How to get your folding knife to "free drop", and deploy with buttery smooth action!

[@metal_complex]

My Amazon store! - The VERY BEST knives & gear! - www.amazon.com/shop/metalcomplex

[@CalebMcFadden]

Para 2

[@petrvodkin5824]

Which out of two is softer blade?

[@JaggedJack1]

First thing I do with any new knife is take it apart, clean the pivots, apply a good quality lubricant, and tune the screw tensions perfectly with blue locktite to hold it there. Just got a new Maxamet Para 3 last week and got it drop shut buttery smooth the first day I got it.

[@eammendola]

Just wanna add my 2 cents. I've purchased about 1/3 of my knives online, including Benchmade custom orders. I've had pretty good luck with all but 1 of these when it's a good brand. Recently, I got a Benchmade Rift. I loved everything about it. Blade perfectly centered, grind was excellent, action was basically "smooth", but it wouldn't "flip" for anything. I checked the pivot and the stop bar screws and they were just barely tight. I used Shooters Choice FP-10 lube, which I've had very good success. I was ready to return it. For $150, this was driving me crazy. I watched this video and played with it for a couple of days while I contemplated returning it. After 2 days the action was perfect. I wanted to put this here for anyone else having the same experience. Thanks for this video. I'm really glad that I kept the Rift. This specimen is fantastic.

[@metal_complex]

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[@mrpanda2655]

Bench made is over priced and anti gun

[@metal_complex]

Ya we've all heard this. A million times. Move along.

[@mrpanda2655]

Metal Complex they do make good knives though

[@Mrsingingdude1]

I think they have updated their policy so that as long as the knife was properly reassembled, it doesn't void the warranty

[@kennystahl1420]

yup

[@quentin9317]

Mrsingingdude1 Good to know, thanks! I can get new scales without fear lol

[@GG_BEATS]

Loosin all the screws in the knife then tightin the pivot screws slowly and equal on both sides until you cant anymore. Now go to the body screws and tightin all 4 until you cant tighten anymore but do it in a x pattern. After all screws are tight go back to the pivot screw that has the pocket clip and loosin it a hair each time until you get a drop shut and theres no blade play. Now you have a properly toqued manix 2 and its not uneven. It will drop shut with 0 blade play. I have a buddy who works at spyderco. I dont know why this information is not out there.

[@abc456f]

Just got my manix 2 g10, s30v. Got it after I bought the sprint run s30v, burl g10 version. The sprint run came out of the box drop shut smooth. The s30v I just got today is quite stiff, nowhere near drop shutty. Watched Nick Shabazz disassemble one and honestly, I don't want to go there. Seems the gene responsible for handiness is not in my DNA. I have a penchant for stripping screws and generally struggle getting things back together easily. Glad I watched this before I decided to take it apart. I'm just going to play with the knife and let it smooth out naturally. Thanks for the advice! Edit: Figured out the problem. Pivot screw on the clip side was way over tightened. Used a hair dryer and finally got it loose, no red loctite. I took both pivot screws out, cleaned, put on a little blue loctite and retightened. Blade is now drop shut smooth. I'm a happy camper now!

[@metal_complex]

Glad to hear you solved the problem!

[@misterbaker9728]

When I got my Yojimbo I was like no it’s not drop shutting. I even messaged the great Shabazz who answered me quickly with “let it break in !!” I listened (mostly bc I was nervous about messing it up by taking it apart) and it’s bitter now. Same with my s110v Manix

[@jonathanvermillion7263]

Yeah got a yojumbo today and I was dissapointed! But I’ll give it some time

[@lexis831]

Agreed, Best thing is to go out and use it. Let those parts wear in and polish themselves.

[@SemperFi_EDC_Guy]

I was so tempted to take my Yojimbo 2 apart. It was stiff for awhile. I'm so glad I didn't lol. Thx 4 the advice MC! Still finding gems 3 yrs back in your Playlist!

[@thomasosteen1788]

Thanks for the information. I have been watching videos for years and nobody ever explained this. Take care

[@jjm6187]

Well said. I appreciate this. Forums and videos make me think I need to mess with my new spyders. All good things come with time.

[@DB-qm4jx]

Man so agreed!

[@giovannid1457]

I take apart every knife I buy when new to inspect, clean and lube it. A good knife goes back together fine don’t panic if you have a little trouble.

[@spyderg6509]

Open the actuator and wip it back and forth till smooth

[@aaronl8609]

Genius

[@spyderg6509]

@@aaronl8609 it works good especially on Coated blades no need for lube because your trying to creat a track in a way to drop smooth lube will prolong the smoothing process ciz its just smooth cuz of lube keep it dry then once smooth the just a lil lube and your good💯🇺🇸🤙🕸️

[@spyderg6509]

@L A it works good especially on Coated blades. no need for lube because your trying to create a track in a way to drop smooth. lube will prolong the smoothing process cuz its just smooth cuz of lube keep it dry then once smooth then just a lil lube and your good💯🇺🇸🤙🕸️

[@beepisbopis9613]

I've opening and closing my new pm2 for an hour now

[@NendoCrescendo]

Three things. break in, tuning, and the right lube.

[@concealmenttraining9371]

I contacted a dealer after purchasing a manix 2 XL and asked him to check for bladeplay before shipping. He checked 3 he had in stock and they all had up & down bladeplay.

[@Will-W]

I put a single drop of oil where the ball rolls on the knife 'heel'? and just flipped it open and closed about 100 times today and it's smoothing out.

[@Grandmaster-Kush]

My brother gave me the spyderco endura 4 knife, but it feels somewhat difficult to deploy, it is quite big for a EDC, but man the thing is literally razor sharp, gonna have it tucked on the belt when walking at night :)

[@grunt1807]

I returned my Endura after 2 weeks. I oiled it and played with it every day, yet it was still stiff and was rubbing slightly on the left side. I shouldn't have to take a new knife apart just for it will work properly.

[@ccooper8040]

Good advice. Patience is tool that is often not practiced . The Manix 2 is not an easy knife to reassemble.

[@Aa-ron22]

Does this also work for bearings ?

[@timbo4374]

I have that same knifeworks exclusive. In my opinion, it is the best looking Manix. I love it..it;s become my favorite. Still just a tiny bit stiff, but it has broken in very nice. I heard they have relaxed their warranty now, but I still just let it break in naturally.

[@Jjjrrrrr]

I just got my crucarta pm2 in the mail a couple days ago. It arrived with relatively smooth action (flicked open and closed but required a tiny bit of wrist action). Playing baseball, one of my favorite things about buying a new mitt is the work and effort involved in breaking it in it to fit perfectly. I don’t mind having to work itself to perfection. My issue is that rather than getting smoother and “breaking in,” my PM2’s action is only getting worse the more I play with it. It no longer drops at all when I hold down the lock and I can sort of feel a grinding sensation at about the midway point of opening and closing the knife. What gives? Should I send her back under warranty? This is the first Spyderco knife I’ve owned, and I have to say I’m quite disappointed. Yeah the steel is great and it sure as hell cuts, but that’s not what I paid $200+ for.

[@edxlee]

mine was pretty stiff but after weeks/months of fidgeting with it it has become ALOT smoother

[@mikeappleget482]

I just got my first PM2 a couple days ago and it was the same way as you describe. I just took a Q-tip and wiped down all the friction spots and the notch where the compression lock slides it and then put a couple drops of “KPL Original” lube on those friction spots I cleaned. Now it’s buttery smooth.

[@tylerlow6967]

Experiencing this exact situation right now. Just seems to be getting stiffer

[@Jjjrrrrr]

@@tylerlow6967 yeah you just gotta take it apart, clean, lube, and tune. Nick Shabazz has a good tutorial.

[@cavolpert]

Two drops of 10w lilly white oil (industrial sewing machine oil)and presto Drop shutty.

[@ExamonLyf]

Good break-in advice!

[@Chillygilly88]

Does the spring get easier to pull back as well? I almost need 2 hands. If not I’m digging into the pocket clip with my pinky for a firm grip

[@GG_BEATS]

It actually does. But if ur not using it alot it will take along time. If you don't wanna break in naturally then cut 2 coils off the spring and it will feel like a heavier axis lock but lighter than stock. Dont cut off too much cuz it will be too loose and the blade can pop out without pushing the lock. 2 coils and you'll feel nice. Peace and good luck

[@GG_BEATS]

Oh yea u can also buy aftermarket springs but I find them to be light.

[@Chillygilly88]

@@GG_BEATSyea i been using it steady since and it broke in nicely after about a week or so. Thank you tho

[@Lucifaar]

This isn't the answer I wanted for my new benchmade freek, but honestly it's the answer I expected.

[@garyd395]

How's the freek doin now?

[@Lucifaar]

@@garyd395 pretty good but the springs broke and I had to replace them

[@FindersKeepers88]

Thx for the advise. Would you suggest ---for the sake of speeding up the break in period--- to slightly tightening the pivot screws before working the blade open and shut the first few hundred times in order to achieve this smoothness.... and then loosening the pivot screws again?

[@SemperFi_EDC_Guy]

For the manix 2? Just get u some ocd4edc upgraded ball & cage & spring system. Makes it a completely different knife imo.

[@ApexNick]

If a new knife doesn't flick/flip drop/close smoothly, REMOVE all the lube (spray kitchen degreaser is fine). This lets in naturally wear-in faster. As soon (through normal usage) it's the way you want it, lube it. All without taking it apart.

[@pateralus9]

MC, can you do an update to this video & talk about what we can do to get our knives to drop/shut more smoothly if we've already made adjustments? I'd love to hear your thoughts on how to address this in situations where people like myself have already disassembled or adjusted the knife. And I think it'd be very helpful to hear your thoughts about blade play & got much, if any, is safe or tolerable on different types of folders. You could also add info about your blade centering procedure so all the relevant info is in one video. It'd be such a great resource to have all in one video package. Thanks my man! 😃

[@tonycanniffe2360]

Good video topic. Baz on blades has a good one about how to thoroughly clean and then lubricate a new knife without disassembly. It’s good to know how to take down a knife and service it but it’s not often one should have to. So easy to mar up screws or strip them when they can be soft or there is threadlocker. The ball bearing lock is brilliant. Much less chance of a spring issue occurring imo compared to BM Omega springs. And it shares the amazing action and strength (and is lefty friendly!)

[@gwailotus9154]

@Tony Canniffe - does the para 2 use ball bearing lock? what about springs?

[@tonycanniffe2360]

Gwailotus No springs in the Para 2. Just bronze washers. No springs on the majority of Spydies. (Manix And D’Alara -which has been discontinued- are the only ones that spring to mind).

[@fredp1983]

whats wrong with just loosening the pivot screw a touch?

[@leonidasking2988]

Was looking for a way for to fix my PM2, it's too tight after dropping it...

[@ballkeeper6662]

can you remove the locks

[@mafrek4877]

how long does it take for it to be this smooth and free drop if u can count in days or how many opens to do approximent

[@metal_complex]

There's absolutely no way to give an approximation. Could be 1 day or 6 months. A drop of 10 weight nano oil on the washers and other moving parts can help

[@mafrek4877]

@@metal_complex fair enough i already did some drops on the oil now opening it none stop thank you for the quick respone

[@MotoNORMative]

I have a knife that sticks sometimes on deployment. It also squeaks when opening and closing. Should I loosen the screw just a little or let in break in over time? I wanna EDC this and need it to be able to deploy quickly in case I need it. It requires a really hard flick to get open.

[@glockman9c]

I love my HK (Benchmade) Nitro Bliz knives but I have a couple that are gunked up. What can I just soak them in?

[@LovesM855A1]

I totally agree! Ill not open them up to what put in subpar aftermarket parts and mess up everything I paid for from Spyderco? Great advice

[@陈宜猛]

The lock(similar to those locks in video) thing on my knife that u need to pull down got loose on my knife and it can turn 360 degree but doesn't falls off. Can you be able to help me with a video if you can on how to fix those?

[@Meloncholymadness]

What knife is it?

[@Meloncholymadness]

Can you make a video showing us please?

[@countryboy_1976]

I have a new Spyderco tenacious it's not very flickey is this normal does it just need to be broken in thanks

[@omegarad123]

From my understanding some companies use some sort of something on the phosphor washers. that help with break in...that may explain a gritty sound you hear sometimes..the dust maybe From the washers is the grit that we hear?..who knows

[@joerico9461]

You'll never know how it truly works until you take it apart

[@user-no9qb6lj7c]

I replaced my scales on my pm2 and am struggling to get it smooth without blade play

[@kylelindberg7771]

what about the griptilian? does it break in like that?

[@sharpdad33]

Are the skeletonized liners noticeable enough in the gray version? Thanks

[@metal_complex]

Actually, yes. It makes a pretty noticable difference in hand. But to be honest, I don't notice it much in the pocket. Its really just when I'm holding it.

[@tikkidaddy]

On the whole you're exactly right. This whole drop shutty smooth glass on glass fixation is just that. Its a fixation. I've got X amount of old cold steel that are rivited. They were naturally broken in and oiled and cleaned regularly, can't take em apart and if you don't watch you'll lose a chunk of flesh. I have a Voyager Vaquero XL with Triad lockup that I greased with Lucas Red N Tacky #2, opened and closed it a couple hundred times, washed it out with WD40, cleaned it up and I keep it lubed with Sea foam DEEP CREEP. For a knife with a so called horrible non drop shutty action it did a fine job dropping shut and damn near sending me to the ER a couple Christmas Eves ago😂

[@NoLaneRestrictions]

Just Subscribed! I'm picking up a new Benchmade Bugout tomorrow, and I'm wondering if the same break-in principal will work for my knife. I'd like it to drop freely like your spyderco, so should I avoid loosening the pivot and lubrication to let it break-in on it's own. I'd really appriciate your advice! Thank you very much for your time. Cheers!

[@metal_complex]

In my experience, benchmades always feel a bit tight/gritty at first, but they do break in over time.

[@NoLaneRestrictions]

@@metal_complexThanks so much for your quick reply! Enjoy the rest of your week!

[@forkrunner2313]

I must’ve missed the actual tips......were they there?

[@karabinas]

Let the knife break in naturally…smh

[@ronaldraygun2639]

It took almost 9 minutes to say that ?

[@kevinfitz3721]

My manix 2 cruwear grey g10 came buttery smooth from factory

[@berennicholas5003]

Mine arrived seized out of the box

[@kevinfitz3721]

@@berennicholas5003 that sucks!!! Let me guess customs?

[@tj-kv6vr]

Thanks, just got my manix and was so bothered by this problem what the fk??? Thanks for the video :)

[@michaelmillwood4930]

PLEASE HELP! My Manix 2 XL sticks (in the handle, before the ball detent begins) when opening. I know it doesn’t, but it has the feel like as if the blade itself is plunged into plastic (I hope that makes since). It can’t be normal (I hope). Can you please address this issue in a video?? Thank you SO SO MUCH!!!

[@aaronl8609]

Do you feel the Sprint runs come stiffer for some reason? For me it has seemed as so

[@Code_Raddical]

Any recommendations for the Manix 2 Lightweight? It's got CTS BD1N steel and I've had it for about a month. It's my fidget tool so I'm opening and closing it sometimes hundreds of times a day. It still doesn't fall shut. I've adjusted (very slightly) the pivot and added some lubricant, so now I'm at least able to spydie-flick it open, and if I swing hard enough it'll close too, but it still won't fall shut.

[@--RSL--]

Good thing spyderco doesn’t use red loctite anymore

[@cohlellis3565]

Have you noticed this to be true for the Manix 2 Lightweight as well?

[@timthomas1176]

The right Allen screw can also be adjusted, ( not the left one ) just the right one believe me I’m a Machinist

[@anabelandralph5418]

Torx*

[@ronandy8681]

Great Professional advice ! if you don't understand the functionality and importance of every individual part then you really can screw things up and cost yourself a lot of money

[@victorreynaga1805]

the ball bearing lock on mine is super stiff, like it leaves my finger red and sore.... does that also break in over time, does the spring get less stiff.

[@garyjacobs2789]

Yes it does. All springs weaken over time

[@SeanF151]

Mine did the same thing you just gotta play with her to losen her up

[@giovanny1998arg]

Any update I just got my manix did yours loosen up cause my ball bearing lock is also stiff

[@MexicanPride226]

@@giovanny1998arg mine too. Won’t deploy or close easy either. Probably just new. Debating on loosening the pivot screw a little bit Lol

[@chasedavis2358]

Spyderco is ok with you taking it apart now

[@TheGearGatherer]

I need a manix! I love my lil native

[@mattwalters6834]

I have one and love it! I have a PM2 on the way!

[@coleprivett4651]

Spyderco are great for this from what I've found

[@43v3rsd9]

I just got a shaman and it is nit terribly stiff but i have to give it some wrist so spydie flick or thumb flick it. It doesnt make a grinding sound, but it makes a rubbing noise is that normal?

[@sinjon]

43V3R SD you shouldn’t really be getting sounds from a new knife. I recommend Hoppes oil or nano oil. Get the one with the needle so you can place a drop in between the blade and scales without disassembling the knife

[@melvinphinisee9406]

Nice Rig.

[@nikifort6123]

how expensive is the knife

[@metal_complex]

$100-$140 depending on which model you get. Lightweight FRN models are only $85-$95

[@quentin9317]

Good info, thanks!

[@brickhunter9537]

Thanks for the tip.

[@nathanclark5771]

good advice

[@refaiabdeen5943]

Cheers Mate!

[@ronaldraygun2639]

Took 9 mins to say let the knife break in naturally

[@HelloHello-hk4sx]

What if you have short fingers? & my thumbs are missing a very important joint (birth defect/fuckup) which makes it hard to open knives one handed & impossible to do it quickly. So if I get attacked, I hope the person has the same birth defect/fuckup too. 😬

[@SemperFi_EDC_Guy]

U can get the wave type add ons so when u pull it out of your pocket it'll automatically catch the latch and open

[@murphy4yt]

You don’t have to open a fixed blade, just sayin’.

[@HelloHello-hk4sx]

​@@SemperFi_EDC_Guyit ripped my pocket. 😕

[@SemperFi_EDC_Guy]

@HelloHello-hk4sx wow, this comment is old lol..my advice today would be skip the wave attachment and just put a zip tie on it in the spydy hole. Makes deployment easier and can also act as a wave feature.

[@theknifeconnection9571]

Yeah my manix s110v. Is over a year old and still ain’t this smooth just saying. Still needs a kick

[@giovannid1457]

I take apart almost every knife if I own as soon as I buy it.

[@markelovett]

I dont agree. I was blowing my thumb skin out trying to break in my 940-1 according to your advice. Bad idea. Instead i turned a screw a half turn counter clockwise, can make it as tight or loose as i want, works perfectly now, and my thumbs gonna heal, so grateful for as easy screw adjustment, problem solved!

[@holdernewtshesrearin5471]

Check out my Boker/Overland Arms EDW.1 video if you want smoooooth. And that's phosphor bronze washers.

[@rywar9125]

Anyone else have theirs get more stiff?

[@metal_complex]

Add some 10 weight nano oil to the tang.

[@SeanF151]

Lube

[@rmpj13]

Get a lightweight.

[@mini14head]

So u took 9 min to tell us to use the knife.

[@metal_complex]

Yep. Do that. Please refer to the video if you find yourself asking "why"

[@ldye1965]

So, you felt it necessary to make a video telling people not to mess with their knives? Thanks, I guess...

[@pjwillsr]

Clickbait. Really? Sucked into 3 mins of just use the knife. Good info in itself but hardly worthy of a misleading topic.

[@P-_-funk_-960]

Jesus. U take 9 minutes to say, don't do anything let it break in on its own. Could have made this a 30 second video

[@patrickmartin3361]

Oh. Spyderco there red locktight soft screws and voided warnenties. You gotta pay the troll toll

[@reachrightround3659]

8 minutes of nonsense

[@smuggledrice6101]

This video taught me nothing other than just wait. No, this didn’t help and was not interesting.

[@Bravo-Too-Much]

Most knives have changed their policies due to the massive increase in the popularity of customizing knives and sales of parts and tools for them. Companies have deals and get royalties from other companies who make scales for their knives and/or they sell customizable parts themselves. Now most warranties only include actual structural changes beyond cosmetics like regrinding blades. Spyderco gets royalties from Flytanium for example. Also, part of the whole knife hobby is being able to take your knife apart to clean and maintain your knives without sending them in. Even Medford has dropped the voided warranty if you take apart your knife to maintain it. Companies understand that popularity now and they make more money on selling more knives to the same customers than they lose by covering warranties. They also realize that terrible warranty policies where you void the warranty by taking it apart is not popular and it pushes returning customers away. Scamming the warranty policy in the knife community isn’t a common thing like with other things.