Demko ad20.5 shark lock hard to pull back.

[mdjdejesus]

Just purchased a Demko 20.5 and never experienced the shark lock before. Seems a little still and index finger is sore after using for just 2 days. Is it supposed to be like that, or did I get a lemon?

 

[Alone]

Man, I have a coupla' 20.5 "Shark Foot" knives.

I'm an old man (*Gen X), and not a "fidget" guy. Despite that, I can spend an hour on the phone and fidget with that knife the entire time. After opening and closing it about a thousand times, the tip of my index finger might be a little tender. However, the 20.5 is the smoothest opening and closing folder I've EVER owned. As a "Buck" fanboi, I'm ashamed to admit that I've been grabbing the 20.5s more than any of my 110 Slims lately.

I can't say that you got a lemon, but will (*again) say that my 20.5s are like silk when it comes to opening and closing. Judging by my experience, and your post, you very well may have a warranty issue.

 

[jjg6319]

The couple I have the edges of the shark lock are a little sharp and I think that the reason for the sore finger. You could take the shark lock out and break the edge and or cut a couple coils off the spring. I have not done that to my knives though. Put skiff bearings in it and it is easier to open and close. That won't help your sore finger but you might want to fidget with it more.

 

[Synov]

The couple I have the edges of the shark lock are a little sharp and I think that the reason for the sore finger. You could take the shark lock out and break the edge and or cut a couple coils off the spring. I have not done that to my knives though. Put skiff bearings in it and it is easier to open and close. That won't help your sore finger but you might want to fidget with it more.

Skiff bearings will not make a knife easier to open or close, loosening the pivot will though, which you might have done when you installed the bearings. Skiff bearings are just more durable than typical bearings. And adding more bearing balls just gives more contact points to support the knife and keep it from wiggling, it doesn't improve action either.

 

[mdjdejesus]

Man, I have a coupla' 20.5 "Shark Foot" knives.

I'm an old man (*Gen X), and not a "fidget" guy. Despite that, I can spend an hour on the phone and fidget with that knife the entire time. After opening and closing it about a thousand times, the tip of my index finger might be a little tender. However, the 20.5 is the smoothest opening and closing folder I've EVER owned. As a "Buck" fanboi, I'm ashamed to admit that I've been grabbing the 20.5s more than any of my 110 Slims lately.

I can't say that you got a lemon, but will (*again) say that my 20.5s are like silk when it comes to opening and closing. Judging by my experience, and your post, you very well may have a warranty issue.

Thanks I have reached out to Demko to see what, if anything, they are willing to do.

 

[mdjdejesus]

Thanks

Skiff bearings will not make a knife easier to open or close, loosening the pivot will though, which you might have done when you installed the bearings. Skiff bearings are just more durable than typical bearings. And adding more bearing balls just gives more contact points to support the knife and keep it from wiggling, it doesn't improve action either.

 

[mdjdejesus]

I thought about cutting or replacing the spring, but, want to see if Demko will be willing to fix it first.

 

[dogstar]

I'm.... not a "fidget" guy. Despite that, I can spend an hour on the phone and fidget with that knife the entire time.

It's okay to be in denial
It's also okay to be a figet guy.

 

[Another Shepherd]

I filed off the sharp edges of the shark fin so it no longer draws blood, but it still makes my finger sore. I use it maybe once or twice a month now.

 

[celticrogues]

I wonder if maybe the spring is caught on something inside the knife that prevents it from opening easily. I have several shark locks, and they are very easy to open and close. The spring, however, is not held captive in there by anything so if you disassemble the knife It’s possible that it could just spring out and escape.

 

[greater]

Just purchased a Demko 20.5 and never experienced the shark lock before. Seems a little still and index finger is sore after using for just 2 days. Is it supposed to be like that, or did I get a lemon?

I don’t fully understand what is going on. Are you saying the lock is sticking or jamming or the spring tension is too hard? Can you be more specific?

 

[mdjdejesus]

Takes a lot of force to pull back and release the blade. So, not sure if spring is too tight or maybe lock is rubbing against the liners. On a side note, I now hear squeaking sound when opening, just past the detent, can't tell if it's coming from the blade or lock though.