"Adjusting" the forks...and warranty ??s

L

Lothar.OTHP

Joined
May 6, 2001
Messages
458
I seem to recall a thread on here about adjusting the forks in the BMs...

I just picked up a torx driver the other night to tighten up the ol' 42... and it's either lock it up or let it flap. The blade keeps slapping the handles.

What's worse, I discovered it's not a new problem on my knife. It had some odd spots up near the end of the blade that nicely match where it's rubbing now... and it looks like it was messed upped from the get-go because the screw on that side is tightened down so hard it's abotu 1 to 1.5 mm deeper into the handle than the other one... and so damn tight I ended up actually twisting the torx driver to get it to do... nothing!!! and the blade is still slapping the handles... both handles.

Now for warranty questions...

I did monor filework on the ends of the handles... does that void warranty?

I live in MA... it's illegal to ship balis here. Does that mean I can't do warranty, because they can't ship it back?
 
I don't know if you've voided the warrantee...

I do remember reading that, for an auto, you can send it to BM via a certified BM dealer, then they'll ship it back through that dealer... could ask if you can do that?
 
I had mine apart this weekend refinishing the handles and took some measurements of the blade and the fork gap. The blade was right on .125" but the fork gap was .165" leaving .040" difference. The shim washers were .010" each so that took up .020" leaving .020" left. When I tightened the pins again the forks were pulled togethar at an angle and not a very good fit. I'm going to make some new washers, .019" and re-assemble it. This should solve the problem and give me .002" of play which is perfect. You might want to check out how much of a gap you have with the screws out. YOu can take a feeler gauge and test it. Let me know what you find.

Mer
 
Damn Eric, it's good to have a machine shop. Can I move in? ;)

There is still the handle adjustment alternative. This way, you're not using the torx screws to bend the fork too much. Search under "blade slapping" for more info.
 
Originally posted by tonyccw
There is still the handle adjustment alternative. This way, you're not using the torx screws to bend the fork too much. Search under "blade slapping" for more info.
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I tried to adjust the gap last week, but no dice. I took out the screws and clamped the fork with a vice-grips. Unfortunately I didn't use enough padding and it chewed up my handles. Two hours (or however long the movie "True Lies" is) later, I took of the vice-grips and the forks sprung back to their original position. Nothing done except damage from the teeth of the vice-grips. Maybe if I have time this weekend I'll take out the blade and give it another go with a bench vice.

Mer, how much would you charge to make washers for my 42? I think I've been defeated by the titanium handles.
 
Originally posted by penguin_2000
I think I've been defeated by the titanium handles.
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Me too. Was able to resolve the one for Uranium, but the one for RyanM gave me fits. It's just might need one of Eric's washers as well.
 
Ugh. This blows.

Mer, for those of us without a press, how would you recommend we get the blade out to do all these measurements?

As an idea on your washers, make sure to leave .1 mm on each side for oil... thicker washers are a tip top idea, as long as there's room for the slidey stuff.

Living in MA sucks sometimes... it's almost tempting to move elsewhere just so I don't have to worry so much about whether or not I'm gonna get my warranty service...

And I had such high hopes for this knife. It was knice when I got it... Hopefully the tachyon will be better.
 
A press is not needed. I'm sure that is how they are installed but for disassembly, a pin punch and a hammer is all I used. Choose a punch that will fit in the pin without damaging the threads. Use a piece of hardwood with a hole drilled in it and align the pin over it. A few sharp taps and out they come. I also filed the knurls off so assembly would be painless and could be done whenever. One thing with the fork adjustment, when you squeeze in the forks they won't be resting on the blade parallel. Only the tips of the forks will be contacting the blade since they will be angled in. It won't be as smooth as you want. You can go to McMaster Carr and do a search on shim washers. The easiest way would be to email me and I just might send you some. :)

Mer
 
but the one for RyanM gave me fits. It's just might need one of Eric's washers as well.
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Unfortunately, I dunno if that would work... I tried pounding out the pins before I sent it over, and that did _not_ work... I ended up with a piece of wood with a bali-shaped indention, and a _very_ sore thumb and middle finger...
 
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