Zytel/Plain Flash II - Thumbs UP. Twitch XL - Thumbs DOWN

B

BlueSkyJaunte

Joined
Jan 18, 2006
Messages
65
Hi all.

New around here and did some shopping a few weeks ago. I have a Rainbow Leek for a while and I love it--but it's a righty-only blade IMHO. Made an intensive Google search of AOKs that were big and had an ambi clip (I'm a lefty). Found these two SOGs and decided to give both a try, bought sight unseen from an internet retailer.

I love the Flash II, it fits my big paw pretty nicely, zaps open in a flash (ha-ha) and has handled any EDC duties with aplomb (no prying but some tough cutting jobs--one of my "hats" at the office is management of a computing lab, which results in a lot of installs, package cutting, wire management, etc.). Plastic zipties fear my wrath! I leave it unlocked since in my left pocket with the lovely reversible clip, the blade would have to open against the seam of my jeans...unlikely at best. And it's a real low-rider so the hoplophobes won't go all Human Resources on me.

My graphite Twitch XL, on the other hand, isn't as pleasing. The thing rarely opens fully without multiple repeated attempts. In fact, usually the blade stops opening about 30 degrees short of full open. Should I lube this thing? It seems to improve after repeated opening attempts but if I put it down for a day the problem comes right back. In addition I'm not too thrilled with the fact that the flipper is the only way to really open this knife--the short thumbstuds don't let me provide enough impetus to get the blade moving (unlike the Flash II, which runs away from my thumb!). Normally I'd say that the pivot is too tight, but the blade exhibits a lot of lateral play. Too much, IMHO. So I have to really slam it open with the flipper, hope it opens all the way, and then when locked up it seems to be a flexi-flyer.

Is there something I can do to improve my Twitch XL's opening? It seems like the pivot needs loosening except it already shows that side-to-side play. Should I lube this thing? Or just send it in to SOG for them to check it out?

I really love the way the new Topo Meridian looks (upswept tip, finger contours on the handle--don't care for the cutouts so much) but it looks like a Twitch mechanism with a righty-only clip. Guess I'll have to pass, which sucks since I really like that blade. :(

Thanks for any suggestions.

Aaron
 
No recommendations for fixing my Twitch XL? I used a bit of oil yesterday to lube the pivot and it helped. A little. Now it jumps to within 5 degrees of locking instead of 30.

If I loosen the pivot won't there be more side-to-side play?
 
The only thing I would say is it may need a little break in. I have seen a few that were tight and opening and closing helped.

If it were mine, I would tighten it until it would not open, (5/64th allen) then loosen a tiny bit until it opened smooth.

There could be a spring coil rubbing on the inside of blade that needs to be compressed into the spring channel.

Yes, if you loosen the pivot, don't do this, it just needs "tuning" a little.

Robbie Roberson ;)
 
Robbie Roberson said:
If it were mine, I would tighten it until it would not open, (5/64th allen) then loosen a tiny bit until it opened smooth.

(snip)

Yes, if you loosen the pivot, don't do this, it just needs "tuning" a little.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response. So...what do I tighten/loosen/"tune"? The pivot? Other screws on the frame?

There could be a spring coil rubbing on the inside of blade that needs to be compressed into the spring channel.
Click to expand...

Will this settle down with repeated use?

Maybe I'm just spoiled? My Leek pops open and locks up beautifully solid, and my Flash II jumps open like nobody's business.
 
It sounds like it needs tuning. It should open all the way. If all else fails, send it to SOG, and they'll get it going. I have the bigger Flash (actually my dad "borrowed" it :rolleyes: ), and it opens very nicely...:eek:
 
BlueSkyJaunte,

It will smooth out with repeated use, but you can accelerate this by making the adjustments and then add a few drops of oil in pivot area.

As I have said many times in the past, I adjust ALL my assisted openers by tightening until blade won't open and then loosen until it acts like it wants to open but just can't quite make it........then I add a few drops of oil in pivot area.

What this does for mine is makes blade play go down to almost zero, but also allows blade to open freely, this is how I "fine tune" all my assisted openers.

It will however probably hurt your chances of any warranty claim if you planned on sending it back for anything in the future. I have found it's so much simpler and easier to make these adjustments myself.

Robbie Roberson ;)
 
Hey Robbie, thanks again for your post. You've been most helpful and patient with this noob. :D

She opens pretty nicely now. I'm not sure if it was the constant flipping or the 72 hours or so since I oiled the pivot. Or both. The flipper work 99% of the time now but opening using the thumbstuds is an exercise in futility (and pretty durn risky--almost cut my thumb twice as it opens just fast enough to get ahead but then slows down so my thumb catches up).

Guess it's time to adjust...warranty be durned! :)

I carried it today and I have to say, if I were to do it again, I'd just buy the F2 in aluminum. The XL had a nice and low profile in my jeans but just not as nice in the hand as the F2. Live and learn eh?

Aaron
 
I've noticed this: if you press down too much on the flipper, you'll end up pushing down on the lockbar after the flipper gets out of the way. If the lockbar can't rise up freely, then the blade won't open fully.
 
Yup. I've been careful to avoid that. Truth is the flipper is just too big--my Kershaw Leek's flipper opens the blade much less, and the spring takes over sooner. I've even had the flipper on the Twitch catch on my pocket seam.

Still haven't gotten any use out of the thumbstuds on the Twitch. Maybe it's time to put this one up for sale...?
 
I'm getting into this topic a little late, but my experience with the Twitch XL is similar to Blu Sky Jaunte's. Compared with the slick opening Twitch II, the XL seems sluggish and the blade seldom opens completely for me. It's the only SOG of the dozen or so that I own that doesn't get carried, just stored in it's box in a drawer. It needed, in my view, a stronger spring to take over the opening of the much larger blade. Hopefully, the new Topo folder, which I've ordered, will have enough power to duplicate the snappy performance of the Twitch II, or better yet, the Trident folder.

Stay sharp!
 
Thanks for the input Loman. I'm sorry you had the same problem, but at least I now have some indication that I'm not going crazy. :D
 
BlueSkyJaunte said:
Hi all.

New around here and did some shopping a few weeks ago. I have a Rainbow Leek for a while and I love it--but it's a righty-only blade IMHO. Made an intensive Google search of AOKs that were big and had an ambi clip (I'm a lefty). Found these two SOGs and decided to give both a try, bought sight unseen from an internet retailer.

I love the Flash II, it fits my big paw pretty nicely, zaps open in a flash (ha-ha) and has handled any EDC duties with aplomb (no prying but some tough cutting jobs--one of my "hats" at the office is management of a computing lab, which results in a lot of installs, package cutting, wire management, etc.). Plastic zipties fear my wrath! I leave it unlocked since in my left pocket with the lovely reversible clip, the blade would have to open against the seam of my jeans...unlikely at best. And it's a real low-rider so the hoplophobes won't go all Human Resources on me.

My graphite Twitch XL, on the other hand, isn't as pleasing. The thing rarely opens fully without multiple repeated attempts. In fact, usually the blade stops opening about 30 degrees short of full open. Should I lube this thing? It seems to improve after repeated opening attempts but if I put it down for a day the problem comes right back. In addition I'm not too thrilled with the fact that the flipper is the only way to really open this knife--the short thumbstuds don't let me provide enough impetus to get the blade moving (unlike the Flash II, which runs away from my thumb!). Normally I'd say that the pivot is too tight, but the blade exhibits a lot of lateral play. Too much, IMHO. So I have to really slam it open with the flipper, hope it opens all the way, and then when locked up it seems to be a flexi-flyer.

Is there something I can do to improve my Twitch XL's opening? It seems like the pivot needs loosening except it already shows that side-to-side play. Should I lube this thing? Or just send it in to SOG for them to check it out?

I really love the way the new Topo Meridian looks (upswept tip, finger contours on the handle--don't care for the cutouts so much) but it looks like a Twitch mechanism with a righty-only clip. Guess I'll have to pass, which sucks since I really like that blade. :(

Thanks for any suggestions.

Aaron
Click to expand...


Aaron, this is DITTO. I do all repairs for SOG. It sounds like Double R (Robbie Roberson) is on track. I don't use any oil because it tends to attract dust particles. We use White Lightning for the lube and blue loctite on the male pivot fastener, tightening it down snug, then backing it off until it swings freely. If you need help, feel free to call 1(888)SOG-BEST ext. 226 and ask for Ditto. Remind me when you call about the Topo, I'll make a lefty for you, providing it's possible. Right now I am putting burled wood on the Twitches, but am tooling up for the Topo series to modify the look on the cutouts. We all wish we had enough hours during the day to answer questions on the Forum. DITTO that!
 
Hey DITTO, thanks for the reply! It's great to see that SOG is actively looking out for its customers like this.

Sad to say I gave up on the Twitch XL and sold it. It just never worked for me. The new owner is very happy with it, though. I still carry my Flash II regularly and have been quite pleased with its performance.

Your comment about the Topo gives me hope! I really like the reversible bayonet-style clip on the Flash and Twitch, because it makes the blade very lefty-friendly, and it also lets the knife ride *really* low in the pocket so I don't scare my coworkers. But I can survive without the bayonet style as long as I can set the clip up for lefty tip-up carry.

Maybe you'll be hearing from me soon, after all. Thanks again!
 
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