A Question About Blade Wobble

BP_

BP_

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just picked up a new (to me) ZT and was noticing some side to side blade wobble. it's not bad to the point of being unable to use, but it was one of the first things I noticed upon handling the knife. I can definitely feel the play, and I want to say I can see it just barely as well (I can't tell if my eyes are playing tricks on me or not because my brain knows it's there and my hands feel it move). I would say it's minor, on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being horrible/unusable) it's probably a 2-2.5. my first question is, how much blade wobble is too much (in terms of warranty acceptance, and being advertised as BNIB)? there is none front to back, only side to side. my next question, is this something that would happen from the factory? or would it have to have happened after it was initially sold due to quality control rejection at the factory? thanks in advance guys, I appreciate any and all input.
 
There should be no blade wobble. The blade should sit tightly in place in all planes.

Not sure which knife it is or what your experience is, but you might try adjusting the pivot. If that doesn't work I'd return it.
 
Try tightening the pivot until play is eliminated but smooth operation is retained. Find the sweet spot.
Hard to say whether it came that way from the factory, or if the pivot was loosened by the previous owner. Either way, I wouldn't send it in unless you can't adjust the pivot to your liking.
 
ZT's shouldn't have any blade wobble. Period. Occasionally, pivot screws can loosen themselves after repeated openings/closings. A tiny application of Loctite (blue) on the pivot screw's threads will keep them from loosening. If you do apply Loctite make sure it's the blue type.
 
EChoil said:
There should be no blade wobble. The blade should sit tightly in place in all planes.

Not sure which knife it is or what your experience is, but you might try adjusting the pivot. If that doesn't work I'd return it.
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That is not always true, it's the exception rather than the rule. A closed folder from almost every company will have some wobble at the tip of the blade. The tightness of the pivot is also a big factor.
 
thanks for the advice. I'll try tightening the screw this evening and see if that helps. if not, I'll probably go the route of sending it in and seeing what they can do/have to say. I was just hoping I wasn't just being nit-picky.
 
RevDevil said:
That is not always true, it's the exception rather than the rule. A closed folder from almost every company will have some wobble at the tip of the blade. The tightness of the pivot is also a big factor.
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Not sure what you're talking about. A closed folder with tip wobble? Wha?
 
bloody_pawprint said:
thanks for the advice. I'll try tightening the screw this evening and see if that helps. if not, I'll probably go the route of sending it in and seeing what they can do/have to say. I was just hoping I wasn't just being nit-picky.
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People sometimes leave a pivot loose so it requires very little effort so they can flick the blade open with barely any effort (loose pivots are usually always associated with a poorly locking knife and a wobbly blade). Others like to have enough tension that it takes deliberate concerted effort to open the blade (unless your knife has a bearing system). This is one reason for the blade wobble. A poorly fitting lock is another.
 
You close the knife, and move the blade. It may wobble. Some ZTs have had side play, I'd just lightly tighten the pivot.
 
update: brought it in to work with me this morning to adjust the pivot screw. I believe the previous owner just loosened it to his liking or something of that nature, because one very small turn and the blade is nice and snug. no play whatsoever. thanks again guys for the advice and info! I love it now. btw it's an 0808.
 
808? Good for you. I've been looking at those for a while. Hope you like it.
 
Sonnydaze said:
808? Good for you. I've been looking at those for a while. Hope you like it.
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I actually like it more than I anticipated I would. it was between the 0808 and the 0900, and I'm really glad I went ahead and jumped on the 0808. seems like the best EDC option for myself between the two.
 
So was rev when he quoted you, and he is 100 percent correct. Almost every folder will have a little wiggle if you grab the tip of the knife and really test for blade play. This can be remedied by tightening the pivot very tight but most people don't want to have to force the knife open so they leave the pivot loose enough to open easily, leaving a bit of wobble able to be detected if really testing for it.
EChoil said:
I was talking about no wobble with the blade OPEN.
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shinyedges said:
So was rev when he quoted you, and he is 100 percent correct. Almost every folder will have a little wiggle if you grab the tip of the knife and really test for blade play. This can be remedied by tightening the pivot very tight but most people don't want to have to force the knife open so they leave the pivot loose enough to open easily, leaving a bit of wobble able to be detected if really testing for it.
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He specifically said a "closed" folder. I've no idea where you guys are going on this.

I only know my knives don't have blade wobble. If they did I'd fix 'em,send 'em in for repair or return them to the dealer.

Beyond that, you guys can discuss the technicalities.
 
whoops read to quickly, but regarding the open wiggle is true.
EChoil said:
He specifically said a "closed" folder. I've no idea where you guys are going on this.

I only know my knives don't have blade wobble. If they did I'd fix 'em,send 'em in for repair or return them to the dealer.

Beyond that, you guys can discuss the technicalities.
Click to expand...
 
Just sent back a custom with more wobble of the open blade than I have ever experienced AND no pivot screw to tighten. The bolster sandwiched the pivot and that was held with 2 small screws set. No adjustment possible. What a disappointment. Other issues too so I just sent it home.
 
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