have any of your liner locks worn out?

[casey1]

from spyderco? also framelocks. just wondering if any have developed unfixable vertical play. And if they do, will spyderco replace them?

[Evil D]

I know you said Spyderco, but i've only ever had a Gerber wear out. It's a frame lock and the tab is all the way over against the other handle scale and it has a lot of up and down blade play. I really don't see what could be done to fix it..it's just an area that wears over time. It still locks up and i don't think it could fail but it is annoying.

[Phrenik]

I do have the spyderco karambit [c84], that has a bit of vertical play from wear/use. It still locks up great, and its not horrid vertical play, so its still going strong imo. I just wish I could find some sort of replacement washers -[deployment is not an issue, its just something that could improve its current deployment "feel" vs the current thin film like washers].

And again, just for general info: it is the stock, ss RIL/frame lock. And has been used for many years.

And in terms of whether spyderco would fix such a issue. I assume if the knife came that way, you would need to go through the proper process of talking to the retailer first, and if all fails, having to send it to spyderco to have them check the knife out; in order to figure out if it falls within warranty. If it is from just regular wear/use, or using the knife "outside the realms" of what you may expect from X knife; then I highly doubt, and would not expect them to replace it.

Some things to perhaps help, would be tightening the pivot [worked for some of my frn knives from time to time]. Not sure if many other ways, expect to be more careful on what you may use the knife for. Ex. If it has some vertical play, but doesn't cause the lock to fail, and still works as an edc, I say keep using it for an edc. However, I probably would not use said knife for harder tasks.

[gull wing]

Pretty sure Spyderco will not replace, it's not a defect.

No I havent had this problem with mine. Of course I open them in the correct way(most of the time :D ), that is not hard flicking/snapping.
I have fixed other peoples knives with this problem by peening the lock lug(making it longer). Pretty easy. :cool:

[Jay_Ev]

Yup, I have a Spyderco Cricket with the lock bar all the way over touching the opposite scale. If that scale wasn't stopping it, I think it would keep going.

[phillipsted]

I know you said Spyderco, but i've only ever had a Gerber wear out. It's a frame lock and the tab is all the way over against the other handle scale and it has a lot of up and down blade play. I really don't see what could be done to fix it..it's just an area that wears over time. It still locks up and i don't think it could fail but it is annoying.

Strangely enough Evil, the only knife I've ever had this happen to was a Gerber of 1990s vintage. The safety issue led me to throw the knife out. Didn't want it failing in the middle of a week at camp...

Besides, there were so many Spydies that were waiting to take its place! :cool:

TedP

[Blerv]

I had a stainless Cricket with the liner ALL the way to the other side of the scale. Funny thing is as unstable as people assume these are, with all my strength I couldn't defeat it.

In conclusion I kept using it and eventually found it a new home (handed down to a friend).

[Left Hand Path]

I also have a SS Cricket with the lockbar touching the opposite scale, but there is no vertical play. It has been this way since it was new, and has not developed play. It has been used often, but not as EDC, so it is hard to say how long it might take to develop vertical play (if ever).

I also had a CF Cricket with the liner touching the opposite scale, but no vertical play.

I have had only good experiences with other Spyderco RIL locks and liner locks. Early lockup on all the ones I have and no wear to speak of. My folder use is pretty light duty, so I am sure that helps, but I do have great confidence in Spyderco linerlocks and RIL locks.

I must say that the Chris Reeve warranty in terms of lock wear is pretty nice for peace of mind. It is nice to know that they will fix it if the lock bar moves to the opposite scale or play develops. Of course, you pay a premium for this warranty.

I would like to pose a question to the forum - In regard to an expensive Spyderco like the Lionspy for example, does the lack of a CRK-type warranty discourage you from buying one? Just curious what forumites thoughts are on this.

I also wonder if Spyderco has ever considered covering RIL wear under the warranty on expensive knives, similar to CRK?

[Blerv]

I also wonder if Spyderco has ever considered covering RIL wear under the warranty on expensive knives, similar to CRK?

On some of the models they have removable stainless steel wear bars. Not sure about the Lionspy.

[Minibear453]

The lock moving to the other side isn't that worrying. However, if a knife started out that way, it means the liner lock is already ground down too much. As the lock wears, it should move from left to right, ending with it touching the opposite scale. From there on, any more wear will result in less than perfect lock ups. There'll be a little vertical play, most likely. So the more the lock is to the left, the more your lock can wear without negative results.

And I've been EDCing a gerber for around two years with no negative results.

[JNewell]

I just sent a much-used 15-year old small Sebenza back to CRK earlier this year for a tweak on the lock, which had gotten to 100% or a little more engaged. I assume they simply fitted a slightly larger OD stop pin. Whatever the case, it came back fast for no change and is all set for at least 15 more years.

[Left Hand Path]

On some of the models they have removable stainless steel wear bars. Not sure about the Lionspy.

Thank you for the reminder on the replaceable wear bar; that totally slipped my mind. I think that is a great move by Spyderco, and pretty much answers my 'question'. :)

[Left Hand Path]

I'm glad CRK spiffed up your Sebenza so quickly JN. Very nice.

So it looks like the replaceable insert has been used on the 2 Militarys, and I think it was on the proto Lionspy. Is that everything so far?

I hope Spyderco continues to use it, especially on the expensive and 'hard-use' models.

[JNewell]

The steel insert on the Ti lockbar is nice, but the fix with an OD stop pin is very easy.

Really, Sr. Quixote, you are tilting at windmills. :)

[JNewell]

Posting this in both your threads...

How much does this really matter? If I took you back to 1996 and you compared your choices in locks and steel and other design attributes to today, would you insist on staying with your 1996 knives? I still have an use knives that I bought more than 40 years ago, but the ones that earn their keep on merit rather than sentiment are mostly fairly new. It's not worth getting too worked up about! :)

[Jazz]

I really don't like liner locks at all. I love my large Wegner, and it feels quite secure, but it's almost all the way across the blade - then what? They just don't give me any real sense of safety. My Millie is very strong and doing fine, but I wouldn't feel safe stabbing it into something. My Sage 2 makes me feel a lot safer, to a point. It hasn't moved at all. My Crickets and Spin are almost all the way across. Give me a back lock any day (compression is quite the good lock, too).

- best wishes, Jazz.

[Evil D]

I'm glad CRK spiffed up your Sebenza so quickly JN. Very nice.

So it looks like the replaceable insert has been used on the 2 Militarys, and I think it was on the proto Lionspy. Is that everything so far?

I hope Spyderco continues to use it, especially on the expensive and 'hard-use' models.

It's a great idea...i like when things have wear parts that are easily replaceable.

I'm sure Spyderco has already looked into replacing the lock tab liner on the Paramilitaries. Between the lock tab and the stop pin both being replaceable, these knives could well last forever as far as solid lockup is concerned.

[JNewell]

It's a great idea...i like when things have wear parts that are easily replaceable.

I'm sure Spyderco has already looked into replacing the lock tab liner on the Paramilitaries. Between the lock tab and the stop pin both being replaceable, these knives could well last forever as far as solid lockup is concerned.

The steel locking leafs in the Military and Para will probably outlast everyone here. :)

Note that the replaceable insert on the Military is not a field service part. The knife still has to be returned to the factory for fitting and inspection...so in the end not much different from replacing the stop pin! :cool:

[Evil D]

The steel locking leafs in the Military and Para will probably outlast everyone here. :)

Note that the replaceable insert on the Military is not a field service part. The knife still has to be returned to the factory for fitting and inspection...so in the end not much different from replacing the stop pin! :cool:

Well, i could see it eventually mushrooming out with enough use, or just wearing at the tip to the point it created blade play. Then again, i can't say i've ever heard of that happening but where there's metal to metal there's gonna be wear eventually.

[markg]

Some have spoken to the SS Cricket and the lock bar being at or near the non-locking side. Some even come that way. Keep in mind, the amount of room the lock has on a knife this small (and thin) is not voluminous. Also, in a knife this small, and being a framelock, any concerns of safety of the knife should be put to rest. If you are not getting any blade play, then use it. IMHO.