I just got an Emerson Horseman and the liner lock sticks. I know this is normal with all Emersons and it doesn't bother me. However I am worried that all that grinding will wear down the liner and cause up and down blade play after a while. Can this happen to liner locks? Will pencil graphite prevent the liner from wear?
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
sticky liner lock
- Thread starter Knifein
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2009
- Messages
- 13,538
It's pretty common for brand new liner & frame locks to be a bit tight and/or sticky for a short while. It's generally not anything to worry about. As it breaks in, the mating surfaces will smooth out a bit. The mating surfaces are machined at an angle. When new, the liner should engage the outer 1/3 to 1/2 of the blade tang. As they wear in, the liner will naturally slide inward a bit on the blade tang, maintaining a snug fit. That's done by design.
I have heard of using a pencil to apply a little graphite to the mating surfaces. Don't think there's any harm in that. It's sort of a temporary fix anyway, until the lock smooths out.
I have heard of using a pencil to apply a little graphite to the mating surfaces. Don't think there's any harm in that. It's sort of a temporary fix anyway, until the lock smooths out.