Early lock up (practically non existent)

[josh yu]

*EDIT: I actually got a response saying that he will refund me next week. so as of now, i'm wrapping up the knife and and not going to mess with it. thanks for the support and advice everyone. i will update the situation when i hear back

**Also, as a semi-resolution to the thread topic, don't tamper with lock geometry unless you're a professional. even professionals get it wrong, as evidenced with this situation

I recently purchased a folding knife with a titanium frame lock (no lock bar insert) that came from the maker at 5-10% lock up. it basically doesn’t lock up, and can be closed without disengaging the lockbar. I can tap the spine against my hand or push down with about 10lb of torque and the knife will close. If I push down on the lock bar with about 20lb of torque I can get to about 30% lock up and the knife stays open (of course this isn’t how it should be used, but just for reference). so yea, completely defective

I am planning to return it to the maker, however, this particular maker has a has a very slow turn around and is somewhat notorious for poor communication, so I’m just trying to see if there’s a safe and simple fix that won’t damage the knife in the worse case scenario of not being able to return the knife for refund… any suggestions help

*edit: cat's out of the bag, here's the full detail

1. Yes, new straight from the maker: here's the post https://www.instagram.com/p/BZY9Tgwn7Kf/?taken-by=garethbullknives
2. owned for three days
3. If he can fix it in a timely matter maybe. NOT if it take 9 months. my sister just made a human being in less time than that (first niece born 2 week ago )
cat's out of the bag, below is a gif of the knife and how EXTREMELY defective the knife is. this isn't some benchmade blade play QC level stuff, this is straight up a danger to my fingers defective.
4. i've reached out to him via email and instagram, and he's read the message and chosen not to respond (instagram shows when the message is read)
*i i paid goods and services via paypal, and amex gold card is also very helpful. hopefully anyone in their right mind (paypal employees or amex employees) can see my video an realize that's not how knives work....

https://gfycat.com/PointlessCrispBee

 

[austonh]

A few options:
1. Return it to maker and wait forever to get it back.
2. Flip the knife like crazy for a few days and see if the lockup works itself in
3. Send it to a different service provider who fixes or services knives to look at. This option would likely result in a faster turn around, but could potentially void the warranty from the maker.

I personally would do option 2 for a few days and see what happens. Best of luck.

 

[josh yu]

A few options:
1. Return it to maker and wait forever to get it back.
2. Flip the knife like crazy for a few days and see if the lockup works itself in
3. Send it to a different service provider who fixes or services knives to look at. This option would likely result in a faster turn around, but could potentially void the warranty from the maker.

I personally would do option 2 for a few days and see what happens. Best of luck.

thanks for the reply. this is a custom maker, so warranty is kind of written in sand. my current plan is keep doing 2 while i wait for 1. i am actually looking for a home remedy if it even exists, so 2 is the kind of answer i'm looking for! that being said, i kind of already thought of 2 and flipped the knife for an hour straight the day i received it lol... i sit and flip knives while watching sports anyway, so it's not extra work

 

[jbmonkey]

return. defective geometry. bending or pushing lock bar inward is a temp fix, wont fix defective geometry.

 

[NJBillK]

I would return it for a refund... Going by your word of his slow product turnaround, I would expect funds to be faster (if he is an upstanding character).

 

[Danke42]

I recently purchased a folding knife with a titanium frame lock (no lock bar insert) that came from the maker at 5-10% lock up. it basically doesn’t lock up, and can be closed without disengaging the lockbar. I can tap the spine against my hand or push down with about 10lb of torque and the knife will close. If I push down on the lock bar with about 20lb of torque I can get to about 30% lock up and the knife stays open (of course this isn’t how it should be used, but just for reference). so yea, completely defective

I am planning to return it to the maker, however, this particular maker has a has a very slow turn around and is somewhat notorious for poor communication, so I’m just trying to see if there’s a safe and simple fix that won’t damage the knife in the worse case scenario of not being able to return the knife for refund… any suggestions help

Here’s a pic, it’s blurry because it's a screenshot of a video i took... but you can see the lock up issue

this particular maker has a has a very slow turn around and is somewhat notorious for poor communication,

So why buy?

 

[Basp2005]

Only option is to send it back. Trying to fix it yourself will definitely void the warranty, and could potentially make the knife worse.

This is to the point where early lockup gets dangerous.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

this particular maker has a has a very slow turn around and is somewhat notorious for poor communication,

So why buy?

Are you thinking this is a Shamwari?
Because that's what I was thinkin'...

That said, OP's best bet is to use option #2 and live with lockslip and lock-rock.

 

[Cutlover]

Lol, framelocks.....my next knife is going to be a framelock though so I can't hate on them too much.

The DIYer in me would sand down the lockbar face or blade contact face, but geometry is important here, so notifying the maker would be the better move. Hopefully the rest of the knife is good (Centering, sharpness, weight dist., etc)

 

[W. Anderson]

Send it back.

 

[craytab]

Return. Not for warranty though. Get your money back.

 

[tyyreaun]

Depending on how brave/foolhardy you're feeling, it should be something you could fix yourself relatively easily. You'd need to shave a few microns off the lock face on the blade, or off the lockbar. The lockbar would be easier to adjust, but you'll most likely end up with lockstick you'll need to correct, unless there's a lockbar insert I'm not seeing in your photo.

Yes, I've done that before, on an $800 knife . Worked out very well, actually.

 

[craytab]

Depending on how brave/foolhardy you're feeling, it should be something you could fix yourself relatively easily. You'd need to shave a few microns off the lock face on the blade, or off the lockbar. The lockbar would be easier to adjust, but you'll most likely end up with lockstick you'll need to correct, unless there's a lockbar insert I'm not seeing in your photo.

Yes, I've done that before, on an $800 knife . Worked out very well, actually.

First sentence says no lock bar insert.

 

[tyyreaun]

First sentence says no lock bar insert.

Reading is hard

 

[Danke42]

Are you thinking this is a Shamwari?
Because that's what I was thinkin'...

That said, OP's best bet is to use option #2 and live with lockslip and rock-lock.

I wasn't really thinking of any particular maker; just all those nightmare ones you hear about time and time again.

Seems like the OP knew that about serious concerns and still rolled the dice "this guy's due for a good performance" kind of thinking.

 

[willc]

I'd like to know how something like that even gets out the door?

Personally I would try to get my money back.

 

[josh yu]

Are you thinking this is a Shamwari?
Because that's what I was thinkin'...

That said, OP's best bet is to use option #2 and live with lockslip and rock-lock.

i'm screwed aren't i... i'll probably end up paying a professional to fix it if he won't take it back or if paypal can't help me.

I wasn't really thinking of any particular maker; just all those nightmare ones you hear about time and time again.

Seems like the OP knew that about serious concerns and still rolled the dice "this guy's due for a good performance" kind of thinking.

the guy is known for amazing work, but being slow and having communication issues. I've never seen anyone mention a dud when complaining, just issues with getting their knives, repairs, etc., in a timely manner.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

i'm screwed aren't i... i'll probably end up paying a professional to fix it if he won't take it back or if paypal can't help me.

That's a risky move in my opinion. More below...

the guy is known for amazing work, but being slow and having communication issues. I've never seen anyone mention a dud when complaining, just issues with getting their knives, repairs, etc., in a timely manner.

There are lengthy threads here regarding this maker. If you willingly chose to do business with him when you knew his reputation, then you basically shot yourself in the foot.

The maker should have sent you a proper knife to begin with. I'm not sure how you paid, but I'd open a dispute until either your money is refunded or your knife is fixed.

It sounds like the deal is sealed, so I'm pretty sure you're screwed. Next time, I'd reccomend doing business with folks who have a Grade-A reputation.

 

[Danke42]

i'm screwed aren't i... i'll probably end up paying a professional to fix it if he won't take it back or if paypal can't help me.



the guy is known for amazing work, but being slow and having communication issues. I've never seen anyone mention a dud when complaining, just issues with getting their knives, repairs, etc., in a timely manner.

Kind of a smoking gun if there is a huge back log of repairs and fixes.

It's fair to expect an odd repair or fix for sure but if the guy isn't able to keep up with demand to fix his own mistakes it's a good case to walk away.

 

[palonej]

Pretty sure there is some information missing here.

Did you buy it new from the maker??
How long have you had the knife???
Do you want to keep it??
I know you don't want to name the maker, but would you have to pay shipping to South Africa???
Can you get in touch with the maker......in other words, does he answer you in a timely manner??

DO NOT attempt fixing it yourself till all other avenues are dead ends.
Joe