Delica 4 Problems

A

Acies

Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Messages
14
I recently purchased a Delica 4 and have had some problems with it. The blade pivot screw seems to loosen itself overnight while I have applied Loctite. The action gets gritty and difficult to open quickly using only the thumb, without flicking the wrist. The blade doesn't snap closed as it did when I got it. Applying lube temporarily suppresses these problems except the blade pivot loosening. I've disassembled it to clean the parts and that didn't help much.

Any suggestions besides sending it to Spyderco?
 
What kind of lube are you using to lubricate the pivot? If it is something that doesn't dry it could be attracting sand. Do you keep it clipped to your pocket where it stays out of the bottom where it can get dirty?

I would say to get it clean by using some liquid soap and hot water. Try to work the soap into the pivot and then flush it good. Once it is dry shake out the water best as you can or if you have compressed air use that.

Try not using any kind of lubricant and carry it once it has dried out and see if it still gets gritty.
 
I carry it clipped to the pocket and I don't use it around sand and dirt much. It may be dust and particles of fabric. I guess buildup of material is the only thing that would cause this. I've used silicone spray lube, powdered graphite, and WD-40. All seem to lose effectiveness after a day.
 
Acies,

Just for clarity, was this a new Delica 4 or a used one that you just purchased? If new, and gritty from new, then send it in - something is wrong.

Bill
edited to add: If the threads of the pivot screw have any lube on them at all (especially silicone, which is tough to fully remove) then the Loctite will not do its job. The mating threads have to be scrupulously clean before applying Loctite, and give it overnight to cure after assembly and before applying lube. Washing with naphtha, followed by wiping dry and washing with acetone will generally clean off any lubrication from metal parts.
 
The Delica was new and unused when I got it. Sending it in must be the answer.


Thanks for the help, everyone.
 
The first thing I do besides sharpen a new knife is fix the pivot, I have used red thread locker for years and have never had a problem. I find the blue only lasts so long and never seems to work like it should. I apply one small drop and spin the screw in my fingers so that just the valleys of the threads are filled. My lube of choice is BM blue lube because it seems to make almost every knife as smooth as a axis lock and you only need one very small drop. It also does not seem to attract any dust or dirt. WD-40 is not a lube, silicone spray is going to attract a lot of dirt, and graphite I have never used but its probably in the wrong class of lubricant. The lubricant must be able to hold together in a very thin layer while under pressure, friction, heat, and cold.

One thing you must watch with a lockback is dirt getting into the blade notch where the lock-bar sets in place. This will cause it to not sound like its locking up as well (softer sounding snap when locked open) and if enough dirt is present can compromise your lock.



P.S. follow the directions of the products carefully, it can make or break the product if you don't.
 
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