Kapara, strong compression lock
Kapara, strong compression lock
Just received my Kapara recently. The compression lock on this thing is much harder to depress than I have experienced on any other knife. Has anyone else found this to be the case?
- Forest Green
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Re: Kapara, strong compression lock
Yes mine is very hard to depress, and the detent too stiff, blade would not fall closed with lock depressed, tried adjusting the pivot, but then there was blade play, which I could not get rid of, sent in to be repaired. Other than these two problems I love this knife. I'm hoping it will feel more like my PM2's and 3's when it is returned.
Re: Kapara, strong compression lock
In my experience, the compression lock on the Kapara isn't any harder to depress than on the PM2. It is, however, more sensitive to finger position: it works best if you place your finger all the way forward.
Re: Kapara, strong compression lock
Coming from Taichung, it can be very useful to disassemble and clean/lube the knife to clean up and smooth out the action. At least in the case of my Kapara, this made mine into a free dropping smooth as glass powerhouse. But, yes, the lockbar is slightly harder to depress than all of my PM2's.
Re: Kapara, strong compression lock
MIne was a but stiff at first but with nothing but some spydie flicking repetition it smoothed up to equal my well broken in PM2. Very good action indeed after a little use.
Re: Kapara, strong compression lock
Hey. Since I'm contemplating becoming a Kapara owner... any updates on the drop shuttiness (if that is a word)?
Re: Kapara, strong compression lock
I don't like blades that drop shut. I like a small amount of smooth, uniform resistance and a pivot tight enough to take some pressure off the lock in times of hard use.
- JonLeBlanc
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- Location: Louisiana
Re: Kapara, strong compression lock
I don't mean to derail this thread but man I want one of those, it really seems like Spyderco has a winner in that one.
My collection so far: 52100 Military (2); 52100 PM2 (2); 52100 Para3; Stretch2 V-Toku; KnifeWorks M4 PM2; BentoBox M390 PM2; BentoBox S90V Military; Police4 K390; S110V PM2; SS Delica AUS-6; Wayne Goddard Sprint VG-10
Wish list: Hundred Pacer; Sliverax; Mantra; 52100 PM2 SE; Kapara
Wish list: Hundred Pacer; Sliverax; Mantra; 52100 PM2 SE; Kapara
Re: Kapara, strong compression lock
Most reviews note it as not drop shutty but this one seems to fall shut out of the box, that's how I like them: https://youtu.be/lgmbdG1BaAY (at 7:25)
- Forest Green
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Re: Kapara, strong compression lock
This is a winner, just wished it were a Golden Colorado production, seems like their compression locks are more advanced.JonLeBlanc wrote: ↑Fri Feb 08, 2019 8:45 amI don't mean to derail this thread but man I want one of those, it really seems like Spyderco has a winner in that one.
Re: Kapara, strong compression lock
Back when the compression lock was young I recall Sal posting that it was a difficult item to manufacture correctly. It would make sense that Golden is best at it. I believe they have the most experience making compression locks out of all the Spyderco factories. Plus Sal and Eric are there to check quality.Forest Green wrote: ↑Fri Feb 08, 2019 2:32 pmThis is a winner, just wished it were a Golden Colorado production, seems like their compression locks are more advanced.JonLeBlanc wrote: ↑Fri Feb 08, 2019 8:45 amI don't mean to derail this thread but man I want one of those, it really seems like Spyderco has a winner in that one.
- curlyhairedboy
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- Location: Southern New England
Re: Kapara, strong compression lock
The Amalgam's construction might offer some insight into what's needed to be really successful with a comp lock. It only has 3 screws, but incorporates a strap across the lock liner cutout to tie into the stop pin. It's really solid.
EDC Rotation: PITS, Damasteel Urban, Shaman, Ikuchi, Amalgam, CruCarta Shaman, Sage 5 LW, Serrated Caribbean Sheepsfoot CQI, XHP Shaman, M4/Micarta Shaman, 15v Shaman
Fixed Blades: Proficient, Magnacut Mule
Special and Sentimental: Southard, Squarehead LW, Ouroboros, Calendar Para 3 LW, 40th Anniversary Native, Ti Native, Calendar Watu, Tanto PM2
Would like to own again: CQI Caribbean Sheepsfoot PE, Watu
Wishlist: Magnacut, Shaman Sprints!
Fixed Blades: Proficient, Magnacut Mule
Special and Sentimental: Southard, Squarehead LW, Ouroboros, Calendar Para 3 LW, 40th Anniversary Native, Ti Native, Calendar Watu, Tanto PM2
Would like to own again: CQI Caribbean Sheepsfoot PE, Watu
Wishlist: Magnacut, Shaman Sprints!
Re: Kapara, strong compression lock
I think you're onto something there Bill. I know I, as well as many others have had difficulty with the action on the Sage 5 when first received as well. That's my only other Taichung made compression lock, but sounds like the same "issue"Bill1170 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 08, 2019 2:50 pmBack when the compression lock was young I recall Sal posting that it was a difficult item to manufacture correctly. It would make sense that Golden is best at it. I believe they have the most experience making compression locks out of all the Spyderco factories. Plus Sal and Eric are there to check quality.Forest Green wrote: ↑Fri Feb 08, 2019 2:32 pmThis is a winner, just wished it were a Golden Colorado production, seems like their compression locks are more advanced.JonLeBlanc wrote: ↑Fri Feb 08, 2019 8:45 amI don't mean to derail this thread but man I want one of those, it really seems like Spyderco has a winner in that one.
15 's in 10 different steels
1 - Bradford Guardian 3 / Vanadis 4E Wharnie
1 - Monterey Bay Knives Slayback Flipper / ZDP 189
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31/Macassar Ebony Inlays
1 - CRK Large Inkosi Insingo/ Black Micarta Inlays
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31 Insingo/Magnacut
-Rick
1 - Bradford Guardian 3 / Vanadis 4E Wharnie
1 - Monterey Bay Knives Slayback Flipper / ZDP 189
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31/Macassar Ebony Inlays
1 - CRK Large Inkosi Insingo/ Black Micarta Inlays
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31 Insingo/Magnacut
-Rick
- gundamaniac
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- Location: California Bay Area
Re: Kapara, strong compression lock
I think the pivots are just tighter on the Taichung models. Handled a Caribbean and it also would not "drop shut". I think something to keep in mind is that aside from just the compression lock, the Paramilitary 2 has a bushing pivot which contributes to limiting pivot tightness and making the action easier. I would think that the Taichung factory shouldn't be struggling with compression locks, given the number of compression lock models that have come out of Taichung.
Curlyhairedboy, I did think that was a pretty neat little detail when I took mine apart.
Curlyhairedboy, I did think that was a pretty neat little detail when I took mine apart.
- curlyhairedboy
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- Location: Southern New England
Re: Kapara, strong compression lock
There's also a fairly large difference in action between the Taichung compression models that have bearing pivots versus washer pivots.
I don't think it's the bearings alone that explain why the flippers will drop shut more easily than the washer models.
It took some tightening to remove any side-to-side play on the Caribbean I had, enough to significantly impact ease of opening. It's probably due to needing to break in, but there might be some lessons learned on the bearing models that could improve their washer brethren.
Still want a Kapara. it's so nice!
I don't think it's the bearings alone that explain why the flippers will drop shut more easily than the washer models.
It took some tightening to remove any side-to-side play on the Caribbean I had, enough to significantly impact ease of opening. It's probably due to needing to break in, but there might be some lessons learned on the bearing models that could improve their washer brethren.
Still want a Kapara. it's so nice!
EDC Rotation: PITS, Damasteel Urban, Shaman, Ikuchi, Amalgam, CruCarta Shaman, Sage 5 LW, Serrated Caribbean Sheepsfoot CQI, XHP Shaman, M4/Micarta Shaman, 15v Shaman
Fixed Blades: Proficient, Magnacut Mule
Special and Sentimental: Southard, Squarehead LW, Ouroboros, Calendar Para 3 LW, 40th Anniversary Native, Ti Native, Calendar Watu, Tanto PM2
Would like to own again: CQI Caribbean Sheepsfoot PE, Watu
Wishlist: Magnacut, Shaman Sprints!
Fixed Blades: Proficient, Magnacut Mule
Special and Sentimental: Southard, Squarehead LW, Ouroboros, Calendar Para 3 LW, 40th Anniversary Native, Ti Native, Calendar Watu, Tanto PM2
Would like to own again: CQI Caribbean Sheepsfoot PE, Watu
Wishlist: Magnacut, Shaman Sprints!
- gundamaniac
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- Joined: Sat Jan 27, 2018 11:15 pm
- Location: California Bay Area
Re: Kapara, strong compression lock
Could be that the compression lock spring is stiffer and applying more pressure on the tang?