Glued washers in my Barrage 581

[Twindog]

I de-assisted my Barrage 581 because I couldn't see any advantage to a spring-assisted blade on a decent axis lock knife. The de-assist went well, but when I put the knife back together, the axis lock was sluggish -- not free flowing like my other axis locks. I like axis locks when the blade just falls open or closed when the lock is released.

So I took it apart again to see what was up. What I found was that one of the washers was glued in place. There was dried glue on the washer surface, too. I sanded off the glue, broke free the washer, polished it, too, and lubed everything with fluorinated grease. Now the knife acts like an axis lock knife should -- fast and easy to both open and close.

But what's with gluing the washers? Someone trying to make assembly easier?

Anyway, the de-assisted Barrage is much nicer to use. Great knife, with awesome blade geometry and steel.

 

[ToolDiva]

I've never heard of gluing washers. Perhaps some Loctite accidently got in there during assembly.

 

[Twindog]

I hadn't heard of glue being used before, either, which is why I thought people would be interested. It was kind of a clear-yellow substance that was put under the washer and some had pushed out. The washer was difficult to break loose and had quite a crust that had to be sanded off. The glue didn't make much difference with the spring assist, but it created noticeable drag for the manual lock.

I bought the knife new from a local general store.

I had an LE AFCK that was also very sluggish for an axis lock. When I took it apart, the blade washers were coated with a gritty, black substance. When I cleaned and related it, the knife was much easier to use. It was a new knife, too, but I don't remember where I got it.