How many Knife Companies allow breakdown of their folders?

Many companies look the other way when you take their knives apart as long as you know what you are doing. Emerson is the only company that I know that advertises a slotted pivot for easy take down. I find their policy refreshing.
 
The problem with taking down knifes is the tendency for some to bitch up the torx screws due to some odd sizing. Not that I have ever done that with any mechanical devices of mine. :rolleyes:
 
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Never seen the need to take apart my folders, if they get that bad that I have to clean them I just deep sink them and spray them down with WD-40 blow them off with air, wipe down and let air dry.

But then I don't use folders for food and or animal cleaning etc.
 
WD 40 is not a lubricant, WD stands for Water Displacement. I've had to completely disassemble and thoroughly clean every folder I've ever carried, its either that or or high pressure hose wash down which is not an option. I use a syringe loaded with Mineral Oil to lubricate pivots and it works just great without having to disassemble and clean every time. The syringe reduces the amount of disassembly required but does not negate it all together at least in my opinion based off of my previous experience.
 
MikeC said:
WD 40 is not a lubricant, WD stands for Water Displacement. I've had to completely disassemble and thoroughly clean every folder I've ever carried, its either that or or high pressure hose wash down which is not an option. I use a syringe loaded with Mineral Oil to lubricate pivots and it works just great without having to disassemble and clean every time. The syringe reduces the amount of disassembly required but does not negate it all together at least in my opinion based off of my previous experience.
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WD-40 can be used in situations for lubrication. It simply wasn't designed with that in mind.
 
I seldom take a knife apart but I certainly appreciate a knife design that allows it when needed. But loosening up the pivot as much as possible without removing the screw, doing a submersion soak or WD-40 spray or hot soapy water (depending on the cleaning needs) then a good compressor blowout then some quality lube back on the pivot works mighty well for me - I'm like Jim though, I don't use my EDC for things that can junk up the pivot. I have fixed blades in my BOB and in my truck at all times for dirty work. Pocket lint is still the biggest adversary I have in an EDC :D
 
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Why would Spyderco sell this if installing it voids their warranty?
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=290
C10C11KIT_M.jpg
 
MikeC said:
WD 40 is not a lubricant, WD stands for Water Displacement. I've had to completely disassemble and thoroughly clean every folder I've ever carried, its either that or or high pressure hose wash down which is not an option. I use a syringe loaded with Mineral Oil to lubricate pivots and it works just great without having to disassemble and clean every time. The syringe reduces the amount of disassembly required but does not negate it all together at least in my opinion based off of my previous experience.
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WD-40 is a petroleum based product that does displace water. It also lubricates, and is pretty good at it. YMMV.
 
My thoughts:
If you need to take apart your knife you should be able to do so without voiding the warranty. This aint rocket science afterall. Stick with a company that doesn't forbid knife disassembly, Kershaw and CRK come to mind.
WD40 is a piss-poor lube that will attract the beejezus out of dirt and gum up your pivot. If you never had a reason to take apart your knife, wd40 as lube will give you one.
 
crom said:
My thoughts:
If you need to take apart your knife you should be able to do so without voiding the warranty. This aint rocket science afterall. Stick with a company that doesn't forbid knife disassembly, Kershaw and CRK come to mind.
WD40 is a piss-poor lube that will attract the beejezus out of dirt and gum up your pivot. If you never had a reason to take apart your knife, wd40 as lube will give you one.
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Actually, my favorite lube is One Lube, by Slick 50. Works like a charm.
 
MikeC said:
WD 40 is not a lubricant, WD stands for Water Displacement.
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It's not the best lubricant out there but it is advertized as such.
From the WD40 website...

What does WD-40 do?
WD-40 fulfills five basic functions:
1. CLEANS: WD-40 gets under dirt, grime and grease to clean. It also dissolves adhesives, allowing easy removal of labels, tape and excess bonding material.
2. DISPLACES MOISTURE: Because WD-40 displaces moisture, it quickly dries out electrical systems to eliminate moisture-induced short circuits.
3. PENETRATES: WD-40 loosens rust-to-metal bonds and frees stuck, frozen or rusted metal parts.
4. LUBRICATES: WD-40's lubricating ingredients are widely dispersed and tenaciously held to all moving parts.
5. PROTECTS: WD-40 protects metal surfaces with corrosion-resistant ingredients to shield against moisture and other corrosive elements.
 
Here is another who WILL take his knives apart if it has screws. I gotta know!
Also,just washing doesn't do a good job of cleaning, you must take it apart. Crud exists!
 
EZ Bake said:
I can't see how you can properly clean and lube a folder without disassembling it. I know it can be done, but not properly in my opinion.

I've taken apart, cleaned, and lubed lots of Kershaws and Benchmade knives (and my Strider SNG) that once back together, were much smoother with higher quality lube and a clean (grit-free) bushing surface.
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I dunno. I been carrying knives for about 50 years and have never had to take one apart. And they all cut just fine.
 
a2d2 said:
It's not the best lubricant out there but it is advertized as such.
From the WD40 website...

What does WD-40 do?
WD-40 fulfills five basic functions:
1. CLEANS: WD-40 gets under dirt, grime and grease to clean. It also dissolves adhesives, allowing easy removal of labels, tape and excess bonding material.
2. DISPLACES MOISTURE: Because WD-40 displaces moisture, it quickly dries out electrical systems to eliminate moisture-induced short circuits.
3. PENETRATES: WD-40 loosens rust-to-metal bonds and frees stuck, frozen or rusted metal parts.
4. LUBRICATES: WD-40's lubricating ingredients are widely dispersed and tenaciously held to all moving parts.
5. PROTECTS: WD-40 protects metal surfaces with corrosion-resistant ingredients to shield against moisture and other corrosive elements.
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And you believed their advertising? I got a bridge for sale in Brooklyn.

Once the solvent evaporates, WD-40 leaves a sticky goo, which will sort of lubricate, but it will mostly just gunk things up, which is exactly what it was originally designed to do. It was designed to displace moisture from metal and leave a moisture impermeable film.
 
knarfeng said:
And you believed their advertising? I got a bridge for sale in Brooklyn.
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Was there really a need for that comment? I'm not saying I'd use it to lube a motorcycle chain, but I've never had any problems using it to clean and lube small moving parts on guitars, and have never had a problem with it gunking up on me(pat down or use canned air to remove excess). Then again I don't leave it on for six months without cleaning and reapplying.
 
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knarfeng said:
I dunno. I been carrying knives for about 50 years and have never had to take one apart. And they all cut just fine.
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Not trying to talk smack here, but carrying and using your knives are two different things. I use my knives heavily and I've gotten them dirty enough that no amount of soaking or washing would clean the area in the pivot between the bushings and liners/frame (they were noticeably gritty). I can honestly say that taking them down and properly cleaning/lubing them made a serious difference in the action of the knife.

I could probably get away with not cleaning/lubing it ever, but then again, I could probably get away with not changing the engine oil in my car until every 15,000 miles, but I don't do that because my engine is a machine, and machines with moving parts like to be clean and lubed.
 
defaultuser said:
You're not alone brother...not alone.
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Yeap. I only have a few knives that I have not taken apart.

Warranty , shmarranty. :D

Tostig

edit
The best way IMO to clean a knife without taking it apart is to use a thin oil in the pivot , work it a bunch then blow it out with a can of pressurized air , most of the gunk will come out , wipe off with a towel until it's clean.
 
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xmtgx said:
They sent out new blades to some members to replace themselves so I would say no.
Edit: Weird that it didnt put the quote that I DID quote. Anyway it was yours. Benchmade is the one that sent out the blades to some members.
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I've never heard of Benchmade "sending out blades to members". I have heard of them reblading a knife for a fee, I think that is a very reasonable thing to do. Emerson does it, Benchmade does it, I don't know or belive that Kershaw/ZT does it, and I know for a fact Spyderco won't do it. It's a good service and it would be great if Spyderco would offer it.
 
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