folder problem

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
5,944
So I keep running into a problem with my pocket folders..I get them and I use them and after about a month or so the primary blade seems. seems to get real tight.. and uncooperative. I wash 'em out scrape em out with a tooth brush and they seem to get better for like the next 20 openings and then they are right back to where they started. Mind you I'm not using them for messy jobs as a regular rule... but I do open and close them frequently and obsessively just cause there knives... any suggestions?? as a general rule edcing a fixed blade is out for me as I live in the sheeple capitol of the world. It seems like the pivot engages the back spring, if that makes any sense.
 
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I am no expert but it will help a ton if you mentioned the exact models you experienced problems with. If we are talking about SAK's it has to be debris or gunk because nothing can sweell due to humidity. Warm water and some dishshoap should get you there. If it is very bad you could even ditch them in the dishwasher :D. If we are talking about two blades slipjoints it could be debris or the scales swelling due to humidity (pocket carry). Have you tried setting them appart for a while in a dry place and trying to open and close them again?

Mikel
 
Riley, have you tried tuff-glide after cleaning? Might help out a little, its pretty good stuff.
 
All my screw together folders get a once over before EDCing them. I polish the entire pivot area. Basically, everything that touches anything that moves gets mirrored. I am also a PB washer fan, They seem to stay smooth longer, and yes, I also polish those. As I reassemble I just dab a little Tetra Gun lube on the contact points, and call it done.
If you are still having trouble between breakdown cleanings, try using a really light penetrating lube like rem-oil, or similar after washing with HOT water and dish soap.

Good Luck
 
I'm mostly talking about my vic farmers... (my favorite folder) I don't really know the the terminology but the bottom of the blade itself (the part that surrounds the pivot point. seems like it might develo a bur or a blemish from being opened and closed and causes friction or rub against the back spring when opening and closing... I've tried alot of the ideas already mentioned. (Thank you all for the help anyway) If I rub that very part with a toothbrush or a twig or a credit card it gets better temporarily but comes back in 10-20 openings. (not the end of the world) guess if I just do it every night it should get through the following day without issue... But sometimes when I'm not doing anything I'll just open and close over, and over again.
 
When you've cleaned it and are certain it is absolutely dry - pound up the innards from a regular hard pencil, just the dog not the kennel. When you've got that dust as fine as you can get it sprinkle a bit of that in. You only need a tiny bit, you can do it in seconds between two spoons. Instant el cheapo dry lubricant. If that isn't enough you can just wash it out.
 
I use Rem dry lube on my knives after cleaning. The stuff works great at keeping the knives smooth. There's probably better out there, but it's what I have, besides hoppes oil or militec-1 gun lube.
 
I like all the above suggestions, but you could also try a non-traditional type of carry. I've seen folks on here with leather or kydex belt sheaths for their folders (like for a Vic Farmer, ilbruche made one I think). I've also seen the kydex sheaths/holders that just dangle from a belt loop, which would still allow pocket carry.

The above, of course, assumes that the grit or environment in your pocket is what's mainly contributing to the blade sticking.
 
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