Detent Help

VermontEdge

VermontEdge

Joined
Jun 10, 2015
Messages
1,144
Hey all! I think the answer to this is going to be “send it in” but I just thought I’d check.

One of my CRKs is a large 21 Tanto Micarta. I love everything about the knife except for the detent, which I think is pretty light. If I try to shake the blade out I can, but it requires a good bit of force (not like a full arm windup or anything). I was hoping to find a way to increase the detent. I don’t think it’s the lock bar tension, as lockup is snappy and, when disassembled, the lock bar will easily rest against the opposite scale when the blade is removed.

I’ve cleaned out the detent hole on the blade, and I believe the ball is ceramic and the knife has a late 2016 DOB so I don’t think the ball is worn or anything.

Anyone have any thoughts? Solutions? Thanks in advance for the help!
 
Pictures might help, but you're right about general advice being to send it in. I don't feel there's a weak detent to the extent you describe on any of my knives, much less the CRK ones.
 
If you're concerned that the knife may open up on you in your pocket, then send it in.
Do you know if the washers have been sanded down?
What does the detent track look like to you, does it appear to be deep or just on the surface closest to the detent hole ?
 
Ajack60 said:
If you're concerned that the knife may open up on you in your pocket, then send it in.
Do you know if the washers have been sanded down?
What does the detent track look like to you, does it appear to be deep or just on the surface closest to the detent hole ?
Click to expand...

There’s a visible track on the tang of the blade, though running a pin over it I can’t feel any actual indentation. Not sure about the washers.
 
Since the purpose of the ball detent is to keep the knife closed, it's not a problem unless the knife will open when you don't want it to. Since you say "it requires a good bit of force"; it appears to not be a problem. Enjoy your knife :)
 
My three inlaid 21's have lighter detents than the non inlaid's, I've just put it down to the extra milling they do to the outside of the lock bar cutout, allowing less tension to be applied to the detent, It can be felt when disengaging the lock.
 
VermontEdge said:
There’s a visible track on the tang of the blade, though running a pin over it I can’t feel any actual indentation. Not sure about the washers.
Click to expand...

There's not but a couple things that affects detent. Lock bar tension, detent hole and detent ball. Since CRK uses ceramic detent balls, doubt it is the detent ball becoming flat. If the lock bar touches the blade, I'd guess the detent hole is sized correctly. That leaves lock bar tension, a little adjustment goes a long way.

Look at your other CRK's, slowly unseat the detent ball and see if the one in question looks the same. The lock bar travel once the detent ball is on the blade should be the same as your other CRK's.
I've got some regulars that have no resistance other than the detent ball unseating and I don't consider that a weak detent but rather extremely smooth. I can't say I try to shake open any of my knives, the thought never crossed my mind until now :eek:. What I have done on my 25's is dial down a tad on the pivot to make the blade a little stiff opening, but that has nothing to do with detent.
 
My small 21 did the same thing. Though only if my pocket clip was taken off. If you have the pocket clip giving it a tad extra support on the lockbar and it's still popping open...sorry to say... I would absolutely send it in. If not, it will forever be in the back of your mind while edc'ing... been there to friend
 
If it has a lockup of at least 50% then I doubt its the detent. It might be the washers are too thin (polished), which is probably most likely. Another might be that the detent ball and detent hole on blade don't fully meet (check that).

Check to see if the blade is a free faller. If it is then most likely its the thin washers that don't provide too much friction between blade/washers. That is why it whips out easier.
 
Thin-Slice said:
If it has a lockup of at least 50% then I doubt its the detent. It might be the washers are too thin (polished), which is probably most likely. Another might be that the detent ball and detent hole on blade don't fully meet (check that).

Check to see if the blade is a free faller. If it is then most likely its the thin washers that don't provide too much friction between blade/washers. That is why it whips out easier.
Click to expand...

Ok. Yeah. I think that’s what it is. The blade definitely free drops. You have to send Knives in for new washers, right?
 
Thanks for the help everyone! Sent it in today. Didn’t ask for any specific service on the form, just asked them to increase the detent if possible. Will be anxious to see what they say! This is my first time sending a knife in to CRK.

Also snagged a large Insingo on the exchange to hold me over during the wait :)
 
VermontEdge said:
Thanks for the help everyone! Sent it in today. Didn’t ask for any specific service on the form, just asked them to increase the detent if possible. Will be anxious to see what they say! This is my first time sending a knife in to CRK.

Also snagged a large Insingo on the exchange to hold me over during the wait :)
Click to expand...

Most likely they will replace the washers. Just make sure u let them know if you want ur old washers back. The first time I sent folders for spa treatment they didnt include them when they shipped them back. If you didnt put on form u can email them.
 
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