Does anyone add a detent ramp on liner locks?

I've done this to an xm18, zt 0450, zt 0350, Spyderco military and a couple others I can't remember. It is easier to find the spot it hots and rides on if you sharpie the tang and side where the track would be. I used a diamond rat tail file. Then after a couple I used a Dremel. I use the Dremel just to get the path and finish with the file. Then I'll use 2000 grit sandpaper to smooth the ramp. It makes it smoother to close.
 
I tried it, and it backfired on me. Now there is up and down blade play when closed. I really regret it because I would have either sold or returned the knife. It had crappy action to begin with. A big regret of mine, especially because it was like 800 bucks. Lesson learned. That said, it was a long time ago, and I know I could do a much much better job now.
I would let the knife break in for a few months, before you think about doing any kind of mod to it at all. IMO
 
I don't see how you could end up with blade play in the closed position. I guess you cut into the detent hole.
Isn't this mod just a short ramp that essentially breaks the squared edge of the tang so that the ball bearing slides up smoothly?
 
The mod just makes a ramp in the spot that the ball rides on. It leaves alot of tang face there. I have done it on about 10 knives and haven't had lockup issues.
 
I wonder why more knives don't come with a ramp. Doesn't seem like it would be expensive but what do I know.
Do any production knives come with a ramp?
 
I will only add one to a knife that has a flipper or forward finger choil. It is an easy way to get bite if it doesn't have one of those.
 
There are two spots for the ramp, let be clear which one we are talking about. In the detent hole to ease opening, and on the tang near the lock face for ease of closing. I think the detent hole ramp is riskier than the lock face ramp. Sebenza 25 and Umnumzaan have a generous ramping of the tang at the lock face which makes closing the knife super smooth as it just rolls over the edge unimpeded (I'm aware the ceramic ball interface contributes to this attribute).
 
kniferbro said:
There are two spots for the ramp, let be clear which one we are talking about. In the detent hole to ease opening, and on the tang near the lock face for ease of closing. I think the detent hole ramp is riskier than the lock face ramp. Sebenza 25 and Umnumzaan have a generous ramping of the tang at the lock face which makes closing the knife super smooth as it just rolls over the edge unimpeded.
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Hi On the original post, i meant the detent ramp on the tang near lock face, to ease the closing. To have a single bump when closing, rather than two.

That seems to require almost no skill... even if you mess up... it cant really ruin a knife. I guess the only way to mess that up is if you somehow grind the lock face or blade edge... but then you arent just messing up, you are literally grinding the wrong part. Or if you make a... bumpy ramp.. but that wouldnt be a ramp but just grinding a random shape.

The detent ramp for the detent hole seems much tougher...since that actually can mess up the detent strength to be very low or high.
 
Oh ok, I didn't realize anyone would cut a ramp to make opening easier. That makes no sense to me.
 
AF said:
Oh ok, I didn't realize anyone would cut a ramp to make opening easier. That makes no sense to me.
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Really stiff detents. I prefer to just let the ball make its own ramp naturally, but I've seen ramps cut into detent holes from the factory and as modifications. The ZT0452cf comes to mind when thinking stiff detent.
 
I don't see a problem if you have the skill to do it. I have radiused the edge of the tang and I have radiused the edge of the detent hole before.

The detent hole is risky and if you over do it you will regret it. Knocking the shoulder off the tang is pretty safe.

The Paramilitary2 comes with a detent ramp.
 
I have done it before on a ZT knife that had a really bad stop when the ball hit the shoulder of the tang. I use a small round and tapered diamond file. It worked well
 
The OP said detent ramp not detent track. I just did a ramp today. I used a round chainsaw file. I knocked of the edge where the ball hits and ever so slight concaved the area. Made a big difference when closing.
 
Leo3an said:
Hi On the original post, i meant the detent ramp on the tang near lock face, to ease the closing.
That seems to require almost no skill... even if you mess up... it cant really ruin a knife
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I watched an experienced person screw it up by removing too much metal. You can, too, especially with a Dremel.

Use a file, go slow, be prepared to disassemble/reassemble the knife multiple times to check your progress.
 
vanadium said:
I watched an experienced person screw it up by removing too much metal. You can, too, especially with a Dremel.

Use a file, go slow, be prepared to disassemble/reassemble the knife multiple times to check your progress.
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Thank you. Will take advice.
 
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