EDC speed assist kaput?

Fletch Helical

Fletch Helical

Joined
Sep 29, 2009
Messages
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Wondering if anyone has encountered a similar problem with a speed assist knife.... I have a Kershaw blackout that I've had for a number of years. The speed assist on it has basically quit on me. Right now it makes it about halfway open when I open the knife (assuming I don't give it a good thumb flick). Whereas before it would snap open soon as you budged the thumb screw a bit. It doesn't look like there is anything that might be gumming up the action on it (without taking it completely apart, which I'd rather not do). So I'm wondering do speed assists just fade out after a while or does anyone have any suggestions if it's fixable on my end, or something that might need to go back to Kershaw?
 
Sounds like your torsion bar is wore out. Send it back to Kershaw and they'll hook you up. Its really not bad to replace yourself if you take a little time and give a little effort.

I replaced the torison bar in my Blur, Blackout, and have have one on the way for my brother's Leek. As with any spring like part it will wear out over time.
 
Yeah I was wondering if anyone had a "quick fix" I just got off the phone with Kershaw. They're sending me a replacement torsion bar and any tools I would need to work on the knife. Worst case if I can't get it back together they said send them everything and they'd put it all back together. :thumbup:
 
This happened to my Dad's Blackout after several years of hard service. I just gave him mine to replace it, and it's been soldiering on for a couple years now.
 
I love Kershaw! Asked them for a new torsion bar and pocket clip for a Chive, they sent me 3 clips with screws for each and 3 torsion bars. Told them I needed a pocket clip and screws for a Speed Bump, sent it without question. I love Kershaw!
 
I have several AO Kershaws but have not had the torsion bars fail yet. I have however read several threads where people cut themselves badly when trying to replace the torsion bars themselves.

Seems like taping the blade edge vey well before starting will help avoid the cuts.
 
I have disassembled both my Chive and Scallion to clean them up. I was amazed how easy it was.
 
It's very easy to change the torsion spring if you have the right torx drivers. I lost my driver set but fortunately I found out recently that the bent and sanded prongs of an old fork work perfectly.



Just make sure you pay attention when you take it apart as to where everything goes.
 
When you take it apart, make sure the knife is open, so there is no tension on the torsion bar.

cbw
 
Yeah, Torsion Bars are pretty easy to replace. I did my first one one a Chive about 8 years ago, when I was totally not a knife guy. Just take your time and note the order in which it came apart, and then reverse. I would also clean it, and maybe put a lil oil in there while you got it taken apart (if I remember correctly, the torsion bar has a lil well of grease where it resides, anyone know what kind? Maybe put some more of that on there.
 
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