Mantra Detent Ball
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2019 11:43 pm
I have a lot of different Spyderco models and enjoy them all. I always have a hard time picking favorites but the Mantra is definitely one that I'd have a hard time letting go of should I ever need to liquidate my collection.
For me there's just so much to like about the Mantra. The Delica-like ergos, multiple opening methods, wire clip, blade shape, M4 steel, and a cutting edge that's longer than Manix 2 and PM2 but in a smaller package. The only thing that kind of bothered me about my Mantra was the weak detent. I could flip it ok. So the weak detent wasn't really a show stopper for me. Still I couldn't help but wonder how much better it would flip if the detent was a little stronger. So now that I know how to improve the detent, I figured after 2 1/2 years it was time to take the knife apart for a good cleaning and a little modification to the hole the detent ball rests in when the blade is closed.
When I took the knife apart I noticed an issue right away.
I have a couple other Spydies with a little flat spot on the detent ball but nothing that looks like this. I'm not even sure what to make of the big step in what's supposed to be a ball. All I can think of is the step was left from whatever tool the Taichung factory used to press the ball in. I can see how the flat spot could happen through use but I find it hard to believe that opening and closing the knife caused that step all the way around the ball. Although I've been wrong at least a few times in my life. :)
I decided it didn't make sense to mess with the detent ball hole with the ball in the condition it was in. I considered ordering some ceramic balls to replace the deformed steel one but decided to see what flipping the ball would do first. So I took the lock bar insert off. Before driving the ball out I measured the protrusion and it was .015". I used a small punch to push the ball out into a small hole I drilled into the wood block I was resting the lock bar insert on. Then I repositioned the ball back in the hole so the undamaged part was exposed and I tapped the ball back in with a little mallet I have. All looked fine but ball was protruding. 025" and it looked like too much was sticking out. I couldn't seem to drive it in any farther with that little mallet and I didn't want to risk ruining the good side by whacking it with something bigger. So I got my little arbor press out and pushed it in another .004".
I wish now I would've taken a pic of the ball at this point for comparison sake. I guess you"ll just have to take my word that it looks much better now (round). After reassembling the knife I was amazed by how much better it works too. The flipping action is much improved. So much so that I no longer feel the need to improve upon it further. The detent still isn't as strong as some of my other dedicated flippers but it's plenty snappy. I think it's just about right for using the opening hole or flipper tab to open the knife.
As I said, this Mantra is one of my favorite knives. Now that the detent is the way it should be it's more enjoyable than ever.
For me there's just so much to like about the Mantra. The Delica-like ergos, multiple opening methods, wire clip, blade shape, M4 steel, and a cutting edge that's longer than Manix 2 and PM2 but in a smaller package. The only thing that kind of bothered me about my Mantra was the weak detent. I could flip it ok. So the weak detent wasn't really a show stopper for me. Still I couldn't help but wonder how much better it would flip if the detent was a little stronger. So now that I know how to improve the detent, I figured after 2 1/2 years it was time to take the knife apart for a good cleaning and a little modification to the hole the detent ball rests in when the blade is closed.
When I took the knife apart I noticed an issue right away.
I have a couple other Spydies with a little flat spot on the detent ball but nothing that looks like this. I'm not even sure what to make of the big step in what's supposed to be a ball. All I can think of is the step was left from whatever tool the Taichung factory used to press the ball in. I can see how the flat spot could happen through use but I find it hard to believe that opening and closing the knife caused that step all the way around the ball. Although I've been wrong at least a few times in my life. :)
I decided it didn't make sense to mess with the detent ball hole with the ball in the condition it was in. I considered ordering some ceramic balls to replace the deformed steel one but decided to see what flipping the ball would do first. So I took the lock bar insert off. Before driving the ball out I measured the protrusion and it was .015". I used a small punch to push the ball out into a small hole I drilled into the wood block I was resting the lock bar insert on. Then I repositioned the ball back in the hole so the undamaged part was exposed and I tapped the ball back in with a little mallet I have. All looked fine but ball was protruding. 025" and it looked like too much was sticking out. I couldn't seem to drive it in any farther with that little mallet and I didn't want to risk ruining the good side by whacking it with something bigger. So I got my little arbor press out and pushed it in another .004".
I wish now I would've taken a pic of the ball at this point for comparison sake. I guess you"ll just have to take my word that it looks much better now (round). After reassembling the knife I was amazed by how much better it works too. The flipping action is much improved. So much so that I no longer feel the need to improve upon it further. The detent still isn't as strong as some of my other dedicated flippers but it's plenty snappy. I think it's just about right for using the opening hole or flipper tab to open the knife.
As I said, this Mantra is one of my favorite knives. Now that the detent is the way it should be it's more enjoyable than ever.