Dragonfly slightly binding on opening

[Mora2013]

Well, of course a week after I post a question about oiling the pivot on FRN handled knives, my orange dragonfly 2 knife which I've had for about 3 weeks starts to get gritty/binding/harder to open.

So I've washed out the pivot 2-3 times and used mineral oil. It hasn't helped.

Knife still works, just doesn't feel as nice.

I haven't touched the pivot screws as all. Do they ever tighten up by themselves just with use?

Any advice?

[ZrowsN1s]

I'd loosen the pivot a little.

[Evil D]

If you haven't adjusted the pivot/screws at all I would bet there's something in the pivot that isn't easy to wash out. If you feel confident taking it apart that's what I would do. Otherwise loosen the pivot as far as it will go without coming completely apart and do the same with the lock bar screw, so that the pivot can open up a little but. When you're rinsing it out make sure you're working the pivot back and forth. Is this the Hap-40 version? If so I wonder if you have some rust in the pivot? Either way when you tighten the screws back down I prefer my Salts to he a tad on the loose side since there aren't any washers. Make sure you don't over tighten the lock bar screw because that can prevent the lock bar from pivoting freely which can make for a tight opening as well as weak locking if the lock bar is binding up. If you do take it apart I would sand the inside edges of the handle with some high grit sandpaper and I like to use bearing grease in my pivots.

[Doc Dan]

Of course, you could always send it to Spyderco for them to fix.

[DansGunBlog]

I've often seen this issue resolved with a water rinse and a little gun oil - I use Ballistol on guns (as a CLP - cleaner / lubricant / protectant) as well as on knives every now and then, as needed. Heck, I use it on lots of things, it just seems to work.

A tiny spray around the pivot area, work it in with blade movement, and it just nicely lubes it and tends to work out any resistance right away.

More details in this post - from the gun perspective, but applies to knives as well:
Why You Should Clean Your Carry Gun Often (At Least Weekly)

Hope that helps!
Dan

[Mora2013]

Thanks guys.

I washed it down in soap and water again, still binded and was stiff.

I then loosened the pivot less than quarter of a turn to get the blade looser. I then oiled the pivot, worked it open and closed for a while, washed it with soap and water again, working open and closed for a while. Since it felt loose again, I retightened the pivot screw back that quarter turn and it's back like new again.

I presume something must have gotten in the pivot area and that loosening the pivot helped free it up and clean it away.

Oh, answer to Evil - it's the vg10 orange frn version.

[ZrowsN1s]

Glad you got it worked out.