Question for Sal regarding compression locks

[Evil D]

Sal, i think i may have made an interesting observation, but i think only you or someone in the know would be able to say for sure. Also, I understand that my modest 5 knife experience is hardly enough to really know one way or another (hence asking you) but here's what i've noticed.

I own an original Paramilitary, and have owned 3 Para 2s, and currently EDC a Yojimbo 2. My question is regarding the relationship between side to side blade play and lock tab engagement.

On my Paramilitary, i've never been able to find a sweet spot in the pivot adjustment where it had no play but opened smoothly. With the Para 2's, they all came new with absolutely no side to side play but developed play within a month of use. Most of that play can be adjusted out with the pivot, but not all of it. My 20CP Para 2 in particular seems as thought the pivot screws are completely tightened as much as possible...i've actually twisted the tip of a torx bit trying to tighten them further. It has the most side to side play of all of them.

It seems to me that knives that have an early lockup are the ones that most often have side to side play issues, with the exception of my 20CP Para 2 which i feel may have an issue with the pivot not being able to be tightened down enough. That knife engages about 50% into the tang.

My Yojimbo 2 has almost no play whatsoever..you really have to give it a firm jiggle to feel any play at all and you have to know what you're looking for to even feel it. That lock engages at least 60-70% into the tang...which honestly is farther than i'm happy with because i feel it may shorten the lifespan of the lock. However, i can't deny that the lockup seems to be tightest out of all of them. Is there some relationship between lockup point and side to side play or is this just coincidence?

[Donut]

David, for your information.

When the Para 2 was coming out, I believe one of the improvements was a modification to the Compression lock. With any improvement, there are usually other things that can be affected.

I currently believe only the Para 2 is using the modified Compression lock. I'm basing this on the feel of how the locks operate. The Superleaf, the Para 1, the Yo 2, the Superhawk all feel and operate very similar, the Para 2 seems slightly different.

The Para 2 has some quirks to it with what most people call a "sticky lock". I do notice more and less play from model to model, I'll have to check and verify if your "amount of engagement" has a correlation to the "play".

[akaAK]

Far from an expert but for what it is worth while you wait for Sal.

My two original Para's (D2 and S30v) have virtually no play, the CPMS30V has been used as hard as I use knives (cardboard, not as much as you I am sure, carpet, carving wood, cutting hoses and tubing).

My two Para 2's (20CP and S30V) are in the same situation, the S30V has recieved the most use.

I may have been lucky but all four of these came with no play (either vertical or horizontal) and none have developed any (keeping in mind the relatively light use for the sprints) that would be considered noticable.

I am interested in how this thread turns out as the comp lock is my all time favourite.

[Evil D]

Yeah i'm pretty up to date about the rolling changes to the compression lock. I don't think the original Para is a fair comparison because of it. I just find it really strange that all of them have come with no play at all, and all have developed it except for the one knife that has the latest lockup. Could be coincidence, or could also just be something different with the Yojimbo 2...i don't really have a very good basis of comparison but it never hurts to ask and see if maybe Sal has noticed anything about this. I think side to side play has more to do with the pivot than the lock.

[VashHash]

Well the new bushing system in the para 2 stops it from squeezing it in. I usually file this bushing very lightly to get rid of play if any is present but once I've done this the play never comes back. I have an old para and an original yojimbo not to mention a Vesuvius and find all the old computer lock knives have a slight vertical wiggle.

[sal]

Hi Evil,

As mentioned, changes create "new" knowledge. It's a new lock and we're still refining and experimenting. m The Yo2 was the most recent and we're learning a lot from it as well.

sal

[gull wing]

I only have one PM2, held my breath till it came in, no play at all. Why, haven't even taken it apart.
My plan was, however to do what VashHash does if I ran into the wobble problem. I don't think that would be a problem I couldn't easily fix.
Love the new design, it's step up from the 1.

[Evil D]

Hi Evil,

As mentioned, changes create "new" knowledge. It's a new lock and we're still refining and experimenting. m The Yo2 was the most recent and we're learning a lot from it as well.

sal

Thanks for chiming in Sal. So are we to understand that there have been rolling improvements made with the lock design on the Yo 2 or is it just something to do with more meat around the pivot with this design vs. the Para 2?

[Evil D]

I only have one PM2, held my breath till it came in, no play at all. Why, haven't even taken it apart.
My plan was, however to do what VashHash does if I ran into the wobble problem. I don't think that would be a problem I couldn't easily fix.
Love the new design, it's step up from the 1.

I may resort to something like this for my 20CP Para 2. It has quite a noticeable side to side play and as i said the screws seem to be bottomed out. Interestingly enough, it was absolutely perfect out of the box..no play at all. It's because of this that for my future Para 2 purchases, i'll be looking for ones that are overly tight opening out of the box, in hopes that they'll break in and be just right.

[sal]

Hi Evil,

Yes, we're always working on ways to improve the lock.

sal

[Cheddarnut]

the old computer lock knives

Im on here like a rash on a monkey and i STILL miss important information.

[Roundabout136]

Well the new bushing system in the para 2 stops it from squeezing it in. I usually file this bushing very lightly to get rid of play if any is present but once I've done this the play never comes back. I have an old para and an original yojimbo not to mention a Vesuvius and find all the old computer lock knives have a slight vertical wiggle.

Can you elaborate on your filing method?

[Chipped Karambit]

I have noticed the difference between my franken pm2 and the yojimbo 2. I must say that the yojimbo 2 feels nicer. both are still gravy though. I am curious the final result of the comp lock will be like. The first set was amazing then it just keeps getting better

[Michael Janich]

One thing to keep in mind with the Compression Lock is that if it loosens over time it can sometimes be a result of the stop pin screws backing out slightly, not the pivot pin. If the stop pin screws get loose, the top of the handle is free to spread and lateral play is accentuated. Tighten them to cinch up the handle and play is often reduced significantly.

Stay safe,

Mike

[Evil D]

One thing to keep in mind with the Compression Lock is that if it loosens over time it can sometimes be a result of the stop pin screws backing out slightly, not the pivot pin. If the stop pin screws get loose, the top of the handle is free to spread and lateral play is accentuated. Tighten them to cinch up the handle and play is often reduced significantly.

Stay safe,

Mike

Yeah, that stop pin effects lock up in a few ways, other than what you mentioned it can also get off center and be turned to adjust lockup. I may have to try that on my Yojimbo 2 and 20CP...i haven't tried it yet.