Gerber Paraframe 1 Lock Issues

[MUAlum13]

Hey guys so Im new to knives so of course I had to get the Paraframe as its a pretty introductory knife. I took it out the package (so many scratches on it though it was brand new) and immediately starting playing with it and right away I noticed an issue. Anytime I fling it open or open it fast with even the slightest force the lock bar goes too far right and I cannot close it with my fingers: its stuck unless I use something to pry it open like putting a butter knife in the lock to pry it back. If I open the knife slowly all good but anytime its flung open the lock gets stuck. Any ideas on whats going on/how to fix it? It really sucks as this was 1 of the few knives I purchased as I just got into knives and was so excited for this. The knife isnt even 24 hours old. Smh (sigh). Thanks everyone!

*image 1 is normal lock up
*image 2 is lock up getting stuck.

 

[Jesse Latham]

That's a defect. Take it back.

 

[J. Doyle]

Press it into a piece of wood as though you were whittling really hard and see if it does it. Make sure to not influence the lock bar with your grip.

There might be two separate issues going on and both might not be able to be fixed.

This could just be a by product of a really inexpensive knife and a different one might not be any better.

 

[J. Doyle]

Also, my son has the same knife. I just looked. His does the same thing only it unlocks easily no matter what.

Honestly, it's not a very well made knife so this issue is not surprising.

I will add that the action is very stiff and it doesn't open easily and you REALLY have to flip it open excessively to get the lockbar to travel all the way over......which I personally find unnecessary.

Really snapping a folder open excessively hard is something I equate to whacking the spine hard to see if the lock "pops" loose. Both are pointless and don't tell you much as sudden drastic impacts like that introduce heavy and unpredictable flex/torque and movement and I find both completely useless and not an accurate indicator of anything.

My advice is to enjoy the knife for what it is and use it as a stepping stone to bump your knowledge and skill sets to higher levels.

 

[MUAlum13]

Also, my son has the same knife. I just looked. His does the same thing only it unlocks easily no matter what.

Honestly, it's not a very well made knife so this issue is not surprising.

I will add that the action is very stiff and it doesn't open easily and you REALLY have to flip it open excessively to get the lockbar to travel all the way over......which I personally find unnecessary.

Really snapping a folder open excessively hard is something I equate to whacking the spine hard to see if the lock "pops" loose. Both are pointless and don't tell you much as sudden drastic impacts like that introduce heavy and unpredictable flex/torque and movement and I find both completely useless and not an accurate indicator of anything.

My advice is to enjoy the knife for what it is and use it as a stepping stone to bump your knowledge and skill sets to higher levels.

This is 100% what Im going to do. Just gonna have fun with it and move on! Thank you!

 

[MUAlum13]

Press it into a piece of wood as though you were whittling really hard and see if it does it. Make sure to not influence the lock bar with your grip.

There might be two separate issues going on and both might not be able to be fixed.

This could just be a by product of a really inexpensive knife and a different one might not be any better.

Going to do this the second I get home and see. I kinda of figured just as you said its such an inexpensive knife that another may not make a difference. Im just going to use it and move on. I have a mini also which has locking issues too lol. It came as a pack. The issue isnt bad enough to try to fix but its there nonetheless. This just this tells me everything I need to know about Gerber knives atleast their entry level knives.

 

[J. Doyle]

Going to do this the second I get home and see. I kinda of figured just as you said its such an inexpensive knife that another may not make a difference. Im just going to use it and move on. I have a mini also which has locking issues too lol. It came as a pack. The issue isnt bad enough to try to fix but its there nonetheless. This just this tells me everything I need to know about Gerber knives atleast their entry level knives.

I think the next logical step in your journey could be something like Civivi brand.

I hear really positive things about them being a lot of knife for the money with great features and quality materials and really good fit and finish.

I believe there are quite a few models well under $100. I think a couple are right around $50.

 

[MUAlum13]

I think the next logical step in your journey could be something like Civivi brand.

I hear really positive things about them being a lot of knife for the money with great features and quality materials and really good fit and finish.

I believe there are quite a few models well under $100. I think a couple are right around $50.

I actually was going to ask any recs for my next knife. Thus far I have a Kershaw Leek (was gifted to me from a fellow Knife Dog/knife enthusiast as a 'welcome to Knives' gift), CRKT Ignitor, Gerber Air Ranger, the paraframe and a Browning from years ago. I really want to get a QSP Parrot or Penguin which would be my last $25-$30ish knife. I wanna move up to the next tier which I guess would be $50+. There are several knives I want in the $25 range but my fear is I buy way too many and not have anymore room and then regret not saving up and moving up tiers so I do want to transition up to the $50ish tier just like you mentioned! I really like the Civivi Elementum actually; theres quite a few 'new in box' for about $48 on Ebay. I do plan to eventually buy knives from the manufacturers themselves mainly for warranty as most brands dont honor warranty when bought from Ebay/Amazon, etc. Ive heard nothing but good about Civivi.