Does the CBBL spring compress over time?

[Bolster]

Don't remember where, but I saw a "Manix Spring Pressure Reducer" being sold online...I recollect it was just a bit of rod to stick through the CBBL such that it compressed the spring. (Seems to me you could accomplish the same by leaving the blade half open.) I think the idea was that if you leave the spring compressed for several days (?) weeks (?) the CBBL lock spring would compress, become less strong, and make the CBBL easier to actuate with just the thumb.

Does the CBBL spring actually compress (weaken) significantly, over time? I have my doubts, but have not tried. If the spring is compressed for several days/weeks does the actuation actually get easier?

I don't mind using finger and thumb to release the CBBL, and it's likely safer with two-finger operation, but I am curious. Two-finger operation makes one-handed closing something that must be done just-so. Interestingly, for all the jimping on the Manix, there's none where it engages your palm on a one-handed, two-finger CBBL release. Which means that butt of the handle is a little prone to scoot away from the palm on a one-handed, two-finger release. (Yes, I can perform a thumb-only one-handed release, but it's painful and don't enjoy it at all.)

Follow up question: Would you even *want* a weaker spring, or would that pose a safety risk?

[Danke]

I would not want a weaker CBBL lock spring. I have a Dodo and a Manix 2 and both are smooth openers.

Everything I have heard about metal fatigue revolves around cycling the spring; not keeping it loaded or free. As a caveat I have heard on torque wrenches they will tend to have a very thin hairwire spring that can take a set if you don't zero the wrench after every use.

[ladybug93]

that's ocd4edc that sells that along with kits that have springs, ball cages, and bearings. i think most of the perceived break-in period people talk about with manix springs is really their fingers getting stronger from continued use.

[vandelay]

I doubt you'd be able to compress the spring enough to take it into the plastic region to cause permanent deformation. I think springs will experience some creep over time if they're left compressed, but that's not a fast process with metal springs.

I have noticed a bit of a break-in period with my manix. It feels easier to release the lock than it was when I first got it. I'm not sure what changed. Maybe it broke me in.

Follow up question: Would you even *want* a weaker spring, or would that pose a safety risk?

As long as it's clipped to the pocket such that the pocket holds it closed, it's not too much of a risk. Benchmade knives have weak spring pressure but I'm not worried about one opening while clipped (though I wouldn't take it biking).

[RustyIron]

I have my doubts, but have not tried. If the spring is compressed for several days/weeks does the actuation actually get easier?

You're wise to doubt the hocus-pocus claims. While the spring will weaken over time, the amount will be infinitesimal, and not measurable by whatever measuring contraption we could devise using whatever tools we have available at home.

Follow up question: Would you even *want* a weaker spring, or would that pose a safety risk?

I've shortened the springs on a couple Manixes and left them intact on a couple others. The springs from the factory are substantially longer than their resting length in the knife, so you can cut off a couple coils to decrease the preload. The result is operation that is a little nicer, but not substantially so. If you wanted to nitpick about the safety risk, decreasing the preload negatively affects the pressure holding the knife closed. If you drop the knife, there is a greater chance that it will come open.

My advice is that if you're curious, cut off a few coils and see for yourself. I always thought that if I cut off too much and didn't like the results, I'd just buy another spring from McMaster-Carr. I was never disappointed, so never had to shop for another spring. There's a chance they're not available, but I'd bet that Spyderco uses an off-the-shelf part.

[apollo]

I also doubt this will happen. The springs are really good quality so i presume the owner of the Manix will bite the dust before the spring does.
( unless it has a production error offcoarse )

[Wartstein]

.....
I don't mind using finger and thumb to release the CBBL, and it's likely safer with two-finger operation, but I am curious. Two-finger operation makes one-handed closing something that must be done just-so. Interestingly, for all the jimping on the Manix, there's none where it engages your palm
...?

In my experience the spring does not get weaker much over time.
Perhaps people get better at operating the lock and/or stronger fingers, and just feel like it is the spring getting weaker...?
/
Not directly answering your question, but this might help:

There is at least one way of releasing the lock with TWO fingers where the jimping does at least engage the middle finger and also a bit more the palm. Not too important though anyway cause with this method the Manix sits very secure in hand all the time.

I call it "drop on the middle finger" and made this clip once to illustrate

https://streamable.com/ar7okf

(More ways of closing: See "my" thread here
viewtopic.php?t=87806#p1459252 )

[Evil D]

that's ocd4edc that sells that along with kits that have springs, ball cages, and bearings. i think most of the perceived break-in period people talk about with manix springs is really their fingers getting stronger from continued use.

That plus just moving parts wearing together and smoothing out.

[jmj3esq]

I tried a "medium" tension aftermarket spring just to see how it felt. The **** thing would not even fully lock the blade into open position. If you pushed on the spine of the blade it would slip out of lock and shut. Very dangerous. Its a bit tough on my fingers but im sticking with the original spring. Hopefully it, or my fingers, break in.

[Dnwrghtsr]

I tried 8 different Manix models and detested the lock on every one. Sold them all. I thought that the lock was so difficult to operate that it made the knife somewhat unsafe. I would love to love the knife and I might try one more time the compression lock is just so perfect, the back lock so solid, and the liner lock so simple to operate I just can’t justify a knife that I fight to close.

[Manixguy@1994]

I have no problem with the lock and over time it smooths out for my use . MG2

[Senfkarte]

I haven't observed, that the spring weakens in any noticeably amount.

No, I don't want the spring to be softer, or stronger. I think Spyderco found the perfect strength.

[Bolster]

There is at least one way of releasing the lock with TWO fingers where the jimping does at least engage the middle finger and also a bit more the palm. Not too important though anyway cause with this method the Manix sits very secure in hand all the time.

I call it "drop on the middle finger" and made this clip once to illustrate

https://streamable.com/ar7okf

(More ways of closing: See "my" thread here
viewtopic.php?t=87806#p1459252 )

Hey thanks for the vid! I'm one of those "fingers out of the way" guys so had not experimented with your inertia closing method. Looks like it would work fine for a one handed close, with index blocking at the choil, so will try your method. Appreciated!

I tried a "medium" tension aftermarket spring just to see how it felt. The **** thing would not even fully lock the blade into open position. If you pushed on the spine of the blade it would slip out of lock and shut. Very dangerous. Its a bit tough on my fingers but im sticking with the original spring. Hopefully it, or my fingers, break in.

OK, that sets me straight. I would vastly prefer a stiff spring to an "auto closer." Thanks for posting.

[Wartstein]

...Looks like it would work fine for a one handed close, with index blocking at the choil...

Like this, right?

https://streamable.com/f9gm4s

(And as said: Here you can see 6 clips about closing methods for the CBBL, perhaps another one could be for you
viewtopic.php?t=87806#p1459252

[Evil D]

Just stirring the pot here.....



Bolt Action Lock > CBBL


Well, at least in unlocking action. The CBBL is likely stronger and will wear better over time since the ball can rotate infinity vs the bolt that doesn't turn at all. My Safe 3 has one of the best pivot actions I've ever experienced.

[Wartstein]

I tried 8 different Manix models and detested the lock on every one. Sold them all. I thought that the lock was so difficult to operate that it made the knife somewhat unsafe. I would love to love the knife and I might try one more time the compression lock is just so perfect, the back lock so solid, and the liner lock so simple to operate I just can’t justify a knife that I fight to close.

Really weird how differently the CBBL feels to some (no offense meant!!) - can't be only finger strength, must be technique too imo.
On each of the four Manixes I've tried it was no problem at all to activate the lock with just ONE finger...

[Bolster]

On each of the four Manixes I've tried it was no problem at all to activate the lock with just ONE finger...

One *finger*? I can release the CBBL with thumb only, but it's painful, and I don't like to do it. But one *finger*? Wow, you're superman.

[WilliamMunny]

My 8 year old daily use Manix 2 30V has the same feel as my new Manix 15V. I have not seen any change in the spring tension. I would not change it at all, using two fingers has been easy and I have had no issues. I would hate to make it so weak that a good bump would disengage it.

[Wartstein]

On each of the four Manixes I've tried it was no problem at all to activate the lock with just ONE finger...

One *finger*? I can release the CBBL with thumb only, but it's painful, and I don't like to do it. But one *finger*? Wow, you're superman.

I count the thumb as a finger, actually... ?

It is easy to do it only with thumb for me (see clips for 4 of the 6 methods in the thread I linked already), and I can also activate the lock with just the index finger, but that's less convenient, harder and does not make a lot of sense for me.

[wrdwrght]

that's ocd4edc that sells that along with kits that have springs, ball cages, and bearings. i think most of the perceived break-in period people talk about with manix springs is really their fingers getting stronger from continued use.

I think you’re right.