Para 3 LW detent slop

[dubya3(new)]

Hey there, name is Cory and I've been a member of the forum for about 10 years but gave up on being a knife hobbiest 6-7 years ago and when I tried to get back on my old account I couldn't remember the password and I lost my original email years and multiple phones ago so I'm back with a new account under the same username (I think).

Anyway, I bought a Para 3 LW in M4 a couple years ago and it's been an amazing EDC knife. Normally preffering bigger folders I always wanted a larger PM2 but when the Para 3 was released and I handled one I fell in love (and now we have the Military 2 which is what I always wanted ).

Long story short, my detent has worn down to the point that there is at least a few MM of play and the blade will fairly easily open on its own with a light shake. I almost sent it back to the mothership last week but reading some other threads online it sounded like maybe they don't warranty detent slop/lash? I ended up buying a 1/16" carbide end mill bit to open the detent hole in the blade only to realize its the wrong size. The detent itself is visibly worn down so now im thinking I should just buy a replacement detent, maybe a ceramic one, and attempt to replace it myself. Does anyone know if Spyderco would warranty this and if not, what the detent size is so I can replace it myself?


Thanks much

Cory

[Michael Janich]

Dear dubya3(new):

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum.

Your best bet is to return your knife for warranty consideration. We always do our best to stand behind our products when they are used properly.

If you choose to modify your detent hole (which would add slop to the action) or replace the detent ball yourself, you are modifying your knife and would likely disqualify your knife from future warranty coverage.

Stay safe,

Mike

[phaust]

It's easy to replace the ball if that's the problem. Grab a 2mm ceramic ball, poke the existing one out, press the new one in (even a cheap screw clamp will work to press it in).

[dubya3(new)]

Dear dubya3(new):

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum.

Your best bet is to return your knife for warranty consideration. We always do our best to stand behind our products when they are used properly.

If you choose to modify your detent hole (which would add slop to the action) or replace the detent ball yourself, you are modifying your knife and would likely disqualify your knife from future warranty coverage.

Stay safe,

Mike

Thanks Mike. I understand it'll most likely void my warranty if I replace the detent and I'm okay with that.

[dubya3(new)]

It's easy to replace the ball if that's the problem. Grab a 2mm ceramic ball, poke the existing one out, press the new one in (even a cheap screw clamp will work to press it in).

Thank you. This is what im going to do, 2mm if for certain the correct size?

[phaust]

It's easy to replace the ball if that's the problem. Grab a 2mm ceramic ball, poke the existing one out, press the new one in (even a cheap screw clamp will work to press it in).

Thank you. This is what im going to do, 2mm if for certain the correct size?

Yep 2mm is correct.

I followed this guy's guide the first time I tried it



but searching for that I see the top result (

has someone pressing it in with just pliers (in case you don't have and don't want to buy a clamp).

Replacing the junky steel detent ball with ceramic makes a world of difference even for knives without slop.

[dubya3(new)]

It's easy to replace the ball if that's the problem. Grab a 2mm ceramic ball, poke the existing one out, press the new one in (even a cheap screw clamp will work to press it in).

Thank you. This is what im going to do, 2mm if for certain the correct size?

Yep 2mm is correct.

I followed this guy's guide the first time I tried it



but searching for that I see the top result (

has someone pressing it in with just pliers (in case you don't have and don't want to buy a clamp).

Replacing the junky steel detent ball with ceramic makes a world of difference even for knives without slop.

Awesome, thanks for the info and links to the videos! I'll order a few 2mm ceramic bearings right now. I'll post again after I get one installed.


Cory

[dubya3(new)]

Okay one more question. I ordered two different kinds of balls and I'm curious which ones would be better.

Si3N4 Silicon Nitride

ZrO2 Zirconium Oxide (these were about twice as much as the Si3N4 ones)

I know either of these will probably wear a track in the blade over time so maybe I'm better off using the one that's not as hard?


Thanks!!

[phaust]

I use Si3N4 but believe people have used both successfully. I have thousands of openings on some and can't by eye at least see any groove; it just looks polished. I haven't tried feeling any though don't think you will have to worry this lifetime.

[cabfrank]

I'd send it in, as Mike suggested. You could always mod it after the fact, if the warranty doesn't apply. I'd be surprised if it doesn't though.

[dubya3(new)]

I installed the white ZrO2 bearing as they were the first ones to arrive today and it completely fixed the problem. It was way easier to do than I expected with such a small part and the knife feels exactly as it did brand new, maybe even a little smoother.

Thanks for all the input and information.


Cory