Native 3 Pivot

kaze · #1

Hey guys, I've had my Native for about 3 weeks now and the pivot is still really tight. Is there anyway to speed up the break in process or make it so its not so tight? I tried to put some WD40 in it to lube it up. Nothing there either. I got too used to my Para Military I guess. :rolleyes:

I kinda wish there was a screw I could loosen up, but then again I really like the simplicity of the knife.

Spydiman · #2

kaze wrote:Hey guys, I've had my Native for about 3 weeks now and the pivot is still really tight. Is there anyway to speed up the break in process or make it so its not so tight? I tried to put some WD40 in it to lube it up. Nothing there either. I got too used to my Para Military I guess. :rolleyes:

I kinda wish there was a screw I could loosen up, but then again I really like the simplicity of the knife.

I've had my Native 3 for about 8 months and EDC'd it for a large percentage of that time. My Native 3 is still a bit tighter then I'd like, all I can say is that pivot is TOUGH. I've jammed it between two planks of wood andpried it back and forth on purpose to try and loosen it up. It did help a bit, but that pivot can take a lot before loosening up.....

kaze · #3

Spydiman wrote:I've had my Native 3 for about 8 months and EDC'd it for a large percentage of that time. My Native 3 is still a bit tighter then I'd like, all I can say is that pivot is TOUGH. I've jammed it between two planks of wood andpried it back and forth on purpose to try and loosen it up. It did help a bit, but that pivot can take a lot before loosening up.....

Haha looks like I have some work to do then. Thanks for the info!

araneae · #4

Welcome aboard. Pinned knives such as the Native 3 may start off tight, but should break in nicely over time. Better to start tight and end up just right than start loose and end up wobbly I suppose.

You may want to try a better quality lube. WD-40 is good for cleaning out a pivot, but really isn't all that effective as a lube. Mineral oil, Militec, Balistol, are all excellent lubes. Use them in moderation though, too much of a good thing doesn't help.

Also, good old fashioned opening & closing always helps loosen a tight pivot. Practice opening & closing while you watch TV. My girlfriend loves it when I do that. :p

cjgrad23 · #5

I have to agree with using a heavier lube. However, this might be worth a try: Using a smashed qtip, clean the entire knife, especially the pivot (to get any wd40 or other lube you missed). Then take some powdered graphite (I think it is available in better hardware stores) And apply in MODERATION to the pivot area. Be careful cause this stuff is not friendly to clean if spilled. once its applied, work the blade a good bit. Then, do the qtip deal again, and add some of the wd.

Hopes this works for you.

mrappraisit · #6

araneae wrote:Also, good old fashioned opening & closing always helps loosen a tight pivot. Practice opening & closing while you watch TV. My girlfriend loves it when I do that. :p

Welcome kaze -Pop the knife open and closed until it feels like your thumb might fall off. That should just about do it. Just think how strong your thumb is getting :p :D

Like the other guys said it is much better for a pinned knife to start out a little tight.

kaze · #7

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll just be patient with it, and I think I'll try some of the powdered graphite too.

MANIXWORLD · #8

maybe this Native is a childproof Spydie :) not so easy to open.il put it in the microwave to loosen things up :spyder: sorry bro just kidding :eek:

VultureParade · #9

It might help a bit to give it a bath and then try applying some higher-quality lube to the pivot.

I use FP-10 for any knife I don't use around food (I think it claims to be non-toxic, but who can know for sure?) and a little of that stuff goes a long way. I've been very impressed with it.

kaze · #10

MANIXWORLD wrote:maybe this Native is a childproof Spydie :) not so easy to open.il put it in the microwave to loosen things up :spyder: sorry bro just kidding :eek:

Haha. When in doubt, put it in the microwave.

VultureParade wrote:It might help a bit to give it a bath and then try applying some higher-quality lube to the pivot.

I use FP-10 for any knife I don't use around food (I think it claims to be non-toxic, but who can know for sure?) and a little of that stuff goes a long way. I've been very impressed with it.

I'll try that. I've heard nothing but good things about it with firearms. Thanks! :cool:

The Deacon · #11

It's a true saying that you can't please all the people all the time. Give the same knife to three people and one may feel the action is too stiff, another think it just right, and the third wish it were tighter. Are you sure the pivot is the issue? Does the blade swing open reasonably freely if you depress the lockbar all the way? If so, then the pivot is not overly tight. The action on front locks is, by nature, stiffer than that on compression locks, liner locks, and frame locks.

kaze · #12

The Deacon wrote:It's a true saying that you can't please all the people all the time. Give the same knife to three people and one may feel the action is too stiff, another think it just right, and the third wish it were tighter. Are you sure the pivot is the issue? Does the blade swing open reasonably freely if you depress the lockbar all the way? If so, then the pivot is not overly tight. The action on front locks is, by nature, stiffer than that on compression locks, liner locks, and frame locks.

It sure is.

When I depress the lockbar the blade doesn't move freely. Only slightly when I give it a little nudge.