Lazy Blade

[Luckypaul777]

Any way to improve the snap on a lazy blade? Thanks.

Paul

[orvet]

The short answer.......maybe.

More info needed:
Brand, model number, condition of knife, age, etc. & pic would help.

It all depends on what the problem is that causes the blade to be lazy.
If it is lazy due to dirt or lack of lubrication, a good dose of a cleaner and lube can work wonders in probably 20% of knives with lazy blades.

Often a blade is lazy because the round end of the tang is worn down, or occasionally a spring is worn.
If the knife is worth the price of replacing the worn parts then they can usually be fixed.
It all depends on how much time/effort or money you want to put in it.

I would clean it first, even if it doesn't look dirty.
I use Birchwood Casey gun cleaner and squirt it through the joints. Don't use on celluloid handles or super expensive handles, though I have not had a problem with their "Synthetic-Safe Formula."
Then use compressed air to blow out the excess.
Repeat until the excess blown out by the air is no longer gray. It will probably surprise you how much dirt and metal comes out of the average "clean" knife.
Lube joints well with mineral oil and check the snap.

In my experience, this "fixes" about 20% of the lazy blades, and improves the snap of about half the knives you clean.

Hope this helps,
Dale

[muskrat man]

It can be done but the value of the knife may or may not justify the cost to have it done. causes can be minor or major, usually have to get inside the knife to check things out.

[glennbad]

I have sometimes found that if the knife has had a chance to sit for a long time, that rust or gunk can build up between the liners and the springs. I usually open the blades part way and clean or wipe the sides of the springs down.

That gunk or rust can sometimes limit the "spring" on the spring.

Glenn

[Luckypaul777]

Thanks guys, actually these are new knives from GEC. E-Toe/Sunfish patterns; pretty much have to push blades closed. Doesn't snap until blades are only a few degrees (10?) from being between the liners.

Paul

[muskrat man]

hey, can so send me some photos of the raised backspring with the knife 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 open? I might be able to resolve the issue, those pics should confirm my suspicions

[orvet]

Humm........
What you thinking MM?

Dale

[muskrat man]

well raised backsprings will tell that the knife has proper tang angles and spring-tang meet. If it has a good raised backspring then something would have to be binding the blades or backspring up, maybe pinned a little too tight (common on toes), rubbing on a burr somewhere inside or maybe the spring just needs a little more tension on it.

[knifeswapper]

Every GEC Toenail is slow. They are round end and built to flex the spring very little. This coupled with the tight fit to begin with leaves them slow to open/close. This is actually a common design feature/flaw with toenails and probably saves a lot of fingers. Some oil on the joints and working it for a couple of minutes goes a long way; but you will not get a hard snap from the GEC toenail.

[muskrat man]

but you will not get a hard snap from the GEC toenail.

Bet if I take a peek under the hood I can tweak the engine and make her roar

[Luckypaul777]

Thanks guys, I guess Mike pretty much cleared it up; as to the GEC toes. Kaleb you wouldn't be able to tell much from a photo from me; not very good at taking them. Next time I send you one to embellish; I'll get you to smooth-up the action and put a hair trigger on it.

Paul