Hard to open Native 3

[Keith Montgomery]

I'll try Spyderco's Customer Service again tomorrow and report back.

What a wonderful idea.

 

[zenheretic]

I have what sounds like the exact same issue with my new Native 4 CFB.

I was hoping with all of the hype on here about Spyderco versus Benchmade products I'd be more impressed. None of my Benchmades have been anything but smooth right out of the box.

Lurking for 6 months. Joined two weeks ago. In that 6 months I've bought 16 BMs. ALL of which open AND close with one hand. Neither of my two Spyders do. All I've been trying to ascertain here is whether that's to be expected.

I'll try Spyderco's Customer Service again tomorrow and report back.

 

[3Guardsmen]

7 posts but been lurking on here plenty. I've never had anything to say before.

Rat already pointed out that, in order to have done the "lurking" you claim to have done, you'd have to be a registered member, which you were not prior to this month, unless of course you are one of our beloved cast-aways attempting to return ship-side.

I just notice that Sal seems to have plenty of time to pop up for the fan club.

When was it again that you took notice of this?

I just wanted a comment or suggestion.

I guess you missed the "suggestion" on the box your supposed knife came in, you know, about sending it back to W&R if it had a defect. I'm truly surprised that someone who's been "lurking" for so long failed to see or know that.

Well, you certainly got your "comments", didn't you?:foot:

I guess I'm just not in the fan club enough. Just guy that just spent $160 on a knife that looks real pretty but has rel problems opening AND closing.

Sorry for expecting so much out of my knife.

Of course! What would any trolling post be without the 'poor me' pitty party.
If you'd kindly take the carbon fiber strands out of your supposed Native IV's handle for me, I'll build a violin and play it just for for you.:yawn:

 

[Fred Sanford]

Gosh....the things I don't say in a given day...

Anywho, I do exactly what Archieblue said, except that I modify his method a tad. I use dish soap and hot water with a toothbrush to clean out the knife and then I blow it dry with compressed air. After that, it's a drop of mineral oil in the pivot area. Done deal.

My Native III's have been a little hard, but I just mean the spring. I love having a really tight spring. It opened perfectly and that lock snaps shut with authority.

 

[brownshoe]

For lock backs, you can tell if it is the spring by holding open the lock back, the blade should swing free. If this isn't so, then it is the pivot pin.

I've had the same problem with an old G10 harpy. I used tuffglide (its a wax and stays on longer than an oil) and it loosened up the action so it could be flicked open. However, I've had to reapply it a few times, about twice a year. Now after about 8 years it is pretty smooth all on its own.

 

[Amnesiac]

Thank you for your lucid and helpful reply.

So you're saying that if I hold the knife in the open position and press the lock back it should swing down? Mine moves about 1 degree when I do that and stops.

 

[Josh K]

Thank you for your lucid and helpful reply.

So you're saying that if I hold the knife in the open position and press the lock back it should swing down? Mine moves about 1 degree when I do that and stops.

Don't go bashing people here. You're not going to get any help that way.

Did you buy the knife new? If so, I'd ship it back to Spyderco or call their customer service as already mentioned.

If you bought it used, I'd recommend going through with some q-tips and hot soapy water and cleaning the whole knife out.

 

[mmmotorcycle]

Thank you for your lucid and helpful reply.

So you're saying that if I hold the knife in the open position and press the lock back it should swing down? Mine moves about 1 degree when I do that and stops.

I'd just close it with two hands.......

or you could have the pivot loosened.....

 

[Amnesiac]

Knife is bought new.

All I've EVER asked for is the answer to a simple question...

Should my NEW Spyderco Native 4 CFP open easily with a wrist flip?

I'd rather not send my knife on a roundtrip to Colorado if the answer is no.

 

[mmmotorcycle]

Knife is bought new.

All I've EVER asked for is the answer to a simple question...

Should my NEW Spyderco Native 4 CFP open easily with a wrist flip?

I'd rather not send my knife on a roundtrip to Colorado if the answer is no.

Based on the Spyderco's I own, I would say that it should. Send it to Boulder and let them take a look. I am positive that you will receive a Native with smooth action.

With all that said, I still would say that opening it with two hands is not a bad thing. But that is, of course, just my suggestion, nothing more.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Knife is bought new.

All I've EVER asked for is the answer to a simple question...

Should my NEW Spyderco Native 4 CFP open easily with a wrist flip?

I'd rather not send my knife on a roundtrip to Colorado if the answer is no.

Hi Amnesiac,

None of our lock-backs should be able to easily open with a wrist flick. Some can do it with a developed skill, but most can't.

If you can easily open a knife with a wrist flick, it is considered a "gravity knife" or "flick knife" which makes it illegal to carry in most states and most countries.

Some have said that they can inertia open a ball bearing lock model, but our lock-backs are intentionally made with a stronger self close for safety and legality reasons.

When you say "hard to open", do you mean harder than an Axis lock model, or is it harder to open when compared to other Spyderco (or other brand) lock-backs?

sal

 

[pkdmslf]

I was not aware that the Native IV (or any Native) was designed to be a "flipper". I for one do not want the blade to close on it's own by just pressing the lockbar.

 

[enderwiggin]

I found the hole opening mechanism a little harder to open when I first tried it. I also couldn't flick it open for the life of me.

Now that I'm used to it, it's my preferred opening system, and easy to flick open with a thumbnail in the hole. No wrist action necessary.

Even then, I rarely flick them open--you can get a Spyderco knife open just as fast as any other just by using the thumbhole in the normal way. They're very very easy to open 1-handed. Easier than thumbstuds. It just takes some getting used to.

 

[Amnesiac]

Hi Amnesiac,

None of our lock-backs should be able to easily open with a wrist flick. Some can do it with a developed skill, but most can't.

If you can easily open a knife with a wrist flick, it is considered a "gravity knife" or "flick knife" which makes it illegal to carry in most states and most countries.

Some have said that they can inertia open a ball bearing lock model, but our lock-backs are intentionally made with a stronger self close for safety and legality reasons.

When you say "hard to open", do you mean harder than an Axis lock model, or is it harder to open when compared to other Spyderco (or other brand) lock-backs?

sal

Well, both of those things.

I can open my Native FRN with a wrist flip. The same action on the Native CFP opens it less than 90 degrees consistently.

My Axis lock models I can open with a tsimple thump action, no wrist needed.

 

[Amnesiac]

I found the hole opening mechanism a little harder to open when I first tried it. I also couldn't flick it open for the life of me.

Now that I'm used to it, it's my preferred opening system, and easy to flick open with a thumbnail in the hole. No wrist action necessary.

Even then, I rarely flick them open--you can get a Spyderco knife open just as fast as any other just by using the thumbhole in the normal way. They're very very easy to open 1-handed. Easier than thumbstuds. It just takes some getting used to.

I agree that the hole can work incredibly well... only it's on my BM DejaVu.

 

[archieblue]

Try the hot soapy water... It does not seem like you are trying the procedure advised by people who may know a thing or two and are trying to help. Is there any undesirable noise? Adjust the pivot... The knife really is a simple machine...

Honestly I don't see you as a troll by seeking advice here. I would avoid sending away a new toy during the honeymoon phase as well. ...but calling out Sal like that is just totally bogus... His presence here is rare. Sales related to the presence of bladeforums is less than 15%. He comes here because he likes it here and appreciates our input.

Certainly you are not pleased with your knife, but your description of the problem is vague... What I'm hearing is that you are unwilling to pay attention and/or are unaware of the workings of a folding knife. If either are the case you'll need to send it to good 'ol Golden, CO.

It's funny because I'm good with my hands, and assessment... so I have trouble putting myself in your shoes... I'd just fix it.

 

[enderwiggin]

I agree that the hole can work incredibly well... only it's on my BM DejaVu.

You could try loosening the pivot screw in your Native IV. You can't compare a linerlock knife to a lockback. The lockback's spring will be stronger and hold the knife shut better.

In fact, the BM DejaVoo has problems staying shut.

I would expect it to occur to most people that a knife with a riveted-in blade instead of a screwed-in pivot would start out tighter, giving it some time to wear in so it doesn't become sloppy.

Axis lock, lockback, and linerlock are three completely different mechanisms. I have no idea what would make you believe all of them should open in the exact same way.

But then, I'd also expect someone comparing two knives--one with a riveted pivot and one with a screw-in type--to figure out at some point that they could loosen or tighten the screw to adjust the pivot action on their knife.

But really, please don't let any kind of real advice interrupt your trolling.

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

Why is anyone still trying to help this troll? He already established he is a liar. He probably doesn't even have the knife, and if he does, it is probably in perfect working condition.

 

[3Guardsmen]

Why is anyone still trying to help this troll?

Good question!

All I've EVER asked for is the answer to a simple question...

Really? Lets look at what you actually did, shall we?

I have what sounds like the exact same issue with my new Native 4 CFB.

I was hoping with all of the hype on here about Spyderco versus Benchmade products I'd be more impressed. None of my Benchmades have been anything but smooth right out of the box.

Where was the "simple question" in your first post?

Sal, I'm disappointed that you have nothing to say about this. Here's a new (and expensive!) product being discussed as not working properly and nothing to say or recommend?

That (bolded portion) must be the "simple question" you asked. Odd, considering you blasted Spyderco and Sal in three sentences before "only EVER asking a simple question." Cut out the trolling pitty party. Nobody's buying it!

 

[The Mastiff]

I still think he just doesn't comprehend the tight spring , and natural bias in lockbacks. The fact they are designed that way has gone right past him.

On the other hand, should that surprise me? He comes here as a new guy, and with an obvious attitude calls out, and begins to try to insult one of the most popular, and well respected people this business has ever had.

Not a bright way to begin as a new guy in blade forums. I think we have some insta-rage problems there too. Joe