New Spyderco Delica - Doesn't open smoothly

[CDSniper]

Hey, I got a new knife to replace my stolen bob lum tanto. This knife is smaller then I thought but o well. Anyway I can't flick it open. It seems like its stiff or something. I don't know the word for it but, it doesn't open easyly. Is there anything I can do about this?



Thanks

CDS

[demtek9]

Well the Lum is a linerlock that only has a detent in the liner to lock the blade in place when closed (this is the small ball bearing on the liner that inserts into a dent in the tang). This make for real easy opening due to the small amount of resistance the detent offers.

The Delica has a lock back that helps to hold the blade in a closed position. The lock back has more spring strength than the liner lock due to the difference in force and direction of force that are applied to each.

The Lum also has a longer blade with more weight which has more potential energy for kinetic openings.

My recommendation is some lubricant and opening and closing it about 1001 times. With time and action, it will break in, but will probably not be as smooth as the Lum.

[Jazzman]

Just break it on in. It will be just as smooth as your lum was.
Matt

[Joe Talmadge]

yep, I agree, the delica will break-in and become substantially smoother. I spend a few days opening and closing it, then I hit it with Militec-1. That increases the smoothness substantially, and over the next couple of months it will smooth out a lot. It won't be as smooth as a liner lock, but it will be smooth and easily flickable.

Joe

[jaxon]

CDS,

I agree. Just patiently break it in with lube and exercise. I am now having the same experience with a new Delica II SS model. The SS Spydies seem to start life somewhat stiff and scratchy in the action. However, I had the same with a Calypso Jr. SS and after breakin it's now smooth as silk opening and closing, the blade unlocks by gravity. Just lube and play with it. Welcome and Good Luck.

Jaxon

Weekend yet?

[dialex]

Now it also depends on the model (FRN or SS) and how you open it. If it's a FRN, the drop can be pretty difficult because the handles are too light. If you do the flip, or just use your thumb, than some lubricant and exercise will finally do the trick.

[Sword and Shield]

Clean, oil, SpyderDrop repeatedly. Repeat. After around 150 SpyderDrops, with repeated cleanings and oiling, my Native is now smooth as watered silk.

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.

[sam the man..]

yeah, lockbacks are usually stiff when they are brand new.. Needs plenty of wear and tear to get it opening silky smooth! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Sam

have bone implant will travel..

[liko]

Lockbacks, as a rule, are stiffer than linerlocks and compression locks, due to the design of the knife. FRN handles also don't glide as well as micarta, G-10 or metal liners.

In time and with use, the lock will break in and the handle and tang will wear each other down slightly until they rotate more smoothly against each other. It'll never be as smooth as a linerlock unless the lock is too weak to trust, but the knife will operate more smoothly as it breaks in.

[dialex]

One more suggestion: First, see if the problem comes from the handles or from the lock. Keep the knife open, in a horizontally position, then press the lock. Now we have two options:
1. If the blade won't move down, then the scales are too tight, because of the main pivot pin. Now you could try to enlarge the space between the scales, but watch out not to damage the handles, especially if there is a FRN model.
2. If the blade will fall down when you press the lock, the problem is somewhere at the lock and the blade portion where it meets the lock. There might be a rugged surface somewhere which enhances the friction unnecessarily. To spot that portion, release the lock and gently close and open the knife untill you feel some resistance and the movement isn't that smooth. Put a drop of oil there and repeat closing and opening the knife, insisting on that portion, with your thumb pressing the lock on the blade. This will enhance wearing in that particular region and hopefully will make your knife open smoooothly... eventually.