Question about my CQC-7 regarding lockup

R

Rustpot

Joined
Sep 26, 2014
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I just got into Emersons and came to this forum seeking to buy a few and expand my knowledge.

I have a micro Commander, a pair of 7's, a 14, and an SOCFK already. All but the SOCFK were bought used.

The two 7's went back to Emerson. One for a spa treatment, the other, a 2014 model, was locking up inconsistently and would occasionally lock up tight to where it was difficult to move the lock scale over to close the knife. Lockup was 80% or more toward the non-lock side. I asked for it to be looked at, and the invoice when I got them back said they fixed the lockup under warranty. Everything was back in under a week, which I was pretty impressed with.

I can tell there's a new lock bar, not sure about scales of if any geometry was altered.

Now I fear it's worse. If I open the blade lightly any pressure to force it more open will let the lock scale screech and slide over more. If I open the blade with a flick or the wave (opened 'harder') the lock won't creep more. But now it's difficult to move the lock to close the knife all the time, unless opened lightly and not allowed to creep open more. And occasionally it's too difficult to close normally and I really have to bear into it and it will snap over to allow me to close the knife. But lockup is now 50% or less, so it's no longer over-engaging.

None of my other 4 Emersons are like this.

I'm not very familiar with Emerson knives to know if this is acceptable. I know there's a certain amount of unique character to each one. I've probably opened and closed the knife 100 times in the last 3 days. Will this work itself out, or does it need to go back again? I'd think if someone was addressing a lock issue they'd test it, and this is very noticeable. Or would they simply install a slightly larger lock bar and call it good?

Any input is appreciated!
 
This will likely work itself out over time. Titanium has a tendency to gall to other metals, which is what makes all Ti locks stick sometimes. The more you use the knife the easier it will become to lock/unlock and the lockup will eventually settle. You can use a Sharpie marker or a pencil on the blade tang where the lock touches and this will reduce the lock stick.

Ill add that opening the knife lightly won't let the lockbar travel the correct distance onto the tang, thats why you can get it to creep over. Emerson knives are tough, open them with a little authority and the lock will seat where it needs to be.
 
2 of my emersons have lock stick, one has gotten much better and is still be broken in, the other is brand new and need breaking in. I have tried sharpie and it doesn't work in my experience so I'd try the pencil/graphite route.
 
I like the Stick! It's like extra security and I know what's going to eventually happen.
 
It'll be alright. Some of mine stick and unstick only to stick again. Eventually it'll smooth out. Take a qtip to the tang and lockbar. Pop in a movie and just open and close it. You'll be good.
 
Make sure all the body screws are tight and the pivot enough so thathat you dont have any blade play. Inconsistent lockup can be caused by something loose, causing some flex in the handle.
 
Silvanus said:
... Ill add that opening the knife lightly won't let the lockbar travel the correct distance onto the tang, thats why you can get it to creep over. Emerson knives are tough, open them with a little authority and the lock will seat where it needs to be.
Click to expand...

Emersons are like German Shepherds. They're wonderful, but they need a firm hand. Be the boss... gently but firmly... all the time.
 
Embrace the lock stick.
I found putting a sharpie mark on the tang will makes your lock slip (putting pressure on the backside of the knife,the lock will slip over and the blade will close....dangerous.
Wheras with lock stick, you know you have a solid lock up.

There's a trick to getting your lock up early. I don't have the write up but I believe it's in one of the sticky thread.
 
With a little graphite there's still a little stick. It just doesn't require enough force for the gimping to leave imprints in my thumb anymore.
 
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