CRKT M13-13Z problem?

[one2gofst]

Just received my new M16-13Z in the mail yesterday. I love the thing, when it is open. This brings me to my problem. The detent on it is very strong. Thats not a problem in and of itself. However the studs are also not log enough to extend past the scales. So it is impossible to open with the thumb effectively. When and if you can open with the thumb, you are applying so much pressure at an odd angle that the blade opens abruptly making me worry about cutting my thumb on the edge as the blade slides past it.

Now the flipper is pretty cool. However, the only way to get it to pen positively 100% of the time is to wrist flick along with indexing the flipper.


My question is several-fold. Are these characteristics typical for this knife? Should it be able to be opened easily with just the index on the flipper? Does anyone have a solution allowing one to easily use the thumbstuds.

Also, a note about the knife. The flipper is grooved and with any sort of extended opening and closings it starts to really rub on the finger. I wonder what the idea behind the grooves are.

Thanks for any comments or experiences.

 

[Vermy]

Kit told me how to correctly flip this exact same knife on the BFC chat channel a few weeks back.
This is basically how he described it.....
With the knife in your hand, Place your forefinger on the flipper, place the side of your thumb on the blade, about half way back, creating a little resistance, pull back on the flipper with your forefinger, and release your thumb. Takes a little practice, but it does work great once mastered.

 

[madfast]

Just received my new M16-13Z in the mail yesterday. I love the thing, when it is open. This brings me to my problem. The detent on it is very strong. Thats not a problem in and of itself. However the studs are also not log enough to extend past the scales. So it is impossible to open with the thumb effectively. When and if you can open with the thumb, you are applying so much pressure at an odd angle that the blade opens abruptly making me worry about cutting my thumb on the edge as the blade slides past it.

Now the flipper is pretty cool. However, the only way to get it to pen positively 100% of the time is to wrist flick along with indexing the flipper.


My question is several-fold. Are these characteristics typical for this knife? Should it be able to be opened easily with just the index on the flipper? Does anyone have a solution allowing one to easily use the thumbstuds.

Also, a note about the knife. The flipper is grooved and with any sort of extended opening and closings it starts to really rub on the finger. I wonder what the idea behind the grooves are.

Thanks for any comments or experiences.

This sounds like typical CRKT. I have a few CRKT's and they all sound similar to what you just explained.

Firstly, the ball detents are very strong and the studs are almost useless. the studs of the m16's act more like stop pins than studs btw. The way i open them is to use BOTH the flipper and the studs. the index on the flipper overcomes the ball detent and then the thumb takes over on the stud. try it, this may work for you. it takes some getting used to.

as for flipping it open without a hard wrist flick, try 2 things: playing with the pivot and lubricating the pivot. adjusting the pivot tension helps only if the knife came really tight. My ryan model seven came tight like this so i immediately played with the pivot.

Next try some lube. my personal fav is Militec. one drop on etither side helped all my flipper CRKT's loosen up. My lightfoot M1 didn't want to flip open all the way at first, but after 2 rounds of militec therapy, the thing flips like an auto/assisted, partly because of the strong ball detent. the detent acts like a "preload" storing potential energy. when you apply enough pressure to overcome the detent, the blade FLIES out without the need of a flick. it also helps to press hard and fast on the flipper to get this effect.

hope my ramblings help...

 

[GarageBoy]

The studs are stop pins. This works on M1s and Duncans, since there is a space above flipper, but you can sweep your finger down and push it in and out at the same time. On the M16, press hard and give a gentle flick. It opens faster if you point the pivot down

 

[biogon]

Kind of like the Cruiser.

The flipper is a little odd -- it works beautifully when you get used to it and hit it at the right angle, but otherwise, it opens halfway.

It opens a lot easier held spine-down, backspacer-down (i.e. blade has to pop up, vertical, and then back down) compared to pivot-down or spacer-up.

I've found with the M16 series you can put your thumb on the stud, half-activate the flipper with your index finger, and carry the blade the rest of the way open with the thumb.

 

[one2gofst]

Thanks all. The suggestions and advice both here and in email have been very helpful.

A special thanks to Kit Carson who took the time to send me an email on a better opening method.