Wenger 85mm lockblade not locking - Any solutions?

[ReamerPunch]

I liked the Swiss Sportsman so much I bought a second one.
The blade lock does not engage though. I can get the blade to fold back by pressing the spine. It takes more force than a non-locking blade, but I would like it to engage properly.
Any ideas as to why this is happening, and maybe how to fix it?

Thanks! 

[Fortytwo]

Have you tried cleaning it out? If dirt gets into the locking slots it might not engage properly.

[SAK Guy]

Have you tried cleaning it out? If dirt gets into the locking slots it might not engage properly.

+1 and make sure there is no gunk/sticky junk between the liners/springs in that area.

[ReamerPunch]

I've cleaned the gunk/dirt, but only what I can see.
Maybe leave it in soap water or something?

[SAK Guy]

I've cleaned the gunk/dirt, but only what I can see.
Maybe leave it in soap water or something?

Have you partially opened the blades where the back springs flex out and thoroughly cleaned the sides of them? Only do one end at a time.
 
...then flood the sides of the cleaned springs with oil, flexing them so it really gets between the springs/liners. Then let it set 24 hrs for the oil to seep into the voids.

Then try the lock again.

I soak ALOX Vics in hot soapy water but seldom do Wengers or celliidor. Maybe someone else has some advice on that.

[ReamerPunch]

I've cleaned the gunk/dirt, but only what I can see.
Maybe leave it in soap water or something?

Have you partially opened the blades where the back springs flex out and thoroughly cleaned the sides of them? Only do one end at a time.
 
...then flood the sides of the cleaned springs with oil, flexing them so it really gets between the springs/liners. Then let it set 24 hrs for the oil to seep into the voids.

Then try the lock again.

I soak ALOX Vics in hot soapy water but seldom do Wengers or celliidor. Maybe someone else has some advice on that.

The spring does not protrude when the blade is half open. When the blade is closed, the backspring is 1.5mm below the liners.

[SAK Guy]

I've cleaned the gunk/dirt, but only what I can see.
Maybe leave it in soap water or something?

Have you partially opened the blades where the back springs flex out and thoroughly cleaned the sides of them? Only do one end at a time.
 
...then flood the sides of the cleaned springs with oil, flexing them so it really gets between the springs/liners. Then let it set 24 hrs for the oil to seep into the voids.

Then try the lock again.

I soak ALOX Vics in hot soapy water but seldom do Wengers or celliidor. Maybe someone else has some advice on that.

The spring does not protrude when the blade is half open. When the blade is closed, the backspring is 1.5mm below the liners.

Uh oh, sounds like something's weird/broken. My Swiss Sportsman (checked a couple) looks like this when at "half cock" and is flush when closed....

[Syph007]

Sounds like the backspring might be broken.  Will Victorinox repair Wenger knives now?

[jerseydevil]

Yeah, that sounds like a broken spring.   Too bad, the Swiss Sportsman is a great SAK.

[ReamerPunch]

It's not broken, I have several Wengers that are like this. The backspring is not flush with the liners when the blade is closed. This is the old design, from what I figure. It occurs on blade backspring and opener layer backspring.

My other Swiss Sportman locks properly, and has the same old design spring.

I have two Wenger Handymen (like the Fieldmaster toolset).
One has backsprings that are flush with the liners, and the other one has backsprings that sink past the liner. The latter one is older, the saw is shorter and has a nailnick.
I have a Swiss Outdoorsman with blade backspring flush, and opener backspring sunk.

I'll take pictures later.

[SAK Guy]

It's not broken, I have several Wengers that are like this. The backspring is not flush with the liners when the blade is closed. This is the old design, from what I figure. It occurs on blade backspring and opener layer backspring.

My other Swiss Sportman locks properly, and has the same old design spring.

I have two Wenger Handymen (like the Fieldmaster toolset).
One has backsprings that are flush with the liners, and the other one has backsprings that sink past the liner. The latter one is older, the saw is shorter and has a nailnick.
I have a Swiss Outdoorsman with blade backspring flush, and opener backspring sunk.

I'll take pictures later.

Well ok then. 

[ReamerPunch]

Older Swiss Sportsman (both backsprings sunk), Newer Swiss Sportsman (both backsprings flush), Swiss Outdoorsman (blade backspring flush, opener backspring sunk).






Both flush, One and one, both sunk.

[SAK Guy]

After your last post I pulled a bunch of Wengers (not just Swiss Sportsman) and some looked like the ones you picture.....so I get it now.

I got nothing.  Maybe find someone who mods them and see if they will open it up and look. Maybe look for a junky, same vintage, donor on the bay with a working lock for parts.

[ReamerPunch]

It's not as bad as if it was with no lock. So I'll leave it. My other Swiss Sportsman is in great shape, so I'd rather beat up the faulty one. It's still pretty solid. I can't imagine the lock failing on me, it's never happened before with a Vic.