CRKT Swindle: nearly impossible to disengage the lock bar with my knife hand thumb. A

[brancron]

When the knife is in my right hand, I'm finding it nearly impossible to disengage the lock bar with my right thumb to close the knife. I'm having to dig between the scales with my left hand in order to close the god damn knife. What's going on here?

 

[Sonnydaze]

If you have a sticky lock-bar, on just about any knife, it's likely that you won't be able to fix it yourself. Send it back to the factory and let them do it. If you mess with it, you'll probably void your warranty. Sometimes it's due to dissimilar metals rubbing against each other (lockbar against blade tang); sometimes it's by "misguided" design of the blade tang radius of curvature. "Flicking" speed may also affect how tightly it locks up. Many folks will suggest pencil lead or a "Sharpie" ink on the tang to increase lubricity...reduce the friction.
Whatever, I've even seen it on $500 framelocks as well as on relatively economical models. Some folks will say it's fairly common on a new knife during the "break-in" period, and that it will "pass." I've not been that lucky. Basically, when I encounter a knife that shows that tendency, I try to steer clear of it.

 

[BOHAWG]

Send that thing back to the factory before you get hurt!!!!!

 

[brancron]

The thing is, when I used my fingers to pull the lock bar back, I don't feel any significant sticking or resistance or hear any scraping. It just seems like the thing it designed in a way that gives you absolutely no purchase when you're holding it in your right hand and want to push the lock bar with your right thumb.