Blade Play in SS Delica - How Can I Fix This?

S

sharkattacksw

Joined
Aug 4, 2008
Messages
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Hi all,

I've got a SS Delica that has a little bit of side to side blade play in it. Can this be fixed? Being a SS model, there's no pivot to tighten. I've heard of guys putting the SS models in vises and gently squeezing the ends of the scales, in an effort to snug it up a bit. I'm not sure I'm comfortable doing that. Should I just send it to Spyderco and let them fix it?

Any tips, comments, suggestions, etc. will be appreciated.

Thx
 
There are a couple of methods. One is: You wrap a cloth around the knife, put the pivot area in a vise, and slowly and very carefully give it just little bit of a squeeze. Not too much or you cannot open the knife.
 
DocT said:
There are a couple of methods. One is: You wrap a cloth around the knife, put the pivot area in a vise, and slowly and very carefully give it just little bit of a squeeze. Not too much or you cannot open the knife.
Click to expand...

Thanks Doc. So will I actually be putting the pivot pin in the vise, or the area of the scales just forward of the pivot? If it's the latter, my fear would be of "pinching" the scales inward a bit. Am I correct in guessing that if I put the pivot pin in the vise, I'll be somewhat peening the pivot a bit, which should result in tightening up the blade play?

Thanks in advance for any additional help you can offer.
 
I would be worried about squeezing too large of an area and pressing the scales onto the blade.

I would:
- Hit the area right around the pivot with some sandpaper to make it so you can see the pivot pin (if it isn't already visable).
- Taking a ball pien hammer, lightly tap the pivot 3-4 times and check for play.
- Repeat the previous step a few times until the blade play is eliminated.
- Redo your finish starting with 600 or 800 grit and work your way up to 000 or 0000 steel wool.
- Use a sanding block so you don't only sand one spot, you will want a smooth even finish.
 
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Thx guys. I'm thinking I'll just call HQ and see what they say. I really like the heft of the SS Delica. I wish it was a FFG, but I suppose I could always get in touch with Josh at Razor Edge. If anyone's interested, I'll post up the comments after talking with Spyderco.
 
NJBillK said:
I would be worried about squeezing too large of an area and pressing the scales onto the blade.

I would:
- Hit the area right around the pivot with some sandpaper to make it so you can see the pivot pin (if it isn't already visable).
- Taking a ball pien hammer, lightly tap the pivot 3-4 times and check for play.
- Repeat the last step a few times until the blade play is eliminated.
- Redo your finish starting with 600 or 800 grit and work your way up to 000 or 0000 steel wool.
- Use a sanding block so you don't only sand one spot, you will want a smooth even finish.
Click to expand...

This is the second way I mentioned and did not elaborate on.
 
Update. I called Spyderco and the lady I spoke to said to tap it with either a ball peen hammer (llightly) or a small flat punch (smaller diameter than the pivot pin, of course). She said that's what they do. Just give it a few light taps and go from there. That's all that can be done. It's just a very slight amount of play, so I'll give it a go this weekend.

Thanks for the help, guys.
 
Be sure to either use a rubber malet or put some cloth over the area you will be hammering lest ye mar the finish.
 
Update:

I lightly tapped the pivot of the knife with a small brad hammer and a peen type punch. I it 98% of the play out. When I tapped it more, it became stuff to open and close. To fix that I ever so gently pushed on the blade against the scales. It now swings free when the lock bar is depressed and locks up tight enough that only a true knife knut would detect the half a hair's width of play.

Thanks for the help, again, guys.
 
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