Blade changes...

I would think it would work, but what would it hurt to try?

 

The blade is fitted to the locking scale; it is ill advised to swap blades and if you do so you should inform any prospective buyers. It might be best to sell the micarta, buy a lefty micarta Insingo and then sell the plain Insigno.

 

I'm sure there is going to a warranty issue with the swaped out blade on both sides.

 

Maybe I am wrong in saying this, but I figured he had already decided on the issue of "should" he do it, but was not sure if he "could" do it.

 

Couldnt hurt to try it out and see how they both fit. If they fit good and lockup is good on both then go for it.

 

It is possible, but like other have said, each blade is fitted to it's corresponding lockbar, if a blade swap is done, it will more than likely throw the relationship between lockbar and blade tang off.

This could lead to unwanted blade play, lock rock, lock deformation or a whole laundry list of other problems.

Warranty work will more than likely be questionable.

 

And I mean this in a truly inquisitive tone, but how would CRK know if they were not told?

 

I asked.

There is no warranty on swapped blades.

They said swap the blades back or don't bother sending for spa treatment, it will be refused.

Totally throws out the window the myth that their manufacturing tolerances are tight.

If you can't swap blades, then every piece must be all over the place dimension-wise.

 

I believe that rather than "thows it out" - it confirms that their manufacturing tolerances are tight. Each knife is hand fitted tightly and tuned exactly, piece by piece.

Buy two Benchmade 710's (I love mine btw) and swap the blades, they'll work just fine. That's production tolerance.

 

Exactly. That was the benefit of mass production... the fact that tolerances were kept within an acceptable range so parts could be interchanged. Prior to that, complex pieces like firearms were produced individually and parts had to be manufactured and fitted individually to repair them. Modern folders fall into the same category, although they're not as complex as old-time firearms. According to knife industry people who should know, CRK has narrowed the range of tolerances in their knives by hand selecting and fitting the parts, and then doing their "fine tuning" to make sure every piece works together to make up the complete package.

 

This guy.


This guy knows what he's talking about.

 

I wouldn't do that myself
may ruin the knves

 

So you guys are saying that if every machined part comes out of the shop a different size and needs to be custom altered and custom fitted together, this indicates how well the machine tolerances are?

I don't think so.

The aim of tight machine tolerances is that every piece coming off the machine is exactly the same dimensions and interchangeable.

If every piece is different, that is sloppy tolerances quite obviously.

It's great that every knife leaves the shop hand fitted and working well, great quality control, but this sure isn't an example of tight machining.
Exactly the opposite.

 

I've done it, both blades locked up perfectly with the other lock bar, rock solid !
While I didn't edc the knives in this configuration or do any real cutting I can say that as long as you keep each blade with its original bushing and washers, which is what I did ( as well as a buddy of mine who swapped a few blades ) you should find it to be just fine.
As far as warranty goes, it's up to you if you tell them the truth, that's each mans decision in life and I won't give any advice there since its your business.
That said, have you ever needed the CRK warranty? I've never read a thread where somebody needed the warranty due to a manufacturing problem.

Have fun, make what you desire. It's only money !

 

I think the whole tight tolerance thing is meant for each individual knife. I could be wrong, I've tasted my own foot more than once, but I always saw it as each knife is fitted so precisely that you couldn't swap parts.

 

In production of fine "hand-made" revolvers ($2000 +), critical trigger and cylinder action parts are cast/machined/stamped somewhat oversize and are then precisely hand-fitted to a corresponding part of the action. Don't know about CRK.
Sonny

 

I've swapped a couple just to see what it would look like, and they mated up perfectly. Classic Micarta and the Insingo when it first came out.

 

It just rubs me the wrong way that I can't get a spa treatment on a swapped blade, even if I send them both in together.
Every time someone brings up this topic it reminds me of the fact.

I'm not dissatisfied with the knives as a whole.
Quite obviously they are excellent.