Yojimbo 2 Stiff to Open

DoctaD

DoctaD

Joined
Apr 13, 2006
Messages
745
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to make a Yo2 open more smoothly? When I first got it, it was a bit gritty but after MULTIPLE (hundreds) of opening and closings, the grittiness improved. But, it still was a bit tight. I tried various lubricants, loosening the pivot screws, etc, but it didn't make much difference. Last night I disassembled it, tried polishing the washers. bearing surfaces, and various lubricants (eg: dry graphite, LPS 1, ) but no improvement. In fact, it seems harder to open. The detent has a particularly hard edged, Click feel.
Is it just my knife, or is this typical of the Yojimbo 2? It seems to be related to the Compressioin lock, because when I squeeze it out of the way, the pivot/blade seems to move smoothly.
Will Spyderco fix this or have I voided warranty by disassembling it? Any chance that they would provide a new compression/liner?
 
Try spraying some dupont teflon lube into the washers. This doesn't really work well with other knives but seems to do the trick for spydercos. Mine was the same way and I sprayed it directly in there, opened and closed it a couple of times, and now it's smooth as butter.
 
Push ups with your thumbs. ;)
I have 2, one from the first run and another from the most recent run. No issues I can find.
 
Thanks for the replies.
Will begin the thumb pushups in the morning. :-)...first may have to try the Teflon.

I couldn't tell but is the detent ball a ball bearing pressed into the compression liner or a Peened dimple?

Edit:
I examined the detent ball under a microscope. It is indeed a ball bearing, pressed into a hole. It does not spin freely.
 
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I have one now and after the detent is defeated it flies open so stiff action doesn't sound normal to me. I assume it uses a pivot bushing ala the P2 but not sure.
 
I'm not sure I was clear in my original post, but mine now flies open if the detent is defeated, too. But overcoming the detent if the issue. It takes >3 <4 lb. pressure to release it, and it is stiff as long as the compression spring bears against the blade.

Addendum:
I disassembled the knife tonight, cleaned and lubed everything again, and used the corner of my Spyderco Sharpmaker stones to hone the corner/edge of the detent hole, giving a smooth bearing surface for the detent ball. Now everything is smooth and fast.
 
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