Stiff and Squeaky

D

DJ Kali

Joined
Apr 20, 2004
Messages
16
I recently purchased a new EKI Combat Karambit. It is my second one (I have this weird thing about wanting more than one so I can have one to keep as backup... maybe this is from my comic book collecting days haha). The first one I purchased about a year ago has a satin finish and it seems perfect. It opens smooth like butter. This new one is a Black Teflon coat, and when I first got it, it was very tight. I played with the pivot screw and even added some WD40 all around the area but it helped very little.

So for the past two days or so I have been working it in (like when I would get balisongs from the Philippines... they really had to just be worked in) but I have noticed two things. One is a find coppery colored dust around the pivot. The second thing is it squeaks! So my questions are: is this coppery dust something normal or am I messing something up by constantly working it open and closed? The second question is, aside from WD40 are there any other suggestions to both facilitate a smoother opening and eliminate the squeakiness?

It is already my EDC, it opens easily with the wave (just not as smooth as my other one) and the squeak is not very loud. I love it, but I thought I'd see if there were any thoughts/suggestions.

Joe
 
i would use anything but WD40. Use breakfree, miltec, white lightning, even just plain mineral oil (will be messy).
 
Joe,
You may want to try giving it a good washing/rinsing at the sink. Sometimes there's 'stuff' in the knife from the production process. Then make sure you dry it ENTIRELY - use one of those aircans from an office supply store or a hair dryer. Then add some Miltec. That process has worked for me...maybe it will for you.
Steve
 
DJ Kali, check your Karambit's washers, arethey are phosphor bronze? I have had a couple of folders that had the same "dust" and they had phosphor bronze washers. I know this sounds stupid, but maybe the pivot is adjusted too tightly.
 
Good point, Devilnut. That could explain the dust. I've also had some problems in the past with using dry stones and having dust get into the action, you want to get it out before it starts scratching things up. I'd suggest a direct stream of running water into the pivot area while the knife is partially opened (make sure you hold on to the blade to keep it from moving) and work the blade to move things around and hopefully wash it out. From there, warm soap and water and a thorough drying with a hairdryer would be a good idea. If you've got an air compressor, you're in luck.

As for the squeaking, I'd try to loosen the pivot and use some lubricant like Militec or the aforementioned mineral oil. It's tough to apply, I found an eye dropper that I use.
 
As far as I know EKI has never used phosphor bronze washers on any knife, they use nylatron washers.

A good washing and lube job should help things out a bit. Also adjusting the pivot can never hurt. Just play around with it until it opens smoothly and locks well. If that doesn't work then take the knife apart, clean everything thourghly and reassemble using a good lube such as Militec.
 
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