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help with Alpha Dorado

C

Chewy1

Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
1,564
Hello All-

I've just purchased an Alpha Dorado 271 in 154CM. First impression was "What a beautiful knife". Rosewood!

If feel great in the hand and opens very nicely.

HOWEVER, releasing the linerlock just about pushes a hole in my thumb! The only work around that I've found is to use my left index finger to pull rather than push the liner loose, but it is hard to move.

Any ideas how to loosen this guy up??????
 
Chewy1,

If you got it from a local store exchage it for another one. If it was mail ordered then send it back to buck. I have two of the Dorado's and the liner lock on both are as easy to close as the knives are to open. Sounds like your's has a problem :(

jb4570
 
Say it ain't so! I'm going to carry it for a week and see if can get along. If not...
 
Chewy1,
It is possible that the knife has a problem and I am sure we can handle it if you choose to go that route.
The other possibility is that the knife is within range as far as our standards go, but not in range as far as your comfort. That we would not want to mess with because the standards are in place to ensure lock integrity.
This scenario tends to be somewhat rare though but worth mentioning.
Lets hope it is something that works itself out but if not, please send it on in.
 
You could be right. I'm a pencil pusher with office hands. I have a feeling that if my life were filled with more manly pursuits, that this knife wouldn't feel so stiff, but, to me, it's tight. I did spend about half hour today forcing myself to open it every couple minutes or so hoping to build up a callous or two. That might help.
 
First, I would loosen, and lubricate the Pivot Pin, which I believe is a size 10 Torx. Work it, it should loosen up. Sometime the washers aren't set right, but that would mean taking the knife apart, so try this first.
 
My Dorado has one of the stiffest liners of any liner lock that I own. I've found that I get used to it after I carry it for a day or two and don't notice it until I use another liner lock. :)
 
Chewy1, I bought an Alpha Dorado 270 last week and I know what you mean. At first I thought it was stiff to open so I used some lithium spray on the pivit pin, that helped. I also found the liner lock stiff compaired to my Alpha Hunter and Kalinga Folder. Other "experts" at work and I believe it is because of the thick material the liner lock is made of plus the shortness of the length. It is a very positive lock and after some use it may get easier. I don't think anything is "wrong" with your knife.
 
Yep, you guys have nailed it. The liner is thick. That's both a comfort and a pain in the neck. I really don't have a problem opening the knife...It isn't as easy as my D'Allara or even my Byrd Robin, but definitely do-able.

Waiting for callouses!
 
I had exactly the same problem as you, Chewy. I found that when I loosened the pivot screw and re-centered the blade, the problem went away. But as always, YMMV.
 
I'm not familiar with the terminology of knife parts. Which one is the pivot screw and why would that make the liner stiff?
 
Chewy1 said:
I'm not familiar with the terminology of knife parts. Which one is the pivot screw and why would that make the liner stiff?
Click to expand...

The pivot screw is the larger one at the front of the knife, that serves as the axis that the blade revolves around. I found that there is a degree of 'play' available in the pivot that effects the degree that the liner lock engages the tang. I may be completely wrong, but it sounds like your liner lock is engaging the tang too far over, which makes it stick. That said, the safest and most sure remedy is to send it to the pros at Buck and have them 'tune' it up.
 
Gotcha. I think Edbeau really explained it better than me. The liner is a little thick and therefore stiff. It is stiff for it's entire range of motion. It slides readily off the tang. No sticking at all. Actually, a very cool little knife, 'cept for the stiffness. For example, my original intention was for my wife to steal it (trying to get her into knives), but she can't budge the liner with two hands. Not even a little budge!

I think I'll have to send it in.
 
Chewy1 said:
Gotcha. I think Edbeau really explained it better than me. The liner is a little thick and therefore stiff. It is stiff for it's entire range of motion. It slides readily off the tang. No sticking at all. Actually, a very cool little knife, 'cept for the stiffness. For example, my original intention was for my wife to steal it (trying to get her into knives), but she can't budge the liner with two hands. Not even a little budge!

I think I'll have to send it in.
Click to expand...

Ahhh, I see now. Well, I am sure that you will love that little Alpha Dorado, as much as I like mine, once it is modified by Buck.
 
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