Help with LB3

N

norad45

Joined
Jul 30, 2004
Messages
43
I picked up a used LB5. It may be one of the very recent ones since the wood is much darker on one side than the other. The problem is that when you open it up it doesn't lock automatically. The bar on top sticks out slightly and you have to push down on it slightly to get it to lock. Is there anything I can do to fix it before I relegate it to the tacklebox?

Thanks, Vince


Edit: Oops, sorry, it's an LB5, not an LB3.
 
I got a 6OT and a 7OT recently. Both have a similar mechanism as the LB5. I expect that both of mine had been in the Schrade plant for quite a while because, even though they are new, they had dust/grime all inside the slot and hinge area. I could hear faint scraping when I opened and closed the blade. The the locking bar had a similar sound as it moved in and out.

I took WD40 (with the little red pipe) and just flooded the internals to wash out the crap. I used almost a complete can to do both knives. They are now sparkling clean inside and a smooth as silk when I open and close them.
 
I have an LB3, it is not new, maybe 10 years old or so, one side is darker than the other. It has never had a problem with the lock or anything else, (great little knife) but I have had problems like yours with other lockbacks when they get dirty, I suggest hot water, working it open and closed, shake dry (some recommend a hair dryer), then WD40, then mineral oil, hopefully that will solve it.

Luis
 
Variance in side slabs ( handles ) used to be rare . However at the absolute end and of course now it will only get worse. The same for tolerances and in general the workmanship. Old Schrades functioned in most cases almost as good as customs. If your job was the walk and talk of a certain pattern and you were the final adjustment and had done it for 40 years day after day ( on piece work ) you would get pretty good at it. It is amazing to watch a craftsman like that ( I have been privledged ) to view that kind of understanding. In the old days each procedure was measured that way. That is why productions in seconds were quite often difficult to determine what was wrong with those so designated. The fact was the people who did the quality control were so good, they could see what most of us mortals could not. A couple of weeks ago while at the Canal Street Cut factory one of the old timers ( who is younger than me ) and has 40 or 45 years in the business handed me a knife and said what do you think about this action. It was a fairly expensive knife several hundred dollars. I looked at the piece and checked the walk and talk looked it over and proclaimed beautiful. He said watch this and we walked about 20 feet on that old wood floor factory that stands above ( the stream and rock I used to fish off of as a kid looking up at that factory ). He went to a belt sander a big one and just touched the backspring of that knife perhapes twice. He handed it to me and said try it now. As you reader of this forum know I am the least mechanical person in the world . It was amazing just that touch and you took a fine production knife and in one deft movment turned it in to an action that any custom maker would have given his ( well would have envied ). This fellow is a friend of mine who I and he have done customer shows for Schrade with. The most amazing knife sharpener in the world . Just his knife sharpening would make an act in any club. You can become a doctor and practice in ten years, this kind of understanding takes liftime to learn, hell to be able to know what he can simply feel, is to me amazing. His name is ALEX and if you ask him his modesty will tell you he is still learning. Sorry to ramble yes get used to things not being as they were which was the original premise of the question. LT
 
Thanks guys. The WD40 bath did the trick and it's now opening perfectly.

Funny thing, I don't mind the mismatched slabs. Something different I guess.

Thanks again, Vince
 
LT, your stories are amazing. At 48 years old, I am only beginning to appreciate the history of Schrade.

My dad's father was a blacksmith. I used to love to hear dad talk about his childhood around the blacksmith shop. Hand craftsmanship such as what you described here, unfortunately is becoming a thing of the past. Humans performing the hands-on QA that you describe are no longer acceptable in today's modern manufacturing environment. But, folks like Alex are truly an American treasure. That generation will soon vanish - forever. And we will have nothing but memories and stories. Future generations will probably blow it off as old-fashioned, or even myth and legend. Our duty to that generation is to preserve the memories and the truth.

Thank you again for sharing this experience and please continue to do so in the weeks ahead.
 
Send it to Colonial Knife, 61A Dewey Ave. Warwick, RI. 02886
put a note in with the knife, let me see if our guys can fix it for you.Put your phone number and complete address so we can send it back to you.
No Charge.
Steve Paolantonio
Colonial Knife
 
That is a very generous offer but it seems to be working great now. I'll keep you guys in mind in the future though.

Thanks, Vince
 
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