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Native 5 blade play. What can I do?

sogflash

sogflash

Joined
Aug 28, 2011
Messages
1,598
I hope someone here has experience with Spyderco lockbacks, and especially the Native 5.
This might belong in Maintenance, Tinkering & Embellishment, but I also think it belongs in the Spyderco sub forum since it's about a specific knife from a specific maker.

I bought a lightly carried Native 5 here, and it locked up tight. Except for when I just got it and I could force a little play. It worked itself out. Then I took it apart to give it a proper cleaning. After that it has a tiny amount of up and down play.

It seems like the screw the lock arm is pivoting on has to be very tight to avoid play. Is that how it should be? I've had to tighten it so much that the blade won't fall freely when the lock is disengaged.


Since it's quite new, do you think it just needs to wear in after my adjustments?

Could it have anything to do with the other body screws? Any help or tips will be very much appreciated.

This is not intended as a negative thread towards Spyderco. I took the knife apart, and that's on me. Up and down play isn't that uncommon in lockbacks, I just know it didn't have it before I took it apart.
 
I had a native that was a catch and release. However I really liked it, had rock solid lock on it you would expect from spyderco. At any rate I would just send it in. Anytime I've had a reasonable problem they have fixed it, I've had good experience with their warranty/repair department. You don't want to risk it with the lock.
 
Since I disassembled the knife I voided the warranty. I don't think I can send it in for warranty work then.

The bladeplay is really minute. I just want to know if there's any way I can eliminate it by myself.
 
If the blade play is minor then i rather leave it be actually .. some of my friend did worst then helpoing the situation as they wasnt able to get the blade back centered after that.
 
I had the same issue when i got my native 5 but now it locks up perfectly. I took mine apart, cleaned it out and put some nano oil in it. Make sure you really clean out the recess in the blade where the lockbar slides into. When you put it back together make sure all the body screws and clip screws are loose, then tighten the pivot screws first until there is no play. Then tighten the other screws down. When tightening the lockbar screw, make sure it is loose enough to where the lockbar doesn't stick and can move freely. Its just a matter of finding that sweet spot with the pivot and lockbar screws. This solved my bladeplay issues, hope this helps!
 
Make sure you put the lock spring back correctly. I put mine back in upside down and had all kinds of problems until I turned it the right way.
 
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