Very stiff-opening tools on Spirit

K

koz

Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
8
I just got my first Victorinox (Spirit Plus) multi a couple days ago and compared to my leatherman, it is absolutely top rate - not even a comparison, at least until today. I got home after it riding in my pocket all day while working on the car and could barely get some of the tools to come out with my fingernail. Some wouldn't even open unless I opened the others. Anyone else have experience with something like this, and what did you do to fix it? I've washed it and hit it with WD-40, but still no go.
 
Mine rides on my gunbelt at work, and sometimes in a pocket at home. I've had no problems in general, and nothing remotely similar to what you describe.

Odd. :confused:

I wouldn't be shy about taking/sending it back. Vic's warranty is above reproach.

Good luck.
 
If it did not come like that new and WD40 did not fix the problem then I doubt any lubricant will. Did you drop it? Did you look closely in between the pivot in good light?
 
JoHnYKwSt said:
If it did not come like that new and WD40 did not fix the problem then I doubt any lubricant will. Did you drop it? Did you look closely in between the pivot in good light?
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No, I didn't drop it - that's the really weird thing about this. As far as looking between the pivots, I've looked at them as closely as I could, but don't see a thing. I'll try a couple other lubes today, but I have a feeling it will be going in for an exchange/service. I see a lot of votes for Militec for lube - any other recommendations? Thanks everyone for all your input.
 
koz said:
No, I didn't drop it - that's the really weird thing about this. As far as looking between the pivots, I've looked at them as closely as I could, but don't see a thing. I'll try a couple other lubes today, but I have a feeling it will be going in for an exchange/service. I see a lot of votes for Militec for lube - any other recommendations? Thanks everyone for all your input.
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I doubt this is a lubrication problem. Every SAK I ever used, provided it was corrosion free (no flames, please, under some conditions it can happen), could be activated more or less easily, depending on backspring stiffness. That it happened suddenly indicates a mechanical problem. Before sending it for repair, you might give it a bath in mineral oil. Maybe some hardened crud got into a strategic spot and can be eliminated by dissolving it out. Maybe not, but worth a try.
 
Try opening and closing the tools 50 times and you will notice it becoming a little more lose. It took a month for my Spirit tools to loosen enough to be able to come out with my fingers. Some of the rarely used tools are still stiff to this day because they rarely come out. If that doesnt meet to your satisfaction send it into Victorinox with a little note and you will get a brand new replacement. Waiting times vary and if you are really inpatient you will need to prod them every 2 weeks or so until you get the replacement. (It took mine 3 months to come back!!)
 
I had the Swisstool, and got rid of it for the same reason. Opening it a million times won't help apparently, because each tool has it's own individual spring release, which while good, makes the tools really tough to open. It's the way they are, and from what I hear, it's the way they'll stay.
 
I, for one, find the snap on my spirit ideal. Sure, makes for difficult "nail opening" but I don't have much of a nail(s) anyhow, so i usually just wedge my finger in there to pull the tools up/out. A little Prolink in the pivots helped too (its a chain lube; i've found various bike chain lubes to work great as they are designed to penetrate, not wash out and not pick up gunk).
 
My Spirit and other vic products have been buttery smooth and easy when opening tools since day one. I'd say exchange it.
 
my spirit is also slick smooth,,id say give it a mineral oil bath,,,then lube it with some mil tech,,then open and close tools about 100 times,,watch a good movie at the same time,,if that doesnt work send it back to vic,,
 
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