Do Golden-made knives come lubricated from the factory?

[Stas]

Do Golden-made compression lock models get any lubrication on the moving parts during assembly? I’ve noticed that while all Seki models tend to come heavily oiled (even the Salt series), my recently acquired S90V Military 2 and DLC Yojimbo 2 arrived completely dry, with no sign of oil anywhere. The action is great, but I usually add a small drop of 5W Nano oil to the pivot anyway. However, I don’t oil the detent ball until the next cleaning session.

Does the factory apply a small amount of oil to the detent ball, or am I running it dry? Do you lubricate the detent ball on a compression lock right out of the box, regardless of how the action feels?

[vivi]

I've never purchased a new Spyderco made in any country that was dry when I received it.

I have never lubed a detent ball. There's no need to lube that specific part. I put a drop of mineral oil on either side of the blade when I take a knife apart, and after cycling the action it spreads to everywhere it needs to be.

[Stas]

I've never purchased a new Spyderco made in any country that was dry when I received it.

I have never lubed a detent ball. There's no need to lube that specific part. I put a drop of mineral oil on either side of the blade when I take a knife apart, and after cycling the action it spreads to everywhere it needs to be.

Thanks, Vivi. I recently bought three Golden-made knives, and only the 15V Military 2 came oiled. I usually ask the dealer to check the blade centering and action before shipping, so they might have wiped the blades to remove fingerprints but left the 15V oiled, which makes sense for tool steel.

Some members here—including Michael Janich—have suggested applying a small amount of oil or grease to the detent ball In the past. Good to know from your experience that it is not necessary.

[zhyla]

We lubricate knives so they open smoothly. If it feels good then don’t worry about it.

[Stas]

We lubricate knives so they open smoothly. If it feels good then don’t worry about it.

Well said, thanx!

They feel Golden.

[Evil D]

I've had them literally dripping wet with lube running down the blade, even Salts.

[Stas]

I've had them literally dripping wet with lube running down the blade, even Salts.

Mine mostly come from a Finnish dealer—maybe it’s due to the “Dry Law” there

[phaust]

We lubricate knives so they open smoothly. If it feels good then don’t worry about it.

There are reasons other than friction reduction. Lube provides water displacement to keep internals from rusting and captures grit to reduce wear.

[cabfrank]

Odd, now that you mention it, my Seki knives have had a lot of oil, and I don't recall seeing any on my Native Chief.

[James Y]

I barely lube my knives with detent-based locks. I only put a dab of lube on the detent ball, to lessen the wear on the ball over time.

On my backlocks, I only put a tiny bit of lube on the part of the blade tang that's exposed when the knife is closed, near the locking notch. And some of my knives, like my Salts, never get any lube at all.

Jim

[Chieftjs]

I’ve had two from Golden in the last year and both had visible oil on them. A PM2 and a Para3.

[Switchback]

I put a drop of lube in the pivot of new knives and on the detent ball if it has one.

I question the longevity of lubrication on the detent ball but I lube it nonetheless. In the pivot area, things are somewhat tight and the washers are circular. I think that helps keep the lubricant spread out where it needs to be.

With the detent ball, it seems like it would push the lubricant out of the way as it travels its course but maybe I’m overthinking it.

[Brock O Lee]

If the action feels tight I lubricate the pivot and the detent ball. The detent ball is often the source of friction.

[zhyla]

We lubricate knives so they open smoothly. If it feels good then don’t worry about it.

There are reasons other than friction reduction. Lube provides water displacement to keep internals from rusting and captures grit to reduce wear.

Water rejection I get, but wear is really only a thing for locks that aren’t self adjusting. A modern lock that accounts for wear will essentially last forever. This isn’t an engine we’re talking about.

[USCGchief]

I take mine apart and Flitz the thin washer, Wilson Combat oil a drop or two on the pivot. I don’t oil the detent ball because it deadens the “click” sound we all love - if that love of the sound isn’t a big deal why are so many of us in therapy over our addiction of ‘finger flicking’ to the point we risk wearing the ball out?

[Evil D]

Just opened up a Military 2 Salt today and it had the smallest and most controlled amount of lube I think I've seen yet, only on the washers themselves and nowhere else.

[Stas]

Just opened up a Military 2 Salt today and it had the smallest and most controlled amount of lube I think I've seen yet, only on the washers themselves and nowhere else.

Thanks for the info, David. I’ll definitely want to grab this one when it becomes available in Europe.

[raygixxer89]

Odd, now that you mention it, my Seki knives have had a lot of oil, and I don't recall seeing any on my Native Chief.

My Civilian just came in today and it has a LOT of oil on it. If I remember correctly, my Yojumbo came fairly dry. I haven't carried it yet but have it my hand and it's dry. I'll need to lube it up a bit.

[Evil D]

Just opened a new Bodacious, born on date is August 2024 and it's almost too dry IMO. I think the DLC versions could benefit from some actual grease or heavier oil to help break in.

What looks like rust is just the washer wearing on the DLC.

[cabfrank]

Too bad you can't buy them before they're assembled to save you and Spyderco a little time.