I got a stiffy

[LibertyKeeper]

My new Buck 285 Bantam Flag is so stiff I can hardly operate it with one hand.

I've tried working it back and forth, back and forth... Even lubed it.... And still no relief

Seriously... I carry another 285 Bantam knife often (in a different handle color) and it operates smoothly.

Is there no way to loosen it a bit?

Thoughts welcome

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[charlesf20]

keep workin' at it?

[cody6268]

I get a few like that. Typically, the first thing I do is oil it. Then if that doesn't work, I wash it in soap and water to try to flush out grit and metal shavings from the pivot leftover from the manufacturing process.

And if it's none of those, there is a chance it was pinned too tight at the factory. I love the Bantam series as it's American-made, but inexpensive. I have three of the 285, a 284, and three 283s; and none of them are really what I'd call tight. The worst problem I've had out of any of them was a thumb stud that worked loose.

[LibertyKeeper]

I get a few like that. Typically, the first thing I do is oil it. Then if that doesn't work, I wash it in soap and water to try to flush out grit and metal shavings from the pivot leftover from the manufacturing process.

And if it's none of those, there is a chance it was pinned too tight at the factory. I love the Bantam series as it's American-made, but inexpensive. I have three of the 285, a 284, and three 283s; and none of them are really what I'd call tight. The worst problem I've had out of any of them was a thumb stud that worked loose.

Thank you. I will try the soap and water then re-lube

[bigshot]

You can immerse it completely in mineral oil for a few days. Sometimes that helps. Ballistol might free it up a bit too.

[herbva]

Try a drop or two of "Quick Release". I find that it works much better on stiff knives than general purpose oil. If there is any rust in the pivot area (unlikely on a new knife), a few drops of Kroil works well to dissolve the rust.

[Mumbleypeg]

All good advice. Thoroughly clean it, oil the joints. +1 on Quick Release oil. If it still doesn’t function correctly send it back to Buck. Their warranty is second to none. It will be fixed to your satisfaction or replaced with a new knife.

Ken

[jmh58]

All good advice. Thoroughly clean it, oil the joints. +1 on Quick Release oil. If it still doesn’t function correctly send it back to Buck. Their warranty is second to none. It will be fixed to your satisfaction or replaced with a new knife.

Ken

John

[LibertyKeeper]

Yep... I too have had great service from Buck when I sent in a knife for repair previously.

Since this model is discontinued... I'm just afraid they'll keep it and send me another Bantam 285 for a replacement... without the flag design handle.

So this one won't be going back to Buck. I'll keep working in it. I've tried everything and it looks like it was pinned way too tight.

It may be destined to become a "two handed opening only" knife... And I can live with that... Just a bit dissapointed

Can I loosen the pins somehow?

[Captain O]

Lay off the Viagra?

[herbva]

Yep... I too have had great service from Buck when I sent in a knife for repair previously.

Since this model is discontinued... I'm just afraid they'll keep it and send me another Bantam 285 for a replacement... without the flag design handle.

So this one won't be going back to Buck. I'll keep working in it. I've tried everything and it looks like it was pinned way too tight.

It may be destined to become a "two handed opening only" knife... And I can live with that... Just a bit dissapointed

Can I loosen the pins somehow?

My answer to your last question is "maybe". It depends on how that knife is pinned. If the pins are conventional with peened heads, you can loosen it a bit. But the risk is that the pin heads will then show and look a bit sunken into the bolsters. If you want to try, with the blade open, slip a small flat head screwdriver into the blade well against the base of the blade tang and twist the screwdriver (or other flat metal tool) a little bit in each direction. Go very easy. This may create just a very tiny bit more space for the blade to pivot. Don't overdo it, or you'll have a wobbly blade and possibly a damaged liner. This is risky and I expect that some here will disagree with doing this at all.