I agree about the thumb stud accessibility/deployment. A knife deployment shouldn’t require a lot of experimentation to figure out consistent blade access. CJRB would be smart to add a front flipper, like the Civivi McKenna. That front flipper rocks!
I had the exact same issue on mine, also it had some mild lockstick. I used a fine file on the end of the lockbar to both fix the timing and match the angle of the lockbar face to the ramp. Now it locks up perfectly, and is my current favorite budget knife.
I ordered several of these that arrived yesterday and they all had this problem. Even the lock up varies in the ones I purchased. One of them is barely 20% lock up. Opening this knife up with some thwack is necessary so it locks up correctly. Such a nice EDC stylish knife, but a definite legitimate quality control flaw. Very unfortunate.
My Ria arrive today. Background: I'm mostly an desk chair keyboard warrior now but I did carry a SOG Flash II for a few years working for the USFS. Flash II is.. nice for the price. Goo clip, great action, but its kind of cheesy. I've never had a nipple slipped (not sure what the correct term for the thumb nipple on the blade is). And I have medium hands and fight a keyboard for 40 hours a week, so I'm a bit soft. 1) It is not hard to open. If you get the angle right its really smooth. And pops. It is easier to open if you face the blade away from you, not sideways. Tip down works great too. 2) it is slim. A wider handle would make the opening easier, but I got it for the thin profile and fancy man aesthetics. After a few dozen flicks you find the best way to hold it to make this easier. 3) thumb nipple is a bit pokey. But again, I have baby-soft hands. 4) the liner lock is not that bad, with my medium sized hands. You can slide you thumbnail in it, but I have supple finger nails that can't do that too much. But I can press my thumb in to the space, and unlock it with less pokeyness. 5) Zero issue with the lock bar. I tried repeating the soft opening, and safely seeing if I could get the lock to give in. My knife locks up solid every time. Examining the contact point after a strong and soft opening, it is in the same position. I've pushed the limits on pushing the lock bar in and letting the blade drop precariously to my thumbnail, but its safe and lands softly. 6) easy one hand close 7) good handle. I like to get my index finger over the blade for control, and the pocket clip lines up perfectly with ring/pinky fingers. Other grips feel good. It is very easy to find a natural way to hold it. The end of the handle fit perfectly in to the crease of my palm. 8) pocket clip is a bit tight for thick pants like carhartts or a nice pair of jeans, but thats not a show-stopper 9) no blade play. blade is well centered 10) blue (they call is gray) handle is really nice looking and feels great. That translucent Jade one is probably the best looking. for less than $40..... I am not a knife guy, but the Ria is a crazy value. If I bought this in a store for $80 and didn't know $40 was an option, I wouldn't feel too bad. If I had to gripe about one thing, it would be that the pocket clip, while having a nice scoop, its pretty tight. And I'd prefer a smaller logo on the blade. If I can figure out a safe way to remove it I might try it. But its not offensive branding. The other Knife in this class I was looking at had a big ol logo on inferior pocket clip. My SOG would effortlessly slide in to thick pants and I didn't really worry about it (because hey... its a SOG that I got at a clearance price) As a total noob, this knife is great. I am really challenged to find an excuse to get a knife that is in the $200 class. The Freek mini looks amazing, but for that price I want to have it in hand before I pay that price. For $40 and my use case, its a 9.7/10. Get one, and if its not for you, it would be an excellent gift for a knife noob. It is unfortunate this reviewer got a dangerous knife with that lock issue. Were you able to fix it? If not, send it back, give your bad luck another roll.
That sucks man. I have the jade Ria from the Neeves and I've never seen such gorgeous jade. Honestly looks like it's jeweled. Mine locks up 100%. I think at these really low price points unfortunately not every knife will be perfect. I had a mini Feldspar that had horrible detent lash, my micarta one is perfect. Others have said they can be gritty. I absolutely love this knife. Mine had Jerad's edge on it and it just cuts like a beast. Really want to check out that AARP steel 😉🤣
I do not have an issue with my micarta Ria, however my micarta Centros has that very same issue. It also has some pretty solid lock stick! Maybe a burr on the lock bar or it's just a hair too long! I have heard from others with the same issue on both micarta versions of the Ria and Centros.
I heard that there was a bad flaw on almost every single Centros I asked about. I have 3 artisan cutlery that I adore (aside from some sharp edges, and missed chamfering opportunities) but never a lockup issue. I haven’t owned a cjrb yet. I love their satin finish, but why the billboard logo that takes over the entire profile of every knife they make. It looks like Tonka lettering and just kind of cheapens the knife in a way that isn’t needed. The clip side looks far better on every cjrb with that huge billboard. Also hate that they print China on the tang. Why? We know it’s cjrb from China and the designs really speak to me. Hope they fix the lockup, lock stick and billboard issues. Digging these shadowboxed contoured Scales
BigRedEDC I plan to take it apart and fix whatever is going on but it sucks to hear others have had the issue. I hate having to make videos like this however it’s not something I can’t mention and be ok with 👍🏻
Mine has the same problem... I give up at the point so it will be a two hand deploy "beater knife" now in a car kit. I think having large hands even makes the stud deployment even worse.
I was very interested in that knife. Now not so sure going to have to ask a couple others that have it to check on that. Thank you very much for the information.
Mine had a flaw to! It had a rolled edge toward the tip of the blade like it hit something in one spot. I fixed it but I shouldn’t have had to. It is a super slicer for sure!! I’m going to get the mikarta one when and if it comes back in stock! I’ve got the cf one and meh it’s ok!
Funny my Centauri has the same problem. If I open slowly it won’t lock up right. Kinda weird but I always have to assure it Locks. Oh well win some you lose some🤷🏻♂️. I’m liking the budgets but the upper Artisan blades I’m kinda on the fence. Thx Stassa👊🏼.
I have gotten the BHQ Exclusive CJRB Micarta Centros and my 2nd one just arrived today, and both of them have that issue, with the lock bar, and both have really really bad lock stick. I guess I am going to end up returning the 2nd one. Not sure whether to go for a 3rd one or just take a refund. My first one I paid $9 express shipping, and this one was just standard $4 shipping. Kinda upsetting.
I love my jade Ria but it does have vertical lock rock. My new jade Gobi is being returned because the flush to G10 handle clip material was screwed in ABOVE the recessed area. CJRB is hit or miss quality. Civivi is a better made knife. Still I`m considering a Micarta Ria. Love the lil Ria design.
So I ordered this same knife excited about checking out this new steel, I paid the $60 after tax and when it showed up at my house it was the right box but inside the box was a carbon fiber version with the 12c27 blade 😫😤🤬 anyway I’ve sent it back for a refund honestly don’t think I’ll try for another one. Thanks for the review 👍
That issue is definitely one to be looked into..maybe the polish on the liner ramp is to much if that makes sense..you can fix it I'm sure..maybe burr the edge some or overbend the liner..still love this knife..if you not now in future want to sell or trade let me know..as you know I gotta a bum foot so funds are non existent lol..also two things..the bit drivers you have..you showed 2 different ones in a video the other day..can you email me info on those please..and that kizer love it tooooo..very knice..peeeeace..👊👍🇺🇸🙏✝️
I purchased the exact model shown in your video and I’ve got the same problem if I slow roll it open the blade doesn’t lock. Any suggestions on how I can fix the problem?
