So my SMF developed up and down play...

S

SteelStickler

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Mar 22, 2013
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It's pretty slight, but it really upsets me considering the fact that I haven't abused this knife at all. Does Strider service this under their warrantee? If they don't, can the lock bar be adjusted so it more fully engages and eliminate the play?

Other strider owners who've had this issue, how did you tackle it? Is it just they way she goes, or can I do something here?

Thanks.
 
To add, it doesn't ALWAYS have up and down play - it seems like the LB seats fine sometimes, and then just doesn't have enough "oomph" others.
 
Sure, they'll fix it under warranty. As long as you haven't done any proscribed mods to it.
 
They will definitely cover it. Just ship it UPS (NOT USPS, since the postal service is too difficult for them to figure out), fully insured, for about $20. Be sure to include $25 inside the box so they can ship it back to you.


It's that easy. Only $50 for their free tune up service.
 
SteelStickler said:
To add, it doesn't ALWAYS have up and down play - it seems like the LB seats fine sometimes, and then just doesn't have enough "oomph" others.
Click to expand...

Probably needs more lockbar tension, as 4 of my SnG's have needed. Strider will fix it promptly, but as it has been mentioned the shipping costs are prohibitively high.
 
My SnG seems to have developed the issue as well... Can anyone explain why this occurs on Striders (not looking for a crapstorm hating on striders) ? Is it a design flaw?

Also, I haven't sent my blade in because 50 bucks for repairs is a bit much right now.
 
Lock rock can occur on any knife with a lock. I've seen it on lockbacks, frame locks even axis locks and compression locks.
 
Liner locks only work in one way. Try taking it apart and bending the part that needs to move slightly in the direction it needs to move. It's not rocket science, and I guarantee that's exactly what the Strider guys will do.
 
jill jackson said:
Strider will install a larger diameter stop pin, to tighten up the tolerance.
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Or that, but do you know that from experience? And if he doesn't have $50 to spare sending the knife back, would it not work bending the lockbar to where it needs to go? I'm honestly curious....
 
I experienced vertical blade play aka lock rock on quite a few of my Striders. Some were bad enough that the lock failed entirely and others were minor like yours sounds. Could not tell you why they seem prone to issues, but as some have mentioned it is a simple fix if you are willing to take a small risk.

For the couple I still own, I disassembled the knife (get a proper pivot tool and if it does not budge, put the knife in a plastic bag or two, soak in boiling water for a few minutes to break down the Loctite, and it will loosen very easily) and added a bit of tension to the lockbar. Voila - no more lock rock and I get the bank vault kind of lockup I expect from a CRK, Calavera, Hinderer, etc.

You might have some lock stick in the beginning so do not overdo it, or you will wreck your thumb. It does not take much to get them locking up as they should. Please keep in mind the potential risk you take servicing it yourself, but frankly it is ridiculous what they charge for servicing/shipping when the knife should be good to go in the first place.

The design, ergonomics, heat treat, etc is all there but something about their lockup is missing. I have returned more Striders than any other brand but I still love the ones I have.
 
AntDog said:
Or that, but do you know that from experience? And if he doesn't have $50 to spare sending the knife back, would it not work bending the lockbar to where it needs to go? I'm honestly curious....
Click to expand...

Nope know it from reading online a lot. I only have one Strider and it seems to have really good lock up as it's tight as any knife I own that locks. I did get it hand picked when I bought it though, from the dealer. For lock up and blade centering. It might work bending the lock bar, but I've read Strider does the oversized stop pin mostly to fix it.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...der-Lock-Rock-Issue-Customer-Service-Question
 
Thanks for the info Jill, I really was just curious. ("The more you know" and all)

I have no doubt they'd fix it, but I have no idea if the OP has the dinero to shell out to send it in.
 
I have also seen where they have installed larger diameter stop pins, but I don't doubt that they would try the bending trick first. Either way it will be fixed if you send it in.
 
jill jackson said:
Lock rock can occur on any knife with a lock. I've seen it on lockbacks, frame locks even axis locks and compression locks.
Click to expand...

Except an Opinel.

The Opinel lock won't stop accidental closure. It's more like a manual slip joint lock.

But the blade tang mates with the inner collar and the camming action of the lock collar removes and wobble.

I would recommend the Opinel for folding pry bar use. But for hard cutting with large opening forces - the kind that produces vertical play in other knives - the Opinel seems practically impervious to vertical play.
 
Opinel isn't an automatic lock either. Probably many manual locks could be invented that would be very sturdy.
 
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