Ti lite losing detent ball

N

NetshadeX

Joined
Oct 17, 2013
Messages
694
Hi all,

So last week I noticed my Ti Lite had no detent anymore. Closer inspection learned that the detent ball had come out of the locking liner. I don't really have an explanation for it. I didn't do anything special to it, didn't use it hard or whatever. It's a safe queen knife if anything. I'm in Europe (Netherlands) so sending it in to Cold Steel isn't really an option for me.

Looks like I'll have to purchase a new one but I'm honestly a little hesitant to do so now. Have any of you ever had an issue like this? Ti Lite or any other liner lock knife?

Thanks!

(edit: I have the S35VN version, aluminum handle)
 
Have you got any pictures is it the 4 or 6 inch I would take it apart and try repair it or find some one who can
 
I currently own 7 Ti-Lites (1 T4, 6 T6's). I've never had a ball fall out. However-

Two things about the ball detent in these knives-

1. The detent divot in my T4 had a rather crisp edge around the circumference of the divot. It wouldn't surprise me if that had the potential to pry a ball out, especially if it isn't firmly set. I was also unable to wrist-flick the knife open as a result of the divot. I "fixed" this by drilling the detent divot all the way through, filling the hole, then punching a more shallow divot in the fill.

2. The tangs of the blades on both the T4 and T6 have a sharp edge that the ball has to overcome (scrape against) during opening. This concerned me so much that I create a "relief ramp" in all of my Ti-Lite blades so the balls ride smoothy up onto the blades (picture below of one of my auto conversion blades.)

Still, I think the Ti-lite is a GREAT knife. Just not a perfect knife. It benefits greatly from a few modifications. Hopefully your situation is a fluke. And hopefully Cold Steel will fix it (good luck with that :rolleyes:).

Is it a pre-GSM buyout Ti-Lite, or a post-GSM?

The relief-ramp for the ball is in the lower right of the tang. You can see the circular path of the ball going up the ramp to where the divot was located. I drill and fill the divots in my auto conversions for an easier, smoother opening.


WAiANnx.jpg
 
killgar said:
I currently own 7 Ti-Lites (1 T4, 6 T6's). I've never had a ball fall out. However-

Two things about the ball detent in these knives-

1. The detent divot in my T4 had a rather crisp edge around the circumference of the divot. It wouldn't surprise me if that had the potential to pry a ball out, especially if it isn't firmly set. I was also unable to wrist-flick the knife open as a result of the divot. I "fixed" this by drilling the detent divot all the way through, filling the hole, then punching a more shallow divot in the fill.

2. The tangs of the blades on both the T4 and T6 have a sharp edge that the ball has to overcome (scrape against) during opening. This concerned me so much that I create a "relief ramp" in all of my Ti-Lite blades so the balls ride smoothy up onto the blades (picture below of one of my auto conversion blades.)

Still, I think the Ti-lite is a GREAT knife. Just not a perfect knife. It benefits greatly from a few modifications. Hopefully your situation is a fluke. And hopefully Cold Steel will fix it (good luck with that :rolleyes:).

Is it a pre-GSM buyout Ti-Lite, or a post-GSM?

The relief-ramp for the ball is in the lower right of the tang. You can see the circular path of the ball going up the ramp to where the divot was located. I drill and fill the divots in my auto conversions for an easier, smoother opening.


WAiANnx.jpg
Click to expand...
That’s a great idea. I’ll be sure to do that to my new knife when I get it. The lockbar tension on Ti lites is pretty hefty and having the tang of the blade scraping the detent ball that hard could certainly have something to do with mine falling out. Thanks for that great tip!
 
Ball bearings are cheap. Buy and try a few sizes. Most are designated in fractional inches.
 
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