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Anyone Able to Reduce Tension in Backsprings?

Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2012 5:44 pm
by Bill-in-Texas
Hey All,
I have a 4-blade Boker Congress knife that is downright painful to open, the springs are so tight.
Can anyone repair this?
I'd like to stay within a reasonable budget.
Thank you, Bill

Re: Anyone Able to Reduce Tension in Backsprings?

Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2012 6:11 pm
by orvet
You can probably do it yourself Bill.
Remove the center pin, measure the size of the pin and replace it with another pin about 0.006" to 0.010" smaller.
That will allow some play in there and remove some tension from the springs.

Re: Anyone Able to Reduce Tension in Backsprings?

Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2012 11:26 pm
by Bill-in-Texas
orvet wrote:You can probably do it yourself Bill.
Remove the center pin, measure the size of the pin and replace it with another pin about 0.006" to 0.010" smaller.
That will allow some play in there and remove some tension from the springs.
Thanks, Dale...
I'll be honest, I'm not sure if I have time for any projects. You do make it sound simple, though... I'll consider it.
I really hate this knife because I've been so disappointed with it. :(
I'd like to be able to enjoy it. For me, that can be as basic as just getting a knife out every once in a while to oil and manipulate the moving parts. I had sent this knife to Boker and, after they had it for months(!), they returned it saying they couldn't repair it.

I have to use a flat, circular pocket screwdriver to open the blades, they're that tight.

1970s Boker Congress
Image

Re: Anyone Able to Reduce Tension in Backsprings?

Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 1:06 am
by muskrat man
I can do it on that knife for about $15 + S&H

Re: Anyone Able to Reduce Tension in Backsprings?

Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 3:24 am
by orvet
Bill,
Kaleb's (muskrat man) offer is quite reasonable.

My hands are getting a bit better, in fact I even worked on an old Camillus today, but I never know from day to day how they will feel or how well they work. Or if they will work well enough for me to trust them on someone else's knife.

Good luck,
Dale

Re: Anyone Able to Reduce Tension in Backsprings?

Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 5:11 pm
by Bill-in-Texas
orvet wrote:Bill,
Kaleb's (muskrat man) offer is quite reasonable.

My hands are getting a bit better, in fact I even worked on an old Camillus today, but I never know from day to day how they will feel or how well they work. Or if they will work well enough for me to trust them on someone else's knife.

Good luck,
Dale
Thanks, Dale! I appreciate your assistance, as always, sir!

Kaleb, PM sent.

-Bill

Re: Anyone Able to Reduce Tension in Backsprings?

Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 6:32 pm
by just bob
In the book by Adrian Harris he suggests in order to reduce tension on a backspring to take a pc of broken backspring and put it where it will be directly under the kick on the blade - then close the blade. The downward pressue will reduce the tension.He doesn't say how long to leave the knife like this. If you're easy witht this it won't hurt to try it.

I wouldn't suggest this with a Frank Buster or a made in China knife. Those seem to be made of very brittle steel.

Re: Anyone Able to Reduce Tension in Backsprings?

Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 3:40 am
by Bill DeShivs
Grinding the backspring down works well.

Re: Anyone Able to Reduce Tension in Backsprings?

Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 1:59 pm
by Bill-in-Texas
Bill DeShivs wrote:Grinding the backspring down works well.
Thanks for the good suggestions...
I'm going to send it to Muskrat Man, though.
Time constraints & a learning curve prevent me from tackling this one on my own.
I appreciate everyone's input!
-Bill

Re: Anyone Able to Reduce Tension in Backsprings?

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 2:12 pm
by Bill-in-Texas
Just a brief follow-up:

Muskrat Man did a fine job on the Boker...
Thank you Kaleb! ::tu::

-Bill

Re: Anyone Able to Reduce Tension in Backsprings?

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 5:10 pm
by muskrat man
glad I could be of service Bill ::tu::