Fast Delica Wave Opening & Lock problems

J

jylong_away

Joined
Nov 13, 2006
Messages
86
Hi,

I was recently put onto the Delica 4 Wave as a good edc-alternative for my more pricey P'kal. It's been great, and waves just as well as the P'kal does (or it could just be that I've been practicing a bit..hmmm :p

Anyways, just noticed today when I was play-waving the Delica, that if I did the waved opening too quickly, the blade would 'bounce' back down before the lock bar engaged. First thought(with growing horror) that there was a problem with the Delica I was playing with (a lego-ed G10 foliage green w/Gen 4 waved blade), but then the same thing happened with my FRN and trainer models.

Played a bit more, and figured out that it was caused by waving the bade *too fast*. G10 one was more prone to it, since it was grippier and I had to yank a bit harder to get it off of the waistband. Slowing down the wave by yanking slower seems to fix the problem.

Has anyone had this 'issue' with any of the waved delica/enduras? If so, how did u fix it? If not, could u try and wave it fast a few times and see if it happens? I have sincere doubts that I got 3 defective lockbars from 3 different dealers :D

The main concern is that in stress-situations, I doubt that I'd have the presence of mind to slow down a waved draw, and might end up with an unlocked folder in my hands. Eek!

Thanks!

Dave
 
I've noticed this as well on a regular Endura4 I just got a week ago. My theory is that the lockbar latch on newer Delicas and Enduras have been machined to closer tolerances to fit as tightly into the blade tang notch as possible.

Either that, or it might just be restricted to a batch of them.

In any case, I expect that the tight fit will loosen up with use, and the problem should fade away. Incidentally, the aforementioned Endura4 is the smoothest Spyderco lockback I've ever handled.
 
the only time this has happened to me is when there was a piece of lint preventing the lock from engaging.
 
this has happened to me with both my waved delica and endura neither of them and lint in the any anything else obstructing the lock. The delica has gotten to the point where i can make it fail by flipping it open with my thumb like a normal spydie and I stopped using the endura completely because it snapped back onto my finger giving me a nice gash. I think it is because the FRN spring holders start to get worn out over time.
 
SakuTheGreat said:
I think it is because the FRN spring holders start to get worn out over time.
Click to expand...

It might not be, as the one I've been using the most (and has the most problem) is a G10 which I lego-ed with a waved blade.

It seems to get better if I tighten the pivot (ie. speed of blade opening is decreased by the friction), but otherwise, it's there. Gonna try and increase the tension on the lockbar spring and see next..

Dave
 
I'd recommend sending it in, but I don't know how the warranty would be affected.
 
Don't wave it quite so quick.:p
I've yet to have that issue, and can get the point to target quicker than need be.
You don't need massive force on the draw to make it deploy quickly.
Just practice a bit more, and you'll be fine(might wear out some pockets though:D).
 
It has never happened to me with the Endura 4 wave frn vg-10 model. I just tried to wave it as fast as I can, It locks up great:)
 
stabman said:
Don't wave it quite so quick.:p
I've yet to have that issue, and can get the point to target quicker than need be.
You don't need massive force on the draw to make it deploy quickly.
Just practice a bit more, and you'll be fine(might wear out some pockets though:D).
Click to expand...


I can get the waved opening no problem at low speed so far. There was initially no lock bounce when I started practicing. It's been more recently when I'm 'pressure tested' the draw while engaging/clinching where the movements are a bit less controlled and, well, pressured that I noticed the lock bounce (ie. *yank*-->click as oppsed to light pull-->click)

My main concern is that in the theoretical 'live' situation, I doubt I'll have the presence of mind to control the drawstroke.
 
USSR said:
When you swapped the blade, did you swap the lockbar and spring as well?
Click to expand...

Actually, I tinkered a bit more and found that to be the problem. The lock bounce was pretty much eliminated when I swapped the lockbar over from the Wave FRN.

Thing is tho, I have an as-yet unviolated Wave Trainer, and that seems to bounce all by itself, even at relatively low wave speeds. Lockbar on that also seems to disengage from the blade tang with minimal pressure. Feels as though it's a lock problem. That one's going back to the dealer for a checkup
 
By a chance are you doing this from IWB in say elastic type pants? IE basketball shorts/sweat pants? I've only had this problem with the pants mentioned. For me, if its in jeans or anything else 100% operation.
 
I wanted to bump this up because I have been having the exact same problem.


When I wave it out fast it seems to bounce off and not lock. I wave to reverse grip maybe that causes more force.


So far I can only think to tighten the pivot more to prevent it.


I know this is an old thread but maybe more have had this problem and solved it
 
I've had this happen w/ my Endura before. I just quit yanking it out with such authority, and it opens fine now. I found mine to be a case of 'less is more.'
 
I'd suggest loosening up (but loctite it) the lockbar pivot, so the lockbar is faster to snap back. Other than that, no idea, I don't use wave at all.
 
The action is happening too fast for the lockback mechanism. Its not something I have seen on my delica but with my endura and its heavier blade it will "bounce back" on a hard opening.

Please realize that pulling the blade out this quickly and with such force is simply too much for the knife to handle. It could easily be seen as abuse. I say this from personal experience because you can actually feel the knife being stressed when opening with excessive force. Slow it down a hair, it's still fast and much safer to you and those around you.
 
I don't mind waving it slower. I find it more of a novelty and have used it plenty as a bottle opener, but I agree with jylong that if someone was carrying it for SD I don't know if they would be able to control that. I would think it would be more of a grip it and rip it.

But do buy it for its beer opening abilities :very_drunk:


Also do y'all think that Emerson liner locks or the ZT frame lock with the wave would not lock it waved to fast? I have never owned either but maybe they would be better for actual SD carry


jylong_away said:
My main concern is that in the theoretical 'live' situation, I doubt I'll have the presence of mind to control the drawstroke.
Click to expand...
 
The liners engage DEEP with a grip and rip with an authoritative thwack on all the Emerson built knives Ive owned.
 
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