Recon 1 and Tri-Ad Troubles

L

Lijap

Joined
Jan 21, 2012
Messages
42
I am 13 and have fairly strong hands, and I recently bought a new CS Recon 1 from amazon. I have noticed that The Tri-Ad lock is VERY stiff. It leaves a large depression in my thumbs when I close it, but I often use to fingers to close the lockbar. I have a rather large collection of knives out of high quality brands like Kershaw, Sog, Spyderco, etc. I haven't had these problems with any other knife, I have been closing and opening it to 90 degrees to see if that will loosen it up. Did I just get a lemon, or is this normal?
 
It will get easier to close with more openings and closings, Don't worry bro :thumbup:
 
Thanks, will opening and closing it to 90 degrees like I said help? I really like the Recon 1, but it's not worth losing the feeling in my hands ;)
 
It just takes some breaking in. I have an American Lawman. After a few weeks of breaking in it is no harder to close than my Endura.
 
The contact between the back lock and the blade tang of Cold Steel's Tri-ad lock is deeper than other brands' backlocks. They are harder to depress, but it will improve alittle over time. I trust that Tri-ad lock can take the most abuse. If you want a knife with a smoother locking mechanism, go for the brands that you have mentioned. Benchmade's axis lock is smooth and strong, and i hope that you can find a design that you like from BM.
 
Do I actually have to fully open and close it to break it in, or can I open and close it to 90 degrees like I said?
 
I'd say you have to open and close it all the way. Let the lock snap into place and wear a bit. I think 2 things actually happen, the lock breaks in after a while and your hands break in as well. ;) Keep working at it. You'll both get used to each other.
 
Thanks Everyone, It has become a little easier to use now. I am not sure if I now have monster thumbs or the lock is wearing in :)
 
Going only 90 degrees might help with the blade smoothness, but to wear in the lock will take a full 180. Just take your time and it will happen.

Welcome to BF's.:)
 
All contacts within the lock are coated. When that coating starts to wear, the lock will get really smooth. I noticed this when i chemically stripped the coating from the blade and lock arm.

CS should sell them uncoated, the tumbled finish is really well done.
 
It's Normal, It's Actually Normal For A Lot Of Knives.
I Think I'm About To Trade For My Second Paramilitary 2.
 
I have handled a couple that had been used for a while, and they were still very stiff for a lockback.
 
To get Tri-Ad or normal lockbacks very smooth what I have always done is pinch the blade while it's closed so that the blade slightly raises out of the handle, then rotate it back and forth from almost opened to almost closed - my thumb tip and finger tips act as a stop for the handle and you naturally stop it just before the lock-bar engages when going the other way with hardly any practice.

Do it a bunch of times the first few days owning it, going as fast and as long as you feel, and it makes them open and close very smooth and easy. It makes it as though you have been using it on a regular basis for a long time. Doesn't put any unnecessary wear on the parts from engaging the lock multiple times or letting it slam into the handle.
 
OrdnanceBubbaUSMC said:
To get Tri-Ad or normal lockbacks very smooth what I have always done is pinch the blade while it's closed so that the blade slightly raises out of the handle, then rotate it back and forth from almost opened to almost closed - my thumb tip and finger tips act as a stop for the handle and you naturally stop it just before the lock-bar engages when going the other way with hardly any practice.

Do it a bunch of times the first few days owning it, going as fast and as long as you feel, and it makes them open and close very smooth and easy. It makes it as though you have been using it on a regular basis for a long time. Doesn't put any unnecessary wear on the parts from engaging the lock multiple times or letting it slam into the handle.
Click to expand...

I will try that out, thanks for the suggestion!
 
I've EDC'd a Recon 1 for around 3 months now and mine has broke in great. Both deploying it and closing it are significantly easier and smooth now. Just practice with it some throughout the day and in a few weeks it should be a lot smoother for you.
 
Just got mine yesterday it was a little stiff, I just sat at playing with it all day it has freed up quite a bit from when I unboxed it. Just keep working it, it will free up. On that note though man I am def impressed with the whole quality of the knife its solid, and the triad is insane. Spent better part of the day trying to get it to fail, by pressing on it, and working it over. Never once did it give, and no side to side, or up and down play. Love the Recon 1. I got mine in 50/50 edge, I love Cold Steel Serrations.
 
A strong detent is inherent in most lock back style knives. I'm not sure how strong the hands of a 13 year old would be, but most adults that I know with that knife don't have too much trouble. As you get older it should become much easier.
 
The Recon 1 loves to be used, so use away and the lock will smooth out. (Or you will develop thumbs like Popeye.) :)
 
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