Sodbuster CV getting jammed

[tree1]

Hi, I have a question

I just bought a Case Sodbuster and Stockman both CV. I used the Sodbuster for half a shift at work after which it started to jam up when I opened and closed it. If I blow in to it it's OK, but it jams up again. Is this something to do with the coating that was on it from the factory?

If it is: how do I clean it out? should I fully submerge it in water and use a pipe cleaner to clear it out, then re coat it in oil?

Also will the same problem develop with the Stockman, should I clean that before I start to use it?



A little bit of history: I've just started getting into knives, not to collect but to use. I've been getting increasingly sick of using work issue safety knives everyday, they don't do the job they're intended for. I wanted something relatively cheap that would be a workhorse. After checking on UK law and reading these forums I settled on an SS Sodbuster. I've had that knife for a few months, but I did more reading about sharpness and how long CV keeps an edge and decided I wanted a CV version for work. After looking at different blades I thought the Stockman would suit my everyday needs slightly more because of the choice of blades, so I picked that for out of work.

As you can tell, I don't know much about knives.

Thank you
Carl

 

[Mad_Maxx]

you mean it's gritty?
warm water,soap and a used toothbrush are what I use to clean knives
after I dry, use some tissue to clean dirt and goop and dry the inside
3rd is oil in the joint, half closed knife, open/close a few times and you should be fine

often slippies are fullof protective oil, not always quality one and with time and debris from manufacturing they become dirty and gritty
cleaning makeas a wholly new knife IMO

hope ths helps
Maxx

 

[338375]

Welcome to Blade Forums. You have found the best sub forum here IMHO.

I would give it a good cleaning and then oil the joint.
I don't know why blowing into it would do anything, but my guess if it helps it, is that there is some debris possibly around the joint and spring area.

I could be wrong though. Cleaning and oiling is a good place to start.
You shouldn't have any problem with the stockman, but its always good to give new and old knives a good cleaning, and oiling

 

[ratman57]

I bought a CV Sod Buster about 6 months ago. Just like you I used it for a very short while and it jammed up tight. You could hardly open or close it. I washed it and oiled it and it smoothed right out... for about a dozen opens and closes. It jammed right up again.

I sent it back to Case. It came back nice and smooth. They were even nice enough to polish off my patina and re-grind the edge so it wasn't as sharp as when they got it. Maybe they just replaced the blade.

The turn around was fairly quick and I haven't had a problem with it since.

 

[Blues]

Moved to "Maintenance/Tinkering" forum with a link left behind in "Traditional" for those wishing to contribute.

 

[zerogee]

Just to throw this into the discussion, but as I understand it, Case Sodbusters (and I think a number of other brands) are not made with the usual pin pivot construction -- it's actually a compression rivet (two piece rivet - one part solid, one part hollow).

Like this:

So some out of spec rivets could cause some interesting problems.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I've had luck in thoroughly flushing out the pivot of pocketknives with WD-40, while exercising the pivot. Then, when it seems to be opening & closing smoothly, give it a good bath in warm, soapy water (use dish soap). Rinse in hot water, dry everything thoroughly, then re-apply a little WD-40 to the pivot to displace any residual moisture.

Unfortunately, I think Case has a bit of a problem with knives getting shipped with gritty pivots. Might be leftover polishing compound from the final buff getting into the joints. Whatever the case, I've consistently had good luck with the WD-40 flush & soapy bath treatment.

The point emphasized by zerogee, about the compression rivet, might lend to a larger problem with the sodbusters. Looks like that rivet is made of brass(?). If so, I could see the soft brass being abraded by some burrs or rough spots around the inside edge of the (steel) blade pivot hole, creating some shavings that might jam up the pivot. The 'grittiest' pivot I ever had to deal with, involved some little bits of brass that I noticed when flushing & exercising a pivot on (what else?) a sodbuster.

 

[tree1]

Thank you for the advice I'll give it a good clean out.

ratman57 - If I still have problems how do I go about sending it to Case? Also I'm from the UK so it'll probably be more hassle than it's worth

 

[Paul 883215]

Tree,

If you are working in an enviroment where you get grit in your knife, like I do, I do not know if Case would be able to do anything for you. Usually, a wash in hot water followed by oil does the trick for me. If it is really bad, a little soak in WD-40 might be in order.



Paul

 

[ratman57]

ratman57 - If I still have problems how do I go about sending it to Case? Also I'm from the UK so it'll probably be more hassle than it's worth

Try here http://www.wrcase.com/about_case/faqs/6.php

 

[tree1]

Well I cleaned it out until it didn't make any scratching noises, I'll try it at work on sunday night. I cleaned my SS Sodbuster out which has been used, but not come in contact with dirt, and that was very mucky inside, it's much better now. I hope the CV just works nice all night I'll be really happy.

 

[tree1]

Problem solved. I used it all last night with no jamming up. Thanks for all the tips. Much appreciated.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Problem solved. I used it all last night with no jamming up. Thanks for all the tips. Much appreciated.

:thumbup:
Glad to hear it worked out well.

 

[KennyB]

I've had luck in thoroughly flushing out the pivot of pocketknives with WD-40, while exercising the pivot. Then, when it seems to be opening & closing smoothly, give it a good bath in warm, soapy water (use dish soap). Rinse in hot water, dry everything thoroughly, then re-apply a little WD-40 to the pivot to displace any residual moisture.

Unfortunately, I think Case has a bit of a problem with knives getting shipped with gritty pivots. Might be leftover polishing compound from the final buff getting into the joints. Whatever the case, I've consistently had good luck with the WD-40 flush & soapy bath treatment.

The point emphasized by zerogee, about the compression rivet, might lend to a larger problem with the sodbusters. Looks like that rivet is made of brass(?). If so, I could see the soft brass being abraded by some burrs or rough spots around the inside edge of the (steel) blade pivot hole, creating some shavings that might jam up the pivot. The 'grittiest' pivot I ever had to deal with, involved some little bits of brass that I noticed when flushing & exercising a pivot on (what else?) a sodbuster.

Do you think Benchmade's BlueLube Cleanser would do the same job as WD-40?

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Do you think Benchmade's BlueLube Cleanser would do the same job as WD-40?

I've never tried it. But, based on what I'm reading about it, I'm sure it'd work. Downside seems to be, it's kinda pricey, compared to WD-40 (I'm seeing 4 oz. bottle for $8.75 ). When I 'flush' out a knife with WD-40, I give it a pretty good soaking. Would get expensive pretty fast, if I used the Blue Lube for that. I'd be more inclined to save it for light re-lube of the pivot, AFTER the flush is done and the knife is cleaned up.

I think a lot of similar products would probably work for such a task. WD-40 is what I use because it can be found pretty much anywhere, and is quite useful for many other things, too. And, as I said, not too expensive.

 

[KennyB]

I've never tried it. But, based on what I'm reading about it, I'm sure it'd work. Downside seems to be, it's kinda pricey, compared to WD-40 (I'm seeing 4 oz. bottle for $8.75 ). When I 'flush' out a knife with WD-40, I give it a pretty good soaking. Would get expensive pretty fast, if I used the Blue Lube for that. I'd be more inclined to save it for light re-lube of the pivot, AFTER the flush is done and the knife is cleaned up.

I think a lot of similar products would probably work for such a task. WD-40 is what I use because it can be found pretty much anywhere, and is quite useful for many other things, too. And, as I said, not too expensive.

Yeah, good point, but I haven't really had much use for the Cleanser, so maybe I'll just go a little at a time and see how it works. Ran out of WD-40.