Easily Eliminate Knife Lock Stick - Demonstrated on a Benchmade Axis Lock and Spyderco Frame Lock

[@JonathanTReviews]

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[@mortimermouse3086]

Super good video. Helped out my new CF bugout that was sticking. Made it much quieter and smoother!

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thank you very much! I'm glad it helped. Cheers

[@FaugAudio]

Thanks so much man the pencil graphite trick worked perfect and I'm finally enjoying my new bugout. Great video

[@JonathanTReviews]

Great to read! Happy I could help! Cheers

[@ninottonin8983]

It worked on my new Bugout , thanks a lot! I used this method on some door locks but never thought to apply this to a pocket knife. 🙌🏻

[@JonathanTReviews]

That's great to read! Happy to help! Yeah, graphite can be a miracle for poor metal to metal contact. I just recently had to use powder graphite on a couple bad locks and it made a world of difference. Cheers

[@tshupenia8940]

I oiled my bugouts tang to make it smoother. It did the opposite. Gritty as sand, sticky, gross. I watched this video, cleaned the tang and axis bar off with alcohol, and its smooth, slick, gorgeous. Thanks buddy.

[@JonathanTReviews]

That's great to read! Happy I could help! The oil part is so counterintuitive relative to most other things. Cheers

[@joshboland6166]

Graphite worked great on sticky bugout 535-3. Thanks for the tip

[@JonathanTReviews]

That's great news! Happy to help. Cheers

[@DrKrawl]

Underrated video, this works!

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thanks for watching and I'm glad it helped! Pretty amazing how much difference a couple minutes and household items can make on the action.

[@Banana_bread_]

Came across this after I got a steel axis lock bar for my bugout, and it was even stickier than the original titanium one, which was supposed to be the opposite. Graphite was a good call, it's not perfect yet, but the axis lock bar rides smoothly. Thanks!

[@JonathanTReviews]

Awesome, I'm glad it helped! Cheers

[@StormSpider-iw1uz]

My crossbar lock was super sticky and gummy, I tried cleaning it repeatedly with a que tip and some 96% ethanol, but it would always get gummy again after a day or two. After cleaning it out, I would usually add some camelia oil to make the action smoother. I didn't realize the oil is what was causing the gumminess, after removing it and putting graphite like you suggested, the action is buttery smooth. Thank you!

[@JonathanTReviews]

Awesome! Yeah, it's definitely counterintuitive since the oil helps most other areas run smoother. Very happy to have helped 🥂

[@twai8036]

Really helpful, I did it on mini Osborne and lock stick was about half as much as before. How often would you need to reapply the graphite? Or would lube help as well ? Thank you

[@JonathanTReviews]

Excellent, I'm glad it helped! I'd avoid and degrease/remove any lube from the lock surfaces. They can make it worse. You shouldn't need to apply graphite very often. Cheers

[@kylethedalek]

Like the video pretty much to the point and easy instructions. The issue I’m having is on a 940. And if I open the blade softly the lock disengages smoothly. If I open it really hard and quickly it the kick acts the same way. But when I open it fairly hard (not too soft or too hard.) when disengaging the lock it has this stick to it only at the start of the disengagement like a few Millimetres then after that it’s smooth like the other times. I just don’t get it? Is the lock bar sliding forward more under this middle ground pressure? And if so why doesn’t it do it when it really slammed open? It has taking a while to get the blade to break in were it drops closed with little effort. Could I disassemble it and polish the axis lock bar and the back of the blade? And will it break in if I keep opening and unlocking it all the time? Any help is much appreciated!

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thanks for watching! I haven't run into that exact issue, with only a middle ground sticking. I've experienced all the time and only when opening more aggressively. I suspect the lock bar is engaging more, though I can't tell you why it doesn't occur with more force. I personally would not recommend polishing the tang or axis lock bar. You could mess up the geometry or tolerances. While it's not quite as high a risk with this lock style, I still wouldn't take the chance. I'd send it to Benchmade before taking that action. However, I suspect liberal and regular application of graphite to all specified areas will help. Another thing to check would be the blade centering. If it's off, that could have an impact on the smoothness. Even a slight misalignment can have a big impact with this lock type in my experience. Good luck! I hope this helps and would appreciate if you like/subscribe 😊

[@JonathanTReviews]

I responded above with my recommendations. I hope it helps. Cheers

[@christophersegura9726]

Recently purchased two Benchmades. Mini Freek is freaky smooth and crisp. My 535-3 has major axis binding issues. My fingers are sore from trying to resolve. Sending back for repair. Believe mine is a machining issue.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Oh man, that's a bummer with the 535. It's a good idea to have it looked at as it sounds like a particularly bad sample. I hope it works out. Cheers

[@BillyTheKid-hh4dd]

Good video man. My Paramilitary 2 has this issue. Would I do the same thing and where would I apply it?

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thank you very much! The Spyderco compression lock is a different style system than the Benchmade Axis lock and traditional lock bar on the Spydiechef, but the theory is the same. Essentially, graphite could help to reduce stick anywhere two metal parts contact each other. If you're comfortable with disassembly, you want to look for the engagement face with the blade. Cheers

[@axeivy]

Bought a 533 Bugout as my first and had lived with the assumption that the stiffness was part of its design. Found your vid and did the graphite trick and yet it was still stiff. That's when I saw Anthony B's comment and, I am not sure why but it finally clicked in my brain. So after 6 months of carrying the 533 I realised that I had it factory overtightened this entire time. Well, at least I now get to relive the knife as how it is meant to be! Thanks Jonathan! 😅

[@JonathanTReviews]

That's great news you were able to figure out the issue and get it resolved! Enjoy your "new" knife 😊 Cheers

[@Roccobud]

thanks man this helped me actually enjoy my mini grip :)

[@JonathanTReviews]

That's great to read! Cheers

[@germanredneck4414]

The alcohol solved my gritty axis lock on my bugout. Thank you

[@JonathanTReviews]

Great news! I'm glad it helped. Cheers

[@Adrian890722]

Helped loads thanks

[@JonathanTReviews]

Excellent! Happy to help. Cheers

[@theknifeconnection9571]

White stick deodorant works extremely well and seems to work for years

[@JonathanTReviews]

Very cool! I'll have to give that a try. Thanks for the tip!

[@theknifeconnection9571]

@@JonathanTReviews I found this out myself. On a tiny bastion knife with no over travel stop. Or insert. So it would get stuck and when the lock bar finally freed it would over travel and the lock became useless. So I did this after they sent me a replacement. And bam. Works like a charm. Also keeps water out of the area which in turn doesn't rub off

[@JonathanTReviews]

That sounds like it was a pain! I'm glad you found this cool solution. I'm going to pin it. Cheers

[@theknifeconnection9571]

Thanks. Appreciate it

[@theknifeconnection9571]

Hey Jonathon. Did you block a person? I'm just curious I don't see his post anywhere but I got a notification from it.

[@filtrex1]

my god dude, i just saw your video, cleaned a little bit the blade and it wors nice now, i will sacrify my first-born in your name

[@JonathanTReviews]

Haha! I'm very glad it helped! Cheers

[@moboots]

I got an osborne almost 2 years ago and the lock stick was so bad to try to close the knife once i opened it, it was unpleasant to use and i was scared id break something so its been sitting in my vault since then, im gonna get home from work today and give this a try

[@JonathanTReviews]

Good luck, I hope it helps! Cheers

[@yeakid4029]

I wish I found this video before I drowned my mini bug out in oil, which in fact did make it worse. It literally locked up. Do you think I should do a full tear down clean with alcohol then apply graphite?

[@JonathanTReviews]

If you're not having issues, you're probably good to wait until the next cleaning. If it's sticking or gritty, it's likely worth the effort IMO. Cheers

[@Tony27654]

I just got a Benchmade bailout and it’s super stiff, the blade doesn’t feel loose at all when I’m opening it and the lock gets stuck if I open it “hard”.

[@JonathanTReviews]

That's a bummer. You might want to try adjusting the pivot screw tension first. It sounds like that may be the culprit. Good luck. Cheers

[@Tony27654]

@@JonathanTReviews is that the torx screw towards the top of the handle?

[@Tony27654]

@@JonathanTReviews do I need a torque wrench or just a torx screw driver?

[@JonathanTReviews]

It's the larger screw towards the middle, close to the blade and directly below the axis lock.

[@timpande6900]

I had a bugout like this.... If your axis lock is titanium it will stick.... Switch it for stainless... On Etsy ... But only if your axis is titanium.... ...first I would check everything else though.... It's a pain in the butt if you do not know what you're doing...

[@EMo-rx7pm]

My benchmade crooked river I got today was sticking so bad, I could barely unlock it. I used a carpenter's pencil and it works perfectly. Night and day difference. Thanks

[@JonathanTReviews]

Excellent, I'm glad it helped! Congrats on the new crooked river and Merry Christmas! Cheers

[@cameronz717]

Same knife I had the exact problem your talking about. Put some graphite on it and instantly improved it.

[@JonathanTReviews]

It's amazing the difference this simple process can make. Cheers

[@theknifeconnection9571]

How you liking the crooked river. Also. White stick deodarent works seemingly permanently if you have to keep using graphite

[@EMo-rx7pm]

@@theknifeconnection9571 It is my favorite knife I own. I bought one for my dad for retirement gift.

[@kendrajones984]

Thanks nice tips just two things 1) On an Axis lock there is lock stick where you are trying to get the lock to move the first fraction of a inch which you showed how to fix. 2) And there are stiff locks more common which either need repeated opening and closing to break in the knife and your fingers or replace the Omega springs. My problem is blade stick, I get a lot of fails with my flippers. I found the worst company for this to be Civivi. I oil and loosen the pivot, this will fix the problem, but the blade will be off center. I don't think I should have to take apart 70% of the knives I buy.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thanks for sharing your experiences as well 🥂 Agreed, it's definitely frustrating to receive a new knife and to have to make adjustments for proper function.

[@jonathanvermillion7263]

Why avoid oil?

[@JonathanTReviews]

Counterintuitively, it can gum things up and make the lock stick worse. There are places that should be oiled but not the lock face.

[@jonathanvermillion7263]

@ thank you!

[@nikkijennings3778]

GERBER FLATIRON D2 is horrible! I wish I could fix that issue!

[@JonathanTReviews]

As long as the machining isn't too terrible, one of these methods should hopefully help. Good luck. Cheers

[@TheRoadDawg]

Literally seconds before you said “avoid oil”, I had sprayed 3 in 1 oil on mine, lol…dang

[@JonathanTReviews]

Haha! No worries, it happens. If fully disassembled, I'd clean it up with rubbing alcohol and then apply some graphite. Good luck. Cheers

[@TheRoadDawg]

@@JonathanTReviews I did just that, thanks for the information. It’s working better than it was so I greatly appreciate your video!

[@JonathanTReviews]

@TheRoadDawg Great to read! Happy to help!

[@tylerreis7627]

Bro sharpie will rub off instantaneously and the pencil not much later

[@JonathanTReviews]

The idea is to assist with break in. I and many others have had successful results with these techniques, usually from a single application. Your mileage may vary.

[@peen2804]

a 5 second google search will tell you those are both very commonly used techniques to help lock stick, because it generally works. but yeah sure by all means just keep literally guessing whether something works or not lmao.

[@tylerreis7627]

The bugout is the absolute worst for this, and an all around dog shit knife lol

[@JonathanTReviews]

It's varied for me across the several I've owned. Some have been much worse than others. I've overall been pleased with the knives though, for the money. Cheers

[@peen2804]

you come across like a 12 year old with a compulsion to let others know when they dont like a thing because not liking things is like thuper thmart and cool and impressive to other 12 year olds. especially when no one asked and it couldn't be more irrelevant to the topic at hand lmao

[@Bravo-Too-Much]

If you use drafting or sketching pencils, you rarely have to reapply. Instead of number 2 standard pencil lead, try 4B to 6B. 9B is a little too soft and will be somewhat messy. I carry both 4B and 6B mechanical pencils in my knife maintenance kit. It doesn’t seem like one is better than the other, I just happened to buy both so I use both. Number 2 standard works good too, but these are softer and fill the microscopic pores in the blade steel, lock bar insert steel, and titanium. Once the are nice and mushed in, it’s almost like packing a hole with mud or clay where it sticks around longer even if you can’t see much on the surface anymore. Whereas regular pencils are kind of like filling a hole with dirt where it eventually “blows” out. I learned this from the knife steel nerd guy.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thanks for the tip! Cheers