Loosening up a tight Delica action

C

CHP5

Joined
May 9, 2001
Messages
256
I got a SS Delica 4 for Christmas :)

When opening, it is much tighter than any of my FRN Delicas. Any way to loosen it up other than hundred's of openings/closings? Thanks.
 
Try a little tuf-glide on the tang part of the blade that rotates over and on the lock bar. Use it a day or two and then reapply. That usually helps a lot. You can try a drop or so on the sides also working it in good.

If nothing happens to your satisfaction from this send it back to Spyderco with your feelings described in a note form letting them know you feel its too tight and they will either adjust it for you or ship out another. You might also let them know what you did to try to help it out yourself.

I'm sure it will work in over time though if you are patient. In my experience those tighter ones can end up being some of the best ones later down the road for the long haul. I've got some 35 year old Buck 112s that were very stiff when I bought them and you would not believe them now. Not sure if you want to wait quite that long though. :D I understand if not.

STR
 
Thanks STR.

Will storing the Delica in 1/2 opened position (so there's pressure on the lock) help to loosen it up?
 
Does your Delica have a Torx screw at the pivot? Visit an auto parts store, hardware store, etc.; I believe you want either a #9 or #6 torx wrench to test on your screw.
 
The way you store it will not matter. It won't help in doing anything to weaken the problem. The problem is most likely that the pivot pin has been slightly over peened to where it is just a tad tight. Some sharp side to side lateral forces back and forth may help more than the way you store it. It may also be possible to stick a flat head screw driver in between both handle scales and twist slightly using the head of the screwdriver to spread the sides out just a very tiny bit. I am talking about less than the width of a hair. Anymore and you will end up with the opposite problem.

STR
 
three options:

1. rinse the insides of the knife with really hot tap water and dry it off. flick it open and closed a couple of dozen times. both by the handle, and by the hole (spydie-drop).

2. lube the pivot lightly with rifle oil and flick it open and closed a couple of dozen times. both by the handle, and by the hole (spydie-drop).

3. if that doesn't work, either your lockbar, pivot, washers or scales are defective

(is it really that heavy, or is it just the "new knife little stiff feeling" ?

denn
 
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I agree with STR's suggestions. You may need to work the knife out. A few months constant usage will bring the knife to the shape.
 
dennis75 said:
three options:

is it really that heavy, or is it just the "new knife little stiff feeling" ?

denn
Click to expand...

It's smooth, but tight. I'd guess it's 30% heavier than my FRN Delicas. However, it does not feel defectively stiff.

Maybe the SS Delicas are slightly stiffer.
 
My SS Delica II is a little stiff, a little stiffer than frn models. I lightly polished the inside of the scales where the blade rubs, as good as I could get without disassembling the knife. Then put a couple drops of Tetra gun oil on it.
Its really smooth, however it is still a little stiff. Nature of the beast I guess.
 
One thing you want to bear in mind is this , it is far better to have a "stiff" action than a "sloppy" one.
A stiff one will usually assure you a tight blade with no play whereas the sloppy one is well , sloppy.
My point is , to not overdo it on the flicking and opening/closing trying to make it smoother to the point where it becomes too loose.
I have a Byrd S/S handle that is fairly stiff actioned , all are right about a drop of lube and some time , it will work itself out.
 
I agreee with STR, tuf glide really smooths out the action of most knives. As he said, a lot of times you need to reapply after a day or two, but it works good. I want to get some gun butter, from what I've heard on glocktalk it is extremely smooth and repels dirt and dust like no other. It is a mail order only product though.
 
I would agree on the SS ones being stiffer. I have a Byrd Meadowlark that was quite stiff, but smooth at first and after a while it loosened up. I bought a Police a couple or three weeks ago, and it's been used quite hard (hard enough that I've had to re-profile the edge a couple of times - some home reno stuff - old carpet, drywall, etc.:) ), actually, and it's just starting to loosen up.

- gord
 
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