Delica lockback tightness Wave saber vs FFG

A

alinla

Joined
Feb 23, 2016
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I'm hoping the collective wisdom of the forum can help me out. I tried to search but the vague description I have gave me the phonebook in results.

So I have a Delica Wave Saber grind that works great. When I press the lockback button to unlock the open blade (in a vertical position), the blade falls maybe 90 degrees before friction stops it. That makes it easy to close one handed (even weak hand which is why I have the waved version). I figured all the Delica's worked this way. The blade is easy to open & close even with my weak hand.

But recently I got a FFG model to see what the buzz was about. Well long story short, the lockback works differently. When I press the lockback (in a vertical position), the blade stays still like the Statue of Liberty. There's quite a bit of friction preventing the blade from moving. Also related if I try to open it with a Spydie drop, with a moderate amount of force it stalls about about 80% open. I cleaned it, blew some compressed air thru it but its about the same. Then I loosened the pivot screw 1/8 turn and it got slightly better but still not where the Wave is. A Spydie drop with moderate force gets to 90-95% open.

So my question is which lockback behavior is normal? Is there supposed to be a difference between the FFG & Saber grind in the lockback?

I'd like to get the FFG version to act like the Waved version. I'm concerned about fussing too much with the screws since I had a bad experience and made things worse once.

Thanks in advance.
 
I think it's a very light blade, not much mass there.

You can throw a full 2 liter pop bottle further than an empty one.
 
Yes, I was thinking the same thing. However after some thought I figured that wouldn't make a difference when I tried the Spydie drop since I'm holding the blade and the scales are rotating around it instead.
 
I have a fairly new Delica 4 that will fall 90 degrees from the open position when the lock back button is pressed but the blade will not budge from the closed position. I think that this is a change in design so that the knife can not be accidentally opened and possibly cause injury.
 
Thanks all for your various help. I went ahead and adjusted the lockbar screw an 1/8th of a turn and saw huge improvement. I went ahead and loosened the pivot screw another 1/8th of a turn and now it falls exactly like my waved model. The blade is a little off center as a result but I'd rather have the ability to open & close one handed.


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My waved Delica is by far the smoothest Delica I have ever used. Most Spyderco FRN Lockbacks I have handled/used have a "rocking" action when opening, meaning there's tension at first that gives way part way through opening. The wave Delica didn't really have this, and was consistent/smooth all the way while opening (while also still having rock solid lockup). Not sure if this is common with the waved Delica, or if it's just a luck of the draw with the lockbar tightness.
 
Keep in mind that even with the action a little tighter as it was originally you can still close the knife easily with one hand. Hold the knife with the blade pointing out and edge facing the ground. Support/hold the knife with your pinky, ring, & middle fingers while your thumb is on the lock bar and put your index finger in the Spydie hole. Push down on the lock bar with your thumb to unlock the blade and guide the blade down 90° with your index finger. Turn the knife over and, while making sure all fingers are clear, finishing closing the blade by pushing on the back thumb ramp area of the blade. It should be obvious but be careful when doing this. It can be a little tricky at first because the knife is in an awkward position in your hand and is kind of unstable. Use your index finger to stabilize the blade while pushing down on the lock bar with your thumb. After awhile closing the knife with one hand becomes second nature and you'll why the heck you didn't figure this out a long time ago. ☺

LB%20Close_zpsviv0mfhd.jpg
 
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Sharp Guy said:
Keep in mind that even with the action a little tighter as it was originally you can still close the knife easily with one hand. Hold the knife with the blade pointing out and edge facing the ground. Support/hold the knife with your pinky, ring, & middle fingers while your thumb is on the lock bar and put your index finger in the Spydie hole. Push down on the lock bar with your thumb to unlock the blade and guide the blade down 90° with your index finger. Turn the knife over and, while making sure all fingers are clear, finishing closing the blade by pushing on the back thumb ramp area of the blade. It should be obvious but be careful when doing this. It can be a little tricky at first because the knife is in an awkward position in your hand and is kind of unstable. Use your index finger to stabilize the blade while pushing down on the lock bar with your thumb. After awhile closing the knife with one hand becomes second nature and you'll why the heck you didn't figure this out a long time ago. ☺

LB%20Close_zpsviv0mfhd.jpg
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OP, you should use this method to close the knife anyway. It is much safer. You can either push the blade closed with your finger on the spine like you do with a liner lock, or you can put your thumb in the hole and guide it closed.

Keep in mind, OP, that the FRN Delicas have pretty tight tolerances. It will get better with much use. Mine are all smooth as can be, now, but were tight like your when I first got them. You do not need to loosen any screws, just use the knife a lot.
 
I've blade swapped and experimented with a number of different Delica's .
There is an extremely fine line of pivot screw tension that allows free fall of the blade and noticibly blade wobble when locked in the open position .
Free falling tension is often to loose for my own personal taste .
I set the tension so that a slight shake is required for the blade to drop , that way there is zero side to side movemement of the blade when open .

Ken
 
Thanks for the description and especially the photo. I've never considered closing it that way before. I'll definitely try it.
 
There doesn't seem to be any side to side motion at the moment, but I'll keep an eye on it. I will probably tighten it some again since you all are probably right, its not broken in just yet. I did open & close it hundreds of times this weekend while watching the hockey game and it really didn't seem to make any difference.
 
All of my new Delica FFG are stiff and will not drop when the lockbar is depressed.

Loosen about 1/4 turn on the pivot screw and add some light weight lube,,,,, = perfect.

Regards,
FK
 
Chris "Anagarika";16177953 said:
New is tight, with use and plenty of open/close cycle it'll smooth out. That's totally normal.
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Yes, I certainly hope so. I wouldn't have posted except that the behavior was so different from my other Delica that is only a few months older. That one moves glides smoothly.
 
FK said:
All of my new Delica FFG are stiff and will not drop when the lockbar is depressed.

Loosen about 1/4 turn on the pivot screw and add some light weight lube,,,,, = perfect.

Regards,
FK
Click to expand...

FK & others,

Follow up question. Exactly how does one add lube to the lockbar knife? I assume you are talking about lubricating it without disassembly. I tried to add some Shooter's Choice to an' ole beater I have; in the closed position from the top looking down I added 1 drop per side to the top of the pivot area and then opened the blade a few times to let it move around in there. Oil got everywhere but I'm not really sure if it made it into the pivot area. Is there better way to add oil? Thanks in advance.
 
alinla said:
FK & others,

Follow up question. Exactly how does one add lube to the lockbar knife? I assume you are talking about lubricating it without disassembly. I tried to add some Shooter's Choice to an' ole beater I have; in the closed position from the top looking down I added 1 drop per side to the top of the pivot area and then opened the blade a few times to let it move around in there. Oil got everywhere but I'm not really sure if it made it into the pivot area. Is there better way to add oil? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

You need a needle oil applicator if you don't have one already. Hoppe's make one with lube included for 4 bucks on the Big River site.
 
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