My CRKT Exploded

[FlashDaddy]

My son gave me this knife, a CRKT M16-04 Z, a few weeks ago. It had two nicks. I just got it back from Papaw. He put a new edge on it and got it razor sharp. He said it ought to keep its edge well. The new edge gives the blade a slightly different shape.
But it was still dirty on the inside, so it was time to disassemble and clean. I got a star driver set a Lowes for six bucks. Here's the first partially "exploded" view.



I almost missed that little o-ring under the main screw.

Here it is a little further along:


I've got the gunk cleaned out. I used brasso on the metal parts then rubbed on some light oil.

Here's the start of reassembly:

All back together and looking a lot better:


I didn't have any loctite for main screw. It looks like there was some kind of blue bonding material on the threads. I'll be picking some up soon to finish the job.

[whisk.e.rebellion]

It's cool seeing the knife all disassembled.

I have to admit that I'm disappointed though. I clicked the thread thinking "how the hell did he blow up a knife?"

[K9medic]

Thats what I thought too. Nice looking knife, might have to look at getting one of those.

[AmirMortal]

I gave almost the same knife to my father a few years ago. He has put that thing through hell, and it's still going. Here's a review he did on it this past spring:
viewtopic.php?f=33&t=43464&hilit=knife+review

I used the knife for a few months before I gave it too him, and I was very satisfied too.

[Kommando E]

I guess I wasn't the only one who was expecting an exploding knife! Hehehe

[Towanda]

Dang. No fireballs or smoke plumes.

Nice work on the knife, though.

[Fenris]

Don't loctite the main screw, I think you adjust the tension on the blade (easier or harder to flick open) that way.

-fenris-

[FlashDaddy]

I haven't put an loctite on yet, but there was some blue, dried on, stuff on the lower end of the main screw's threads. If it isn't a loctite-like substance, what is it?

[crypto]

Its loctite, dont listen to them. What you need to do is put the loctite on, then tension the blade how you want it to move, then let it sit for a day or so to cure.

[Fenris]

I stand corrected. *bows to Cryptos logic*

-fenris-

[FlashDaddy]

Loctite then tension, it is. Thanks for the help on both counts.
Flash

[crypto]

Remember to go real easy on the loctite, too. You really only want enough of it on there to sit inside the threads of the screw, (and remember that the female thread will occupy half that space). Putting too much in there will force it out of the threads and into other places in the knife, which might gum it up a bit.

Usually what I do when applying loctite is put a little dab of it on something non-absorbing (like a piece of tin foil) and then touch a screw, sideways, into the dab. This makes sure that it only gets a little in there. Dont worry about coating the whole threaded surface, because the act of putting the screw in will distribute it around.