Spyderco Military, locking liner rubbed by blade

[Bagheera]

Hi,

My Spydeco Military with an unserrated CPM440-V blade and the "old style" engraving has been verry "unsmooth" when opening and closing for a long time.
I tried everything, lubricating wise to smoothing the opening/closing (Miltec-1, tri-flon oil etc) but nothing really helped.

The locking liner also developped an "turning" scratch from the backpart of the blade touching it.

I just had the opportunity to handle a friends Military I brought it back to Holland from the USA for him in 1990) and it was a lot smoother and nowhere scratches on the locking liner and base of the blade (that turns between the handle).

Upon close inspection I think I discovered the difference, his liner seems to have a very small ball that causes the liner to stay some distance from the blade when opened/closed while mine shows a little hole? and no ball.

I guess that my Military lost it's ball, it must have been right in the beginning when I got it, is there a way to fix it/get it replaced? and what is it gonna cost me? I live in The Netherlands so I dread shipping charges and return costs/time and the ever present customs officers who sometimes even tax a guarantee return with 33% tax.

The knife locks rock solid and is supersharp I reguarly use it as a "pin" to remove splinters.
It's my daily carry folder (around my neck in a River City sheath) and I hate to loose it for months.

Please advise.

Have a peacefull Easter weekend, best Scouting wishes from Holland,

Bagheera

 

[m@thew]

It bothered you enough to post about it, so i would send it in to Spyderco for repair, but you are right about waiting a long time and the other hassles that come with sending a knife to the US when you live in Europe, the upside is that it gives you a good excuse to buy another knife to use in the meantime!
Good luck

 

[ThinkOfTheChildren]

The ball detent fell out, huh? That really sucks! If you want it fixed, you will have to send it in. The ball detent is there to better keep the knife closed. The gritty opening is just another side effect of its disappearance, I guess.

Since you keep the knife in a River City sheath, accidental opening is not a concern. You problem doesn't sound unsafe, just annoying. I guess it's up to you whether it's worth it or not to send it in.

 

[marty123]

Perhaps you can fix it yourself. E-mail Spyderco and see what they say. Maybe, in consideration of your living in Holland, Spyderco might send you a ball-bearing along with some advice on how you can install it yourself. Sort of some unofficial, but sympathetic of your plight, repair assistance. I've never had such a problem myself, but perhaps the ball can be press-fit into place by the ELU.