Maintenance of a Liner lock folder

Maintenance of a Liner lock folder

An A-typical liner locking folder but none the less a Liner Locking folder.

Apply ZERO lubricant to the mating surfaces (see below!). This mating surface is relatively clean.

A dirty mating surface!

There is one simple rule for the general maintenance of any liner lock folder, whether it be a 10 dollar one to a 500 dollar plus one. However, before I reveal all, there is also just one thing to understand about a Liner locking folder, and that is the following:

The locking mechanism relies upon friction generated by two surfaces in contact with one another, namely the back of the knife tang and the end of the liner. The "spring" in the liner forces the liner to engage the tang. The geometry of these surfaces also plays a large part in the action of the locking, in other words, if not done correctly, then when a knife is locked and one applies a strong force upwards and downward on the blade, then a clicking sound may be heard. This sound is a results of a slight mismatch of surfaces in contact, resulting in minor (hopefully, if at all) slipping of the liner against the tang. It does not mean however, the blade would close unintentionally but it could-it, depending upon those said geometries and how strong the "upwards and "downwards" forces are.

Now that we understand this mechanism, we can now reliably maintain our precious liner lock or even our "el cheapo" liner lock.

Rule number one (there is only one rule!)

NEVER EVER EVER apply lubricant to those mating surfaces. One does not want to decrease the fictional forces encountered there. ONLY the pivot bolt axle-not the nut, may need some quality lubricant after severe usage over time. It is generally thought (and practically proved) that total disassembly should not be a part of routine maintenance. The logic here is thus: Many small parts can be lost or damaged and or misalignment can result from incorrect assembly and or "tuning" if not fully versed in the proper assembly of the said product. In other words "don't pull it apart if you don't have to!" To reassemble some parts may need the application of the correct Loctite formula in order to prevent these parts working loose over time via vibration etc. The application of the incorrect Loctite product can quickly result in parts which are not possible to disassemble in the future. In other words know your Loctite products! 


BCT