Fixing lock stick?

TRfromMT

TRfromMT

Joined
Jan 4, 2016
Messages
5,666
I just picked up a new-to-me Gayle Bradley 2. The lock is really tight to disengage. I am familiar with the comments on this knife design and the way the presentation side liner can prevent decent access to the lock. Mine is so tight that I have to pry it over with my thumbnail. I have tried a little graphite, no luck. How can this be fixed? Is it just a matter of breaking in?

My work is about 15 minutes from the center of the spyderco universe in Golden... maybe I just take it over on my lunch hour to have them take a look.

Thoughts? Thanks.
 
Is it sticking? or just a stiff lock bar? Does it *pop* when you disengage the lock?
 
Try coating the lock and blade tang with Sharpie marker. Sometimes works better than pencil. Usually just opening and closing will allow it to break in and the stick go away.

But if you are close to them it can't hurt to see what they say, other than maybe missing lunch.
 
i had to do this on a few knives with lockstick. clean the knife from any lubrication there is. take it appart if possible. note that taking apart a spyderco voids the warranty and they have some models with red locktite which is impossible to open unless you use heat. anyways, the lubrication has caused the lockstick for me. if you lube your knives dont use a lot. just enough to coat metal surfaces and wipe off (there still will be residual you cannot see on it, thats plenty).


anyways, i have used a bit of acetone and zippo lighter fluid to nullify the lubrication without taking it apart before, so that could be an easy shortcut. use a q tip to rub everything clean.

i have tried sharpie and it works on some models and not others. my #2 pencil works better for me, and just write on the tang with it. if you take it apart you will have easier access to the lock bar, apply some of it to the lock bar then.

i had to apply it quite a few times and open and close the knife several times for it to wear to a point that the lock stick goes away. it wont happen right away on some knives. just keep using it as much as you can, keep applying graphite or sharpie. make sure there is no lubrication on the faces that are causing lock stick.
 
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Don't take it apart yourself, since you are close to Spyderco, let the professionals handle it. They are called Cutlers for a reason, it is a profession not a hobby :)
 
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