How do you fix a sticky lock on a titanium framelock?

BigBrad75

BigBrad75

Joined
Jul 23, 2010
Messages
1,408
How do you fix a sticky lock on a titanium framelock?
I got a new knife today, that I absolutely love, but the titanium framelock is really sticky. Every time you disengage the lock you can feel it "grinding".
What can I do to fix this? Carefully file down the lockbar just a hair? That's my best guess, but I want some input before I go filing on a $600+ knife.
I don't wish to name this knife, because I love the maker and do not wish to bash his products. Thanks.
 
Pencil, disassemble the knife and scribble on the Ti LOCK interface, reassemble the knife and cycle it a couple dozen times. Should smooth up a bit. Also, try adjusting the 3 hex handle screws, err I mean, however many handle screws your knife has ;)
 
Yup pencil lead works pretty nice, but you have to apply it a lot until it stops sticking. Powdered graphite works well, but its messy. I've found that sharpie on the locking surface is the best route. It immediately remedies the stickiness and stays applied for a long time.
 
softrockrenegade said:
Nooo don't file it !!! Put a bit of pencil lead on the tang and it will break in !!
Click to expand...

A Sharpie marker works well for the same purpose too. I got this tip from RJ Martin a few years back. :thumbup:

ETA: Heiheit beat me to it. :)
 
Pencil, and lots of opening closing. Sit in front of the TV, watch a movie, whatever and just open close open close ....

Do NOT file it, it is way too easy to take off just that fraction too much, and you can't put it back on! A friend of mine did that with his knife and now it sits in a drawer because he hates the blade play that has resulted from his rash action. Be warned!



.
 
SHARPIE all the way ;) I had to do it with my first 0551 for about 2 weeks and now it's smoothed out and no more sharpie but it works like a champ and lasts a long time.
 
Another vote for Sharpie. It worked wonders for my extremely sticky Bradley Alias I.
 
Golddust said:
I just grease it.
Click to expand...

I tried that first, didn't work the greatest.
The sharpie trick however, works like a charm so far. Luckily, I just so happened to have a metallic colored sharpie, so that worked out great. If it doesn't hold up very long, or if it's still pretty bad in a few weeks I'll try the pencil trick. So far though, the sharpie trick's got my vote!

Thanks for the input guys. I love this place!
 
Pencil lead is actually Graphite, it lube's the surface to stop the galling. You don't need much and you don't even need enough to see, just a few swipes on the blade tang at the point of lock contact. Open and close about 10 times then wipe tang with a Q-tip to remove excess Graphite. Using too much can make the lock bar slip.
 
I've tried the pencil and it worked great. Had not heard about the Sharpie until today; maybe next time I'll give it a try. Good Luck!
 
gajinoz said:
Pencil, and lots of opening closing. Sit in front of the TV, watch a movie, whatever and just open close open close ....

Do NOT file it, it is way too easy to take off just that fraction too much, and you can't put it back on! A friend of mine did that with his knife and now it sits in a drawer because he hates the blade play that has resulted from his rash action. Be warned!
.
Click to expand...

Oh, that sucks. I would HATE MYSELF if I did that to one of my knives.

Anyway, people have already said it, but the one that worked for me is the pencil lead trick. Never tried the Sharpie one, but sounds easy.
 
Jaxx said:
A Sharpie marker works well for the same purpose too. I got this tip from RJ Martin a few years back. :thumbup:

ETA: Heiheit beat me to it. :)
Click to expand...

Larry Chew showed me this trick years ago, just giving credit where credit is due. I would have never though to try this myself.

You should clean any oil off the tang before you do this. You can also open the knife, and lightly spine whack it. This will sometimes seat the lock and maybe form the end of the lock to the tang better. Go lightly, don';t lose your fingers. Re-coat with Sharpie afterwords. You can use the Sharpie to show you where the lock bar is hitting on the tang, which can be useful, too.
 
Just a thought. You mentioned the price range and that you have an affinity for the knife maker. Have you called them? I rcently purchased a high end knife from a maker I like. I had a couple issues(minor) but issues. Sent it back and they are hand picking a replacement. Probably one of the reasons I frequent that knife maker. I care. He cares. Its all good.
 
sharpie works, or get someone to carbidize the lock-face for you, or get the maker to fix it. I hate sticky locks.
 
This is a $600.00 knife right? Pencil (which is graphite, a lubricant) will wear off and certainly impede the "breaking in" not facilitate it. We are talking Titanium, a material chosen for strength. Sharpie painting and now "whacking".
Has an inquiry to the knife maker for a minor adjustment by an Expert with the proper equipment been considered?
I believe Forums were one of the best things that the internet brought to the table, Especially when GOOD ADVICE is offered.
 
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