Junk Yard Dog liner lock problem?

mwhich50

mwhich50

Joined
Jan 18, 2011
Messages
3,236
I just received a JYD in trade last week. Wow, another keeper.:thumbup::thumbup: The ergo is top notch! The only issue I see is the very mobile liner lock. I have a Leek, Shallot, Skyline and Salvo and none of these knive's framelock/linerlocks are as easy to move in the close position. It does spring back when released like it should. I was concerned that it might disengage during vigorous use. The knife design does provide an unusually deep finger choil and a huge flipper to prevent the blade from closing on the index finger. Is the very easy to close liner lock part of the knife design? Does the choil and flipper characteristics make it safe for hard use. I have heard of people compressing a back lock during hard use. Is it remotely possible to shift the linerlock while doing heavy cutting or thrusts?:confused:
 
The ergonomics make the JYD II one of my favorites as well.

As far as a liner lock, I've never had one even come close to closing on me while in use. If it feels too 'soft', you can take the knife down and give the liner lock a little bend in the locking direction (it doesn't take much) and it'll be stiffer when reassembled.

~Chris
 
I have a JYD II, and it is VERY smooth. I love it, and I think it just works that way. I don't know, though.
 
Regardless of the knife, you should think of the lock mechanism as insurance or a safety feature, not a build feature. It is still just a knife, so it should be used as one. I have a JYDII as well. and I can't think of when I would need to do any heavy thrusting. Cutting, you bet. I use this as a work knife and it is a winner in all aspects.

Use the knife as a cutting instrument, not for anything else. I look at locking blades as having a nice safety on them and don't use them any differently than I do blades without a lock, and so far so good.

You could try putting a tiny hickey in the lockbar to straighten it so you can the pressure at the base of the blade. Or of course, send it back to Kershaw and let them bring it back to specs.

Robert
 
Midnight Flyer,

I am not familiar with the term "hickey". Are you referring to a slight bend in the lock bar as suggested by Orca?
I was primarily wanting to find out if other JYD owner's knives had similar lockbar characteristics as my knife. The lockbar may already be within specs for this particular model.
I respect your opinion concerning the use of knives, but my opinion is a little different than yours. I clip a knife to my pocket whenever I leave the house, and I usually choose a knife that can double as an emergency self-defense tool. Although I will probably never have a need to do any heavy thrusting, I do like having the peace of mind that the knife that I am carrying is in proper working order. I also have a Swiss Army Knife on my keychain for more discreet cutting in public.
Thanks for your input.:)
 
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Lockbar sounds like it is within specs. Some models that I've handled have felt similar. :)

If you are concerned, putting a slight bend in it (as previously mentioned) would enhance the stiffness of the lock.
 
mwhich50 said:
I was primarily wanting to find out if other JYD owner's knives had similar lockbar characteristics as my knife.
Click to expand...

I forgot to mention that info specifically. Tension on mine was fine, about a 5-6 on a scale of 1-10. Plenty strong enough for my regular daily use. (I have had really 'soft' liner locks though, but they weren't Kershaws.)

~Chris
 
mwhich50 said:
Midnight Flyer,

I am not familiar with the term "hickey". Are you referring to a slight bend in the lock bar as suggested by Orca?
Click to expand...

Yes... sorry I got a bit "folkloric" there.

mwhich50 said:
I respect your opinion concerning the use of knives, but my opinion is a little different than yours. I clip a knife to my pocket whenever I leave the house, and I usually choose a knife that can double as an emergency self-defense tool. Although I will probably never have a need to do any heavy thrusting, I do like having the peace of mind that the knife that I am carrying is in proper working order. I also have a Swiss Army Knife on my keychain for more discreet cutting in public.
Thanks for your input.:)
Click to expand...

Absolutely no disrespect towards your opinion meant. I was actually thinking more along the lines of using a knife twisting and turning, prying and that kind of stuff that folks use a lock blade for these days. I don't think of a short folder as a weapon as I don't think it would scare an armed thug, nor do I want to get close enough to use a tiny blade like the one on the JYD.

I was referring that in my own experience most people seem think that a locked blades becomes a fixed in practical application. Having had a failed lock bit me a little, but scare me a lot, that reflects my opinion.

As far as self defense, not sure how much good a 3" blade would do without professional training. I take for granted I live in a CHP carry state, and many carry with or without permits.

For my own self defense, nothing works quite as well as using my tennis shoes. :D

As always, YMMV.

Robert
 
Midnight, No disrespect taken. I wouldn't use a folder or a fixed blade to chop, twist or pry, etc. I have always used tools or outdoor equipment for heavy work. I have big, medium and small knives and I think the most ideal size for EDC and last ditch self-defense are my :thumbup:3 3/4 inch blades:thumbup: like the JYD 2, Trident, Endura, Flash 2, etc. Bigger knives are inconvenient to carry and tend to get left at home. I am not an expert at armed confrontations, but like a gun, I believe a knife shouldn't be pulled unless you plan to use it immediately. I would never use a knife to try to intimidate a bad guy. To reveal that you have a weapon puts you at a disadvantage because you have given the attacker an opportunity to adjust his plan of attack. Although I would always try to briskley walk away, at 50 years my endurance is not what it used to be, and my energy needs to be conserved, just in case.;)
 
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I have had no problems with my junkyard dog, only good times. Like MWhich said, I wouldn't pry or twist it in anything, but it will stand up to all reasonable hard use no problem. Its a great knife that you will enjoy using.

JYDinSawtooth.jpg
 
mwhich50 said:
Midnight, No disrespect taken. I wouldn't use a folder or a fixed blade to chop, twist or pry, etc. I have always used tools or outdoor equipment for heavy work. I have big, medium and small knives and I think the most ideal size for EDC and last ditch self-defense are my :thumbup:3 3/4 inch blades:thumbup: like the JYD 2, Trident, Endura, Flash 2, etc. Bigger knives are inconvenient to carry and tend to get left at home. I am not an expert at armed confrontations, but like a gun, I believe a knife shouldn't be pulled unless you plan to use it immediately. I would never use a knife to try try intimidate a bad guy. To reveal that you have a weapon puts you at a disadvantage because you have given the attacker an opportunity to adjust his plan of attack. Although I would always try to briskley walk away, at 50 years my endurance is not what it used to be, and my energy needs to be conserved, just in case.;)
Click to expand...

Well, it sure sounds like we are on the same page with that. I have to admit that I do feel a bit more comforted from time to time to have a larger folder in my pocket than without.

My choice is a bit smaller, but a whole lot faster than my JYDII. I love my Kershaw Blur for its easy one hand deployment. It makes a dandy work knife and should be good for anything else. For same size as the JYDII, I would take my Tyrade, again for one handed deployment. I figure I want the blade to fire right out and lock should I be occupied with other things.

And at 55, my endurance is good, but not that good. *sigh*

Robert
 
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Sounds like you guy's are a bunch of old fart's, and since I'm 55 also, I guess I'm an old fart! My endurance sure isn't what it used to be, but my "situational awareness" is much improved from my youth. As long as I get a head start I'm going to make it!!

Been comtemplating a composite JYD and reading this post along with the pic of that sheath is about to push me over the edge.
 
I went to a local knife shop, more of a Case dealer than anything else, but they do have a smattering of other brands. I was able to pick up a Kershaw JYD II, the standard model, no composite. It also has the same soft lock as the op stated. I took it apart though, and added more bend to the lockbar as this is something I do with a lot of my knives in order to get a stiffer locking bar. While I was at it, I took the pocket clip, my torch, and pliers, to turn the original clip into a foldover, deep-carry clip. It turned out rather well, and I'm pleased with it. I did cover it with black 3M stair step tape to mute that big silver clip it has. Check out the pic, even though it is a bit blurred, I think you can see the outline of it.

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Nice job on the pocket clip, cutter! That is the only thing I don't like on the knife, but I have certainly learned to live with it. I have seen all kinds of mods including cutting off the bat wings on the clip with a grinder/Dremel, cutting down the length of the clip, black Duracoat on the clip, etc.

Never seen the original clip turned into a deep carry. May have to study on that myself and see if that is something I need to do!

Robert
 
Very interesting mods. I haven't gotten up the courage to take mine apart yet. So if you bend the clip, the bend hits the frame earlier and before the lock bar is fully disengaged? Is that what causes more resistance/stiffness?
 
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Hi mwhich50. I'm not understanding exactly what you are asking, but hey, it wouldn't be the first time!

Bending the lockbar, looking from the bottom, you bend the lockbar to the right. It is better to bend in small increments until you get it where you like it, as far as stiffness is concerned. When you reassemble the knife you must tighten down the pivot FIRST, and tighten it as tight as you can. Then tighten the two frame/handle screws. At this point, unscrew the pivot screw to the point you want your knife to be. When you open it, the lockbar should just cover the left side of the blade tang. This gives you room for any wear that might occur over the coming years. Now that's the how, as far as the why, I can't give you the exact technical reason for the increased stiffness, but by increasing the length of the spring, it will increase the resistance needed to push it over.

I would like to hear about it if you do this.

Thanks midnight! It certaintly turned out to my liking. I am going to go back, probably later tonight, and slim down the width of the clip and shorten it a bit. It really wasn't hard to do, but a torch, handheld butane/propane, is an absolute necessity, or the clip will snap, especially steel clips.
 
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