Blade alignment

xuesheng

xuesheng

Joined
Dec 4, 2005
Messages
569
A question for the experts: I recently bought a custom tactical folder. When the blade is closed the tip does not line up dead center in the handle. It lists a bit toward the liner lock side. Would this concern anyone? Does it indicate a potential problem? If so, I'll contact the maker and have him take a look at it. Otherwise the knife seems solid and well fit, although opening is a bit stiff.
Thanks for your advice,
Steve
 
The blade should line up dead center on a custom and it should open and close smooth as glass. If it doesn't, it ain't right.
 
How far off is it? Have pics? I prefer a perfectly centered blade, but I've seen knives from a lot of big name custom makers that where slightly off center. For a while I became dismayed by this, but I've seen it so much that I think I've gotten used to it to some degree. If it's just a small amount, I can usually live with it if it's a reasonably priced "user" knife (say under $600 or so) A high end art type knife, I would expect nothing less then perfection.

I do still favor those makers who seem to consistently put out perfection even in the very affordable ranges of custom knives. Names like Rick Hinderer, JW Smith and JL Williams are ones that stick out in my mind as consistently providing perfection in fit, over a good number of samples I have seen of their work, even on something as affordable as a $350 knife .
 
Steve, before chasing it away, you really should find the proper bit and loosen the pivot in 1/16th turn steps. In the process, I will guess you may solve both problems. Misalignment and stiff opening action.

Having built many kits and having had to adjust the same, I've been through the process. Of course there is no one better qualified than the maker. That's your call.

Coop
 
Thanks for the feedback guys. Coop - I tried a slight pivot adjustment and improved the action but now I'm having an issue with liner lock-up. I think it's time to move on. I appreciate the help.
Steve
 
I had this same issue with a well known maker and was basically told that if it didn't bother performance, why worry about it, or if it really bothered me they would fix it. To me, on a $400 folder, blade alignment is one thing that they should be able to get right the first time. I've normally had good luck with blade centering and lockup from most makers out there, with a few exceptions.
 
On a normal production knife, unless it was more then 100 dollars, I would not send it back. But with a Custom I would definetely send it in to have it fixed.
 
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