EDC lock

ZENGHOST · Mar 10, 2002

I just got my new EDC (154CM) in the mail yesterday and I think it's a terrific knife (thanks Poboy). The only problem is that I have a great deal of trouble disengaging the frame lock after opening. Most of my folders are liner locks but I've never had a frame lock before--is this common? Sometimes it takes me a few minutes of struggling with it before I can close it. Any suggestions?

Dexter Ewing · Mar 10, 2002

Zenghost - yes, that is the way frame locks are, because the lock bar is thicker than a liner lock's. Give it time and you'll get used to it. Add to that, the contact surfaces of the end of the lock bar and blade tang will burnish a bit as well to ease unlocking the blade. Hope this helps.

ZENGHOST · Mar 10, 2002

Thanks, Dex...that does help. I guess I'll just have to keep playing with it.

Buzzbait · Mar 10, 2002

I hate to say this, for fear of what could happen if not done correctly......

I've taken a white hone from a SharpMaker 204, and used it to even out a gouge in the lock of one of my EDCs. The operation made a big difference.

ZENGHOST · Mar 10, 2002

Buzz--this has actually popped into my head but it worries me a little since there's no going back if I remove too much. I think maybe I'll try just playing with it for a little while and see what happens before I try anything drastic. Appreciate the input.

-ZEN

poboy · Mar 11, 2002

Hey, mine was a bit tight at first. It took quite a bit of pressure to disengage the lock. But it only took me ten or fifteen cycles and it was better. Solid lockup and fairly easy to disengage. It's still tighter than any of my liner locks, but not too tight. I hope it gets better for you.

Dexter Ewing · Mar 11, 2002

Originally posted by ZENGHOST
Buzz--this has actually popped into my head but it worries me a little since there's no going back if I remove too much. I think maybe I'll try just playing with it for a little while and see what happens before I try anything drastic. Appreciate the input.

-ZEN

Zen - another suggestion to try, though less drastic than Buzz's. Check the lock bar's contact point on the tang. If there is oil on there, it'll cause the lock bar to engage a little further than usual. Wipe the oil off and it should improve a bit.

ZENGHOST · Mar 12, 2002

Lock seems to be much better now--I guess it just needed a little time (and lots of playing). Still a little harder than my liners, but not too bad--at least my thumb will get some exercise. Thanks for your help guys...appreciate it.

Razorzedge000 · Mar 12, 2002

bought my "wife" a edc a couple of weeks ago--i thaught it might be a little difficult to operate for her but it worked out fine. As a matter of fact; I oiled hers.

ZENGHOST · Mar 13, 2002

Originally posted by razorblade00
bought my "wife" a edc a couple of weeks ago--i thaught it might be a little difficult to operate for her but it worked out fine. As a matter of fact; I oiled hers.

How does she like it? I let my friend try mine out and she had some trouble disengaging the lock. But it's gotten a lot easier for me since I bought it. Great knife.

3nails · Mar 15, 2002

My thumb was sore fo the first wk I carried my EDC. Each night I would set around and flick it open,close it,open it,close it..... Now it's smooooooth to open and close. The lock goes over 3/4 of the way with no play at all.

Scott Dog · Mar 16, 2002

I've bought a couple of framelocks from Darrel (customs). And they came stiff and hard to open. But after a couple days they were as smooth as silk and easy to unlock. I think that the components need to wear into each other. I have a feeling that this is as planned. If the lock is initially easy to open when new, then after wear it will have some play. Starting tight gives it a custom set.

Donald · Mar 16, 2002

I had this happen a time or two at the beginning. I recall, perhaps wrongly, that it locked up so tight that I either thought of getting something to push on the lock with or actually did. I have a plain and a combo edge 154CM. I only had this happen with one of them, so I suspect the tolerances can vary a little.

In the interest of science I went I tried them, and clipped the combo edge to my pocket. They both work fine. After I had used them for a while, I never had a problem. Since the handle material is stainless, it is a little thinner then a titanium handle might be. Further, the edge is curved down, I presume to prevent accidental release of the lock. This makes it a little harder to release, but again I have had no problem.

I started using the combo edge the most, mainly because I wanted to see if I would like it. It has worked out fine. Once in a while I will have one and wish for the other. Once a dead bird of paradise branch had drooped over our fence. I guess the stalk was about an inch and one half in oval diameter. I pulled out my combo edge and my wife said you'll never cut that. I gleefully cut right through it, with a little sawing motion.