Frame lock way too stiff

[Balrog99]

So I just bought a CRKT M16-01S, and the frame lock seems way too stiff and hard to close. That said this is the first frame luck knife I've had, the other one I have was used, but is very good for unlocking (this is a kershaw leek). My question is is this something that will go away from use relatively soon, or is something maybe wrong with it? And is there any way I can speed up it being easy to unlock?

 

[miso2]

Can you elaborate a bit?
Is it stiff to disengage the lock? If this is the case, it is lock stick, and you can ameliorate it by applying Sharpie on the blade tang.
Is it stiff to move the blade? Can you move it easier, if you push the lock bar while moving the blade? Does applying lubricant to the pivot help?
There is a break-in period for any new knives, too.

 

[Balrog99]

It is stiff to disengage the lock. It opens up and locks into place just fine, its disengaging that's hard.

 

[miso2]

Then, there could be a couple of possibilities.

(1) You may be pushing the lock bar with your ring and little fingers when you try to disengage the lock with the thumb. I had this issue with my first frame lock knife.

(2) There may be lock stick with your knife. Try applying Sharpie or pencil on the blade tang where the lock bar hits it. It would remove the lock stick immediately but will wear out quickly. You need to keep applying it until you no longer feel to do so. For a knife with bad lock stick, I apply Sharpie a few times a day at the beginning. The number will decrease and would be zero after a week or so, if you continue to use it.

Hope this helps.

 

[Balrog99]

The lock itself is way too stiff, and it isn't raised at all to give my thumb a catch

 

[Wowbagger]

I'm going to take a flyer here and guess you are trying to move the lock bar in the wromg direction. Are you pushing the release in toward the center plane of the knife or trying to "catch" it (your word) and pry it away from the side of the knife?

 

[Ajack60]

The lock itself is way too stiff, and it isn't raised at all to give my thumb a catch

Even though I'm not familiar with the knife, it sounds like the lock bar tension is strong. It may be normal for this particular model.
You can try to swap it out from where you bought it from or you can take it apart and adjust the lock bar tension yourself. Since this is your first frame lock, lock bar tension ranges on knives, even some of the same models.

 

[McFeeli]

I have a variation of that knife and for the first 2-3 days my thumb was killing me. A small, thin lock bar coupled with some stiffness is not a good combination.

Though, after those 2 or 3 days my thumb toughened up and it got used to it. I couldn't honestly tell you if the lock bar got easier to engage or not, it just wasn't a pain anymore. It being such a thin lock bar should help it get smoother after some time.

If it's brand new I'd just play with it for a while. You'll eventually get used to it.