Teflon "lube" on pivot - MISTAKE!

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Nov 11, 2011
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I just received a new Tenacious today (everyone needs 3 of them, right?). Out of the box, the pivot worked well, but was a bit tighter than my favorite. I could flick it open just fine.

I then put some DuPont Teflon Non-Stick Dry-Film Lubricant on the pivot, and afterward--to my surprise--it seemed much tighter than before! You would have thought I tightened the pivot screw 1/2 turn, or lubed it with clay. I can't flick it open at all now. I used enough product, worked it in, and gave it time to dry. And it made it worse? I don't get it. Some "lubricant" that stuff is!

Ideas? I mean, it's easy enough to say "Use this, use that", but why would PTFE do this?
 
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I wrote to DuPont and the reply I got was "It should have helped or not helped, not made it worse." Well, it DID make it worse! And it did so on two different knives.

Meh, well, whatever. I'll just be sure never to use that garbage again. Their "DuPont Teflon Multi-Use Dry Wax Lubricant" works great, but they just reformulated it; the new version is no longer "dry", and it sucks. The only other "dry" lube they have is their "Chain-Saver", which I can't find in spray cans. I hate their 4-oz. dropper bottles.
 
Some knives run better on the dry side. You probably over did it. Have you tried taking it apart, cleaning it and just use a tiny bit?
 
Maybe the application of the lube caused some debris, like manufacturing leftovers or whatever, to get down in the pivot. Disassembling and cleaning should do the trick.
 
It may have thickened when it dried. I love the chain saver on my motorcycles, it doesn't pick up dirt like grease or oil does.
 
I prefer dry-type lubes over oils because the last thing I want is for dirt to stick to everything. I also hate getting oil on my hands, clothes, after coating the blade. The "Multi-Use Dry Wax" stuff does make the blade steel look utterly terrible, though.

This problem with the "Teflon Non-Stick" stuff has happened to me on two knives now. The first time, I thought it was a fluke or something. I'd think that if I over-applied, it would thin out automatically when the knife was opened/closed.

Anyway, following up with a decent lube solves the problem. It's just disappointing to me because I loved the idea of using a 100% dry lube/protectant.

I'm loathe to disassemble because I want to keep the warranties intact.

Thanks for all the replies.
 
Weird, I would expect it to work...

Once got accidentally some PTFE spray on 1 of my disc brake of my mountain bike... I didn't notice until I tried to brake, well not much braking, must say it was a weird experience.
Had some trouble removing it from the disc. So had less braking power for some days, but bit of extra breaking did the job after some time.

In this case, maybe some of the bushings is sticking due to dried in spray. It might have to work in a bit. Was it already "tighter" before it dried, so directly after you applied it? Maybe reapply then to loosen it up, remove excessive PTFE with some tissue and then open/close the blade until it's dry again to prevent some of the bushings getting stuck. Just a guess...
 
I would suggest that if you are having problems with dirt sticking all over wet lubes, it is because you are using too much. Use an applicator that looks like a hypodermic needle and apply less than a drop, then wipe away any and all excess (i.e. anything you can) The only lube you want left behind will be inside the pivot and you will not be able to wipe it away.

I have considerable experience with dry lubes. MANY of them will result in a VERY stubborn buildup over time.
 
hey OP, get some frog lube, it's a CLP that is non-toxic, and all natural. I started using it on my AR15, then tried it out on my M4 military. Since it is non-toxic you don't have to worry when you cut food. So far it has been better than tuf-glide at preventing corrosion.
 
ctk123 said:
hey OP, get some frog lube, it's a CLP that is non-toxic, and all natural. I started using it on my AR15, then tried it out on my M4 military. Since it is non-toxic you don't have to worry when you cut food. So far it has been better than tuf-glide at preventing corrosion.
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That sounds interesting. Have you used FrogLube on folding knives? I would LOVE to use a non-toxic CLP.
 
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Strange, I use Rem oil on all my knives, and i'ts never done anything but make them buttery smooth.
 
Alanp said:
Strange, I use Rem oil on all my knives, and i'ts never done anything but make them buttery smooth.
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That's because Rem Oil is an oil. The "Teflon Non-Stick" I used is 100% Teflon. When you apply it, there is a liquid carrier, but it evaporates, leaving only the Teflon.
 
Fluid Film is also food safe and works well to lubricate and prevent rust. Its not a dry lube but it doesnt get tacky or attract a disproportionate amount of grit if you wipe off the excess after application.
 
I've never had that experience with just teflon/pfte dry lubes, or moly dry lubes but I have had it with wax containing dry lubes. I keep those for door hinges now, but not very small things with tight tolerances.

Joe
 
singularity35 said:
Anybody here ever try CorrosionX?
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yes, on firearms, only though.

got it cause i have a browning hi-power that i could not keep the barrel from rust spotting. used about every brand of clp and gun oil available. got wind of this product from someone on a gun forum. tried it out. it's harsh smelling, to me, but it stays where you put it, unlike most clp's and oils, and works extremely well. stopped the rusting issue and as a lubricant besides the corrsion prevention part, is quite good. i also use it on my ar-15, as like i said the oil stays where you put it and doesn't evaporate quickly or in heavier applications when needed, it doesn't gravity flow as much like most clp's and gun oils. the wear on parts is almost non-existant and i shoot my ar-15 allot.

those are the only two guns i use it on....reason being price and other product like weapons shield and break free clp, etc, work well, except when you run into a situation where they don't.

all that said using for a knife is very different than a pistol or a rifle.

shouldn't this thread be in maintenance, rather than general though?
 
jbmonkey said:
shouldn't this thread be in maintenance, rather than general though?
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I thought about it before posting, but after seeing:

Forum: Maintenance, Tinkering & Embellishment
Your how-to area for discussion on sharpeners, rust prevention, alteration & more.
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It seemed more fitting to me for it to be in general. I didn't know if the problem I had was knife-specific or what the problem could be. If I guessed wrong, well, at least I tried.
 
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