Spring tension

gingerman · **on:** July 01, 2020, 01:28:17 AM

I like traditional folding knives. particularly like the Black Cat. Or the Opinel,or the Douk - Douk. It's the D-D I'm having trouble with. The back Spring has gotten stiffer, to the point of almost being too stiff to open.

Is there anything to do for this type thing . Don't say buy a new knife. These all start stiff.

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toolguy · **Reply #1 on:** July 01, 2020, 02:15:02 AM

What you may be experiencing is friction between the spring and blade.

I would suggest to clean it thoroughly,dry and then lubricate.

nate j · **Reply #2 on:** July 01, 2020, 05:45:18 AM

Quote from: toolguy on July 01, 2020, 02:15:02 AM

I would suggest to clean it thoroughly,dry and then lubricate.

If all else fails, I think some folks have had success temporarily putting a small amount of abrasive compound into the joint to polish and even remove a small amount of metal. Obviously, this is playing with fire, as it could easily ruin the knife.

dks · **Reply #3 on:** July 01, 2020, 08:52:39 AM

Good cleaning with hot water, soap, WD40 etc.

lubrication after drying

Fuzzbucket · **Reply #4 on:** July 01, 2020, 11:27:02 AM

Chuck it in the bin and buy a proper knife...

Fuzzbucket · **Reply #5 on:** July 01, 2020, 11:28:36 AM

...I'm only kidding!

I don't much like Douky-douks, that's all. Soapy water, dry off, oil, wipe off... etc, like everybody's saying.

cody6268 · **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2020, 04:33:16 AM

I have the 1950s predecessor of the smaller, "UK Legal" slipjoint Mercator, and noticed when I first got it, it was awfully stiff, and the tang stamping had worn. Cleaning and oiling did not help Turns out, the handle had bent in slightly at the pivot. Carefully spreading that out fixed it, and action was as good as new.

Given the choice between Mercator/Douk-Douk and Opinel, I'm gonna say Mercator/Douk Douk. Unless it's been used a ton, Opinels seem to be really tempermental based on moisture. Most days, they're easy to open. Other times, you'll rip your fingernail out. But, it's the sizes as to why I still like Opinel. Opinel has several, but with the Mercator, it's big lockback or mid-sized slipjoint; and that's it.