Just how stiff is stiff?

E

euthymic

Joined
Sep 7, 2005
Messages
91
Hey guys,

Newbie question here...

I picked up a used large insingo (my first Seb) that appeared to be in great shape a while back and never really put it to use as it was pretty stiff to open. Last weekend, I had the time to disassemble with the intent of cleaning out the pivot and re-lubing it with some Chris Reeve grease I picked up (assuming that would fix it). To my surprise, the pivot screw was pretty much loose as it was delivered to me and getting it anywhere close to snug pretty much made it impossible to open. After reassembly I made sure neither of the bronze washers were being pinched but again, if the pivot screw is anywhere close to be snugged, or even has hardly any tension on it, the pivot is so tight as to make it nearly impossible to open. I thought that I had heard that these were hand fitted at the factory so that they would open smoothly even with the pivot screw tightened down so I am at the very least surprised. I suppose the seller could have been up to some monkey business as reviewing some old posts of his made it appear he may have been playing around with "cherry picking" parts from two knives or at least attempting to refit one blade in another scale (at least temporarily but maybe he screwed up and didn't put the original pivot screw/bushings back in the correct knife)? Should I be sending this into the spa to see if they can fix it or is this the usual way these knives work? I figured that I can show it to the Chris Reeve rep at the upcoming Plaza Knife Show but wanted to ask you guys first to make sure I wasn't crazy.

Thanks for any input.
 
Try it again, following the instructions in the sticky to the letter. If that doesn't work, send it in. While it should be stiffer than most Benchmades, it should open with a good flick of the thumb.
 
If its used... it should be broken and not THAT tight. Cherry picking parts will cause it to be weird....even just swapping washers from another CRK and using the original pivot can cause the blade to be too tight to open. Since everything is hand fitted, the blade, washers, and blade stop are specific to your handles and your knife. If you can't get it to work...send it to CRK or maybe gently polish the washers and keep trying to refit and refit until the blade can move again. That might work, but not sure.

Sucks if the previous owner swapped parts and didn't tell you. If the show isn't too far off I'd just wait it out and talk to Chris. I would however talk to the seller now...
 
Thanks guys for the input. When I say "stiff" (with the pivot bolt snugged) I mean like you need to use both hands to get the blade to open and it drags the entire way. I've been collecting and using knives from other manufactures for decades (Microtech, ZT, Hinderer, Benchmade, etc.) and this feels like you have the pivot cranked as tight as you can on these other knives (like you really cranked the allen key) yet is only lightly snugged on the Reeve. I'll take it to the show and see what the Reeve folks have to say. Hoping I will get this worked out so I can start using it as I love the look of the Insingo Blade!
 
Why im afraid of buying used CRK's.

polishing the washers helped me greatly, just go very light.
 
Try reassembling it a couple more times, make sure that the smooth side of the washers is against the blade, try flipping the bushing, switching sides on the washers, etc.
if none of that brings you any luck then by all means take it to the show if its not too far off, it shouldn't be that tight. Be prepared for a 6-9 week wait for the repair, though you may get it back sooner.

When it's right you will know it, good luck.
 
Open blade halfway and disengage lock, blade should fall smoothly.

If not, then its most likely washers.

If it smoothly opens on its own, maybe lock ball (?) Is dirty or needs lube.
 
If the pivot bushing is less than the width of the blade and washers you will find the handle scales press on them and the action will be stiff. If the bushing is larger then you will have blade play. If you have a set of calipers measure the bushing next to the blade and washers and that will give you an idea of what is happening. Changing or altering any parts of the pivot on a CRK is not a good idea at all.
You should ask the original owner if they did tamper with any parts, they may or may not put their hand up to it if they did but it's worth asking as your knife is not right. You will also need to send it back to be refitted, there is really no other fix.
 
Haze said:
If the pivot bushing is less than the width of the blade and washers you will find the handle scales press on them and the action will be stiff. If the bushing is larger then you will have blade play. If you have a set of calipers measure the bushing next to the blade and washers and that will give you an idea of what is happening. Changing or altering any parts of the pivot on a CRK is not a good idea at all.
You should ask the original owner if they did tamper with any parts, they may or may not put their hand up to it if they did but it's worth asking as your knife is not right. You will also need to send it back to be refitted, there is really no other fix.
Click to expand...

I agree however (to the OP), this is such a simple problem to fix by polishing the washers, occasionally in the past Ive had this issue and I use a "Miracle All-purpose polishing cloth" just lay the washer on the cloth on a flat surface and using one finger in the center of the washer in a circular motion just polish it a few rotations based on the degree of tightness, after a while you'll get the feel of how much is removed and can get the action as smooth and perfect as you wish with zero blade play! If you've ever watched the exquisite blade video this method is the same CRK uses. Its really not as complicated as many would have you believe. But in the end if your not comfortable doing this then send it in.
 
Get in contact with the seller and see what he has to say. If you aren't happy with any knife you buy here send them back.

Or, you can call CRK and see if the rep that will be at the show will be able to tell if your knife has mixed parts. If they can't tell you at the show send it in to see what they think.

They will either fix it free or tell you the knife has mixed parts.
If it does send it back to the seller for a refund. If you bought it here he will have to refund your money.


edit- It may do you no good to contact the seller at this point. I looked it up and it has been to long for that. Was the knife this way when you got it ?
If so that would have been the time to return it to the seller. But if it does have mixed parts I would still get in touch with him.
Get in touch with CRK and see what they think.
 
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Thanks for all the feedback guys. When I get some time this weekend I'll try flipping the washers as well as get out the dial calipers and see if the blade + washers is wider than the pivot bushing. Given what little mechanical knowledge I have, this is what i'm guessing is going on since it acts like the scales are "squeezing" the blade and washers before they hit the bushing. As Ken said, it was several months ago that I picked up the knife and other than a quick "once over" for cosmetics, I put it away in a drawer and just thought "oh, I guess this isn't so special after all" and figured when I got a chance to lube it up it might improve. It wasn't until I started to unscrew the pivot screw and realized that it hadn't even been snugged up that I wondered what was going on. I don't suspect the seller had any poor intentions but he may not of realized what condition he had left the knife (or at least I hope thats the case). I've got access to flattened granite for a flat surface if I wanted to monkey with with sanding the washers but since this was my first reeve, I'd rather have them work on it. It's been several months already so if it gets back before x-mas I'll still be happy.
 
When you have the knife apart, do the bronze washers look like they have been pinched or damaged at all?

When you put the knife back together, are you assembling the 2 handle halves first, then sliding the blade/bushing/washers INTO the assembled handle?


If you are trying to put it together like a standard folder, it is REALLY easy to pinch a washer.
 
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