Locked up a Leek

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rcmodel

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Went to open it yesterday and it was locked shut tighter then the north end of a southbound gnat!!

Couldn't open it pulling on the thumb studs.

Couldn't open it prying on it with a SAK screwdriver blade!!!

Finally went to the shop and blew it out with an air hose, and still couldn't open it.

Finally used a screwdriver and small Tappy-Tap hammer under the thumb stud and it popped open.

Blew it out again and flushed it out, and it worked fine again.

Then went out to eat, and reached for it to trim the gristle off my steak, and it was locked up tight again.

Pried it open when I got home and flushed it out again with WD-40, and it's working fine again.

Must have been a grain of sand or something stuck in it somewhere??

Probably take it clear apart when I get time and give it a factory fresh cleaning.

(Having been inside several Leek's, I can't imagine how anything anywhere in one could lock it solid shut like that?)

rc
 
Never owned one and not having seen it, I think your right, a good disassembly and cleaning will probably show some nasty pocket grit.
 
I read through the thread quickly and thought maintenance, maintenance - then I looked back and realized that the author is head and shoulders more skilled than I am... Hmmmm

Whenever any of my folders aren't pivoting properly my first resort is to flush it out under the hottest water my tap will produce, while opening and closing it to flush out any grit (or salt in my case....) then allow it to dry, followed by a drop or two of Break Free (or Gunslik oil). I'll be watching this thread in hopes of learning what the problem was (if it's ever found, since a tiny bit of this or that can slow down any folder).
 
This is one of the reasons I quit carrying folding knives. When you need to cut something and the knife won't open you might as well be grabbing a spoon!

I had a leek lock up on me, turns out a piece of grit had gotten wedged between the washer and the scale. I also had a SOG Twitch lock open on me. Ended up sending it in for a warranty repair, and they sent me a new one cause they couldn't figure out what was going on with it.
 
So three folding knives disabled by grit in the mechanism. It happens.

I am going to point out some say that's why an OTF is inferior - well, it happens to them all, except those fixed blades.
 
Well, mine is working like new again.

The WD-40 flush must have washed out whatever was in it.

Looking back, I wish I had of taken it apart and seen what the exact problem was?

But i didn't have time to fool with it that day.

rc
 
You use your pocket knife to eat steak at a steakhouse? lol I have a friend who whips out his trusty spidy to open a bag of M&Ms.
 
LOL reading MaterDei comment on M&Ms reminds me why I got as "one hand opener" in the first place. For years I carried a 3 blade shrade, a traditional "grandpaw" knife. I had surgery on my left hand and in a cast when my grandson wanted cereal. It was a new box so the "bag" wasn't open. I did it the way any guy in a hurry would have...grab it with your teeth on one side your good hand on the other side and pull. YEP that sucker exploded cheerios all over the kitchen. My grandson took one look at me, one look at the kitchen floor and headed for parts unknown in a hurry! :uhoh: The next day I had a Leeke in my pocket, been there ever since, sure is handy.
 
I mostly use my "work knife" to open food that might otherwise make a mess at lunch, like the bags of frozen soup* I've been eating lately because they're healthy and I bought a bunch on sale at an excellent price. I always clean my knife immediately after use.

My work knife is a Cryo II, not one of my typical Spydercos, because of
>deep carry small clip
>smooth scales
>sturdy lock

This combination means that even though it's a tough knife, it doesn't rip my work slacks up and is almost impossible to spot.


*have you ever tried to open a fairly sturdy plastic bag filled with liquid? You want a knife, trust me.

John
 
I use my knives all the time to cut food up. I don't/can't eat red meat anymore, but when I did whatever I had in my pocket was always, and I mean without exception, better than what the restaurant provided. Of course, I keep my knives clean.

Often times I will even use my pocket knives to prepare food. They definitely get washed prior to that, but my pocket knives are often better suited and much sharper than my kitchen knives. Except for my Victorinox chefs knife. That knife rules, and I might actually by a second one.
 
*have you ever tried to open a fairly sturdy plastic bag filled with liquid? You want a knife, trust me.

Amen !

Works really good for bags of MRE'S ( Microwave, Required Eating ! ) foods at the shop.

This one, some guy gave me.... Its been on my hip since the day it showed up, and never fails.

BTW- Froglube makes an excellent knife lube, and is food safe, so you don't need to worry about mixing toxic sludge with your A1 sauce.
 

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That makes me smile to see. :)

Another food-safe (and very inexpensive) lube is mineral oil. You can buy it off Amazon, or usually find it at Wal-Mart or any pharmacy.

J
 
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