I got a stiffy
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I got a stiffy
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
Re: I got a stiffy
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.
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.
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Re: I got a stiffy
Thank you. I will try the soap and water then re-lubecody6268 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 26, 2021 2:36 am 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.
Re: I got a stiffy
You can immerse it completely in mineral oil for a few days. Sometimes that helps. Ballistol might free it up a bit too.
Re: I got a stiffy
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.
"Better to do something imperfectly, than to do nothing flawlessly." ~ Robert H. Schuller
Herb
Herb
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Re: I got a stiffy
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
Ken
Member AKTI, TSRA, NRA.
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If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion.
When the people fear their government, that is tyranny. When government fears the people, that is freedom.
https://www.akti.org/
Re: I got a stiffy
Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Fri Nov 26, 2021 4:52 pm 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
Not all who wander are lost!!
Of all the paths you take in life,
Make sure some of them are Dirt!!!
Of all the paths you take in life,
Make sure some of them are Dirt!!!
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- Location: Iowa
Re: I got a stiffy
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?
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?
Re: I got a stiffy
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.LibertyKeeper wrote: ↑Fri Nov 26, 2021 7:18 pm 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?
"Better to do something imperfectly, than to do nothing flawlessly." ~ Robert H. Schuller
Herb
Herb