Possible issue with my Gin-1 native?

[Blackwatch]

It's about 5 years old, maybe more, and has served me well up to the present. My concern is this:

In the past 6mos, when I cut items, especially if they are harder/tougher to cut and I must push down harder, I can feel the lock release portion of the lock push down a bit. This is not rough handling or large amounts of pressure I'm presenting on the lock. I can reproduce that feeling by holding it with one hand holding the top of the blade and one holding the top of the handle, and gently pulling/twisting them towards each others plane. It really doesn't move, obviously, but I witness the lock release are move ever so slightly.

I wanted to post here and check, before I do any bothering of the warranty people, if this is indicative of standard wear on a lockback. I posted in here first, due to it being they spyderco area. Before posting I did a quick search of the forums, but didn't come up with much. I may have been too impatient, who knows!

Thanks for any help.

 

[u812]

Every Native I have ever had does the same thing.It is part of the lock design.I could only feel it if I was holding them just right.

 

[Blackwatch]

Alright, that just means i didn't notice it for years, which is fine. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[GronK]

You may also want to inspect and clean the area where the lock engages. I've seen crud build up there and cause similar problems.

 

[u812]

It was several months before I noticed it on my first one.If I hold the knife the way it is designed to be held with the forefinger in the choil and the thumb on top of the blade I can't feel it.

 

[kudzu74]

I don't know off-hand but now that I can tinker with my slightly used PE version...I'll let you know what I can figure out. Like Jeff I've got a stock pile of the natives. Btw, Jeff you see the NIB GIN-1 Native SE that I snagged on ebay? Its a collector #ed too! Woo woo...I'll setup some pics as soon as I get it in the mail.