Lock Galling??

[cpirtle]

Hi all,

I have an older frame lock that has a titanium handle and a 154cm blade. The lock on it is very difficult to release (I know.. this is a good thing in some ways).

I have heard people mention that there could be some galling (sp?) between the two unlike metals, and was curious how I could tell if that's what's happening with mine or I just have a good fitting tight lock and should shut up and be happy

To emphasize, occasionally I need both hands to unlock the knife and I'm not a small person...

Thanks!

 

[BARRY JONES]

Titanium does gall when in contact with virtually every steel. There are a couple of different reasons that could be causing your folder to lock the way it is doing.

1) The contact surfaces of the lock bar (Ti) and/or the lock notch on the blade may have unusually rough finishes. The rough finish can cause the lock to stick more than wanted. Too rough and the lock sticks too much. Too smooth (polished) and the lock can be compromised.

2) The angle of the lock notch might be too shallow. This causes the lock to be too sticky.


Some of the more "experienced" folder makers may have a different cause or explanation. Maybe we can get DDR or Mayo or Kit to give us their opinion.

 

[KenOnion]

If you want to elininate this problem try to see if you have any oil or crap on your blade ramp and remove with a q-tip and some acetone or similar solvent if it still sticks try rubbing a little pencil lead on the blade ramp where it is sticking. this works well about 50% of the time. let us know if this works.
I dont condone this type of quick fix on a custom but it does work.

 

[Kit Carson]

Sounds to me like too much tension on the lock. If you "sling" it open, does it lock even tighter?

 

[cpirtle]

Thanks for all the opinions.

Kit, I think you hit it on the head. I'm not a blade flicker but if I flick it open it gets nearly impossible to unlock.

When you say tension do you mean pivot tension or that the lock bar was made with too much "spring" in it?

 

[Kit Carson]

Too much tension (load) on the locking bar. Framelocks sometimes act differently than a regular liner lock.

 

[Peter Atwood]

Cpirtle, in other words, as Kit suggests, you may be able to very carefully and slowly bend the lock backwards until it has eased off a little but still locks up tight. You might be able to accomplish this while the knife is together but if you go too far you'll have to take it apart and bend it back again. I just did this same thing yesterday on my new framelock folder that I'm building. I tried to adjust it, bent it too far and had to take it apart and do it over. No big deal!