Knife action help please

sogtrident7

sogtrident7

Joined
Jan 14, 2007
Messages
268
I'm looking for any suggestions. I have a TI frame lock with a tiny ceramic detent ball. Blade is 3v. It is a very sticky detent as it rides across the tang while opening. It has been carried a lot. There is a very tiny polished circle on the tang (although not enough of a groove where my finger nail can catch). I'm just wondering if anyone has any solutions to speed the action up. I've had tons of different detents and different ball material and this is by far the draggiest.

Knife is new to me and the only thing I have done is try running it dry, nano lube 10W, tough glide. It didn't even get better when initially applied.

It is for sure the detent ball. If I pull the lockbar back slightly past touching the blade free floats.

Thanks.
 
Use magnifying glass to check both the detent ball and the hole to see if either is damaged. You can bend the lockbar outward slightly to adjust. Usually a drop of tuff glide on the track is very effective but it does not seem to work for you?
 
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I'm not a frame lock guy. That being said, with slow or gritty action on any of my knives I always start with hot soapy water. Open and close the knife under water a bunch of times. Rinse thoroughly with hot water, again opening and closing while flushing. Then dry thoroughly.
If it's still rough after the bath I might try some lube at that point.
 
This sounds like there's simply too much tension on the lockbar. If after cleaning and lube you still have the same issue, I'd look at that. A simple fix, but risky.
 
No tuff glide didn't seem to help. Lock bar is pretty stout to move. It may be an overage of pressure. I'll try and adjust it. This was after a tear down and blue dawn bath.
 
Just a report back. I disassembled again, and took the lockbar side and dremeled some material out of the cutout where the lockbar flexes. I was careful and took my time. It was a clean tidy job and that set the lockbar pressure to about 1/2 what it was. It was extremely stiff. I then polished the detent ball with a strop and compound. Cleaned, lubed and reassembled. It functions perfectly. Thanks all and TLE sharp for getting me going in the correct direction.
 
Glad to hear it worked out for you. Can we see the knife now? Lol.
 
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