Washer bearing frame lock suddenly has gritty action

Z

ZTFan

Joined
Oct 6, 2016
Messages
137
Hi all, minor issue here.

I was watching Tom Segura take hot wings to the face on Hot Wings, casually opening and closing my titanium frame lock washer bearing folder, which typically has an extremely smooth opening and takedown (with a nice high-pitched "ping" on full collapse), when all of a sudden I felt a ton of resistance on the blade and rather unpleasant grinding sound. One minute it was opening and closing about as well as washers will, and the next it sounds like an old WW1 tank tread screeching against the body.

I feel like there are only two reasons why this would be the case.

1. The pivot screw somehow got extra tightened (no idea how that could happen)
2. The detent ball has worn down.

I think that #2 is more likely, however I can still see the detent ball and there's noticeable change in detent when I move the blade over it and back again, so it's still there. Unfortunately I don't have a hex screw so I can't currently adjust the pivot myself, but that's something I've been nervous about doing anyway. Maybe some grit got in the action?

Has this happened to anyone else out of the blue? What can I do to fix it? It's a full custom so I guess I could always send it to the maker but is there anything I should check first?
 
Perhaps there is grit/dirt in the pivot area? With compressed air, see if you can clean it out moving the blade in different open positions and blasting the area out. A simple way to to fix it to start with.
 
Blow the pivot out with some compressed air. A drop of oil and blow the excess oil out with compressed air again.
 
91bravo said:
Blow the pivot out with some compressed air. A drop of oil and blow the excess oil out with compressed air again.
Click to expand...
Well Jonny, looks like we were both giving almost the same advice at the same time.:thumbsup: I prefer the liquid wax products or even a drop or two from a candle into the pivot. Oil can collect & hold dirt, grit & pocket lint..
 
ZTFan said:
Hi all, minor issue here.

I was watching Tom Segura take hot wings to the face on Hot Wings, casually opening and closing my titanium frame lock washer bearing folder, which typically has an extremely smooth opening and takedown (with a nice high-pitched "ping" on full collapse), when all of a sudden I felt a ton of resistance on the blade and rather unpleasant grinding sound. One minute it was opening and closing about as well as washers will, and the next it sounds like an old WW1 tank tread screeching against the body.

I feel like there are only two reasons why this would be the case.

1. The pivot screw somehow got extra tightened (no idea how that could happen)
2. The detent ball has worn down.

I think that #2 is more likely, however I can still see the detent ball and there's noticeable change in detent when I move the blade over it and back again, so it's still there. Unfortunately I don't have a hex screw so I can't currently adjust the pivot myself, but that's something I've been nervous about doing anyway. Maybe some grit got in the action?

Has this happened to anyone else out of the blue? What can I do to fix it? It's a full custom so I guess I could always send it to the maker but is there anything I should check first?
Click to expand...

Alot of time gritty action actually has to do with the detent ball rather than the washers themselves. Use a qtip dipped in some rubbing alcohol and clean the detent ball off.

Also I am not sure if on that knife there is anyway to see the track the detent ball rides along the side of the tang but if possible do your best to clean that off too.

Things like a tiny bit of fruit juice (or whatever) getting on the detent ball or detent track can make a knife extremely gritty, like you dumped a bunch of sand in the pivot.
 
Rhinoknives1 said:
Well Jonny, looks like we were both giving almost the same advice at the same time.:thumbsup: I prefer the liquid wax products or even a drop or two from a candle into the pivot. Oil can collect & hold dirt, grit & pocket lint..
Click to expand...

I'm a big fan of Tuf Glide. One drop per side, work the action and blow the rest out. It dries and doesn't attract dust or lint!
 
91bravo said:
I'm a big fan of Tuf Glide. One drop per side, work the action and blow the rest out. It dries and doesn't attract dust or lint!
Click to expand...
It’s a Synthetic silicone if I remember correctly? Far better than the oil base lubes. You’re smart to blow out any extra, most way over lube the pivot.
 
Soap and water and then compresses air to get out the water. Scrub that detent good too. Usually this happens on CRKs... Soap and water on the blade tang where the detent travels. Happens every time I cut fruit up.

In any case really make sure it's dry. Use a hair drier if you have too on low. And then lube that's good as a rust prevention.
 
I was lazy, so....blast of Ballistol, blast of air...work folder, repeated till smooth & wiped of excess.
 
Whether guns or knives, if something gets funny, then it's time for take-down. Get it apart. Inspect, clean, and lubricate.
 
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