Blade being centered?

Nepling00 said:
A knife not being centered bothers me at the price point the OP mentioned. I got a Rat 2 that was not centered the other day and it did not bother me. But at the price point the OP mentioned he paid, I do not want to get a knife not centered and hear it’s fine. The market says it is not fine for it not to be centered. I have purchased knives at this price point and decided that they weren’t for me. I go to the exchange to list them. The first thing a buyer wants to know if you do not state it is “is it centered” or “can I see a photo of the centering”.
Click to expand...

Exactly!!
 
I ended up calling Hinderer and they want me to try and center the blade myself using their instructions. If I can't get it centered send them a picture. My wife laughed and said they don't know me as I break everything I touch. I double checked my XM-24 4" today and it is centered perfectly. I don't see anymore Hinderer products in my future but I doubt they care. Heretic emailed me a shipping label to send the knife back.
 
nod said:
they want me to try and center the blade myself using their instructions.
Click to expand...

I liked how RHK wants you to tinker with your knives and encourage it . For most companies, doing so will void the warranty.
 
I expect expensive knives, for example CRK products, to have a centered blade. If it made it out of the factory with a obvious off center blade then I would ex[ect them to take care of it through their warranty program.

Just my opinion.
 
Slightly off centered (no rubbing) is the least concerned issue to me and if everything else is good, I will keep the knife and adjust it myself. Doesn't matter whether It's $400+ or $40. I did receive new RHK and CRK with off centered blades, which were both centered by me relatively easily.
 
IMO for a new folding knife, blade centering is a must which in an indication of the quality of said product at any price point. Other attributes which I look out for is balance cutting bevel, fit and finish etc. After it has been used and disassembled, that is a different question. I had a Stider SmF which came centered however after many years of usage, the G10 pivot hole started to wear and with it goes its centering. I also have a RHK XM18 3.5 Gen 4. Came centered and after its first disassembly, getting it centered was a pain until I followed their assembly procedures. It goes to show that every brand have their way of assembly. Those folders which have 'live' pivots such as PM2, Griptilians etc does require frequent maintenance. I really appreciate the CRK sabenza's design as it is exact, just stay away from pinch washers and you are good to go.
 
I've had blades from all different manufacturers that weren't perfectly centered. It doesn't bother me since I usually take apart my knives, clean them and add some grease or oil. Then I put it back together and center the blade if needed. Not that difficult or something I give more than a moment's thought about.

I have the same feeling about factory edges. There are very few manufacturer's who's edges have impressed me, so I just reprofile it on a Wicked Edge.
 
Just my two cents, but anything past $200 or $300 should be perfectly centered. Here’s why. If I can have a relatively inexpensive (compared to other knives) Spyderco Manix or Para 3 that’s pretty damn centered, more expensive knives should have that patted down already. There’s no reason for high-end ZTs, CRKs, and Benchmades to not achieve the same.

At the very least, I’d want the blade “centered” enough so as not to impede function. If it drags against one of the scales or you feel that it affects deployment in any other way, send it back for a replacement. A high dollar knife should offer high dollar performance and quality.
 
I'm clearly in the minority here, but I couldn't give two fugs about whether a folding knife is perfectly centred. Having said that, I buy knives that I intend to keep and compared to most people I'm not that fussy with a lot of stuff. If the blade isn't rubbing on the liner/scales and I can easily adjust it if it is, I don't see what the big deal is. I have never bought a knife that is bad enough to warrant adjustment though.

Funny thing is, the cheaper QSP and Ruike knives I have are perfectly centred. In contrast, it always surprises me to hear of Spyderco in particular, people talking about them being perfectly centred and razor sharp out of the box. Every one I've bought has been off centre and at best reasonably sharp. I normally reprofile my knives when I get them anyway.
 
It's a very personal thing that has a lot more to do with your mentality as a customer than anything regarding function.

Personally, I value symmetry and fit and finish very highly, so if I pay any more for a knife than like 100 bucks and the centering is off, I'm going to be unhappy. If the knife is $400+ and off center? Forget it. I just can't. It's hard to drop that kind of money on a knife and it have an issue, period.

Killgar mentioned earlier something about caring more about solid lock up. But he also said he has never paid the cost of a top end production knife. I have bought a lot of knives in the $400 to $700 range. At that price, any QC or fit issue is an immediate no, for me. Blade had better be centered, not even a hint of play open or closed or at any point during opening, grinds need to be reasonably even, lock up needs to feel like a vault door, detent needs to be snappy and hold the blade shut when I wrist flick, and the action needs to feel like glass.

In my experience at this price range, I have only been let down a few times. I do a lot of research before I commit to a purchase though.
 
Just following up on the Heretic. As mentioned, they sent me a shipping label to return the knife. I received the knife back today which was very good turn around time. The blade is centered and the blade still locks up very tight with zero play. It really is a good heavy duty knife.
 
XL883N said:
Knives have adjustment screws for a reason.
Click to expand...

Never knew a knife had an adjustment screw. Hmmm.... I have knives from many different manufacturers and no mention of an adjustment screw.
 
Thanks for the update. I like a happy ending :).
 
Not always but I’ve seen knives that the blade centering changed with temperature change. When cold or at room temperature is can be centered but after being in pocket on a warm day they weren’t centered. And vice-versa. Metal is subjective to temperature even with proper heat treatment, other materials as well. Just wanted to mention that FYI and the newer knife owners and users, especially on production line made knives.

Personally I don’t consider it a problem until the blade is rubbing but I don’t pay for blade centering nor do I collect high end knives as I use them. But I can see your point as a collector of finely made high end knives.
 
I would send it back. There are many companies that produce low cost knives and do a good job with centering. A good company, with an equally good reputation for producing high quality products, is easily up to the task. I know they can do it. It is up to their customers to be there last QC inspector. Together, you and the company can make sure the brand lives on.
 
Last edited:
When I'm paying $400+ for a new knife,(assuming a dealer) that blade better be centered. If I get a replacement blade that was off center again or had blade play, I wouldn't want that knife at all and would take my little 400 bucks elsewhere.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top