When it begins to make noise opening and closing, you can replace the orings with ones found at a hardware store. They are inexpensive.
To get them off, I get mine started by opening the blade to trap them tight, then use a fingertip to press up on it (parallel to the groove it is in) to get it to rise above the groove a little so your index finger in the other hand can pry it off a bit.
Hold it there, slightly close the blade to release the oring entrapment, and then work it the rest of the way off by just sliding a bit more of it over the tip of the blade stop. It'll pop right off.
If you try to cut it out of the groove with another knife it can scratch something if it goes awry. The above technique eliminates that possibility on such an expensive knife and is easily accomplished.
