Native maintenace?

Jens Schuetz

Jens Schuetz

Joined
Jun 24, 2013
Messages
4,162
I am carrying my Native Forum (2013) every day for quite some time now. Its always been in my pocket and not clipped on anywhere. (more exposure to pocket dirt that way, I guess)
Its getting harder and harder to open. Not really difficult but noticeably harder than new.
I cleaned it as much as I can and added oil from the outside, nothing helped.
Loosening the pivot screw doesn't help as I had it slightly lose to begin with (maybe a reason dirt might have entered the washer area?) and loosening any further would make the blade wobbly.

Are there any other suggestions on how I can get it smooth again without having to open it up and probably voiding its warranty?

Thank you. :)
 
Hot soapy water rinse and repeat. Also if you have access to an ultrasonic cleaner that would be a good choice as well.
 
Thank you!
Will try the soap water (dish soap?) and maybe get an ultrasonic cleaner later on.
Are there any tricks to get lubricant on the washers without disassembling the knife? So far I apply it from outside and hope it creeps in.
What lubricant is recommended? I'm using 3 in one oil which is most likely not the best but hopefully sufficient.
Thanks again for your help! :)
 
Sure dish soap is fine. You should also rinse under running water while opening and closing the knife. As far as oil that should be okay.
 
Most companies offer a spa treatment to where they'll go through your knife and tune it up sharpen it for you. I've heard they come back good as new.

I can say that customer service at Spyderco rocks. I sent in my old SS handled Delica cause like a jack ass I twisted a head off one of the clip screws. Knife came back looking like new. All buffed up. New clip installed. And sharpened. Very pleased.
 
After you wash it, blow out all the moisture with a can of compressed air. Then oil the pivot, and blow it out a few times. If there's gunk built up in there, that might flush it out.
 
I use a bottle of NanoOil with a long needle tip. This can slip into the pivot area and strategically deposit a couple of drops which can be worked under the washers.

TedP
 
Jens Schuetz said:
Are there any tricks to get lubricant on the washers without disassembling the knife? So far I apply it from outside and hope it creeps in.
What lubricant is recommended? I'm using 3 in one oil which is most likely not the best but hopefully sufficient.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't use 3 in one of any thick oil. Get at walmart any light oil. I am using needle tip dispenser to apply oil. Too much oil is not good either. Just one or two drops. Oil attracts dust and other particles.
Wash your knife well before applying oil.
 
Thanks guys. I think the hot soap water saved me from paying for a spa treatment.
Opened and closed the blade in the water moved the knife in all blade positions back and forth very fast until I was sure there weren't any particles. Then I loosened the pivot as much as possible and repeated the same procedure including pressing the then wobbly blade in all directions to remove anything from the washers. Let it dry and oiled it followed by moving everything a couple of times. Tightened the pivot until the blade dropped 90degree down on its own when pressing the spine lock in. Seems as smooth as new now and no blade play.
Will try the other oil next time (I guess 3 months from now). A needle nozzle is certainly better than the marksmen version which I used. Too much excess oil to wipe away.
Thanks again for everybody's help. :)
 
Scrubbing around the pivot with a tooth brush and hot soapy water helps as well. Sometimes it takes more than one cleaning. Grapefruit juice can be particularly sticky and hard to get out of a pivot.
 
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