Intermittent squeak

on_the_edge

on_the_edge

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Jan 31, 2006
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A friend of mine who has an XM-18 was flipping it open yesterday just playing around with it when it developed a very discernable squeak when opening. He showed it to me to ask what was causing it and I could not give him an answer. He said that he has not tightened or loosened the pivot screw at all. He has had it for awhile and never had this problem before. Today, it is not squeaking at all. He is not a hard user of the knife, using it mostly to cut food. Of course he cleans and dries it after such a use, but did not wash it yesterday at all.

Does anyone have any idea what the temporary squeak was, or how to prevent it in the future? Thanks for any help guys!
 
I'd ask Rob if there is any way to get the IKBS (Ikoma Korth Bearing System) installed on it to get rid of the squeak. Might be worth a try? :)
 
it's probably the detent wearing in. all of my high-end framelocks have done the same thing. it'll go away eventually if that's the cause.
 
I think it's the detent ball is making that sound not washers. MX18s have teflon washers and they don't make sounds. I had same problem with Brad Duncan's whiplash that has ballbearing pivot in it. it made squeaking sound after few opening and closing. Just leave it for few hours and I come back and tried the same thing and no squeaking, but after few opening and closing the squeaking startred again. I'm not sure why the squeaking stops and starts, but after putting a little drop of oil to the detentball solved the problem. good luck
 
I wasn't aware that the washers would not make noise given what they're made of, but as I listened to the sqeak, it sounded like it was the detent ball; I just wasn't sure.

I don't mind putting a bit of oil on it for my buddy if that will cure the issue, or maybe it will just go away in time. But if I do use oil, should there be any concern that it will attract dirt and actually make it worse in time?
 
maybe you can wait and see untill the detentball wears in as Misterjuiceman have said if that was the cause. It may collect some dust in your pocket but I don't think you should worry about that so much. Just don't put too much. only a tiny little drop directly on to the detentball or the little hole where detentball fit in when blade is closed. If too much dust collect around the detentball, just disassemble the folder and clean it up.
 
Lube the detent ball looks to be the solution then. Thanks for all the help guys!
 
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