What's the best way to deal with a liner lock that goes all the way to the right?

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Folderguy

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Jun 26, 2010
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What's the best way to deal with a liner lock that goes all the way to the right?

On some of my folders, the liner moves over more and more to the right, getting close to the edge of the blade tang. I suppose that is due to wear on the face of the liner bar. And it happens basically to all of them, including Benchmades and some other reasonable quality knives. Is there a cure for this?
 
i think theres a technique that involves peening the lock bar to displace some metal at the end of the lockbar. not shure the exact method but i think it would be done to the inside less visable part of the bar. certainly wouldnt do this if it could be fixed or replaced under warrenty.
 
I have often found that striping the knife down for a good cleaning, will fix the problem on re-assembly.
 
A.P.F. said:
I have often found that striping the knife down for a good cleaning, will fix the problem on re-assembly.
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I had an extreme case of the problem on a brand new knife, and fixed it primarily by narrowing the spacers between the liners, and swapping in some thinner washers. Here's the thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=782901 detailing it with all the gory details.

I'm hoping to find an easier solution than the one mentioned above...
 
I would recommend not flicking your knives open with tremendous force. This may seem "awesome", but all it does is cause premature wear on your knife and inevitably shortens the life in it. Same goes for lockbacks, frame locks, etc.
The problem might be fixable by replacing the stop pin located on the back side of the knife near the tang.
 
I've had a few of them that would do this. Some times just tightening the pivot seemed to help - if only just to keep them from sticking over on the right. One of the handful of reasons I'm really tired of liner-locks and still haven't pulled the trigger on some models I've lusted after for years. Several better lock mechanism designs out there but the companies keep using the cheap and easy liner-lock.
 
The "cheap and easy" liner lock is popular because it can be done that way. Good ones are neither cheap nor easy.
 
RevDevil said:
I would recommend not flicking your knives open with tremendous force. This may seem "awesome", but all it does is cause premature wear on your knife and inevitably shortens the life in it. Same goes for lockbacks, frame locks, etc.
The problem might be fixable by replacing the stop pin located on the back side of the knife near the tang.
Click to expand...

One of the knives is an assisted opening CRKT that I've had for about 10 days. It opens strongly. I don't know how to eliminate the problem with this knife. Eventually I may need to open it up again and remove one of the very thin washers on the right side of the pivot to tmake the knife thinner, as that would certainly help a bit. I suppose the problem might have been minimized if the liner lock had been hardened when making the knife, but given the low price point of this knife, I'm virtually certain that wasn't done.

Thanks for the suggestion.
 
Folderguy said:
One of the knives is an assisted opening CRKT that I've had for about 10 days. It opens strongly. I don't know how to eliminate the problem with this knife. Eventually I may need to open it up again and remove one of the very thin washers on the right side of the pivot to tmake the knife thinner, as that would certainly help a bit. I suppose the problem might have been minimized if the liner lock had been hardened when making the knife, but given the low price point of this knife, I'm virtually certain that wasn't done.

Thanks for the suggestion.
Click to expand...

It might have been hardnened, but then again if the steel used is of low quality, all the HT in the world won't help. Be careful using that knife in particular, it could very well break with hard enough cutting. Not worth losing a finger or getting a severe gash in the hand.

If you want to get washers many knifemaking stores have them available for a very reasonable price. Check out knifekits or USAknifemaker for washers. :thumbup:
 
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yablanowitz said:
The "cheap and easy" liner lock is popular because it can be done that way. Good ones are neither cheap nor easy.
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I couldn't agree more! :thumbup:

Liner locks don't get nearly enough respect, a well built liner lock is easier to open and close than most other locks out there, and just as durable while still remaining simple and allowing for grippy scales on both sides of the handle.

There are two proper solutions to a worn out lockbar, first is a new lockbar of course, the second is a larger stop pin. Stop pins are sold at many knife supply shops online, just pick up a cheap caliper or micrometer and measure your current pin to find what size you'll need on the ends.

You can also make you own by taking a drill bit that is slightly larger than the stop ping you have. Then cutting it to length, and putting it in a drill chuck. Turn on the drill and sand away with some sand paper to get the ends to fit in the liners. Basically a poor man's super basic lathe. Works great in a pinch.
 
EricV said:
I couldn't agree more! :thumbup:

Liner locks don't get nearly enough respect, a well built liner lock is easier to open and close than most other locks out there, and just as durable while still remaining simple and allowing for grippy scales on both sides of the handle.

There are two proper solutions to a worn out lockbar, first is a new lockbar of course, the second is a larger stop pin. Stop pins are sold at many knife supply shops online, just pick up a cheap caliper or micrometer and measure your current pin to find what size you'll need on the ends.

You can also make you own by taking a drill bit that is slightly larger than the stop ping you have. Then cutting it to length, and putting it in a drill chuck. Turn on the drill and sand away with some sand paper to get the ends to fit in the liners. Basically a poor man's super basic lathe. Works great in a pinch.
Click to expand...

That's one heck of an idea, and one which I can definitely put into practice. Thanks a bunch! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
Depending on the stop pin, you may be able to put it in a press and smash it a little. It only takes a tiny bit to make the lock-up better.
 
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