Tuna valley issue

nmesub

nmesub

Joined
Mar 18, 2012
Messages
13
Awhile back i purchased a tuna valley Phoenix jack. Love this knifes looks. But the open and close on a scale of one to ten is bear trap. Absolutely unusable and dangerous in its current state. I've oiled and spent lots of time opening and closing and doesn't seem to be getting any easier. Has anyone had this problem with this knife or did i get a lemon? And if u you had this issue did it get easier to open?
Thanks
 
Have you tried flushing the joint and using a good oil? I personally like Quick Release
 
If the action isn't gritty then the backspring tension is too stiff. It's pretty hard to grind material off the inside of the spring without taking it apart, and you can only do so much that way because pin placement is also a factor, but you could check in the services wanted/offered subforum
 
Does it have a 1/2 stop? If not, leave it open 1/2 way with tension on spring for a few minutes twice a day. If it does have a 1/2 stop, try to find somewhere at 1/4 or 3/4 open. Sometimes it helps, but don’t leave it opened like that for too long there is a chance of weakening or breaking the spring.
 
It does have a half stop. I'll try leaving it open with tension. If that doesnt work ill try and find someone in my area i can take it to get worked on. Im not comfortable doing the work myself on this knife.
 
Send it to one of the mod guys on here. The only way to lighten the pull a measurable amount is to remove material from the back spring.
 
Is it the Damascus one or the 154CM one? My Damascus one is definitely on the stiff side, but it's not a 10-pull. The 154 one is a bit better. I only open mine up for photos so I didn't try flushing out the joints.

I do know that the Phoenix Jack design is being tweaked slightly to help with the pull stiffness for the upcoming releases in other handle materials.
 
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If you have a dremel or small file and a reasonably steady hand, you can remove a little material off the tang, in both positions if need be. I did this on a Queen made knife I’ve got. Went from a ten pull down to a seven with just about 5 minutes of work.
 
Rookie82 said:
Is it the Damascus one or the 154CM one? My Damascus one is definitely on the stiff side, but it's not a 10-pull. The 154 one is a bit better. I only open mine up for photos so I didn't try flushing out the joints.
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Damascus. Was looking at getting the 154cm which is the reason i pulled this thing out in the first place and started playing with it. But im not paying for another one if anywhere close to this bear trap.
 
Since we are not supposed to post old threads, I lifted the following verbatim from one. (Hint: Solution for fixing overly strong spring? 7-15-2014)

"Watch your spring as you open your blade to figure out where the spring is at it's highest. When it's at this point stick a small screwdriver under the spring. Put your knife, springs up, on a table and push the handle of the knife down to put pressure on the springs. Hold the knife steady and use the screwdriver as a lever to push the springs past their normal full extension. Just go slow, don't pry too far, and don't let the screw driver/prying tool slip out. You just need a quality screwdriver that's the width of the backspring and maybe cover the edge of the blade with tape to prevent mishaps. Don't overdo the torquing and check often."

Be sure not to put any sideways/lateral pressure to avoid causing blade play. The responders raved about the results.
 
If the knife is valuable, which it obviously is...
If you plan on keeping it in the safe and only show in pictures...
And if you don't plan to regularly carry the knife and use it a great deal...
Then I'd say to leave it "as is".
 
nmesub said:
Awhile back i purchased a tuna valley Phoenix jack. Love this knifes looks. But the open and close on a scale of one to ten is bear trap. Absolutely unusable and dangerous in its current state. I've oiled and spent lots of time opening and closing and doesn't seem to be getting any easier. Has anyone had this problem with this knife or did i get a lemon? And if u you had this issue did it get easier to open?
Thanks
Click to expand...
I have one and it is not an issue. Mine is even “pinchable” with a little effort. Have you contacted Daniel Family Knife Brands, they might be able to help. You are right, they are beautiful knives and would be a shame if yours is not useable or safe.
 
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