Kai Guys, Question About My Volt 3600

robcelani

robcelani

Joined
Jul 25, 2010
Messages
1,178
I could use some suggestions. My Volt 3600 doesn't flip open for me easily. I can get it with small amount of wrist flick. Sometimes I'll get it fully open with only my finger but more often I can't. I've cleaned and lubed it with clp. Is there another lube I should use? Is there anything else that would help?

I'm considering taking it apart, cleaning and lubing. It doesn't have a lot of use but some pocket time so maybe some lent or grime in the pivot area. Is there anything special about taking apart a flipper? Is anything going to go flying as I do this?

I've taken apart and successfully put coil spring switchblades and otf's back together. Temporarily lost springs and other parts but have always been able to find the pieces and get the knives functioning perfectly. I feel fairly competent with automatics but these flippers are new for me.

Thanks! :)
 
Since it is not assisted there shouldn't be any parts flying around. Take down is very easy with manual flippers. Try to adjust pivot tightness first to see if that helps. If you have torn down auto's then the flipper should be a breeze.
 
I have one with the same problem but I haven't been able to break the pivot screw loose. I haven't tried to apply any lube externally, I prefer to disassemble, clean and polish the pivot assembly.

I have heated it up with a heat gun but still no luck. I actually have several ZT/Kershaw's that I can't get the pivot screw out.
 
If this is the original Volt (3600) then mine would not flip very easily at all.

The action felt very similar to something like an XM-18 where it was smooth but not fast.

I'm not sure there is much you can do to improve it honestly.
 
Make sure the resistance is from the pivot and not the detent ball. Lift the lockbar off the end of the blade and see how loose the pivot it. If it's loose, then there is nothing you can do. I've had a few Kerhsaws and ZTs with soft detent balls that develop a flat spot and that causes alot of friction. I had to replace the detent ball bearing on my Ti junkyard dog with a ceramic one. After that it was noticeably smoother.
 
The original Volt is not on bearings so it shouldn't be any different taking it down than taking down a regular knife.

I wouldn't use CLP, I haven't been impressed with it as a knife lube. I clean with it and then lube with something else. I have heard good things about Nano Oil to that might help the action.

Also make sure you don't over lube.
 
My nano oil just showed up on Friday, haven't had much chance to use it yet but seems a little thicker and slicker than tuff glide. I have a cure for the sticky original volt 3600...... sell one of them to me. I would like to have a volt
 
robcelani said:
I could use some suggestions. My Volt 3600 doesn't flip open for me easily. I can get it with small amount of wrist flick. Sometimes I'll get it fully open with only my finger but more often I can't. I've cleaned and lubed it with clp. Is there another lube I should use? Is there anything else that would help?

I'm considering taking it apart, cleaning and lubing. It doesn't have a lot of use but some pocket time so maybe some lent or grime in the pivot area. Is there anything special about taking apart a flipper? Is anything going to go flying as I do this?

I've taken apart and successfully put coil spring switchblades and otf's back together. Temporarily lost springs and other parts but have always been able to find the pieces and get the knives functioning perfectly. I feel fairly competent with automatics but these flippers are new for me.

Thanks! :)
Click to expand...

simple solution for you, just sell it to me so that i might fix it and enjoy it!
 
I decided to do the breakdown and clean. I wanted to see the pieces and make sure I knew how to get these types of knives apart and back together.


It was a little dirty so I wiped with a rag. Here's all the pieces cleaned and ready to be put back together.







I lubed with a gun oil I had. Just a couple drops on each side of the washer touching the blade. Getting it back together was a little tricky as the back spacers must be lined up by hand.


Got it back together and no improvement in flipping it open. I can do it easily with a little wrist. When I just use my finger it's 1 of 4 times. I also think it might be a tad more off center now than before I broke it down. I'm gonna look at the pre breakdown pictures and compare.
 
The 3600 is an incredible flipper once you learn how to properly do it. There is absolutely no need for any 'wrist fllick'...learn to pre-load the flipper with your finger. To do this, put the pad of your finger on the end of the flipper and push forward. Then snap your finger back. It will open each and every time.
 
robcelani said:
I decided to do the breakdown and clean. I wanted to see the pieces and make sure I knew how to get these types of knives apart and back together.


It was a little dirty so I wiped with a rag. Here's all the pieces cleaned and ready to be put back together.




I lubed with a gun oil I had. Just a couple drops on each side of the washer touching the blade. Getting it back together was a little tricky as the back spacers must be lined up by hand.


Got it back together and no improvement in flipping it open. I can do it easily with a little wrist. When I just use my finger it's 1 of 4 times. I also think it might be a tad more off center now than before I broke it down. I'm gonna look at the pre breakdown pictures and compare.
Click to expand...

Wow, small world - that's my old Volt!! I kind of miss it now....



I lubed it once with CRK flourinated grease - that made the biggest difference. You need something very light and thin, and as others said don't over lube. If you use the CRK grease, make sure you put a little in the path of the detent ball as well. I never thought it was a great flipper, but it was OK - kind of slow like a Hinderer. Also, The washers are so narrow on this one, polishing won't help any - just make it sloppy. One of the keys to a great flipper is a strong detent, and this one just doesn't have it.
 
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