Rat Trap mechanism question...

[C. STORR]

Anyone have firsthand info on the Rat Trap folder regarding whether it is supposed to lock, or at least be "tightly" held in frame when closed? I had one which I traded away awhile back and the guy is asking me what happened to the "ball" that keeps it locked up?? Here are his comments:

"...and if the blade swings out of the handle in your pocket?? The spring that locks the blade in the opened position should have a small steel ball at the end where it slides on the blade when moving. When you close the knife the ball slides[caused by the side torsion of the spring] in the hole, that is made in the blade just for that purpose and it is not seen, if you don't take the knife to pieces. I intend to do that tomorow and if the ball is missing I'll contact you again. "

 

[Eric Isaacson]

He is speaking of the "ball detent" which holds the blade closed when closed. It is not a lock, but rather just applies pressure to the blade so it doesn't swing free while in your pocket.

I just sent you an email.

 

[C. STORR]

Thanks for the super quick response Eric...on this particular knife, the blade held in closed position just fine, but swung out rather easily with very little pressure. Perhaps he expected it to be tighter...

 

[patsknives]

Hi!

My first post should be somewhere else, but I have to report on my problem that apeared in the first post of this tread ....Yes it was me asking that question.

Well sorry at first to use the word LOCK... The small ball does not LOCK the closed blade, but it just holds it a bit to stay between handles. I have took the knife to pieces today an saw the ball was not standing out of the locking metal that much, that it could slip into the little hole in the blade when closed. I tried to punch it a little and now it works fine.

Some pics of the inside of Rat Trap [if you click on the link under the picture you 'll see bigger pics]

http://i9.tinypic.com/4dqva51.jpg

http://i10.tinypic.com/2j35hj8.jpg

http://i9.tinypic.com/2n9cgoj.jpg

http://i10.tinypic.com/4gyv2pe.jpg

http://i9.tinypic.com/446um93.jpg

...and the Rat Trap is a great folder!!!!

DD

 

[Troy H]

Great pictures!!! :thumbup: