Free all day, the lock will now move again and will lock open, if the blade is opened briskly. After comparing my Dodo with NGK-Webmaster's excellent pictures, I am less inclined to think that the problem was the spring. I think the problem was that the spring had been galling with the inside of it's hole beneath the lock slot. Or possibly the Break Free allowed a jammed piece of G-10 left over from the manufacturing of the handle to wash away. Am now hopeful that my particular lock will improve with some use.
 
Hi Tactical,

Sorry to hear your Dodo had a problem. Haven't seen this happen during any of our testing on the Ball Lock here at Spyderco but would like to know more. Feel free to call us and/or send it back and we'll make it right ASAP. 800-525-7770 X255

Joyce @ Spyderco
 
Tactical,

If you are still having ANY problems with the lock of your new Dodo Spydie, by all means send it back to Spyderco. When Joyce says that Spyderco will make it right, she means that Spyderco WILL MAKE IT RIGHT!.:).
 
Hi Tactical. You've got a glitch. Sorry. You'll have to send it back. We can repair it quickly and return it. We believe the small spring is binding in the piston pipe.

sal
 
Hi all, thanks for the replies. :) No question at all Spyderco will make it right, they have the best customer service in the industry. Just trying to figure out what is going on with my lock. The Break Free has really allowed the spring to free up and it seems to be working now. I am surprised, as just yesterday I couldn't uncoil the spring or move the piston up with even moderate force. Yet the ball bearing and the piston would jiggle side to side indicating freedom to move. Does anyone know if the alloy of either the spring, piston, or slot is such that corrosion or rust is possible? Break Free works to release corrosion and rust. Prehaps that is why it worked to relase the lock.
 
The springs and the piston are all very corrosion reistant. If the spring is binding, then the lubrication is probably not permitting it to bind.

sal
 
Hi Sal, thanks for the info. :D My point with this thread was not to be a long winded pain in the *** . :o Just trying to figure out what the problem is and maybe help someone else in the future. I can send the Dodo back if you want to take a look at it. But I suspect I would be sending you a fully functional knife now. My ball bearing lock now feels like and has the opening and closing tension similar to a SOG arc-lock. Has %100 lock up now too. I would suggest if anyone has their coil spring bind up like mine, to try and flush it with a good quality penetrating/cleaner/lubricant.
 
Hi Tacical. Thanx for the comments. If it's working fine, then you probably won't encounter any addtional problems. You can return it if you wish, of just keep using it.

sal
 
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