Minor problem with lockback folder, advice?

dsvirsky · May 26, 2005

I have a lockback folder with a minor problem and I thought Id see if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, before I send it back to the maker (since I really hate trusting USPS/UPS with expensive knives).

This knife may not have quite the snap on closing as some others, but (initially) there is sufficient spring tension to pull the blade closed. However, after the first few times its opened and closed on any given day, the action gets stiffer and the blade wont close on its own (still opens easily). Next day, same behavior -- fine at first, followed by increasing drag on the blade. I carefully lubed with Miltec-1, but it didnt correct the problem and the pivot screw is under the bolsters, so I cant try adjusting that.

Thanks in advance.

Chris Crawford · May 26, 2005

Hello dsvirsky,

I doubt this is the answer that you are looking for, but my advice would be to insure the knife and send it back to the maker. Most makers stand behind their work and will not mind if the buyer returns a knife to be worked on or fixed. Also, if you attempt to work on the knife yourself you may void any future warranty that the maker may offer.

I'm a knife maker who makes lock-backs from time to time, so I know how to work on one if I had to. However, if I purchased a knife from another knifemaker, I would not hesitate to return the knife to him to do any repair or maintenance work that the knife required.

I hope this helps. -chris

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Chris Crawford Knives

dsvirsky · May 28, 2005

Chris,
Thanks for taking the time to respond. I've never had any doubts that the maker would stand behind his work and fix any problem, I was just wondering if I was missing something obvious.

As it happens, I was able to solve the problem on my own. While playing with an inexpensive factory lockback I noticed that it would acquire the same symptoms if I placed pressure on the scales, near the pivot. It also occurred to me that whatever was causing the problem must have happened during the final assembly of the knife, or the maker would have caught it. So, I tried backing off the bolster screws off by a hair -- just that difference between tight and overtightened -- and, sure enough, the knife now works flawlessly.