Opening a 550

What kind of lube do you suggest using on the 055x? I took apart mine earlier today and when I put it back together it was stiff, I have a feeling it is because I cleaned all the grease off and just put some tufglide with the pinpoint applicator on and that a good grease would work better. The only grease I was able to find around the house was trumpet slide grease (essentially smelly chap-stick) and this really heavy duty dark green wheel bearing grease which helped (I think) but is so thick it is like tar. And it still is not as smooth as it was before I disassembled it.
 
You might need to fine-tune the adjustment rather than change the lube. I have used TG and other dry lubes without issue.
 
do you mean the body screws or just the pivot? because if I loosen the pivot any more it has bladeplay and still is not as smooth as before
 
Could be one or both. Is the blade centered?
 
Strange. Try taking it apart again and cleaning it.
 
Do you suggest putting on the dry lube instead of heavy duty grease? And if you suggest the dry lube should i apply it before or after I put it back together?
 
I'd suggest skipping the grease as it sounds too heavy. I'd put the TG on first and let it dry and then assemble. That way you can be sure not to get any on the lock area.
 
Yea, I figured that grease wouldnt work too well. So I just put one drop on each shiny side of each washer and leave it for 5-10 mins then assemble?
 
it should be smooth even without any grease, me thinks you have the piviot to tight. Tighten it till the blade play goes away, then loosen it just a little tiny bit and you should be good.
 
whateatsrabbits said:
it should be smooth even without any grease, me thinks you have the piviot to tight. Tighten it till the blade play goes away, then loosen it just a little tiny bit and you should be good.
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I did that and still, it is stiff. Its nowhere near as smooth as before I took it apart and cleaned it. I really have no idea why it is doing this
 
Hold the lock bar away from the blade and see if that makes a difference.
 
TheAmateur said:
I did that and still, it is stiff. Its nowhere near as smooth as before I took it apart and cleaned it. I really have no idea why it is doing this
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I have had similar problems. What I found is that burrs on the blade, scales, or bushings are usually the culprit.

If you take it apart and lightly stone all surface areas around the pivot including both sides of the bushings and blade, then clean and oil it all, you may solve your problem.

Thats what I did to my 550 and now it is so smooth I can open with a flick of my finger like a Spyderco.
 
cncpro11 said:
I have had similar problems. What I found is that burrs on the blade, scales, or bushings are usually the culprit.

If you take it apart and lightly stone all surface areas around the pivot including both sides of the bushings and blade, then clean and oil it all, you may solve your problem.

Thats what I did to my 550 and now it is so smooth I can open with a flick of my finger like a Spyderco.
Click to expand...

Hmm, so you are saying to take a high grit sandpaper to my pivot area and polish it up a bit?
 
No, but lubing the detent ball may help.
 
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