Late lockup?

J

josh92

Joined
Jan 16, 2017
Messages
14
Sorry if this has been beat to death. I did a search but didn't find anything useful.
First picture is my Patriot. I think the lockup is perfect. Nice and early. Draws really smooth and consistently. The second is my beloved Bulldog. But the lockup just seems too late. And can make it more difficult to close at times. Can I adjust it or should I send it into Emerson and use a backup knife for the next 3 months? It's been like that for about a year now. I know I use it a lot. And titanium doesn't wear very well. Any input would be appreciated
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There's a few threads about this already and I'll try to dig them up later. If the bulldog has no blade play and doesn't disengage under your intended use conditions, then I wouldn't worry about it. Sometimes the lock just settles late and stays there, but i'd send it in IF it continues to travel to the point where the lock starts to disengage easily.

Over time, the knife and all its parts will shift from use. One thing I would recommend as part of your maintenance on the knife, would be to disassemble it completely or at least remove one side of the handle. Reassembly helps to sometimes re-center everything, which may adjust the lockup and improve smooth operation of the knife. Just make sure not to assemble the knife with the blade locked open. I also keep pressure on the lock so that it isn't pushing against the blade when I'm screwing the handle and pivot back on.
 
Thanks Harvey. I'll disassemble it this weekend. Would a thin application of CLP or another metal on metal lube be advisable while it's torn down? I'm used to working on guns. I don't generally maintain my knives like I probably should

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A lot of us run them dry without lube. But... it depends on the environment you're in, how much you sweat, how much dust and lint is around. A very tiny application of lube on the washers is fine if you plan on cleaning out everything while everything is taken apart. If you do clean it out, sometimes you need to put a little bit of lube on both detent balls to prevent the knife from squeaking when opening/closing.
 
Just to note:

When a liner lock wears over too far, disengagement is pretty much the least likely thing to happen.

Your indicators are going to be the liner jamming the blade OPEN, or lock rock.

Other than that, everything else is correct. Use common sense and your eyes and hands to judge your lock. If it locks up snug, use it.

If it starts jamming or rocking, the liner is at the end of its life and needs to be changed.
 
Just a small amount of lube if you do use any and keep it off the lock face.
I have a few with late lockup and don't worry about them unless I start to get up and down play.
 
Many Emersons wear over to the middle ofnthe tang or abit further where they find a sweet spot and the. The wearing then usually slows down consoderably and the lock sits in this position for a LONG time. My Cqc7s have both worn to a spot like this where they now lock up perfectly without seeming to gall on the tang's blade face at all. I suspect they will last a very long time in this position.

For now I would just use the knife until it develops a problem. When it does send it in. That's what makes Emersons so great.
 
bulldog started out that way new or has worn over from using?
 
It's never had an early lockup. But it has progressed with time

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If the knife is mechanically fine, use it until it actually NEEDS to be sent in.

We spend a lot of time assimilating information that causes us to overthink the crap out of our hobby instead of enjoying it. Like where a lock sits.

Non knife people wouldn't even notice where a liner sits, whereas knife knuts can be frozen in their tracks with a one that sits past 10 percent, just because they were exposed to that concept.

Sometimes a little information can be a bad thing.

FWIW, I'm preaching from the pulpit of experience here. I've been driven insane by some really stupid issues, including this one. I really have to remind myself to stay lucid sometimes. The more emotionally and financially invested in am in a given item, the easier it is for me to see issues that keep me from simply ENJOYING said item.

Emerson's warranty will be there when you need it. Enjoy your knife until then, which could be years from now.

By the way, here's some food for thought: I wonder how many perfectly good liners are being replaced every year at EKI simply because someone didn't like it sitting at 25 percent, since the forums said this and that about it.

That HAS to drive prices up.
And upon comparing prices from five years ago to today, it certainly did.

Again, just some food for thought.
 
Honestly Jamesh that's actually one of the most sensible things I've heard on the subject. It's just a tool. If something actually goes wrong I'll have it looked at.

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Good deal man!

Sometimes it's hard to stay sensible when one's interests lead to the Internet.

The wisdom that particular rabbit hole presents is equalled tenfold by all the hemming and hawing that comes with.

Good luck with that sweet ass knife.
 
You know what I'm a big fan of Emersons designs and would never sell my 8 or super roadhouse. But I've had my share of lockup issues and multiple trips to warranty. I really hope Emerson steps up with his locks and qc.
 
Very true Sosa.

Something is definitely amiss with the undeniable consistency and frequency of similar issues.
 
josh92 said:
It's never had an early lockup. But it has progressed with time

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understood thanks. if it's not easily slipping during harder use, it's fine, until it isn't then send it in.
 
I bought an Emerson Specwar folder back in '99 when I was still relatively new to knives and didn't really know what to look for. Mine has always had poor blade centering (almost touches left-side liner) and locks up all the way at the very end of the mating surface on the blade. Lately, it's getting sticky when I try to unlock it.

Is this something that can be fixed? Can I adjust it myself ... or would that void the warranty? If I send it in, will Emerson still respect the warranty? It's never been taken apart. It's been used, but never abused.
 
Sounds like the knife has served you well over the past 18 years. A quick disassembly and cleaning can do wonders for a knife and will not void the warranty. If you feel that additional attention is needed, I would suggest sending it in for some TLC.

Please post before and after pics if you do elect to use the warranty service.

I would advise against adjusting lock-bar tension on an old knife that has clearly walked its way over with time/use.
 
^^^To be clear, it's always locked up at the very end of the mating surface, even when it was brand new. I just didn't know enough to realize that was a problem. Over the years, it's shifted ever so slightly (hardly at all). But it started so far over to begin with that the lock is almost falling off the blade now.
 
Emre said:
^^^To be clear, it's always locked up at the very end of the mating surface, even when it was brand new. I just didn't know enough to realize that was a problem. Over the years, it's shifted ever so slightly (hardly at all). But it started so far over to begin with that the lock is almost falling off the blade now.
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A bit late, sorry.

Sutherland is right. Don't mess with the lock bar, and just send it in if you haven't already. Bending it won't change where it sits on the blade tang. When a liner is over that far, it needs to be made longer, through peening or replacement, in order to lock earlier. Another thing that accomplishes the same effect is replacing the stop pin with a slightly thicker one.

Good luck, and yes, pics would be sweet!
 
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