Framelock Lock Adjustment

[SeppukuSamurai]

Hey guys,

I have a simple question that may have been answered before but I can't find exactly what I'm looking for via a Google search (I'm probably wording it wrong.)

I've had a Jake Hoback Kwaiback in my carry rotation for about 4 years now and for many of those years it has been the only knife in my pocket for very long periods of time. It has opened countless boxes, been sharpened countless times, flipped very literally thousands if not tens of thousands of times, and has been thoroughly used throughout the years in my pocket.

With that being said, I believe that when I purchased this knife (new) its lockup was at around 30-40% and after the years of use I think it now rests at around 55-65%. I haven't run into any issues. No rock lock. No blade play. No causes for concern. It has however got me thinking about the future, after another 4 years of use, where the lockup might be then and if it does continue to wear at this rate, is there a means of adjusting it back to its original 3-40% without replacing the lock-side handle/blade?

This model comes equipped with the steel lock-bar insert and I know that Jake hardens them to a lesser degree than the blade steel. Due to this, it has to be the insert that's incurring the wear, right?

Is the fix as easy as inserting a new insert? I've never owned a titanium framelock for long enough to have actually encountered significant wear save for this knife. I have a few others in my rotation but they are pocketed less frequently and almost never "played with" (flipping it for fun.)

 

[miso2]

I am curious to hear any successful lock bar insert replacement stories.
I have seen a video complaining about a replacement lock bar insert not fitting well.

 

[Sergeua]

It probably settled and won't be moving at the same progression as before. As there is larger contact area between lockbar and lockface it will wear alot slower. 3 percent to 40 is a big indication it needed to wear in. It was probably only locking with a corner of insert.

 

[SeppukuSamurai]

It probably settled and won't be moving at the same progression as before. As there is larger contact area between lockbar and lockface it will wear alot slower. 3 percent to 40 is a big indication it needed to wear in. It was probably only locking with a corner of insert.

Sorry for the confusing wording.

It was at around 30-40% and is now at around 55-65%

 

[Sergeua]

Sorry for the confusing wording.

It was at around 30-40% and is now at around 55-65%

Lots of people here say their locks settle and don't seem to wear in further. I'd keep flipping it cuz it brings you joy and not worry about it. There are ways of fixing these things if it becomes a real issue. It can be new lock inser or a new stoppin or even elongating the whole lockbar. It's just situational and you let manufacturer do it if you can.

 

[b00n]

The only way is to replace the insert, theoretically you can add material to a worn surface but it neither practical or economical in a pocket knife. Might be best to ask Jake directly.

 

[SeppukuSamurai]

I am curious to hear any successful lock bar insert replacement stories.
I have seen a video complaining about a replacement lock bar insert not fitting well.

I too am interested to hear if anyone has in fact had their insert replaced to remedy a worn lockup.

 

[SeppukuSamurai]

The only way is to replace the insert, theoretically you can add material to a worn surface but it neither practical or economical in a pocket knife. Might be best to ask Jake directly.

Well if all it is in a new insert I can't imagine that being too costly. Some makers include a spare with their knives, like CKF. I'm just curious if this actually works as I haven't heard of any first hand experience.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

I would worry about it when it becomes a problem. Not much you can do in the meantime anyway, and it may never become a problem.
People worried about there ti lock face wearing out also, but I have heard very few stories of it happening, and most(if not all) of those were due to defects.

 

[miso2]

This is the video.

You can see the comments and find some successes and failures.
This is a video testing a replacement lock bar insert on Reate.

Sounds like whether you can just drop in a replacement without any issues depends on manufacturer or is just a pure luck.

 

[whitty]

We had a customer beat the snot out of a ZT0801 and it wore through to the other side. ZT I believe will send you a lock insert but instead we sent the knife in to ZT and had them put it on. We are certainly capable but wanted them to make sure it matched up right. The knife came back perfect. This is a great question. I will see if ZT will send me some lock inserts for a few of my personal knives and try to do a video replacing them and showing how the lock up is afterward.

To the OP, I would send it to Jake to have a new lock insert put in but only if it continues to wear. most frame locks settle in and seem to stay put at about 50-75%.

 

[Lapedog]

I am curious to hear any successful lock bar insert replacement stories.
I have seen a video complaining about a replacement lock bar insert not fitting well.

The video I saw was complaining that the lockbar they tried to fix was not working well with the insert it originally had. That means if you drop an identical insert in it will not fix the problem.

But on a lock that was working and had just worn away putting in that insert might fix it.

 

[SeppukuSamurai]

We had a customer beat the snot out of a ZT0801 and it wore through to the other side. ZT I believe will send you a lock insert but instead we sent the knife in to ZT and had them put it on. We are certainly capable but wanted them to make sure it matched up right. The knife came back perfect. This is a great question. I will see if ZT will send me some lock inserts for a few of my personal knives and try to do a video replacing them and showing how the lock up is afterward.

To the OP, I would send it to Jake to have a new lock insert put in but only if it continues to wear. most frame locks settle in and seem to stay put at about 50-75%.

Whitty, you're awesome. That would be an awesome video and a useful one at that. I've often wondered this but have never had any real reason to explore my curiosity. The story you've told surely makes me feel a bit better.

I have no doubt the lockup on my knife will likely last me my lifetime. Most of the wear occurred earlier on in my ownership of it. Regardless, a 20% movement is enough to prove that in some way it did wear in a somewhat significant manner, even if it was just settling in.

It would give me some peace of mind if not for anything else that my $600+ investments can be maintained with a simple insert swap.

 

[SeppukuSamurai]

Lots of people here say their locks settle and don't seem to wear in further. I'd keep flipping it cuz it brings you joy and not worry about it. There are ways of fixing these things if it becomes a real issue. It can be new lock inser or a new stoppin or even elongating the whole lockbar. It's just situational and you let manufacturer do it if you can.

Not really worried just curious more than anything. I know that either way Jake will make things right in the event I actually did wear this thing out.

I will never stop flipping. My knives are my tools and my $600 equivalent to a fidget spinner lol.

 

[Jet80tv]

Not really worried just curious more than anything. I know that either way Jake will make things right in the event I actually did wear this thing out.

I will never stop flipping. My knives are my tools and my $600 equivalent to a fidget spinner lol.

My fidget spinner...lol, that's exactly how I refer to it when my wife asks me about my fascination, on occasion as I'm randomly flipping. I have a feeling some people see the activity and think one has a screw loose, potentially.

 

[brownshoe]

I've found that lock bar movement can be the result of a frame screw that is loose. Try tightening up your screws.

 

[Alberta Ed]

If/when it wears out buy another one. Or something different.