Is there a way to smooth the action of my Ganzo G704?

EDC Gear for Flashlight Carriers
1

I just got this and I really like the feel of the grip, the blade shape, and the finish of the knife is pretty good, but I really hate the grittiness and the stiffness of the axis lock. I have a SRM GB763 and thought the axis lock of the G704 would be similar to it. It’s not. At all.

The GB763 is perfectly smooth, no grittiness, and is much less stiff. In addition, while not as huge of a deal as the other issues, the little axis lock button things on the Ganzo G704 are way further into the groove than the GB763, which makes it harder to open.

Any ideas how I could fix this? Thanks guys!

2

To be honest I’m given to understand that the Ganzo G704 just has a particularly gritty lock.

Mine is pretty gritty too, although my G712 is nice and smooth.

I suppose the best you can do is take it apart, clean it, lube it, and put it back together again.

3

My copy of the knife has a more or less smooth axis lock.

I did use some lube in the locking mechanism though, see if that helps.

4

I had the same issue with mine. I ended up using some very fine grit sandpaper to smooth the surfaces in the liners, then lubed. The mechanism is much smoother now. I also played with the springs a bit to make them less stiff. In both cases, I was careful not to alter the geometry of the parts too much and the results made for a much more usable knife.

5

Thanks guys, I was thinking I’d sand it down a little, good to see someone already tried haha. Are these just hex screws?

6

If you use sandpaper - preferably fine wet/dry paper - don’t forget that all thge abrasive dust will get in the lock and pivot areas as well.

I have 2 Enlan/Bee EL-04MCT’s, a SRM LB-763 and a Ganzo 712 on order so you might say that I like the Axis locks that the Chinese produce. If you add the cost of all four it still doesn’t come to the price of 1 Griptillian, in the U.K. anyway. True budget knives.

One of the Enlan/Bee Axis type locks was very stiff to operate at first so I took the scales off and bent the Omega springs until they gave a lighter action. The SanRenMu wasn’t so bad but will be stripped down in due course. I’m hoping the Ganzo will be smooth!

The inside of the Enlan/Bee was dirty, not bad but not clean so using a cloth and cotton buds I cleaned it out and gave everything a light oiling, greased the pivot and re-assembled.

While it was apart I lightly sanded the curve at the back of the blade that the lock pin rides on but not the flat on top, when the blade is open the lock pin stops on the flat part and anything you remove from that part will cause blade play up and down.

The screws holding the knife together are held in with Loktite and sometimes need a bit of heat to let go. I used one of the jet type lighters as it gives a very precise flame but don’t blame me if you smell burning fingers. Micarta. G-10 or anything, it worked for me, heating gently.

The Omega springs are a bit fiddly to work with but they bend allright, just don’t bend backwards and forwards too many times they are spring steel and don’t take kindly to deforming too much.

If you’ve got a three hole pivot pin then I found that the smallest size drill bit that comes with a Dremel, 1.6mm, fits the hole snugly so two of those in the holes and a bit of leverage and the pivot comes out. You can also use needle nosed pliers or anything that fits. - XD want $18 for the tool or $30 for that and the triangle pivot pin removal tool.

If you’ve never been inside the scales of an Axis lock knife before it can seem a bit daunting but it’s not too bad. The cleaning and oiling/greasing the knife transforms them from a good knife to a real smooth bargain blade that will last for years.

Have a look on YouTube for videos by cutlerylover and SrJoben. I’m sure that they have instructional videos on how to do it. SrJoben has a site selling customised Enlan/Bee, Ganzo and SanRenMu knives and very good they are too, his acid etched blades are works of art. LazyLizardGear is the site, I think he’s on ebay as well but only does the custom stuff from his website.

Edit - The EL-04MCT needs a T6 Torx bit.

7

So torx t6 for the screws?

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Yes. If it’s any help I buy the socket to adapt the driver bits to 1/4” square drive. The bits are cheap enough and usually better quality than the pen style screwdrivers.
For a set that will cover most knives I got T4 to T8, five bits that will last a lifetime if you buy quality pieces. Over the years I’ve built up a good tool kit, buy a bit at a time as you need them and buy quality.
The other way that is probably as good is the sets of Allen keys, Metric Imperial and Torx.