Ti Military Not Smooth?

kbrouwer · #1

I got my Titanium Military the other day. I was surprised when I first opened it that it really wasn't that smooth. It's not sticky but it feels like it's rubbing against something or something's too tight. I really don't know how to describe it but whatever the "problem" is is beyond me. I ordered some Tuf Glide and am hoping it's just because the pivot needs some oil. I've opened and closed it plenty of times and the non-smoothness has not really gone away. Do I have a defective knife? I don't think so but it this normal? Does it eventually become smooth. Any suggestions to get it smoother?

Update: The lock bar is screwing something up. I'm holding the lock bar as far over as possible and the knife is almost perfectly smooth (not this one DOES have the steel insert on the bar. It's really hard to explain what I mean. The knife is really tight and when opening, it feels (and sounds) like it's rubbing against other metal. Any household item I can use to "oil" the pivot while waiting for the Tuff Glide?

rycen · #2

Use it and let it break in naturally

kbrouwer · #3

The lock bar is screwing something up. I'm holding the lock bar as far over as possible and the knife is pretty much perfectly smooth (not this one DOES have the steel insert on the bar.

rycen · #4

It doesn't sound like the pivot needs any oil but the detent might. The only thing that I can think of off the top my head you might have in the house is Vaseline. Take a toothpick put a very very tiny amount and apply that to the detent ball see if that helps.

kbrouwer · #5

rycen wrote:It doesn't sound like the pivot needs any oil but the detent might. The only thing that I can think of off the top my head you might have in the house is Vaseline. Take a toothpick put a very very tiny amount and apply that to the detent ball see if that helps.

Before I read this, I took a qtip and got in and scraped some gunk off of what I believe was the dent thing (I can't take the knife apart) I ran some water through the area but the thing that worries me is as much as I tried to dry it, it's imposible for there to be no water left so I'm blowing into the handle to make sure all of it deirs. If u can, stay tuned to see how this works.

kbrouwer · #6

wow. not perfect bot vaseline is a great quick fix for oil. Not a replacement for actual knife oil but it works for "emergencies" like this. I was very liberal when applying the vaseline. It made the knife much, much smoother. Not perfect but almost. When the Tuf Glide comes, I'll really clean the knife out and oil it more precisely. It has a needle applicator so I can really get in to the pivots and stuff.

Thanks a lot :)

chuck_roxas45 · #7

Tuf Glide may not be a good lube. It prevents corrosion but it does turn into gunk.

AKWolf · #8

Try a few micro drops of Nano oil and work it in. Chuck pointed out Tuff cloth/glide is excellent for corrosion protection but falls shy in lubrication IMO.

Blerv · #9

Have you washed it yet? Some manufacturing grit could be on the pivot. Yea and mineral oil, Miltec, etc for the pivot.

Zenith · #10

A few things.

The knife rides on a detent ball. It is probably what is causing the grittyness.

As time goes by the ball will wear a track in the blade, this will smooth with use, but a bit of oil at the beginning will help.

This is normal. You might experience it with any liner or framelock.

Second.

Don't worry about a bit of water as you describe. The knife won't fall apart due to a bit of water or corrode within a few minutes.

Also, get some WD-40. Not only can it be used on knives but is very handy throughout the house. After you get some WD-40 start looking into more expensive oils if you want to.

Fianlly, most important. Enjoy your new knife! Congrats!

Slash · #11

Maybe the ball got compromised when it was pressed in somehow causing a tiny burr?

Try looking at it under magnification.

Mahmer09 · #12

I had the same experience as you. I knew the ti Millie would be heavy, but I was expecting quick action after a few days. It never came. I ordered nano oil from Amazon and lubed up the detent ball, the knife is awesome now. It flicks open quick with a very satisfying click when locked.

kbrouwer · #13

chuck_roxas45 wrote:Tuf Glide may not be a good lube. It prevents corrosion but it does turn into gunk.

which would you recommend

bh49 · #14

chuck_roxas45 wrote:Tuf Glide may not be a good lube. It prevents corrosion but it does turn into gunk.

Zenith wrote: Also, get some WD-40. Not only can it be used on knives but is very handy throughout the house.

I wouldn't use WD-40 for lubrication. It is also rust preventor, it has some oil, but also turn into gunk with time.
Almost any oil will will be good, just do not put too much. Oil attracts dust and you will not be able to blow it away.
If you want to dry your knife and do not have compressed air, hair dryer will work.

chuck_roxas45 · #15

kbrouwer wrote:which would you recommend

Lots of good advice already. Nano oil or any kind of light oil. I'd recommend food grade mineral oil if you use your knife on food often.