sand in delica

[Benjamin]

Hello all.

Two weeks ago I bought my first spyderco, a blue delica. Five days ago I was helping a buddy install a new liner into his in-ground pool. I left for a few moments and returned to find him using the delica to cut up the old liner, which brings me to the problem.

There is sand in the lock of my knife. I have rinsed the knife with water, cleaned everything that I could get at with a rag, tried compressed air, etc. to no avail. I have opened the knife probably fifty times since then, and it always emits a horrible gritting sound. Worse than that, the blade is getting scratched rather seriously where it contacts the locking bar.

What can I do to deal with this? The handle and blade seem to be pinned, and I do not wish to try dis-assembling it and void the warranty. Although I know that my spydie has several years of life left, I'd like to prevent un-necessary wear.

Thank you all.

-Ben

 

[samo]

Whenever in serious doubt, pack your delica and send it to Spyderco's service and warranty dept.

Sam

 

[ThinkOfTheChildren]

I would open the knife half way and then depress the lock bar as far as you can so that there is clearance between it and the blade tang. Now take a can of WD-40 and blast through the thing like crazy, making sure to get between the lock and the blade. The WD-40 will blast the sand out better than compressed air.

 

[KBR]

I agree with samo, but ThinkOfTheChildren's suggestion could work as well, although I hear that WD-40 isn't too great to use for knife care.
Why take a chance to void the warranty?

 

[Benjamin]

The grit has moved to such a place that the lock now no longer works - the delica is now a slipjoint. Glad that I noticed this when I did....

Tomorrow I call warranty repair and see what they want me to do.

Thank you for your insights.

 

[ThinkOfTheChildren]

Originally posted by KBR
...I hear that WD-40 isn't too great to use for knife care...

WD-40 makes for a crappy lubricant but it's a great solvent/cleaner for moving parts. I've never seen it do any damage to a knife.

Why take a chance to void the warranty?

My method shouldn't void the warranty: there's nothing destructive about it.

Benjamin,

if it doesn't lock then there is sand in the lock mechanism. Look at the indent in the tang where the lock engages and thoroughly clean it out. Then do what I suggested before. I bet that every time you open/close it, more sand is migrating into the locking portion of the tang.

 

[KBR]

ThinkOfTheChildren, I didn't mean to offend, I meant that he may void the warranty if he tried to take the knife apart himself.

 

[yoda4561]

I've always found a toothbrush, dish detergent, and scalding hot water were the best things for cleaning out my spyderco's, (and most of my other folders too)