PM2 “lava” lock stick ??

tony281sc2

tony281sc2

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Feb 13, 2017
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Hey guys I just had a quick question about a new pm2 I bought. It’s the smkw exclusive in M4 with red “lava” fat carbon fiber scales. Awesome knife, I just have a couple nitpicks with it, and that is major lock stick and a slight amount of “pivot lash”.

I’m not talking “I can hear a noise when It unlocks”, I’m talking, “if it was any worse I’d need pliers.” Literally

I have owned 4 or 5 PM2s over the years, and only 1 other one had lock stick (and slight pivot lash)….not nearly as bad, but it never completely went away either (good enough I can live with it).

So I know there are some serious Spyderco/PM2 collectors here, and I’m wondering if the lock stick will go away over time (or at least get better), or if I should deal with it, or send it back? I’m not one to send a knife back unless there is a MAJOR problem, so I’m hoping this has happened to someone else, and they can just tell me that it will break in.

My older pm2 (s30V) still has minor lock stick (and very very minor pivot lash) after Years of using it, but it was always like that from day one, it never changed, and I use it all the time.

If you’ve had a PM2 with lock stick I’d love to hear your experience, and tell me it will go away over time, or at least get better lol…

TIA,
Tony
 
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Sometimes all the daily use and graphite applications (pencil lead) in the world don’t mitigate lock stick on a Spyderco. I personally have a couple, well over four years old, that continue to frustrate me. My advice, FWIW, is to send it back and have SMKW check the replacement prior sending you the new one. BTW, that is a beautiful knife!
 
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You can let it break in or try the tricks that several others have suggested. However, I have a PM2 just like what you experienced, that its lock stick has never completely gone no matter what.
 
Okay then, I would open the blade and with it in the open position I would loosen the handle screws to see if things don’t settle in a bit different
 
Kiteman72 said:
I would do an exchange with SMKW before you monkey with it too much and while they still have some in stock to swap.
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Good idea, it has a slight bit of pivot lash also, I know I’d never be really happy with it. (And it’s a beautiful $200 knife, so I should at least be happy with it while it’s brand spankin new.)Just emailed them. Also, I know how soft those screws are, so good call not messing with it too much
 
I have the same knife from SMKW in green and yes it has pretty bad lock stick... Love the knife, hoping it may go away but does not really bother me...
 
KenCaz said:
I have the same knife from SMKW in green and yes it has pretty bad lock stick... Love the knife, hoping it may go away but does not really bother me...
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Over the years I think I’ve owned about 5 PM2s, and only have one other with a hint of lock stick, but it’s not nearly as bad.
This is the worst I’ve ever seen (other than a Kershaw Natrix, which I actually needed pliers or a flathead to unlock).
 
Unresolvable lock stick on the PM2 is caused by the lockbar pressure being set a little bit too high at the factory. The only way to correct it is to disassemble the knife and slightly unbend the lockbar. You'll want to use a vise to make sure the lockbar doesn't pick up a second bend. I've owned about 30 PM2s, and only one had unresolvable lock stick. It got so bad that I had to use a pair of pliers to disengage the lock, prior to correcting the issue.

If you're still within the return window, just send it back.

On the subject of pivot lash, all PM2s have a slight amount from what I can tell. It's not really noticeable when the knife is lubricated, but if you reassemble them dry you can feel the slight gap between the pivot pin and inner wall of the pivot hole.
 
HP2114B said:
Unresolvable lock stick on the PM2 is caused by the lockbar pressure being set a little bit too high at the factory. The only way to correct it is to disassemble the knife and slightly unbend the lockbar. You'll want to use a vise to make sure the lockbar doesn't pick up a second bend. I've owned about 30 PM2s, and only one had unresolvable lock stick. It got so bad that I had to use a pair of pliers to disengage the lock, prior to correcting the issue.

If you're still within the return window, just send it back.

On the subject of pivot lash, all PM2s have a slight amount from what I can tell. It's not really noticeable when the knife is lubricated, but if you reassemble them dry you can feel the slight gap between the pivot pin and inner wall of the pivot hole.
Click to expand...
Thank you, that’s Good to know. Not really bothered by that, it’s the lock stick. I gave it a couple weeks….I’ve had slight lock stick on folders before, but after 2 weeks of fidgeting w/it, this is still at the point where if I flick it open like a Spyderco should be able to, it takes nearly everything I’ve got to unlock it without a tool…
it’s more like lock-lock, instead of lock-stick.
I did contact them and they will take it back, so that is good at least
 
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HP2114B said:
Unresolvable lock stick on the PM2 is caused by the lockbar pressure being set a little bit too high at the factory. The only way to correct it is to disassemble the knife and slightly unbend the lockbar. You'll want to use a vise to make sure the lockbar doesn't pick up a second bend. I've owned about 30 PM2s, and only one had unresolvable lock stick. It got so bad that I had to use a pair of pliers to disengage the lock, prior to correcting the issue.

If you're still within the return window, just send it back.

On the subject of pivot lash, all PM2s have a slight amount from what I can tell. It's not really noticeable when the knife is lubricated, but if you reassemble them dry you can feel the slight gap between the pivot pin and inner wall of the pivot hole.
Click to expand...
I just wanted to update this thread.
SMKW wouldn’t exchange. They said they would do a full refund but it would take up to a month, so I decided to keep it. Been messing with it, but I think it is actually breaking in! Very surprised and HAPPY, because this is one of the sharpest knives I’ve got from the factory, and I am loving the M4 so far!
 
Quick pic 👍
25B0ADA5-640C-4273-8E36-342BA4A78F68.jpeg
ETA: she’s still breaking in, and just about perfect now! Broke down a few boxes today, this knife is scary sharp… Loving the M4 so far too, and the lock stick is Almost all gone…the pencil trick, and messing around with the pivot was all it needed I guess. And a little break in time.
Glad I didn’t return it, gonna be my new EDC !
Thanks again for the responses guys 👍👍👍
 
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