(Al Mar SERE 2K)Need some info please...

Shadow213

Shadow213

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Jan 5, 2005
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Well, today, my SERE 2000 and I are bonded by blood. While I was messing with the thumbstud, the blade came down and sliced my thumb with ease...blade still has factory edge on it and it cut so smoothly that I didn't even feel it. :grumpy: I feel that a couple of things attributed to this incident...1) the thumbstud and 2) blade is a little hard to open.

I really love this folder but I need to do something about the uncomfortable, sharp edges on the thumbstud. Can anyone give me some advice on how to smooth it out a bit? I mean, this thing has taken skin off of my thumb!!

I've also found that the SERE is a little difficult to open, not just because of the stud, but also the detent(if it has one) seems to be locking the blade closed just a little more than it should. The opening action on my Shrike was smoother than on this SERE....

Any opinions on what I should do?
 
my S2K was super smooth to open - maybe you need to take a look at the pivot and clean it out? :confused:
 
mine is so smooth it's like it's tuned up and custom made. The fit and finish is superb. The knife opens and closes just perfectly.

The only thing I don't like about the knife is that I don't trust the liner lock for heavy duty tasks especially prying. In a pinch I'm sure it's fine. I've tested it according to a few of the gurus' advice here (thank you), and there is a bit of slippage of the liner lock.

But I love this knife to bits otherwise and not the least of it is that it is so well made it is like a custom made knife.
 
Put electrical shrink tubing over the thumb studs and shrink it down with a lighter. Makes it perfect. keepem sharp
 
You might just have to keep working it out and in until it smooths out. As for the thumb stud, perhaps a little work with some cratex will take of the sharp edges.

FWIW, If you put your SERE in your back pocket beware of the tip up configuration...it could come open in you pocket from just the moving around of your butt. My SERE AND my Sebenza have both cut me and my cloths from wearing them in my back pocket because of the tip-up carry. That is one of the reasons I like tip down carry folders....even if they do come open then the act of drawing them out of the pocket will tend to close the blace and not open it drawing blood. :eek:

Ron
 
Thanks for the info, you guys, I'll see what I can do to resolve these minor issues since I really do like this folder.

WadeF, just what exactly are you trying to say with your comment?
 
Shadow213 said:
Thanks for the info, you guys, I'll see what I can do to resolve these minor issues since I really do like this folder.

WadeF, just what exactly are you trying to say with your comment?
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I'm gonna take a guess here and say that "I feel that a couple of things attributed to this incident...1) the thumbstud and 2) blade is a little hard to open." is kind of ignoring the fact that YOU cut yourself.
 
I had a similiar experience with a BM 710. My advice would just be to buy a Spyderco Military, Manix, or Chinook.

Save a Thumb, buy a Spyder ;)
 
sting, yep, you're right, I did cut myself. :o Just wish that the action was a little smoother. I've carried a Spyderco Military for the past 2-3 years and never had this problem. Oh well....I'll check out the pivot tomorrow when I have some time.

BTW, I'm not putting all the blame on the SERE......guess it was just hungry...LOL

For now, I'll go back to my Millie until my thumb heals....;)
 
I bought one NIB from a forum member to give my nephew for Christmas. It was also a little stiff to open. I broke it down, cleaned the factory lube off, re lubed it. I also backed off the pivot screw to where I felt it opened easier. I think the dentent will smooth out after a break in period.
Then I put a hair poppin edge on it and wrapped it up for him.
Try cleaning it out and re lube it. Then back off the pivot screw to where you like it.
 
Some people like a really stiff ball-detent. (Sorry, that sounds pornographic! :p ) It helps keep the blade closed while you're carrying the knife. The Sebenza in particular often has a strong ball-detent mechanism.

It seems like there can be variation from knife to knife. One Spyderco Military that I have has a very loose detent, but my other Military has a really tight one.

You could try putting a little bit of lube directly on the ball bearing without taking the knife apart. I don't have a SERE 2000, but the ball bearing should be visible inside the handle, at the top of the liner leaf that springs over to lock the blade open. I'd slather some grease or oil on it and see if it's smoother.
 
first of all, sere2k is great stuff.
but it's thumbstud and tip-up config definately suck. Yeah, both my fingers and my pants know that.
What's the point of fast openning if you have to pay extra attention when drawing the knife out of pocket?
 
question on the SERE: What is the purpose of the elegant-looking change in blade geometry in the front 1/3 of the blade, where it gets much thinner all of a sudden? Pardon my lack of technical jargon mastery but I hope you understand what I am asking. It would seem to weaken the top of the blade, among other things, but I wonder what it's purpose is?
 
Garageboy's right. it's referred to as a swedge and makes piercing or stabbing easier to do. also makes slicing at the tip more effective, as there is less drag at the spine.

abe m.
 
I like the swedge, but I don't like those sharp 90degrees edges that create it. Did anyone try to smooth them?
 
Originally posted by chameleon55,
You can ask Shadow, but it sounds like the swedge works :p
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Luckily, I didn't stab myself....:eek:. The blade just closed on my thumb and the blood flowed :(. I did stab a 3/4 inch thick piece of rubber mudflap and the tip penetrated with ease. :D

I'm not too sure why they have those 90 degree sharp edges on the spine....does anyone know why it's constructed like that?
 
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