Benchmade dissasembly

M

metacarpels

Joined
Jan 16, 2001
Messages
156
I got tired of my benchmade rubbing along one of the liners when it was closed (it is far from centered like most of them). Its a mini afck. Anyway, i figured i would take it apart, clean and polish, then reassemble. I did... and like usual the blad is straight when open and off center when closed. WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN? IMHO, it violates laws of physics. IF its tight around the pivot, then how can it be centered when open and off center when closed? how can i fix this>
 
The pivot pin is angled, and the hole in the blade tang is also angled. The combination allows it to be straight in one position, and angled in another.

Or: on some liner locks, the lock can push the blade off-center. No idea if this can happen with an AFCK, but I have seen it on occasion.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
Misaligned blades on Mini AFCK's are as common as mosquitos in Louisiana.
 
I have this exact same problem with my Benchmade mini - stryker. It is quite irritating. In my case, what I found was that as I tightened the pivot, the blade would come on center. I am not 100% sure what causes this. In my case it isn't pressure from the liner lock, because it is rubbing on the same side of the knife.

I think that it has to do with the washers that are used between the liners and the blade. They are two different diameters, and I think they are not quite flat. As I tighten the pivot, the pressure compresses the smaller plastic one and makes it conform, thus allowing the blade to center up, and as I loosen it the blade moves over. I more or less have it set as best I can, but I was definately disappointed. Otherwise, I like the knife pretty well.
 
Metacarpels. Just send it in to Benchmade for a LifeSharp service and include a note about the problem. They'll take care of you.

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Stay back! or I'll...OUCH...cut myself.
 
My AFCK would get to rubbing the liner once and a great while. I simply loosen all the screws and open the blade. Give a gentle bend to the blade in the direction toward the liner it is rubbing. Once centered, tighten all the screws and thats it.
Actually, I set it slightly off center, toward my thumb side so I can apply pressure when opening w/out pushing it into the liner.
 
This is a very common fault with ALL the AFCK range. As far as I can tell, the Ti liner does not hold the blade centered with enough force and allows WAY to much flex in the handle. Sollution? Use thicker Ti, or a recesed liner like in the Military or use 410 stainless steel.

My M2 AFCK (now owned by Nemo, his daily carry!
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) did that a lot at first and had blade play up and down and side to side. I sent it back, oh and it came pf center once a week and scraped the liner as well...

Well BM fixed it, well the blade play was minimal after the fix, but the blade still came off center and scraped the liner from time to time. The fix? bend it in the other direction, and accept it will do it again real soon. I am buying a Mini AFCK M2 Plain to replace the AFCK M2 Combo edge. I think the AFCK is great but flawed. Any fixes would increase the weight of the knife in all likelyhood. I expect my Mini AFCK to do the same.

For the record, BM have banned me from the Forum for saying this. They have ignored 5x e-mails asking for a reason. Pity they make some fine knives, a company to dislike
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The customer service is the ONLY reason I will still buy ANY BM knife. They did try to fix the problem to the best of their ability.

W.A.

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Sure, the AFCK has a drawback of being thin. The handles do as good a job centering the blade as needed, IMO.
I look at it the same as the aluminum frame 1911 compacts. Sure someone can crack the frame after many many rounds. That is easy to live with given the light weight advantage.
The AFCK is a big knife that dissapears in your pocket. The thin smooth Ti/G10 handles are strong for their size. If they beefed it up with thicker heavier handle, it would not be as much a favorite for carry.
 
Yep,

the AFCK is my "Eleonor" !
("Gone is 60 seconds" 's quote !)
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I love second hand knives with an attitude !

cheers ; JM
 
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