Fine Tuning A Recon I

sog

Joined
Jul 5, 2006
Messages
302
I sent my Recon I in for warranty work, because the lock pin would turn as i put it in or take it out of my pocket and jam, preventing the pin from moving into the lock position (or anywhere else until i got it unjammed. I got it back and it would still jam. :confused: I am not going to keep sending it back at $7 a pop!

I decided i would have to work on the locking pin myself. I called CS to get another lock pin in case i screwed up the one i got if i filed it so it could spin in the liner. They sent me one free of charge. :cool: I then took the knife apart to work on the pin. To my amazement, when i went to take out the lock pin, it spun all the way around but it was a bit tight and would almost jam. When i got the pin out i discovered the lock pin was ground all the way across and around and the flat spot was removed. The lock pin was ground down in an attempt to make it spin. I discovered that it was not quite ground down enough on one side causing it to bind on the one liner. I got a file and took a minute amount more off and made sure that it would spin without catching on the liner. The other side of the pin was already ground down enough. I then ground a bevel around the outside of the lock pin so it would not catch on my clothes. I put the knife back together and it works perfect and it cant bind now. :thumbup: The lock pin is a lot more comfortable to disengage, because of the bevel and it wont catch on my clothes. :thumbup:

The new pin doesn't spin at all (like the one i had before they ground it) but i am saving it in its pristine condition in case i need to file it down where it meets the liners and keep the center of the pin untouched so it has an unground and slightly larger diameter. I will make sure it gets those bevels on the outside too.
 
ADDENDUM

I opened the Recon I a few more times since i thought i fixed the lock, but i discovered that CS took too much off the lock pin when they ground it down! The blade developed some play because the pin was ground too small. The cost of shipping and the time involved was a total waste and my old pin is now no good.

I had to take it apart again and then file the lock pin (they sent me) with a diamond jewelers file next to the "false" washers. I kept the grooves to 1/16 inch wide and only as deep as needed to spin in the liners. Now the knife locks tight and will last as long as a new one.

The pin would be better and last longer if there was no flat spot on it (which is not needed). When not on the flat spot the lock locks up way before it runs out of slot, but when on the flat spot it is almost to the very end (how long it will last only time will tell).
 
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