R. J. Martin detent (PICS ADDED)

Varga Knives

Varga Knives

Joined
Aug 12, 2006
Messages
1,302
IMG_7734.JPGIMG_7735.JPGIMG_7736.JPGIMG_7738.jpgI just got a new knife from another BF member and wow, it's amazing! I now know what fit and finish really means. The knife is an RJ Martin Overkill with a Damascus inlay. I love the knife except that the detent is sooo strong. When is a detent too strong? When it interferes with intentional opening. I can do it with my index finger but it's not easy and may take a few attempts to open. Also, I know that the problem is I'm exerting pressure on the lockbar when I do it. With outside pressure from my thumb it's a lot easier but that is not how I hold the knife. Will the detent break-in after awhile or do I just have to get use to holding the knife so there is zero pressure on the lockbar when I open it?

BTW - I will try and post some pictures of this knife as I have searched the web high and low and have never seen another one like it. I emailed R.J. and he said he made about 8 of 'em. Really got to see up close to appreciate.

Thanks
 
Last edited:
strider214 said:
I just got a new knife from another BF member and wow, it's amazing! I now know what fit and finish really means. The knife is an RJ Martin Overkill with a Damascus inlay. I love the knife except that the detent is sooo strong. When is a detent too strong? When it interferes with intentional opening. I can do it with my index finger but it's not easy and may take a few attempts to open. Also, I know that the problem is I'm exerting pressure on the lockbar when I do it. With outside pressure from my thumb it's a lot easier but that is not how I hold the knife. Will the detent break-in after awhile or do I just have to get use to holding the knife so there is zero pressure on the lockbar when I open it?

BTW - I will try and post some pictures of this knife as I have searched the web high and low and have never seen another one like it. I emailed R.J. and he said he made about 8 of 'em. Really got to see up close to appreciate.

Thanks
Click to expand...

You answered your own question it seems. Anytime you press the lockbar towards the center, you are increasng the detent, it's pretty obvious. You don't need to open the knife the way you hold it, at Some point point between opening any knife your grip will change, unless you have an OTF. This and a combination of possible "weak finger" might be the case. Adjust the pivot, practice, and learn the knife. That is pretty much all I can recommend. Congrats on a great knife too.
 
Actually the "holding" i was talking about was the hold I have on the knife when I pull it from the pocket. Just in the last few minutes I practicedd a different way and it fires open. I'm my own worse enemy. Thanks.
 
RJ makes the clip the way he does so you can put your bottom 3 fingers on it, your trigger finger should be your index and will get accustomed to the knife. If it doesn't, I have heard of people sending their knives back to have the detent softened. I personally like a strong detent, the stronger the better.
 
MiG Angel said:
RJ makes the clip the way he does so you can put your bottom 3 fingers on it, your trigger finger should be your index and will get accustomed to the knife. If it doesn't, I have heard of people sending their knives back to have the detent softened. I personally like a strong detent, the stronger the better.
Click to expand...

This here.....


It takes a little bit of practice, but you will love the action of RJs knives... The strong detent also ensures that the knife doesn't open accidentally in your pocket.
 
Youu can alwasy tell if you are increasing the detent when opening a right handed framelock by opening it left handed. If it opens easily left handed and difficult right handed it's almost always how you hold the knife when opening it ;)
 
Practice, practice, practice. You'll get the hang of it and it'll be the best flipper you've ever handled. If it's just too strong and you can't get the hang of it, I'm always willing to take an RJ off anyone's hands. :D
 
too strong? no problem you can send it over to me :) lol

I had that problem with overkill as well, you do want try it a few times & get a feel of your most comfortable way of holding the knife.
 
That's a man's flipper you got right there. That knife ain't just for anybody.
 
He does set his detents way too strong. he uses bearings so there really is no need for the extra strong detent to build up pressure to ensure opening. I know someone that got him to back down the detent a little and I go to mess with his. It's perfect. Shoot RJ a email. I bet he will take care of you an tone it down a little if you wish
 
Socom Elite said:
He does set his detents way too strong. he uses bearings so there really is no need for the extra strong detent to build up pressure to ensure opening. I know someone that got him to back down the detent a little and I go to mess with his. It's perfect. Shoot RJ a email. I bet he will take care of you an tone it down a little if you wish
Click to expand...
True enough, my Tilt simply flies open with very little resistance, and it's still enough that no amount of swinging can open the blade. Perhaps R.J. had handled an XM-18 and suddenly had the urge to slap in a super strong detent?;)
 
Thomas W said:
Tone down?...Pffffttttttt... Martin, Galyean, Williams, especially Williams, heavy detent dreams. Like I said, for the real man.
Click to expand...

The Kershaw Groove and ZT 551 must be for girls then because their detent is perfect. As is John W smith and Will Zermeno
 
Some new Marsh, Southard, Galyean, and Onions will strengthen up your index finger and take a while to work in, but once they do, the flipping action is amazing.
Its all about developing a callus on the finger and realizing you need to adjust to the folder just as the folder breaks in with you.
J
 
RJ sets his detents strong. That is pretty well known, if people don't like that they probably shouldn't buy it.

My Transfusion has a good strong detent and I love it. There is nothing more satisfying than a knife that is loud when opening and closing. It assures that the knife will be a good flipper for many flips to come.
 
Oh please, the R.J. detents are nothing next to the deluxe size ceramic detent of the Umnumzaan. Now that's what I call a man-size detent:D.
 
I admit it, I'm a girlie man. But can we just keep it between us? I would hate for all my martial arts students to hear that I was a girlie man. Hmm, come to think of it, it probably wouldn't be beneficial for the guys I instruct and qualify on the range to hear either. But you can go ahead and tell the guys I went through Special Response Team training with (they already know ;)).

I did try it lefty and I was inadvertently putting pressure on the lockbar, even when I thought I wasn't. It took some getting used to but I think I got the hang of it.

I just got a new Gen 4 Hinderer XM in the mail yesterday. What a nice detent on that one. Perfect!
 
How strong of detent, is it heavy lockback type retention or more than that? The few flippers I've had I didn't like ones with extra strong retention, seemed if you don't get your index finger to get it just right you got a crappy opening. I wouldn't doubt that it's more designed to withstand the hard core flipping sessions of collectors than as a tactical knife.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top