Blade centering

[Getitjay]

I bought a cold Steel American lawman today. It was stiff and gritty so I took it apart and cleaned it. It works a lot better now, however it is favoring the left. It was centered before I took it apart. I've had this problem before with a couple other knives. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Taking your knives apart.

 

[Getitjay]

Taking your knives apart.

How else are you supposed to clean them when you know it's gunked up?

 

[miso2]

I don't own a triad lock knife. For a frame lock knife, you can loosen screws and tweak the centering, and I guess you can try the same.

 

[Getitjay]

I don't own a triad lock knife. For a frame lock knife, you can loosen screws and tweak the centering, and I guess you can try the same.

This worked. Thanks for the help.

 

[miso2]

My pleasure.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

For 150 years, pocketknives did not have screws.
Today, the screws are there for assembly, not disassembly.
Knives can be cleaned out with brushes, toothpicks, etc.

 

[cap'njake]

Nothing wrong with taking apart your knife to clean it at all. Unless you break it or lose pieces or forget how it goes back together. Just make sure you have the tools needed and I used blue locktite on the threads of screws that I don't want loosening up.

 

[REK Knives]

For 150 years, pocketknives did not have screws.
Today, the screws are there for assembly, not disassembly.
Knives can be cleaned out with brushes, toothpicks, etc.

Those knives (traditionals) also had issues due to the pinned construction... 1. rust would likely develop in areas that could not be reached, and could not be properly dealt with. 2. blade play could not be adjusted w/ out specialized knowledge from a skilled craftsman. 3. restorations or coating was not really feasible and so they could not be customized.

Imho there's nothing wrong w/ taking your knives apart, just make sure you have the proper tools and knowledge (or know where to go to find help should you mess up).