Strider pivot/lockup adjustments

[00ChevyScott]

How easy are they to adjust and smooth out lockup? May be purchasing one with a sticky lock and wondering if it'd be a good purchase anyways.

 

[Toyz]

If it is new and sticky then it hasn't been broken in yet. You can put graphite (pencil) on the lock bar face and the tang of the knife and that will smooth it out a little until it gets broken in.

As far as adjusting the pivots - Strider loctites the newer models - so be aware of that before trying to manipulate the pivot. You may have to apply a little heat to the pivot to break the loctite bond.

Break in, when it comes to Striders, can run from 300-1,000 open / close cycles.

I don't have it any more, but my SnG probably took around 400-500 openings before the titanium mated to the tang of the knife.

Both of my SMF's (purchased new) were considerably smoother than the SnG - but I think that is because both have the thinner concealed carry scale on the lock bar side.

 

[JNewell]

How easy are they to adjust and smooth out lockup? May be purchasing one with a sticky lock and wondering if it'd be a good purchase anyways.

If you're just talking about the lockbar being sticky, there's nothing different about a Strider compared to other framelocks. You can try graphite, which may help. IMHO it's insanity to adjust the lockbar yourself. You'll void the warranty and may damage the knife and/or your digits...if it needs to be adjusted/bent, I'd send it in. YMMV on that one.

 

[00ChevyScott]

I've got a ZT0551 that I've had to play with the lockup to get it to stop sticking so I think ill be alright.

 

[JNewell]

If for some reason you need to loosen the pivot, the better choices are the special tools made by a couple of vendors. There are relatively expensive versions made out of titanium and more affordable versions made from steel.

 

[bigmark408]

I have many striders....i have tuned most of them....graphite, markers and all the other crap on the lock face is a short term bandaid at best .... I have not run across one that was not tuneable.... ( IMO ) great knives.

 

[CowboyNovak]

I'm also getting a strider that's coming tomorrow with a tool. How do you heat up the pivot? As in what divice do u use?

 

[PSD]

How do you heat up the pivot? As in what divice do u use?

There are a few different opinions out there. I submerge the pivot end in boiling water and give it a try. If you dont like the idea of submerging the knife in water you can apply heat to the pivot with a soldering iron. Be sure to wrap the knife in a rag or towel to protect your hand from excess heat.