Hinderer XM-18 - Remedy For Rough Action

Phil Indablanc

Phil Indablanc

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2017
Messages
519
I just purchased my first XM-18 and it was great for the first few days. Just recently, the action has become rough when opening and closing. I realize that Hinderers are not traditionally snappy flippers, but this is more an issue of smoothness as opposed to quick flipping. I think I have narrowed the culprit down to the detent ball due to the fact that when I take the pressure off the detent bar when opening and closing, it is very smooth again. I do not have the tools to take the knife apart yet. I have tried cleaning the detent ball and also lubricating it with sharpie and pencil lead as best I can without taking it apart. It seems to help very briefly and then it is back to a very rough action. Is it possible that the detent ball is no longer smooth? Do I just need to disassemble and clean/lubricate? Thanks for any advice.
 
I wonder if you are putting lock bar pressure on the knife with you hand when opening? My 7 Hinderer’s vary in detent strength and action but none have ever felt “rough”.
 
DJC72 said:
I wonder if you are putting lock bar pressure on the knife with you hand when opening? My 7 Hinderer’s vary in detent strength and action but none have ever felt “rough”.
Click to expand...

I'm careful to avoid putting additional pressure on the lock bar. It actually occurs even when I am just slowly moving the blade from the closed to open position and back. It is almost a grainy feel if that makes any sense. And the fact that it was flipping pretty well for a while has me concerned that something is wrong. I have not used it other than flipping it a bunch of times. It has not been dirty or beat up in any way.
 
Lube + toothbrush. Try to scrub the ball and the track after applying some oil to the ball/track.

I know its a different knife but is it doing whats happening in this video?
 
Since you didn't mention this yet, you might wanna check if the pivot screw is getting a little loose after a few days of flipping? I'm skeptical that the detent ball would somehow mysteriously become rough rubbing up against the blade.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top