Kershaw Vapor II Opening

[GWashington1732]

I got a Kershaw Vapor II recnetly and I'm finding that it is almost impossible to push open one handed without tearing up my thumbs. I've already tried loosening the pivot screw, it didn't help much. I like the knife as a work knife but it's kind of annoying to have a knife that takes that much effort to open. Anyone else with this knife have this problem?

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Tighten that pivot screw back up so the knife has no bladeplay. Drip a bit of oil into the pivot area and play with the knife. It has the same "thumbstud" as my blur, but my blur is AO. Are your hands dry? After using a liner lock for a little with dry hands my thumb gets torn up and sore.

 

[lava_lamp]

I got a Kershaw Vapor II ... it is almost impossible to push open one handed without tearing up my thumbs.... Anyone else with this knife have this problem?

Yes, the one I had was like that. I tried adjusting it and then sent it to Kerhaw and it came back working the same way. Kershaw makes many fine knives, but the Vapor ain't one of 'em.

I'd return it (if you can) and get a Leek -- very similar size and shape and opens very nicely with Speedsafe.

 

[dalee100]

Hi,

Don't have a VaporII, but I have a couple Vapors. I had one that was hard to open too. I noticed that there is a little divot in the blade and a corresponding "tit" on the lock. This is to prevent the blade from opening accidentally or from being flicked open. You can see it with a flashlight. Since these are inexpensive knives, I simply ground down the tit just a little bit with a cut-off wheel on a Dremel tool. This eased the fit between the two. It now opens as it should.

dalee

 

[tambrico]

You just have to break it in. That's what has happened to me with all of my knives. I give them a good oiling and open and close them constantly for a few days, and then they get broken in and open smoothly with no effort. At least in my experience, that is.

 

[GWashington1732]

Yes, the one I had was like that. I tried adjusting it and then sent it to Kerhaw and it came back working the same way. Kershaw makes many fine knives, but the Vapor ain't one of 'em.

I'd return it (if you can) and get a Leek -- very similar size and shape and opens very nicely with Speedsafe.

Yeah, this knife certainly isn't representative of Kershaw's quality, this may very well be their worst. I have a couple of Leeks, they're one of my favorites, but they're just not built for tough outdoor jobs like I'd need for work. This one would be a great knife if it would open properly, I'll try modifying it like someone else suggested.

 

[GWashington1732]

I fixed it, I tried grinding the little notch down a bit, but it still wouldn't open wihout tearing up my hand so I took it apart and ground th whole thing completely off. I didn't really mean to do it like that but I accidently put the dremel on 5 and it made short work of it. It opens nice and smoothly now with both hands. I had to replace the screws in the handle too, stripped them getting them back in the first time, but, with all the electronics I break, it was easy to find a good replacement. Actually, I think they came with my KaBar TDI knife but they work.