Just got my Leafstorm & have a question

S

schwome

Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
119
So I like everything about this knife so far & the thin TI lockbar doesn't worry me as much as I thought it would, but I do have one issue with it. I remember hearing that the lock face is not carbidized but I wasn't too concerned. I believe the Southard is & I'm not sure about the Techno, but have had no issues with either. Right out of the box, the lockbar is sticking pretty bad.... I am hoping this will go away after playing with it enough. Any thought? Keep breaking it in & hope it goes away or contact Spyderco?
IMG_20130623_051652_514_zps882d4480.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
IMG_20130623_051930_622_zpsc8970475.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
IMG_20130623_052645_019_zpsad088a80.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
I've had some sticky locks with Spydie framelocks. One tip I think helps pretty well is to rub some graphite (pencil lead) on to the back of the tang where the lock engages while the knife is closed. Alternatively you can use sharpie or something if you can get it into that small crevice somehow. The graphite will work well, though. Lasts a good while, too.
 
If you have oiled the knife, make sure you clean all the oil off the lock bar as well.
 
schwome said:
So I like everything about this knife so far & the thin TI lockbar doesn't worry me as much as I thought it would, but I do have one issue with it. I remember hearing that the lock face is not carbidized but I wasn't too concerned. I believe the Southard is & I'm not sure about the Techno, but have had no issues with either. Right out of the box, the lockbar is sticking pretty bad.... I am hoping this will go away after playing with it enough. Any thought? Keep breaking it in & hope it goes away or contact Spyderco?
IMG_20130623_051652_514_zps882d4480.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
IMG_20130623_051930_622_zpsc8970475.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
IMG_20130623_052645_019_zpsad088a80.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
Click to expand...
Nice collection.
 
Thanks rexromic. I took a Q tip & cleaned the blade tang and locking area the best I could, then took a graphite pencil & marked on the tang. After about 5 times opening & closing, it works fine. Thanks for the help guys :)
 
galactorrhea said:
One tip I think helps pretty well is to rub some graphite (pencil lead) on to the back of the tang where the lock engages while the knife is closed. Alternatively you can use sharpie
Click to expand...
+1
BTW, sharpie trick I learn from Ed Schempp himself
 
RevDevil said:
If you have oiled the knife, make sure you clean all the oil off the lock bar as well.
Click to expand...

That will do it, even to a treated Southard lock bar. I was freaked out when my Southard started sticking, but it happened right after I re-profiled which requires oil on my diamond stones. I rinsed it and after it dried was back to normal.
 
I have a Leafstorm and my lockbar was also very sticky. It was also VERY early. I'd say around 10%. I wasn't happy with that. I didn't trust the lock being the way it was so (some of you may cringe) I filed down the lockbar ever so slightly with a coarse stone. I removed material while trying to match the angle of the lock-face to maximize the contact patch. Now it is at 50-55% lockup, and all of the lockbar is under the blade. It hasn't moved since. Completely stick free! Ideally you want a large contact patch between the tang and lockbar. Lockrock is a result of having a very small contact patch. When that is the case, all pressure is forced onto that tiny area and the PSI is enough to deform and wear the titanium. I've read that graphite is a temporary fix. Hopefully it'll workout and eventually wear in properly. I don't recommend filing the lockbar unless you really know what you're doing and have a good understanding of how the interface should work.



It's a great little knife BTW! One of my favorite small folders.
 
Last edited:
Just had a quick follow up question. I've been doing the graphite treatment a couple times a day, apply, open and close about 30 times, reapply, continue. I'm on day 2 and the stick is almost completely gone after about 80 opening and closings. Once the issue is resolved should I rinse the knife out to make sure all the graphite is gone, or will it be OK if there is a little between the scales and washers? I know graphite is abrasive and didn't know if it would harm the function of the knife. Thanks, schwome
 
I would keep the pivot area as clean as possible, always. The knife is easy to take apart. Clean everything with alcohol and apply fresh grease/oil. Make sure you put the washers in exactly as they were. Don't swap them or flip them over. Little things sometimes make a big difference with titanium framelocks.
 
I have those knives as well and I got rid of the Leaf! Wasnt comfy to me. Like the Techno way better!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top