Blade Rub

J

jomarti

Joined
Apr 14, 2014
Messages
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I found the Boker Solingen Congress Whittler I had searched for and am pleased it's well suited for my uses. It's everything I had hoped for... except for one thing. The two center blades rub lightly when deployed resulting in some fine scratching on those blades.

Question- Is this considered a major flaw? Can it be remedied easily? The knife will work fine for it's intended purpose and I think I can overlook this minor issue long term. Just spoils an otherwise perfect piece.
 
Eh, I wouldn't worry about it. If it's a user especially. If it's a great knife in every other way just enjoy it. Just my personal opinion, but I don't sweat that kind of thing on a user. If it's purely a collectible then I suppose it's not very desirable. Depends on what you value I suppose.
 
I've had the same problem. Codger, Could you tell me how to "crink" the blades to center them or to avoid rub?
 
I though the crinked blades had to be done when the knife was made and assembled. Blade rub bothers me a bit too. I can live with it but there is usually some pouting when I find it on a new knife. :D
 
jomarti said:
I found the Boker Solingen Congress Whittler I had searched for and am pleased it's well suited for my uses. It's everything I had hoped for... except for one thing. The two center blades rub lightly when deployed resulting in some fine scratching on those blades.

Question- Is this considered a major flaw? Can it be remedied easily? The knife will work fine for it's intended purpose and I think I can overlook this minor issue long term. Just spoils an otherwise perfect piece.
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I have found the Whittler type knives to be the most prone for this - three blades, a good chance, four blades, even better chance. I would not call it a major flaw, more like the nature of the beast.:)

My best advice is to let the blades down gently on these models, if the rub marks bother you.;)
 
Are the blades rubbing when closed or are you unintentionally pushing the blade over when opening them causing contact? Either way, it shouldn't make a big difference on a user as the blades will patina and/or get scratched with use anyway. If the edges hit the back of the other blade, then that would be a problem.
 
2Dead said:
Are the blades rubbing when closed or are you unintentionally pushing the blade over when opening them causing contact? Either way, it shouldn't make a big difference on a user as the blades will patina and/or get scratched with use anyway. If the edges hit the back of the other blade, then that would be a problem.
Click to expand...

Those two center blades rub as the thicker spines come close when closing the blades. Since I bought this as a user I suppose it's not a big deal, just an annoyance. Still I'd buy the knife again even knowing this little problem.

One fix that I considered was to place a piece of abrasive paper, maybe 400 grit at that place of contact then open and close the offending blade until it's honed for clearance. Nah... leave it as is.

Thanks for the input, you guys are great.
 
On a pocket knife in that general range, it's not terribly unusual, nor is it a serious problem. I'd not worry about it, if I were you. If you want a knife with 4 blades nestled in there, that will never rub on one another, I'll bet Mr. Bose or Mr. Hampton could make one for you.
 
2Dead said:
Are the blades rubbing when closed or are you unintentionally pushing the blade over when opening them causing contact? Either way, it shouldn't make a big difference on a user as the blades will patina and/or get scratched with use anyway. If the edges hit the back of the other blade, then that would be a problem.
Click to expand...

I can't tell you how many pristine knives I have owned only to push one blade into another and make a nice scrape...sometimes deep. It is a little like that first ding on a new car. Then it becomes the tool it was meant to be. :)
 
lemepris said:
I've had the same problem. Codger, Could you tell me how to "crink" the blades to center them or to avoid rub?
Click to expand...

I am not a cutler. It is my understanding that they use a small hammer on the open blade with it resting on a stidy (cutler's anvil). I usually stick my blade in a crack in a sectional tabletop or drawer and gently "tweak" it in the direction I need it to move, bending the blade at the junction with the thicker tang. Doing it this way could loosen a pivot pin but I've never had it happen. A cutler may be aghast at my layman's technique though. So ask a real cutler.
 
Skip to 14:43.

[video=youtube;xA-OpahW7EA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA-OpahW7EA[/video]
 
I agree with Primble's comment above. I actually expect blade rub with whittlers and I don't feel that it effects the performance of the knife nor should it hurt collectability much either.
 
I have the same problem on my Carver's Congress. That first scratch bothered me, but no worries now. I'm putting it to good use whittling.
 
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