Benchmade's QC Problems.

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Well, sure enough, I received the new Rift today and the blade is off center.
It rubs when I open it right handed.
I guess I'll just be sending it back.
That sucks... :thumbdn:

One question: Is the blade centering adjustable?

ETA: Now that I look at it, to be fair, the channel that the blade rides in is really quite narrow and has surprisingly little room for "play."
Perhaps BM is being a bit optimistic of their own skills considering how narrow the apparent tolerance is on this one.
It is only really off by about 1 mm.
 
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Maniacal Pete said:
Well, sure enough, I received the new Rift today and the blade is off center.
It rubs when I open it right handed.
I guess I'll just be sending it back.
That sucks... :thumbdn:

One question: Is the blade centering adjustable?
Click to expand...

It seems tougher to deal with, at least on the two I have worked on (both my brother's). I don't know why. But I know people do adjust it.
 
Maniacal Pete said:
Well, sure enough, I received the new Rift today and the blade is off center.
It rubs when I open it right handed.
I guess I'll just be sending it back.
That sucks... :thumbdn:

One question: Is the blade centering adjustable?

ETA: Now that I look at it, to be fair, the channel that the blade rides in is really quite narrow and has surprisingly little room for "play."
Perhaps BM is being a bit optimistic of their own skills considering how narrow the apparent tolerance is on this one.
It is only really off by about 1 mm.
Click to expand...

I did adjust mine, it took about 2-3 tries and managed to center it. The trick is to loosen the pivot bolt, and the body screws. Wedge a folded piece of paper into the channel where the blade sits, make it so it pushes the blade towards center. Tighten the pivot all the way down. Then starting from the body screw nearest the pivot tighten them down, alternating left to right evenly. Remove the paper, the blade should be centered. Then back the pivot screw out a little at a time until you get the action you want. If not, repeat the process.
 
They're all adjustable. Blade centering can be simply accomplished as described above or the way I have done it with any brand that has frame screws. Loosen the frame screws, tighten the pivot screw to remove any play and force the frame sides in which ever direction they need to go to center. Tighten the frame screws, adjust pivot. Check with a few open and close cycles. Be happy you are in control!

LOG
 
Rev, thanks for that how-to! Gotta try that. MPete, please let us know if it works for you!
 
Would one of you be willing to make a video tutorial of how to center the blade and post it to YouTube?
 
That would be a good way to convey the idea, but I'm not up to that. Once you realize the point is to align the frame slabs to hold the pivot at right angle to them it becomes clear. I first started doing this with frame locks as they tend to push the blade over. After changing the torsion bar on an assisted opener I was dismayed at how far off it was, but realized I could shift the frame sides and tighten them in the centered alignment I wanted. Since I have always disassembled a new knife to smooth the action and inspect. Centering is no longer a concern as it is adjustable when assembling. Often you can hold the folded knife vertical, on a bias, so you are pushing down on one side and the other is being forced in the opposite direction and snug the frame screws. Or simply recognize which way the pressure should be applied and with the blade open push to the side when tightening the screws.

LOG
 
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Professor said:
Rev, thanks for that how-to! Gotta try that. MPete, please let us know if it works for you!
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Thanks, it was quickly written but I think it merits a dedicated blog entry. I'll get started on that and provide some photos.
TechDoc said:
Would one of you be willing to make a video tutorial of how to center the blade and post it to YouTube?
Click to expand...
I don't think it's that difficult that it would require a video. There may already be quite a few videos already available on that. The written steps are exactly what needs to do done (it's worked for Emerson, Spyderco, Benchmade, etc.)
What you will need is quality made Torx drivers. I have some from a big box store 8-in-1 set that works perfectly and is accurate in size. The problem with cheaply made, inexpensive tools is that you run the risk of size variations which can strip a junk took or a screw.
 
I just got the LE contego from knifeworks.
The blade was off center and was rubbing the liner, I used my thumbs in the center of the knife and pushed to center the blade.
It stayed, weird I thought. I got the tools and red locktight out and the reason it stayed centered was because the screws were all loose enough to be able to shift the liners/G10 scales.
Centering is now perfect. I wish it was as sharp as my other M390 blades, 707 & 581. Its not even close.
 
Please blue, if you must, but not red Loctite. Nothing on the frame screws is needed, only on the pivot screw, clean first with alcohol and set with blue or purple Loctite so it can be adjusted in the future.

LOG
 
logman said:
Please blue, if you must, but not red Loctite. Nothing on the frame screws is needed, only on the pivot screw, clean first with alcohol and set with blue or purple Loctite so it can be adjusted in the future.

LOG
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Thanks, but I prefer the red. I have never had any problems disassembling after. You just need good tools for the work on small screws. particularly torx.
 
Catrepair said:
Thanks, but I prefer the red. I have never had any problems disassembling after. You just need good tools for the work on small screws. particularly torx.
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You need good tools and good fasteners. Very few people buy good enough tools. No knife manufacturer can get good fasteners.
 
I just wanted to drop back in and say that I sold one of my BM folders (950 Rift) and am returning my other (551 Grip). As I handled both knives I really did like the Grip a lot actually. More than I thought I would. However, no matter how hard I try, I just prefer a traditional folder for everyday carry; so that's what I'm going back to.

I did want to write that other than the Rift's blade being a bit off center both of the folders that I got had great grinds to the blade, edges on the knife, and were solid. I still have a sheath knife by them and it is spectacular. REALLY dig that knife a lot as well. I will own more of their fixed blades for sure. :)
 
bluemetalchurch said:
I just wanted to drop back in and say that I sold one of my BM folders (950 Rift) and am returning my other (551 Grip). As I handled both knives I really did like the Grip a lot actually. More than I thought I would. However, no matter how hard I try, I just prefer a traditional folder for everyday carry; so that's what I'm going back to.

I did want to write that other than the Rift's blade being a bit off center both of the folders that I got had great grinds to the blade, edges on the knife, and were solid. I still have a sheath knife by them and it is spectacular. REALLY dig that knife a lot as well. I will own more of their fixed blades for sure. :)
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That's why there are so many different manufacturers. Different strokes for different folks. Make sure you try out their 162 Bushcrafter and 183 Fixed Contego!
 
bluemetalchurch said:
Ok, so when people are calling the lock robust they are talking about strength? I have no doubts about how strong the lock is once locked. I just don't like the feeling of the lock when unlocking it. Watching those vids actually convinced me to go for the grip.

How hard would it be to center the Rifts blade?
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It's all what you're used to. I 100% don't like the framelock on my Hinderer XM18. It feels much worse in both opening and closing than even the most lowly Axis locked Grip. The idea that you need to stick your thumb across the path of the sharpened blade to close a knife is a total fail.
 
farokhsidhwa said:
I feel that if there pricing were not so ridiculous now, people would be more forgiving of things like this.
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Correct. What many of us were willing to overlook when a Rift cost ~$120 is simply unacceptable when it costs $165. If they want us to pay more, they need to give us more. Better QC is just a start. Upping the base steel without an increase in price (the way they did with the Griptilian going from 440C to 154CM) would also help us feel better about it.
 
loonybin said:
That's why there are so many different manufacturers. Different strokes for different folks. Make sure you try out their 162 Bushcrafter and 183 Fixed Contego!
Click to expand...

JP Chestnut said:
It's all what you're used to. I 100% don't like the framelock on my Hinderer XM18. It feels much worse in both opening and closing than even the most lowly Axis locked Grip. The idea that you need to stick your thumb across the path of the sharpened blade to close a knife is a total fail.
Click to expand...

Man, I'm holding the Griptilian right now. Really thinking twice about sending this one back. It's a great blade.
 
The 551 was my first Benchmade and has been in the drawer for almost a year. Reading this thread has reminded me what an outstanding knife it is and how much I enjoy carrying it.
In my pocket for the last 3 days.
 
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