Original Factory Lubrication

[RacerX]

I've got a Spyderco Standard which I've enjoyed using for a few years. However, I've noticed that, after the first time I cleaned and relubricated it, the action doesn't seem to be anywhere near as smooth as it was originally.

I've tried various types of lubricants, including basic things like 3 in One oil, as well as things like silicone lubricants.

I'd like to get the answer to two questions with this post, if possible:

1: What does Spyderco use as the original lubricant when the knives are manufactured?

2) If that's not available, what have others in the forum used that's worked well?

If possible, please mention both the type of lubricant as well as the brand name of the stuff you use. That information will help me if I need to special order something from my local dealer.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Sal Glesser]

The action should not become more difficult. I don't think it is the type of lubricant. Perhaps there is some grit in the mechanism? clean or put in dishwasher. Or perhaps it has been dropped and there might be a burr on the handle scraping the blade?

Any good lube will work. Tuff glide goes into most of my knives, White lightning also works well. I'm sure there are others...forumites are pretty good at lubes.

sal

 

[RacerX]

Sal,

The action definitely seems tougher, whereas initially it was smooth. In fact, manually pivoting the blade back and forth, there seems to be definitely be some resistance. However, it doesn't feel like it's grinding or catching. Just not anything near as smooth as it was.

Perhaps there is some dirt or grit in there (I'm in Florida, and even though you try to keep things clean, sand has a way of finding its way into everything.

I was planning to send the knife back in for a sharpening (as well as to hopefully repair a very small amount of damage at the very tip of the blade from having dropped it once).

I'll try to stick it in the dishwasher once and see if that cleans it out. Perhaps a dumb question, but should it be opened or closed when it's washed?

Thanks for the tips on the lubricants. Are they teflon, silicone, or just a simple lubricating oil? (Also, do you think I'd be able to find at a knife shop, or do I need to get them from someplace on the internet?)

Thanks again for the information.