How To Repair Nato Otf Switch Blade

Out-the-front knives, or OTF knives, are a popular option for their reliability, durability and convenience of comport. All the same, as with any tool, there can be issues that arise in the mechanisms that allow the knife to spring out and pull back over fourth dimension. Other issues affect most knives with extended employ and, luckily, there are piece of cake means to fix these issues.

folding knife on table

OTF automatic knives are unique in their design considering their springing mechanism is susceptible to weakening over time. Information technology may also fall victim to dirt and crud that enters through the blade slot and gets stuck in the springs, causing them to lock upwardly. With proper maintenance, you may be able to fix your OTF knife on your own. In a worst-instance scenario, as long as you haven't abused the knife, yous can transport information technology back to the manufacturer for repair. First, you should try some of these home solutions.

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automatic knife being released

Blade Is Stuck

The near common problem with OTF automatic knives is the bract gets stuck and doesn't leap out or draw back in. Sometimes this occurs when the blade is struck confronting something that doesn't move and it bounces back. Contrary to some popular movie depictions, the spring doesn't accept enough power to shoot the blade out and pierce through bone. Usually, it volition poke the object and and so bounce back halfway into the blade slot.

If the blade has come off its track in this way, carefully pull the bract out all the way, and it should lock back into place. Slide the machinery lock dorsum and forth a few times to make sure it stays dorsum on track. This reset should fix the problem.

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In fact, if you're going to clean your knife, you should deploy it against an inanimate object, similar a pad of paper, then it comes off the track. This will squirt it from the mechanism then that you lot can open up the knife to make clean it. If you've never cleaned your knife before, you may want to do some research on how to clean a pocket pocketknife.

If the blade is sticking, sluggish or completely stuck, so there may be problems inside the mechanism that need to exist addressed. If the bract is loose, there is probable something cleaved in the machinery. If the blade remains fixed, in that location is ordinarily something jamming the mechanism.

Lubricating the Pocketknife

To remove junk that can build upward in the machinery and springs, lubrication is one of the first easy solutions you lot tin try. Employ a calorie-free lubricant, similar a gun or knife oil which includes rust preventative, and put a few drops on the lesser of the blade where it meets the handle. Motion the bract in and out several times to work the oil downwards into the mechanism and springs.

If this doesn't work, effort flushing out your knife with a cleaning solution by removing the glass billow from the stop of the knife. The solution should flush straight through; you lot may have to repeat this process several times. Use compressed air to dry out the internal components and lubricate the inside mechanism.

Knife Spring Replacement

If none of the above solutions work, it's time to await at the springs. You will need a two mm standard bit and a 5/64th Allen wrench or a tri-fly screwdriver head to remove the screws from the handle. Pull the sides of the handle apart and remove the knife, slide and springs.

Apply a lint-costless material to clean inside the pocketknife thoroughly and wipe down with a cleaning solution if desired. Use a little scrap of lubricant and ensure it reaches all the nooks and crannies within the knife, wiping out the excess oil before reassembling.

Take a expect at the spring. If it's over-stretched or broken in the middle, it needs to exist replaced. You tin can social club a replacement spring from the manufacturer or you can send it back to the manufacturer for them to service. Follow the instructions for your specific OTF knife on how to reattach the new spring to the mechanism.

Reattach the handle together and try the mechanism a few times to ensure the blade is in good working order again.

holding knife and touching the blade

Blade Is Dull

A dull blade comes with normal utilise over time. The best way to sharpen your OTF automated knife is to use a hand sharpener at home. Lightly sharpen your knife nearly once a week. If you have a serrated knife, accept your pocketknife to a local knife dealer who can use a specialized sharpener for your blade.