Blade centering anxiety when a new folder arrives!

GhostAlpha0

GhostAlpha0

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Apr 9, 2014
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Whenever I get a new folder in the mail I get really bad anxiety the moments before I open the knife because I feel like it's such a gamble whether or not the blade is going to be centered. I always immediately check the centering first thing. The more expensive the folder the worse the anxiety. And when the blade isn't centered it feels like a punch to the gut, especially when it's a pricey one.

Does anybody else experience this?
 
I don't, but I've usually been able to fix up the centering on any knife that wasn't centered by using the normal method (take it apart, clean it, put it back together, screws loose, fold up some paper and close the knife so the blade is wedged towards the lockbar, tighten all the screws, working from one end to the other).
 
^^^^^Agreed, with the exception of my Chris Reeves. I know an off-center blade would affect resale value on those more than my Benchmades, Spydercos, etc. Luckily I've been about 17 for 20 on those with perfect centering. The others I think had to do more with slightly uneven grinds at the tip more than truly off-center blades (2 tantos and an Insingo). Luckily I have no plans to sell them anyway:D
 
No, I don't generally order Benchmades online. :D

Seriously though, I've reached the point where it doesn't bother me. Centering isn't a big concern of mine. If it doesn't rub I'm ok with it; if it does I exchange it for another one or a refund.
 
I dont sweat it. Like evilgreg said, the screws can be adjusted to make it centered. I got a new pm2 in a couple weeks ago (new) and it was off center. I did a scale swap on it and another one and both came out centered.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
No, I don't generally order Benchmades online. :D

Seriously though, I've reached the point where it doesn't bother me. Centering isn't a big concern of mine. If it doesn't rub I'm ok with it; if it does I exchange it for another one or a refund.
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This too--it amazes me sometimes when people post photos saying the blade is slightly off center and it's bothering them, and then I look at the photo and it looks so close to centered I would have to count the pixels to figure out which side they thought it was off towards. If it doesn't rub, what does it even matter? I'm not a collector, though, so I think I just don't get the mindset.
 
I used to get a little upset if the blade wasn't centered. I try to ignore it unless they rub. I think I have 3-5 that rub out of around 170.
 
I figure that if I take the time and research your product, work hard to afford it, and choose it over the competetors, you should take the time to make sure the fit is optimal before it leaves the factory. Maybe I'm weird...
 
mwhich50 said:
I used to get a little upset if the blade wasn't centered. I try to ignore it unless they rub. I think I have 3-5 that rub out of around 170.
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^This . Most can be adjusted or repaired , if you care to . It really don't matter unless it really scrapes . One of many obsessive , knife perfection things to drive us mad !
 
I have learned from some recent threads that many people crank the pivot all the way down then complain when the bladenis not centred. This is despite the fact the knife is not meant to be run that way. The only knives that are supposed to be cranked all the way down in the pivot are the ones with a bushing system. Just adjust the pivot until it is centred as long as there is no blade play you're good.
 
the last couple hundred folders, didn't worry about centering. Cannot remember ever being disappointed.
 
The % is low but I've pretty much had at least one off-center by most manufacturers I've owned knives from (including an XM-18 and yes even a Sebenza). I tried several times to fix it on the XM-18 until I eventually gave up. I've also tried on some others and didn't have much luck. I think that's why I have the anxiety -- because I don't have any confidence I can fix them myself.

I have a rule that I no longer buy knives that I wont use so I have every intention of using everything I buy. It still bothers the crap out of me when they're not centered though. And I agree with the comment about quality control. I'd say anything over $200 there's no excuse for the blade not to be centered.
 
The problem here is everyone's opinion of centered. There are different levels:

1-way off centered (touching one side of the scale)
2-slightly off centered (leaning left of right and slightly visually noticeable)
3-looks dead centered (might slightly depend on the way you look at it)
4-Dead damn centered (NASA calibrated calipers and multiple precision test say it is 1/1000th to the left and that is not good enough)

If you are #4 and expect it to be perfectly measured to dead centered then those expectations are tough to be sure of for any knife. We have plenty of customers ask us to check centering. This is not a big deal and very easy to do. We visually check it out and if it looks centered we ship it. We also have some that send them back saying it is not centered enough for their taste (see #4). I understand picky buyers and a customer wants what a customer wants so I am not complaining about them. My point to the OP is that if you feel like it is a gut punch to open it and find the knife is off centered, and you are not looking for "dead on balls" centered, then just ask the dealer to check it out for centering. I don't think most dealers will mind! It will certainly save you a few gut punches!
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
Seriously though, I've reached the point where it doesn't bother me. Centering isn't a big concern of mine. If it doesn't rub I'm ok with it;
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This is totally me.

If the action is good and the knife cuts, I really don't care how the centering is.
 
whitty said:
The problem here is everyone's opinion of centered. There are different levels:

1-way off centered (touching one side of the scale)
2-slightly off centered (leaning left of right and slightly visually noticeable)
3-looks dead centered (might slightly depend on the way you look at it)
4-Dead damn centered (NASA calibrated calipers and multiple precision test say it is 1/1000th to the left and that is not good enough)

If you are #4 and expect it to be perfectly measured to dead centered then those expectations are tough to be sure of for any knife. We have plenty of customers ask us to check centering. This is not a big deal and very easy to do. We visually check it out and if it looks centered we ship it. We also have some that send them back saying it is not centered enough for their taste (see #4). I understand picky buyers and a customer wants what a customer wants so I am not complaining about them. My point to the OP is that if you feel like it is a gut punch to open it and find the knife is off centered, and you are not looking for "dead on balls" centered, then just ask the dealer to check it out for centering. I don't think most dealers will mind! It will certainly save you a few gut punches!
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Very well said. I like the way you broke it down. I think I'd say I'm a #3. I don't need to measure it or stare at it but when I glance at it I don't want to notice it off center. And I have recently started asking the retailers to check when I place orders and I frequently notice the packing slip shows my request circled or highlighted so they are fulfilling my request. And it has been a long time since I've gotten a knife that wasn't centered. I'm just not quite over a couple of the ones that disappointed me the most I guess.
 
DocJD said:
^This . Most can be adjusted or repaired , if you care to . It really don't matter unless it really scrapes . One of many obsessive , knife perfection things to drive us mad !
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I tried to adjust my Grip H2O after watching some YouTube vids>>>>>>>>>FAIL. I have been procrastinating on sending it back to Benchmade. I heard that they aren't very motivated to tweek "value line" knives.
I have an 13" SKM, Italian Stiletto that came with rubs on the blade. I wouldn't know where to begin, adjusting that one. I am going to ask the dealer to check the centering on the AGA Campolin that I ordered this weekend.
 
The funny ting is cold steel are always centered every time. Emersons are prolly the worst offender. Don't get what the problem is. Maybe they don't pay their help enough to care
 
mwhich50 said:
I tried to adjust my Grip H2O after watching some YouTube vids>>>>>>>>>FAIL. I have been procrastinating on sending it back to Benchmade. I heard that they aren't very motivated to tweek "value line" knives.
I have an 13" SKM, Italian Stiletto that came with rubs on the blade. I wouldn't know where to begin, adjusting that one. I am going to ask the dealer to check the centering on the AGA Campolin that I ordered this weekend.
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One of the reasons I like my "value " knives over my "too precious to touch" treasures . I can feel free to piddle around with fixing and/or modifying the cheapos. Surprising and very satisfying when you can make it work and no great loss if it all goes south .

Really silly to worry even about my expensive fondlers . When I'm gone , the wife will just dump 'em at the Goodwill !
 
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