How To Kizer Gemini help

[urtoast84]

Hi guys! Super noob here. Both to this website and to the world of knives. Just aquired my first decent knife last week, the Kizer Gemini. I was just wondering, has anyone here taken it apart? I know it voids warranty but getting inside of it to clean is pretty impossible without some disassembly. I just want to know what is inside before I take it apart just in case I can't put it back together! Is it super complex or relatively straightforward? Any help at all is appreciated!
P. S. Sorry if this post is formatted wrong or anything! It's my first post and it's being done from my mobile!
Cheers!

 

[Sonnydaze]

I don't have one of those, but they have a pretty good rep around here, AFAIK.
I've carried folders for years, and very SELDOM have I ever taken one apart...and never has one needed cleaning more than using a brake-cleaner spray can. It's fine to do so, but I would wait for some knowledgeable posts here before I would continue.

BTW...WELCOME to the Forum...it's a great place to learn...from some very nice folks.

 

[urtoast84]

I don't have one of those, but they have a pretty good rep around here, AFAIK.
I've carried folders for years, and very SELDOM have I ever taken one apart...and never has one needed cleaning more than using a brake-cleaner spray can. It's fine to do so, but I would wait for some knowledgeable posts here before I would continue.

BTW...WELCOME to the Forum...it's a great place to learn...from some very nice folks.

When you say brake cleaner spray do you mean compressed air? Or something different?

 

[BilboBaggins]

Nick Shabazz on Youtube has done a number of disassembly videos. While he hasn't done the gemini, he has done a number of other kizers in the same general construction that should prove helpful to you. He does do a review of the gemini.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I have used a can of compressed air/cleaning agent (Valvoline Brake Parts Cleaner) which I buy at Auto stores. It's used for cleaning(de-grease), as it is fast-drying and does NOT leave any residue. It's more of a fast-drying alcohol. I've used it often to clean handguns upon disassembly, and it does a fine job.
I am NOT saying that you should take the knife apart and then spray the washers, bearing and such, as that would be a mistake. You need a small amt of suitable lube on those washers or bearings that the blade rides on. Just use this to spray the dirty or greasy knife lightly, in case you get it all gunky from digging up some garden weeds or so.
I am such a casual user ...aka "older" that I seldom take any knife apart other than to see how it works.

 

[BD_01]

I only take a knife apart if absolutely necessairy. It's not rocket surgery but there's always a chance of screwing something up--a higher than average chance if I'm doing it.

This is what I've been doing, and it even worked well for a ZT that got salty and sandy.

1. Open the knife and shake it thoroughly in warm, lightly soapy water; open & close a few times under water.
2. Rinse copiously with fresh water.
3. Blow it out COMPLETELY with compressed air--be sure to cycle it a bunch while blowing it out!
4. Hose the knife down with WD-40. Cycle a bunch. Blow it out COMPLETELY with compressed air.
5. Repeat # 4 again, once or twice.
6. Lube fairly generously with a light oil of choice. (I've been using Zero Friction gun oil or Bones Speed Cream).
7. Cycle and blow it out repeatedly until dry.
8. Wipe down the knife, apply mineral oil to the blade, wipe off the excess.

I usually skip 1&2 unless it's really, really dirty (or salty). I also have a compressor that makes things easy.

If you do take your knife apart, make sure you have good tools and heat up the fastners with a hair dryer to weaken whatever thread locking compound is present. I use a tiny amount of medium LockTite (242 or 243) when reassembling most knives, but I'll switch to 222 if I ever find it.

 

[evilgreg]

Just acquired my first decent knife last week, the Kizer Gemini. I was just wondering, has anyone here taken it apart? I know it voids warranty but getting inside of it to clean is pretty impossible without some disassembly. I just want to know what is inside before I take it apart just in case I can't put it back together! Is it super complex or relatively straightforward? Any help at all is appreciated!

I've taken mine apart (to stiffen up the detent a bit), and it's a simple machine that you'd have trouble screwing up. You don't have to remove the pocket clip or lockbar insert to clean it, so there are only three screw sets to remove and the bearings are captive, so it's easy-peasy stuff, with one caveat: one of my few complaints about my Kizers is that Kizer slathers every screw in thread locker, which can be an annoyance. If you have any trouble, it would be with breaking the thread locker hold on one of the screws (usually the problem screw is one of the little frame screws that seems to have been bathed in thread locker). Use quality tools and be careful not to strip out a screw and it should all go fine (heating problem screws slightly may help with the thread locker).

 

[urtoast84]

I only take a knife apart if absolutely necessairy. It's not rocket surgery but there's always a chance of screwing something up--a higher than average chance if I'm doing it.

This is what I've been doing, and it even worked well for a ZT that got salty and sandy.

1. Open the knife and shake it thoroughly in warm, lightly soapy water; open & close a few times under water.
2. Rinse copiously with fresh water.
3. Blow it out COMPLETELY with compressed air--be sure to cycle it a bunch while blowing it out!
4. Hose the knife down with WD-40. Cycle a bunch. Blow it out COMPLETELY with compressed air.
5. Repeat # 4 again, once or twice.
6. Lube fairly generously with a light oil of choice. (I've been using Zero Friction gun oil or Bones Speed Cream).
7. Cycle and blow it out repeatedly until dry.
8. Wipe down the knife, apply mineral oil to the blade, wipe off the excess.

I usually skip 1&2 unless it's really, really dirty (or salty). I also have a compressor that makes things easy.

If you do take your knife apart, make sure you have good tools and heat up the fastners with a hair dryer to weaken whatever thread locking compound is present. I use a tiny amount of medium LockTite (242 or 243) when reassembling most knives, but I'll switch to 222 if I ever find it.

Thanks so much for your help! I have WiHa torx drivers and Nano oil armament Lube so I think I should be good then!

 

[Mo2]

nano oil is snake oil btw.

in any case, there are some videos out there that could help, overall most of the knives are very similar.

here's a different kizer thats some what similar (i think)

 

[urtoast84]

You think? I just had some laying around the house from previous ventures. What would you recommend? It seems to do the trick.

 

[Mo2]

You think? I just had some laying around the house from previous ventures. What would you recommend? It seems to do the trick.

if tahts what you have use it. but i wouldn't ever go out of my way to pay more for what is essentially a rip off.

my issue with it in knives is it attracts lots of nasty stuff and even if it doesnt it dries up and gets nasty.

 

[urtoast84]

if tahts what you have use it. but i wouldn't ever go out of my way to pay more for what is essentially a rip off.

my issue with it in knives is it attracts lots of nasty stuff and even if it doesnt it dries up and gets nasty.

What do you reccomend? As I said i just had it laying around, it's always seemed to get the job done. But if you reccomend something else im all ears.

 

[marcinek]

Hi guys! Super noob here. Both to this website and to the world of knives. Just aquired my first decent knife last week, the Kizer Gemini. I was just wondering, has anyone here taken it apart? I know it voids warranty but getting inside of it to clean is pretty impossible without some disassembly. I just want to know what is inside before I take it apart just in case I can't put it back together! Is it super complex or relatively straightforward? Any help at all is appreciated!
P. S. Sorry if this post is formatted wrong or anything! It's my first post and it's being done from my mobile!
Cheers!

welcome. Lemme see if I got this straight. You are "super new" to knives, you dove into the hobby by going straight for a $170 knife, and now you are going to take it apart and potentially ruin it, correct?

OhhhhhhKay.

So, if you are super new to knives how do you know that taking them apart is a necessary part of their maintenance? I have been around a while and have never had the need to do that. Maybe I missed some "new thing" or something.

 

[Mo2]

welcome. Lemme see if I got this straight. You are "super new" to knives, you dove into the hobby by going straight for a $170 knife, and now you are going to take it apart and potentially ruin it, correct?

OhhhhhhKay.

So, if you are super new to knives how do you know that taking them apart is a necessary part of their maintenance? I have been around a while and have never had the need to do that. Maybe I missed some "new thing" or something.

i really dont see much wrong with it. i mean should probably practice with cheaper knives first, but whatever. dont think its really as big a deal as you make it. some people can do it and some people will never get it.

 

[marcinek]

i really dont see much wrong with it. i mean should probably practice with cheaper knives first, but whatever. dont think its really as big a deal as you make it. some people can do it and some people will never get it.

So you think its a sound decision for someone who is super new to knives to take apart their $170 knife, void its warranty, and risk not being able to reassemble it to perform "maintenance" that is not necessary, correct?

I mean everybody should do whatever they want with their knives...I'm a strong believer in that. But if someone who is new to knives comes in here and has seen on YouTube that running over his knife with a truck and then soaking it in vinegar is good for it, and wants to know if it should be white or cider vinegar, then I feel obliged to suggest that it is not a great idea.

But, in the end, you are right...its his money.

 

[Mo2]

So you think its a sound decision for someone who is super new to knives to take apart their $170 knife, void its warranty, and risk not being able to reassemble it to perform "maintenance" that is not necessary, correct?

I mean everybody should do whatever they want with their knives...I'm a strong believer in that. But if someone who is new to knives comes in here and has seen on YouTube that running over his knife with a truck and then soaking it in vinegar is good for it, and wants to know if it should be white or cider vinegar, then I feel obliged to suggest that it is not a great idea.

But, in the end, you are right...its his money.

depends how inclined that person is at taking stuff apart really. i mean its really not that hard. there are some really difficult ones out there, but generally speaking they are not difficult. locktite and stripping screws occurs occasionally. those are the annoying ones. posted a video for him above thats a similar model, looks super basic.