Kershaw OD-1

R

Racerx2oo3

Joined
Aug 22, 2005
Messages
174
I've been interested in the this knife since I saw the first pics. So after hearing that they were being carried at Wal-Mart, I decided to go have a look. I have to say, I have very mixed feeling about this knife. I love the shape and design and the blade was wickedly sharp. However, the flipper was a big issue. I found it very difficult to engage the flipper, often finding that I had to move the blade slightly before the flipper would engage and allow the blade to move, it felt like it had a safety engaged. My finger was actually sore from pressing on the flipper lever and not having it move at all. I might try another Wal-Mart to see if maybe this one was just a dud.

Sean
 
Before you do that, perhaps loosening the pivot screw a touch, as well as adding a drop of 3-in-one oil will help. If all else, a little flick of the wrist while deploying the flipper tends to work quite nicely. I've never been able to completely open a flipper knife by simply tapping on it.
 
Assuming you tried more than one, you also have to be a bit careful in how you grip it. It's easy to squeeze the wrong bit and keep it from opening easy. Try using your index finger at different angles, too.

There is a very fine line between a properly adjusted pivot and an over-tightened.

Mine opens with no problem (and no flip), although my index finger was a little sore the first day because I played with mine so much.

It can be a little like learning to drive a standard transmission. Once you relax and hit the right spot it's easy, but in the beginning you have a little problem trying to horse it into gear.
 
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I'm going to definitely have to try another one, I was in a bit of a hurry.

I know that I'm spoiled by my Leek which being an AO, just flies open; but I was expecting that with a bit of manual effort the OD-1 would flip pretty easy. If I've got to flick my wrist to deploy the blade then forget it. Nothing gives people the wrong impression about a knife as having someone flick it all around while opening it.

Sean
 
The Flipper on the OD-1 should be good to go without a wrist flip. It was designed by Lee Williams to not need one. OD-1 stands for Over Drive (flipper) 1. Every OD-1 I have handled is smooth as glass. If you try to loosen the pivot and that doesn’t help your best bet is to contact Kershaw @ 800-325-2891 and let their excellent customer service take care of it. Good luck
 
Relayer said:
Assuming you tried more than one, you also have to be a bit careful in how you grip it. It's easy to squeeze the wrong bit and keep it from opening easy. Try using your index finger at different angles, too.horse it into gear.
Click to expand...

Yes, be careful where you grip it, Your fingers can not put pressure on the frame-lock bar. Almost impossible to open then. Happened to me when I first tried flipping my OD-1. Then I moved my fingers away from the lock bar and "presto". This is my fav EDC because of the design, shape, size and the deployment speed. It opens like and AO.

Anyways, hope this helps.
 
Thanks for the tips. I just picked up one a few hours ago and was having trouble getting it smooth. No problems now. My wallyworld seems to be discontinuing all knives-it this possible, but lucky me the next one down the road was well stocked and even had a few older leathermans at giveaway prices. Whats a guy to do?
 
I thought it was really hard to open at first as well. Just mind your finger placement and it also breaks in a bit. Mine flips out really easy now.
 
First time I tried to open a RAM, it wouldn't. Had my finger on the lock button. D'oh! :rolleyes:

I imagine squeezing the frame lock on an OD-1 would have the same effect.


(I say "imagine"...I don't have one yet. I know, I know, sacrilege. Maybe I'll pick one up tomorrow.)
 
My OD-1 is a cruel mistress.
So fun to play with, so quick to bite me. I'm up to three nips now...
 
UpChUcK said:
Yes, be careful where you grip it, Your fingers can not put pressure on the frame-lock bar. Almost impossible to open then. Happened to me when I first tried flipping my OD-1. Then I moved my fingers away from the lock bar and "presto". This is my fav EDC because of the design, shape, size and the deployment speed. It opens like and AO.

Anyways, hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Finger placement is everything with the OD-1. I tried one at my local Wal-Mart and could not get it open. Handed it back to the salesperson and asked to try another. Had the same problem until I repositioned my fingers away from the frame-lock. Nice knife, but my index finger was pretty sore for a few days. :D
 
Its been said, but I'll concur, squeezing the lockbar is the most likely culprit.

Putting just a little bit of pressure on the lockbar will pretty much make it impossible to open with the flipper.

Once you get the hang of it, it opens incredibly fast and with almost no effort.
 
knee deep, this off topic I know but I gotta know. what is the larger knife in your avatar?
 
Go back to wal mart and buy the dang thing. Once you have handled it for 2 minutes the flipper will be second nature to you. You will wonder how was it possible that the flipper was awkard for you when you first picked it up.
 
I found that the ball detent on mine is somewhat difficult to overcome with the flipper. It works fine when I put enough pressure on it but it requires enough pressure that its forming a couple of wicked blisters on my index finger, but this might just be because I've opened it about 5,000 times in the last few hours :p. I'm not sure if this is normal or if mine is just slightly stiffer than others. I know its the ball detent because if I pull the blade out just past the detent, it suddenly opens extremely smooth with very little finger pressure. I'm hoping that it just needs a little break in period. The knife is wonderful in every other regard, and if I can make the detent just a little less stubborn it will be an ideal EDC for me.

Edit: It's starting to feel a little easier, but I'm not sure if that's because I'm breaking it in or because I'm getting the technique down, either way I'm really loving this knife.
 
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This thread reminded me. I need to pack my OD-1 up and send it to STR. There is just too much knife sticking out of the pocket for my liking.
 
3 things:

Racer, don't press on the flipper. Pull it back with a snap. They don't work like the ENER-G flippers.

UpChUcK, 100% correct on holding the knife by the lockbar. It will not open like this.

Coop, get a Mini Mojo clip. It will fit all the way at the top. Just drill and tap the frame. Any machine shop can do this for you, or if you know anyone with a drill press you can do it yourself. I'm sure STR would be glad to do it for you if you send him the clip.
 
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