Leaf Storm Frame Lock Sticking... Suggestions?

John_is_my_name · #1

The Leaf Storm I recently ordered was delivered yesterday and I'm really impressed with the knife. I like the size. I like the blade shape. I love the steel. But I do have one problem with it...

The frame lock will stick really bad about 30 to 40 percent of the time. What I mean is that the frame lock sticks so bad when I deploy the blade that I have to use two hands to pry the lock out to disengage it.

I've seen it do this both when I flick the knife open and when I very slowly and with lots of control open the knife, keeping my thumb in the thumb hole the entire way through the deployment process.

When it happens, I end up using my right hand (I'm a righty) to hold the knife steady while with my left hand, I push really really hard to get the lock to disengage.

It's really driving me nuts. Any suggestions?

rycen · #2

Take a pencil and color the area on the blade tang where the covers.

John_is_my_name · #3

Graphite... great idea. I use the power stuff in my door lock a couple times a year. I'll give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion!

John_is_my_name · #4

rycen wrote:Take a pencil and color the area on the blade tang where the covers.

This worked perfectly and immediately. I don't expect it'll be a permenant fix, but it's easy enough to reapply. Thanks again for the suggestion, Rycen.

dsmegst · #5

Sharpie works too. Just color the engagement points and you're GTG.

avoidspam · #6

Am I right in thinking the Leafstorm has an oval stop pin? If so you may want to try playing with that. I found my Sage 2 was sticking slightly after putting it together post cleaning once. I simply took it apart and reassembled it with slightly different bias on the pivot and that solved it. Don't be afraid to fiddle!

Pneumothorax · #7

I had the same problem, but the pencil/graphite trick didnt work for me. Someone suggested that I use some silicone grease. I did that and it worked like a charm had to reapply it a couple times, but now its good to go. Seems like with the Leafstorm there might be an acute contact point that causes the sticking that once worn down a bit works just fine. Gotta love the Leafstorm - one of my top 10 Spydies!

mark greenman · #8

I'm having similar problems with my Chokwe. I think its an issue with the Ti Framelock in general, rather than an issue with one particular knife.

I tried the pencil trick, and it helped, but the graphite disperses fairly quickly.

Its a new knife so I'm hoping it will just grow out of it. Its my first Ti Framelock so not sure what to expect really.

Daniel · #9

On many framelocks, this "sticking" occurs. On most, it goes away after it "wears" in. Sometimes, they squeak in addition to the sticking. From what I gather, it is due to galling.

I have found that applying a little grease or lubricant on the tang or the lock surface works the best. Just a little with a toothpick.

5.56 · #10

Sharpie on the lock face works better than pencil, and it lasts longer

John_is_my_name · #11

avoidspam wrote:Am I right in thinking the Leafstorm has an oval stop pin? If so you may want to try playing with that. I found my Sage 2 was sticking slightly after putting it together post cleaning once. I simply took it apart and reassembled it with slightly different bias on the pivot and that solved it. Don't be afraid to fiddle!

That's actually something I'm starting to get over, the fear of fiddling. Been watching a lot of YouTube videos lately, showing knife breakdowns. So far, I haven't watched any on Spyderco, but then, I haven't searched for those yet either...

Is the Leaf Storm easy(ish) to break down, clean, adjust, and reassemble?