Lockbacks and maintenance.

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parkourdude

Joined
Mar 15, 2013
Messages
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Hey guys. I have a few questions in regards to maintaining a lockback folder.

Due to the nature of the lockback design, a lockback folder cannot have an open back. Which means things like moisture and gunk could get in.

I've heard of people giving their folders a rinse under the tap with some soap, letting it dry then oiling it.

My question is after you have washed the knife, wouldn't moisture still be trapped in the compartment the main spring is in? Couldn't this cause corrosion and therefore premature death of the locking mechanism?
I can understand steel liners being fine as they are usually very resistant to corrosion but moisture could get trapped between the liner and the handle scale...

Obviously this isn't a common problem as lockbacks have been around for ages and many still like them. But I'd still like to hear your thougts.

Also -
What general maintenance practices do you undergo for lockbacks?
 
For lock backs? I just give them a quick rinse, blow them out, let them dry and oil....never had a rust problem and I carry my spyderco native FRN constantly. I really wouldn't worry about it. Welcome to the forums by the way:)
 
I don't normally find it necessary to clean out lockbacks under running water.

Those infrequent times I have done so, I washed it, rinsed it in 99% Isopropyl alcohol (sold in drug stores), then used then dried it and oiled it. Isopropyl alcohol is miscible with water. So if any water is left in the mechanism, the alcohol rinse will wash it away. Water is not miscible in oil and oiling it before all the water is gone can indeed trap water.
 
Instead of air drying I use my shopvac. It has a blower on it that seems to get everything nice and dry.
 
A blow with hair dryer until all parts warm, leave it for a while to let remaining water evaporates, then oil. Or, WD 40 into the spring compartment.
 
I have found that if you rinse well in HOT (as hot as you can get) water, and then using forced air works very well. Using a hair dryer as mentioned above is a good method also to ensure the mechanism is dry before applying any lubricant.

Blessings,

Omar
 
knarfeng said:
I don't normally find it necessary to clean out lockbacks under running water.

Those infrequent times I have done so, I washed it, rinsed it in 99% Isopropyl alcohol (sold in drug stores), then used then dried it and oiled it. Isopropyl alcohol is miscible with water. So if any water is left in the mechanism, the alcohol rinse will wash it away. Water is not miscible in oil and oiling it before all the water is gone can indeed trap water.
Click to expand...

Never thought of this, good idea! When I wash my lock backs or slip joints I usually use a blow dryer to get them water free, but I have something new to try now:thumbup:
 
I carried a backspring knife for 15 years and never did anything but oil it and remove lint occasionally.
I wouldn't make a habit of rinsing with water. Buttery smooth knives are over-rated anyway. ;)

That's a neat idea about using isopropyl alcohol.
 
Wow that alcohol idea is awesome. Will try when I need to rinse next time.

Nullity how is that 15 year old lockback now? Is the spring still kickin'? My primary concern is the spring breaking...
 
I've carried a first generation Spyderco endura for almost 15 years before I retired it for a Salt 1. It was kept clean with soap and water most of the time, sometimes some spray cleaner, sometimes whatever. Washed then oil, or washed then dried out with air/heat and oiled, etc, no rust issues. Backspring feels like new, and looks like new, I don't see it failing anytime soon.

(not that endura was rustproof, it's just that that minimal level of maintenence was enough to keep the stainless lockwork in good shape. It's had a few spots of rust on the blade from excess humidity or acidic fruit residue on it though. ) If it was a carbon steel lockback with all carbon internals then blowing it out with air and oiling immediately would be a priority.
 
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