What washers for a 722?

R

rdg

Joined
Oct 30, 2002
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Just received one of the S90V Spitfires from SKBlades. It's really stiff to open. When I took it apart I found it had a hard plastic washer and I'm wondering if bronze or bronze/teflon combo washers would help it. Currently have it opened to about 90* to see if that eases the spring. Does anyone know what size washers would be appropriate for it?
Bob
 
Finally got around to measuring the plastic washers in the Dark Hornet. ID was app 1/4" so I ordered a couple of sizes of phosphor-bronze as well as a couple of sizeds of teflon washers. Will post results.
To this point I have polished then bearing surfaces on the pivot and beveled the edges on the spring where it makes contact. No improvement at all. Seems like it's the blade/bevel area that is the problem. I have even tried loosening the pivot almost completely and still it is so stiff I am unable to open the blade using the thumb hole. Really hoping the new washers will do the trick. Seems like problems like this should not be happening in a design so old.
Bob
 
rdg said:
Just received one of the S90V Spitfires from SKBlades. It's really stiff to open. When I took it apart I found it had a hard plastic washer and I'm wondering if bronze or bronze/teflon combo washers would help it. Currently have it opened to about 90* to see if that eases the spring. Does anyone know what size washers would be appropriate for it?
Bob
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Have you talked to Stephen at SK of this issue? In his email he said he went to great lengths with Buck to make sure that these Spitfires should be best ever. You should not have to repair a new hundred dollar pocket knife .
 
I have communicated with SK, I wanted to see what I could do. I have not asked them to do anything yet. Right now I'm mostly curious as why it is doing this. And, I like to mess with stuff. If I am unable to solve the mystery, I'll talk to SK again. I think they (or Buck) will take care of me. No worries. I'm just really curious and kind of mystified why this is an issue with something that is not a new design. It's all good.
Bob
 
Last report on the project. I put in both phos-bronze and teflon washers, 1/4" id, 5/8" od, can't recall thickness - keep it fairly thin. They worked! It's still stiff, but is now possible to open with the thumb as should be. I think it will break in with use. The little plastic washers it comes with just don't do the job. It's a really nice knife, really like it and now I'm going to give it regular exercise.
Bob
 
rdg said:
Last report on the project. I put in both phos-bronze and teflon washers, 1/4" id, 5/8" od, can't recall thickness - keep it fairly thin. They worked! It's still stiff, but is now possible to open with the thumb as should be. I think it will break in with use. The little plastic washers it comes with just don't do the job. It's a really nice knife, really like it and now I'm going to give it regular exercise.
Bob
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Glad that worked out for you. Never had a 722 apart , didn't realize they have such a husky pivot pin 1/4" :thumbsup:
 
rdg said:
Last report on the project. I put in both phos-bronze and teflon washers, 1/4" id, 5/8" od, can't recall thickness - keep it fairly thin. They worked! It's still stiff, but is now possible to open with the thumb as should be. I think it will break in with use. The little plastic washers it comes with just don't do the job. It's a really nice knife, really like it and now I'm going to give it regular exercise.
Bob
Click to expand...
Smooth?
 
Yep, smooth. Just a little stiff, but it hasn't been broken in yet. I used a little Diawa reel oil when I put it back together and I think that helped some too.
Bob
 
rdg said:
Last report on the project. I put in both phos-bronze and teflon washers, 1/4" id, 5/8" od, can't recall thickness - keep it fairly thin. They worked! It's still stiff, but is now possible to open with the thumb as should be. I think it will break in with use. The little plastic washers it comes with just don't do the job. It's a really nice knife, really like it and now I'm going to give it regular exercise.
Bob
Click to expand...
Sorry to dig this up years later. Did you place the teflon directly against the blade or against the inside of the scale.

1. Blade, Teflon, bronze, inside of scales
Or
2. Blade, bronze, Teflon, inside of scales
 
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