Hello,I just received a new Spyderco Stretch FRN Knife C90PBK that a bought online.The problem is it's not deploying properly.The blade feels stiff and doesn't deploy with the flick of the thumb,it just comes out halfway; in fact it takes several flicks of the wrist to finally get it deployed in the lock position.I've seen several videos of the knife and reviews and thay say it has lighting fast deployment.My question is there something I can do?or send it back?Thanks
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Noob Question about Spyderco Stretch and Problem
- Thread starter lone
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It will break in given a few days of opening it and closing it. Lockback knives are known for being stiffer than liner locks or frame locks, but mine comes out no problem when I flick it using either my thumb or middle finger (my favorite way to flick knives open).
You could try to put a bit of oil in the pivot but in my experience this is unnecessary and they will break in nicely if you play with it long enough.
You could try to put a bit of oil in the pivot but in my experience this is unnecessary and they will break in nicely if you play with it long enough.
I will keep messing around with it and hopefully it will loosen up.Thanks.
Good tips from npueppke. Breaking it in and oiling the pivot should help.
If you can live with a little balde play, loosening the pivot screw will give you any amount of "flickability" you want instantly. Adjusting it "just right" can take a little practice though and I'd suggest to put locktite to the pivot screw before the final adjustment.
That said, did you consider opening the knife without flicking it, with the thumb going all the way until the blade locks? I'm sure you know that flicking stresses the lock and wears out the knife much quicker than "normal" use. I agree though that flicking is fun
Dennis
If you can live with a little balde play, loosening the pivot screw will give you any amount of "flickability" you want instantly. Adjusting it "just right" can take a little practice though and I'd suggest to put locktite to the pivot screw before the final adjustment.
That said, did you consider opening the knife without flicking it, with the thumb going all the way until the blade locks? I'm sure you know that flicking stresses the lock and wears out the knife much quicker than "normal" use. I agree though that flicking is fun
Dennis
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It's just a case of unrealistic expectations. Midlocks are not noted for "flickability". To those of us that like them, that's a plus and makes them an excellent choice. To those who want a borderline gravity knife, it's a bummer.
Paul
My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
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Paul
My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twsited up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
You indicate you are a "noob". Have you used a thumbhole opener before? Some of the problem may lie in your technique. But I also agree with previous posts that a midlock is not going to be as easy to flick open as a liner/framelock. I don't flick any of my knives so it isn't an issue for me. YMMV. Great knife though.
Thanks for the advice from everybody.This is my 1st Spyderco.I will loosen up the pivot screw just a little,have to find the right bit.I can open it manually with no problem.I'm probably used to fast deployment as most of my knives are liner locks.I was going to send it back but will keep it.Thanks
FWIW, Spyderco liner locks and frame locks open just as easily as liner locks from every other company. I'm one of those people that likes flicking knives too and the only kind of knives I've had problems doing that with have been lock backs. My stretch now flicks open just as easily as any liner lock I own, though, and it's actually the smoothest lock action I can think of. I also have a delica and endura trainer which I just received, and they are very stiff but I'm hoping they'll get there. Thumb rotating people who don't flick would cringe but that's just my style I guess
.From my experience, backlock knives are a little stiffer when deploying. The blade is resisting the backspring on opening, whereas a liner lock it's just the initial detent, once that is cleared, the blade is freely swinging. One exception to this rule is the Kopa which is butter smooth on deployment.
Loosening the pivot screw works to a point, too much will cause excessive blade play.
The resistance varies from knife to knife even with the same model. My two Enduras open with differing amounts of resistance. One of them seems a little "sticky"
If I want to loosen the pivot up, it's probably going to mean taking the knife apart, and polishing the liners and pivot end of the blade.
It's not overly hard, just a little extra flick I can still open one handed.
Loosening the pivot screw works to a point, too much will cause excessive blade play.
The resistance varies from knife to knife even with the same model. My two Enduras open with differing amounts of resistance. One of them seems a little "sticky"
If I want to loosen the pivot up, it's probably going to mean taking the knife apart, and polishing the liners and pivot end of the blade.
It's not overly hard, just a little extra flick I can still open one handed.
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Expecting all of your knives to fly open like switch blades is just a phase. Once you've been using knives for a while, you appreciate things like the folder staying securely closed and being reliable, smooth and consistent rather than flinging your blade out real fast because you think it's cool.
Mid locks appeal more and more as you age as a knife enthusiast.
Mid locks appeal more and more as you age as a knife enthusiast.
Agreed. I even prefer them to the Axis and similar locks.
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lone, I generally don't flick my Spydies, and sold off my assisted openers after my initial knife nut phase. If you're looking for a more exciting opening, a midlock Spyderco may not be the one for you. Reputed "smoothness" aside, IMHO flickability is more a function of technique and lock design. Amazingly, my wife can just barely flick most medium-large lockbacks, but it is a quite violent wrist and elbow movement.
Another thing to try is a drop of TriFlow on the pivot. I don't see much talk about TriFlow here but it is my go-to pivot slickener, especially on new knives. Much lighter and slicker than light oils like gun oil, mineral oil, or sewing machine oil.
That being said, the FRN Stretch is one of my favorite new knives overall. The light weight and ergos really fit me, the admittedly ugly blade shape is extremely versatile, and the flat ground ZDP has amazing cutting performance. As others have said, it will probably grow on you.
But probably not for the cool switchblade factor.
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When I first read the OP's thread my first reaction was " does he live in Canada?". There are a lot of knives sent up there that were bought from dealers here. The (certain) dealers here will, if asked, tighten up the pivot to what would normally be considered too tight. The buyer understands he is supposed to loosen the pivot upon his taking possession of the knife.
This is done due to Canadian custom officials not allowing knives into the country and declaring them as "gravity knives", or some such thing. The ironic thing is the same knives can be bought legally after being imported by canadian dealers, which means IMO that it is a trade/money thing rather than a legitimate safety beef. Numerous of our canadian knife brothers have had knives lost to the bureaucracy in the past.
Just a thought. Spyderco's aren't known to be difficult to open, even the back lock versions.
Just my superficial, not all that well thought out reaction to the OP's original post.
This is done due to Canadian custom officials not allowing knives into the country and declaring them as "gravity knives", or some such thing. The ironic thing is the same knives can be bought legally after being imported by canadian dealers, which means IMO that it is a trade/money thing rather than a legitimate safety beef. Numerous of our canadian knife brothers have had knives lost to the bureaucracy in the past.
Just a thought. Spyderco's aren't known to be difficult to open, even the back lock versions.
Just my superficial, not all that well thought out reaction to the OP's original post.