Native 5 vertical bladeplay

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bladeboss

Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Messages
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I've had my Native 5 for over a year or two now, and have used it hard.
Absolutely no horizontal play at all, but it has the vertical play where the whole bar moves.
Is this a backlock thing, or have I just worn out my Native from use?
I've tried all adjustments and stuff, and the body screws are tight.
There's a thread like this one in the Spyderco forum but most replies say that there's doesn't have play.
 
It's common for backlocks to develop some vertical play over time. Unless you think its excessive or it bothers you, I wouldn't sweat it.
 
Try giving it a good bath with hot soapy water. There might be some gunk in the works.
 
Mine had it from day one. I figured out that I can completely eliminate it by adjusting both the pivot screw and the first screw behind it (play around with different combos until you get it right). However, Ive decided that id rather leave it with a little bit of play, or "lock rock", and still be able to have the blade drop freely when the lock is disengaged. But its up to you man. It bugged me at first, but now I really just dont care
Hope this helped. Good luck. :)
 
Take apart the knife and bend the spring in so that the tension us greater. The lockup will improve.
 
rycen said:
Try giving it a good bath with hot soapy water. There might be some gunk in the works.
Click to expand...

You may have something here as this is not the first time you have suggested a hot washing with positive results!
 
Dumb question but do mean take apart the knife and clean it with soapy water or leave it together? My beloved endura has developed vertical play and it irritates the heck outta me.
 
The first thing I try to fix this is a very thorough cleaning and proper lubrication, so it sounds like you have successfully fixed the issue. I find almost all locks fit this bill.

If basic cleaning without disassembly and tuning the knife does not work or does not product lasting results, I generally move to the complete detail strip the knife, clean it thoroughly, inspect all parts for premature wear, lubricate the parts with a proper product, utilize something like VC3 to stop screws from backing out, and reassemble/tube. Given how many makers are strict on taking knives apart, it's up to owners to weigh pros-cons, but I find that this is generally the most effective way to address numerous issues that happen over times with EDCs. I find that sometimes excessive lubrication, lubrication with a poor product, (commonly) built up gunk, a washer with a piece of grit trapped inside of it, minor wear in which manual adjustment is needed, or a damaged washer or screw can cause knives to develop weird quirks, blade play being one of them.
 
oxman198 said:
Dumb question but do mean take apart the knife and clean it with soapy water or leave it together? My beloved endura has developed vertical play and it irritates the heck outta me.
Click to expand...


Oxman (I am guessing you have an Endura 4), if it were me personally, I would try a thorough cleaning without a detail strip at first. Diluted light dish soap and a long bristled toothbrush will help you get to harder to reach places (you want to be able to clean the lockbar). A product designed to clean and flush like some of the MPro7 products, Breakfree-CLP, or Eezox can also help. Canned air can also help blast out gunk (I sometimes flush parts with Eezox, and blow them with canned air). After cleaning, you want to adjust all screws accordingly, which is not only the pivot screw, but also any other screws involved in forming the primary structure (handle). I find VC3 helps prevent screws from backing out after you tune the knife to the point you want (it is a gel and not an adhesive threadlocker). If the most basic cleanings do not work, then further action may be worth consideration (whether that be you taking further action, or sending it to Spyderco).

On almost all production folders, it's not unusual for some blade play to develop over time after extensive usage. Both gunk and normal wear can affect this. While it can be mitigated (and often wear can be slowed with the proper lubricant), it can't always be 100% resolved.
 
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