Blade play on brand new Rockstead Higo...any ideas how to fix?

knifehoarder

knifehoarder

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Sep 8, 2014
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Just got a brand new Higo framelock (Duralumin) in ZDP from a dealer.

First of all, I don't want anyone taking this the wrong way. I absolutely love the knife...it's right up there with Shirogorov and CRK, which I tend to think of as "high-tech production" folders...better than most customs in terms of quality, IMO. The ergonomics are incredible, and that blade grind/edge/finish just puts it over the top...coolest thing I've ever seen.

For some reason, though, this otherwise perfect knife has a bit of lateral blade play when locked up. I've tightened the pivot, loosened it, retightened, and no luck. Then loosened both pivot and standoff screw before slowly tightening back down...no luck. Then I just took it apart. It's pretty much the same construction as a Sebenza, so I made sure bushing was seated properly (and not hanging up on an edge of the washer), put it all back together, and still no luck.

One odd thing is that I cannot get the pivot to tighten to the point of making the blade harder to open, and it is tightened down as tight as I would feel comfortable tightening a pivot screw.

Clearly, I'd like to avoid having to send a brand new $850 knife back to Japan, but I don't know what else to try. As tight as their tolerances are, I think it would almost have to be something just not fitting properly. Just posting this in case anyone has heard of a known issue/fix.

And for what it's worth, Rockstead has a reputation for solid construction and not having any blade play, so I'm going to consider this a fluke....and I am still planning on buying another one (as soon I find the model I want available).
 
Try tightening the screws tighter. Since the Higo's/Hizen's have only 2 points of contact, they can be touchy if both screws are not very tight. If one screw is "out of balance" the pressure from the lockbar will push the scales apart and either cause blade play, or a stiff pivot. Loose pivot screw=blade play... Loose standoff screw=stiff pivot.

I screw mine down with a Wiha driver since the torx bits are a more precise fit and there isn't the worry of stripping the female screw head. You can tighten them down twice as hard as you would a CRK.
 
Blues Bender said:
Try tightening the screws tighter. Since the Higo's/Hizen's have only 2 points of contact, they can be touchy if both screws are not very tight. If one screw is "out of balance" the pressure from the lockbar will push the scales apart and either cause blade play, or a stiff pivot. Loose pivot screw=blade play... Loose standoff screw=stiff pivot.

I screw mine down with a Wiha driver since the torx bits are a more precise fit and there isn't the worry of stripping the female screw head. You can tighten them down twice as hard as you would a CRK.
Click to expand...

Going to dig up my Wiha set. Thanks man!

PS - Your post about your Higo helped me pull the trigger on this one!
 
Blues Bender said:
Try tightening the screws tighter. Since the Higo's/Hizen's have only 2 points of contact, they can be touchy if both screws are not very tight. If one screw is "out of balance" the pressure from the lockbar will push the scales apart and either cause blade play, or a stiff pivot. Loose pivot screw=blade play... Loose standoff screw=stiff pivot.

I screw mine down with a Wiha driver since the torx bits are a more precise fit and there isn't the worry of stripping the female screw head. You can tighten them down twice as hard as you would a CRK.
Click to expand...

Well, I tried that, but it's as tight as I can get it, and it's still pretty wobbly.
 
Hmmm... Sounds like something isn't right. Mine has no play in any direction, and almost feels like a fixed blade.

Where did you get it from? If you don't want to publicly announce that, then PM me...
 
It is surprising that they would "release" a new knife with a serious problem like that...
 
Blues Bender said:
Hmmm... Sounds like something isn't right. Mine has no play in any direction, and almost feels like a fixed blade.

Where did you get it from? If you don't want to publicly announce that, then PM me...
Click to expand...

It's from Knife Center. Not their fault, so I don't mind naming where it came from.

The only thing I can think of is that the pivot nut seems to be press fit, and maybe it's not quite seated all the way? I can't imagine pounding on this thing with a mallet. hehe
 
Sonnydaze said:
It is surprising that they would "release" a new knife with a serious problem like that...
Click to expand...

Honestly - that knife has been on God knows how many airplanes and trucks since it left Rockstead's facility. Any number of things can happen, and sometimes flaws in materials only present themselves after leaving the maker. But I agree, it's surprising when you hear so many good things. I would just hate to think someone there failed to check something so elementary.
 
If the knife is assembled correctly and still has lateral play, the bushing would need to be polished down as it's a bit too thick. However, it's definitely recommended that the knife is sent back for the fix because you don't want to remove too much material or remove material unevenly.
 
Bummer on a new knife.

Good that you purchased it from a Rockstead dealer. I was reading the Rockstead Warranty and it says:

"Each new Rockstead knife is packaged with documentation of the Rockstead Lifetime Warranty. Rockstead warrants the original owner that Rockstead knives purchased from authorized dealers.

Rockstead Lifetime Warranty only applies to genuine Rockstead products from authorized dealers. Knives purchased on secondhand, are not entitled to our warranty coverage.

Disassembly will void warranty (exclude the HIGO and HIZEN model)."
​
 
RamZar said:
Bummer on a new knife.

Good that you purchased it from a Rockstead dealer. I was reading the Rockstead Warranty and it says:

"Each new Rockstead knife is packaged with documentation of the Rockstead Lifetime Warranty. Rockstead warrants the original owner that Rockstead knives purchased from authorized dealers.

Rockstead Lifetime Warranty only applies to genuine Rockstead products from authorized dealers. Knives purchased on secondhand, are not entitled to our warranty coverage.

Disassembly will void warranty (exclude the HIGO and HIZEN model)."
​
Click to expand...

I noticed that too. For Rocksteads bought second hand, I've heard of people paying to have them reground and/or resharpened. I guess you just have to decide if the amount of money saved is worth it.

This is a prime example of why I think sellers like Arizona Custom Knives, who commonly sell used knives for the price of new (a practice that really irks me), should really disclose when a manufacturer's lifetime warranty doesn't cover knives they're selling. I would be livid if I purchased a used Higo for the price of a new one, only to find out I have zero warranty coverage.
 
Knifecenter should have checked a frikkin $1K knife before sending it out. They should take it back.
 
I sorta agree with this, it's. Not like we're talking about a Kershaw Shuffle! They should at least take care of sending it to Rockstead and getting it back to the owner.

Mike

archieblue said:
Knifecenter should have checked a frikkin $1K knife before sending it out. They should take it back.
Click to expand...
 
knifehoarder said:
Just got a brand new Higo framelock (Duralumin) in ZDP from a dealer.

First of all, I don't want anyone taking this the wrong way. I absolutely love the knife...it's right up there with Shirogorov and CRK, which I tend to think of as "high-tech production" folders...better than most customs in terms of quality, IMO. The ergonomics are incredible, and that blade grind/edge/finish just puts it over the top...coolest thing I've ever seen.

For some reason, though, this otherwise perfect knife has a bit of lateral blade play when locked up. I've tightened the pivot, loosened it, retightened, and no luck. Then loosened both pivot and standoff screw before slowly tightening back down...no luck. Then I just took it apart. It's pretty much the same construction as a Sebenza, so I made sure bushing was seated properly (and not hanging up on an edge of the washer), put it all back together, and still no luck.

One odd thing is that I cannot get the pivot to tighten to the point of making the blade harder to open, and it is tightened down as tight as I would feel comfortable tightening a pivot screw.

Clearly, I'd like to avoid having to send a brand new $850 knife back to Japan, but I don't know what else to try. As tight as their tolerances are, I think it would almost have to be something just not fitting properly. Just posting this in case anyone has heard of a known issue/fix.

And for what it's worth, Rockstead has a reputation for solid construction and not having any blade play, so I'm going to consider this a fluke....and I am still planning on buying another one (as soon I find the model I want available).
Click to expand...

What's the latest on this issue? I'm interested in knowing because I myself am about to buy the same one from the same dealer but now I'm holding out until it's clear you got yours taken care of.
 
bladeninja said:
What's the latest on this issue? I'm interested in knowing because I myself am about to buy the same one from the same dealer but now I'm holding out until it's clear you got yours taken care of.
Click to expand...

Never buy "our last one."

Many times that 'last one' has already been shipped to eight households, all of whom rejected it. I have a feeling this may be the case with a bad Rockstead.

Hope you somehow work things out with the dealer or manufacturer.
 
Yeah. That's a hard lesson to learn. Not that he had to learn a lesson in the first place. That knife should have been white glove inspected and never have shipped.
 
knifehoarder said:
Just got a brand new Higo framelock (Duralumin) in ZDP from a dealer.

First of all, I don't want anyone taking this the wrong way. I absolutely love the knife...it's right up there with Shirogorov and CRK, which I tend to think of as "high-tech production" folders...better than most customs in terms of quality, IMO. The ergonomics are incredible, and that blade grind/edge/finish just puts it over the top...coolest thing I've ever seen.

For some reason, though, this otherwise perfect knife has a bit of lateral blade play when locked up. I've tightened the pivot, loosened it, retightened, and no luck. Then loosened both pivot and standoff screw before slowly tightening back down...no luck. Then I just took it apart. It's pretty much the same construction as a Sebenza, so I made sure bushing was seated properly (and not hanging up on an edge of the washer), put it all back together, and still no luck.

One odd thing is that I cannot get the pivot to tighten to the point of making the blade harder to open, and it is tightened down as tight as I would feel comfortable tightening a pivot screw.

Clearly, I'd like to avoid having to send a brand new $850 knife back to Japan, but I don't know what else to try. As tight as their tolerances are, I think it would almost have to be something just not fitting properly. Just posting this in case anyone has heard of a known issue/fix.

And for what it's worth, Rockstead has a reputation for solid construction and not having any blade play, so I'm going to consider this a fluke....and I am still planning on buying another one (as soon I find the model I want available).
Click to expand...

Any more progress on this. I'm curious.
 
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