Smoothness somewhat lost

D

doctorheckles

Joined
Sep 17, 2014
Messages
60
So I recently got my first Hinderer and decided I'd like to oil it up with my oil of choice and in the process get an understanding of how to disassemble and care for the knife (I had gotten it secondhand). I used the guide for doing so that is pinned in this forum lubed all the essential areas with some frog lube. After reassembling and getting the blade centered once (again using the guide pinned in this forum) everything looked great. Then I went to flip it open and it just felt rough, so I thought maybe the pivot was just too tight so I loosened it up a bit which helped but still isn't how it was when I first got it. I was wondering if anyone else had run into anything like this and if you have any tips on how to fix it? Thanks in advance!
 
I do not lube teflon pivot washers. They are designed to work smooth w/o lubrication. Try cleaning it up and then see. Also, as the knife is pre-owned, I'd check on the washers and their condition and if there is a difference, I'd put smoother sides towards the blade.
 
Gress said:
I do not lube teflon pivot washers. They are designed to work smooth w/o lubrication. Try cleaning it up and then see. Also, as the knife is pre-owned, I'd check on the washers and their condition and if there is a difference, I'd put smoother sides towards the blade.
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I'll give that a try, thanks.
 
If it isn't moving smoothly, you have done something wrong. Check to see if you screwed up one of the washers when reassembling or if you got some grit into the action.
 
RDA said:
If it isn't moving smoothly, you have done something wrong. Check to see if you screwed up one of the washers when reassembling or if you got some grit into the action.
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I tried what Gress suggested without much luck. It worked a little but still isn't where it was when I got it. I'm most sure if the washers need to go on particular sides or something (they look identical to me) but I cleaned everything out to try to remove any grit or anything and re-oiled. Still not quite there but it's getting better. I noticed after the initial reassembly I had to tighten the pivot a lot more to get the blade centered. Now if I put it back to the same sort of tightness that it originally was, the blade is very far to the scale side. I feel like it will just be a trial and error thing.
 
When I mentioned the washers, I wasn't really referring to which side (but if you have different sizes, the smaller OD one goes on the lock side). What I meant was check to see if you damaged them when assembling.

I'd start over and do it again. Use a light lube if you like. Refine the pivot adjustment and report back.
 
RDA said:
When I mentioned the washers, I wasn't really referring to which side (but if you have different sizes, the smaller OD one goes on the lock side). What I meant was check to see if you damaged them when assembling.

I'd start over and do it again. Use a light lube if you like. Refine the pivot adjustment and report back.
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Ok thanks for clarifying. The washers I have are identical and seem to look fine. I think I've narrowed the problem down to the decent ball not being lubed enough. When I disengage the lock bar the blade glides smoothly. I'm going to give the detent ball and it's "path" along the blade a little grease and hopefully that will do the trick.
 
As theses knives are hand assembled and tolerances are wee, the sweet-spot on reassembly can befuddle those new to it all and may make a smooth criminal somewhat elusive. But the stickies do keep us from typing a lot.

I add lubrication to my washers as I reassemble my XMs. I find it gives a little bit more flexibility on finding the perfect pivot adjustment...can go a bit tighter on the screw and still flip like a dream. I try to keep everything else clean (within reason) instead of greasing the detent ball like you mentioned.

Let us know how it goes and if you find yourself still chasing perfection; contact one of us.
 
Need2Know said:
As theses knives are hand assembled and tolerances are wee, the sweet-spot on reassembly can befuddle those new to it all and may make a smooth criminal somewhat elusive. But the stickies do keep us from typing a lot.

I add lubrication to my washers as I reassemble my XMs. I find it gives a little bit more flexibility on finding the perfect pivot adjustment...can go a bit tighter on the screw and still flip like a dream. I try to keep everything else clean (within reason) instead of greasing the detent ball like you mentioned.

Let us know how it goes and if you find yourself still chasing perfection; contact one of us.
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Thanks very much Need2Know! I ended up cleaning off the washers completely and allowing them to dry. That helped quite a bit but I'm still experiencing a great loss of smoothness (I literally can't flip it without any wrist action). I'm also trying to get the centering just right but I'm finding that when I get it centered the pivot is just too tight. And on top of it the lock has become sticky which is something totally new. This is all without the grease, I figured I'd give just a cleaning a go first but that didn't seem to work.
 
Disassemble the knife. Wipe everything down thoroughly with rubbing alcohol. Get the lock area, pivot, and the frame, blade, and liner side completely clean. Very lightly relube (your frog lube should work great) the pivot and washers with just a light touch on the detent ball. Try not to get any lube on the lock faces. Reassemble according to the stickies. If that doesn't work you may have pinched washers. The site with the edged primate has washer and small part kits available (link below). Good luck!

http://www.monkeyedge.com/Hinderer-Folder-Parts-Kit-Clip-Screws-Washers-p/rhk0384-md086.htm
 
Jensen81 said:
Disassemble the knife. Wipe everything down thoroughly with rubbing alcohol. Get the lock area, pivot, and the frame, blade, and liner side completely clean. Very lightly relube (your frog lube should work great) the pivot and washers with just a light touch on the detent ball. Try not to get any lube on the lock faces. Reassemble according to the stickies. If that doesn't work you may have pinched washers. The site with the edged primate has washer and small part kits available (link below). Good luck!

http://www.monkeyedge.com/Hinderer-Folder-Parts-Kit-Clip-Screws-Washers-p/rhk0384-md086.htm
Click to expand...

That's my plan! Thanks for the advice and the link just in case!
 
Well of fixed the problem. I cleaned it all up with rubbing alcohol and started from scratch. Relubricated everything and put it back together following the stickies to a T and this time it worked out! Now I have the pivot tighter and it's easier to flip than when I got it. It's buttery smooth now! Thanks for all the advice everyone, I really appreciate it!
 
Glad to hear the problem is solved! We have a very awesome group here on the forum. Be sure to hang around a lot!
 
prelude92 said:
Glad to hear the problem is solved! We have a very awesome group here on the forum. Be sure to hang around a lot!
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I can tell this is a great group just by how I was being helped out here. I look forward to my future hinderer endeavors with everyone here!
 
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