- Joined
- Dec 11, 2003
- Messages
- 170
So sorry, but no pics. 
I have an 889 with a bad lock. I'm sure Buck would replace it hassle-free if I sent it in, but it seems like this line has a higher-than-normal incidence of liner lock failures, and some people report getting replacement knives with the same problem, so I decided to "fix" it myself (hey, that's a pun!)
I considered drilling through the scales and liners and setting a bolt into one of the jimping notches in the spine of the balde, where it recedes down below the back of the handle, but it seemed like it would be too easy to screw up.
Instead, I fashioned a permanent LAWKS type shim that replaces the brass washer on the lock side on the knife, and curves around to buttress the liner to prevent it from moving off the tang. The other washer is also removed, and the blade tang seats directly against the liner on that side, leaving the liner lock no-where to go. The blade isn't centered in the handle, but it's not noticeable when in use, and the thumb stud/stop pin still makes ample contact on the front of both liners. I used a fender washer of the appropriate thickness from my junk box, shaped it with a bench grinder, and bent it in a vice. Took about an hour.
It's rock solid, and I can't see how it would fail short of disassembly with tools, or catastrophic parts failure, which I don't expect. I'll fashion a sheath from some kydex stock I have lying around, and it should be good to go as my tool-belt, yard-work beater. I still like the design a whole lot, and I didn't want to give up on it, so this makes the knife useful for my intended purpose.
Anyway, there it is...
I have an 889 with a bad lock. I'm sure Buck would replace it hassle-free if I sent it in, but it seems like this line has a higher-than-normal incidence of liner lock failures, and some people report getting replacement knives with the same problem, so I decided to "fix" it myself (hey, that's a pun!)
I considered drilling through the scales and liners and setting a bolt into one of the jimping notches in the spine of the balde, where it recedes down below the back of the handle, but it seemed like it would be too easy to screw up.
Instead, I fashioned a permanent LAWKS type shim that replaces the brass washer on the lock side on the knife, and curves around to buttress the liner to prevent it from moving off the tang. The other washer is also removed, and the blade tang seats directly against the liner on that side, leaving the liner lock no-where to go. The blade isn't centered in the handle, but it's not noticeable when in use, and the thumb stud/stop pin still makes ample contact on the front of both liners. I used a fender washer of the appropriate thickness from my junk box, shaped it with a bench grinder, and bent it in a vice. Took about an hour.
It's rock solid, and I can't see how it would fail short of disassembly with tools, or catastrophic parts failure, which I don't expect. I'll fashion a sheath from some kydex stock I have lying around, and it should be good to go as my tool-belt, yard-work beater. I still like the design a whole lot, and I didn't want to give up on it, so this makes the knife useful for my intended purpose.
Anyway, there it is...
