Blade wobble & centered in the liners - Big deal or not?

[coyote711]

Just wondering on production knives if, or how much, this matters to you. Of course this would be unacceptable on a custom knife, and is certainly disappointing on a higher end production knife, too. Where do you draw the line? Do we have the right to expect "no wobble & centered" in relatively inexpensive ($30 - $50) knives? Is being concerned with this excessive "anal-ism" , or legitimate pride in ownership ?

Prior to joining this site a year ago, I wasn't even aware of these issues - take knife out of pocket, open knife, use knife, close knife, put knife back in pocket. If knife cut, knife was good. Period. So, what say you on this issue?

 

[pipedreams308]

A production with a blade off center is not a problem for me, as long as it doesn't rub too much or try to close on the liner.

Wobble in a new production knife is an absolute deal breaker.

 

[tomcrx]

It matters...a knife should not rub the liners or wobble if new, no matter what the price. Centering is not as big of an issue to me.

 

[thawk]

A knife with blade wobble should not not get out of QC, in my opinion. I would not buy one knowingly with wobble, and send it back. A none-centered blade is not a big deal to me as long as it does not rub, although if it is centered it's a plus.

 

[Will Power]

Not being dead centre is OK provided it's not hitting the liners or creating blade-rub.

Blade wobble when you can feel it/notice it is horrible and should not be there. If some manufacturers can make them without wobble, then all should. Slight movement on a used knife may be expected.

What sends me up the wall is really excessive gaps through the springs,liners,scales that to me is a sign of poor finish indeed. Unacceptable.

 

[black mamba]

Not being dead centre is OK provided it's not hitting the liners or creating blade-rub.

Blade wobble when you can feel it/notice it is horrible and should not be there. If some manufacturers can make them without wobble, then all should. Slight movement on a used knife may be expected.

What sends me up the wall is really excessive gaps through the springs,liners,scales that to me is a sign of poor finish indeed. Unacceptable.

:thumbup: +1

 

[SAKsRCool]

I'd say, something in the $200+ range like the Case/Bose collab I'd expect to be perfect. Anything less expensive and I wouldn't be surprised if there was blade rub, wobble, uncentered when closed, etc.
Maybe I've always been unlucky but frankly I'm surprised at the number of folks here that have production knives without these issues. Because I never have.
My biggest pet peeve though, is the unfinished tang on a blade. Drives me nuts.
Adam

 

[rramjet]

I have had a few with blade wobble that I have either fixed myself or sent back. It is an easy thing for a manufacturer to fix. I have had a Case and a Queen which came back perfect in very short order. My biggest peeve is weak back springs. I think a slip joint should never have a pull below a 6 on a scale of 1-10.

 

[Peruna1998]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but what qualifies as a "wobble"? For example, I have a whittler. The main blade sits centered, is fine when opened, but is loose with side to side play on opening. Is that a wobble?

 

[sappyg]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but what qualifies as a "wobble"? For example, I have a whittler. The main blade sits centered, is fine when opened, but is loose with side to side play on opening. Is that a wobble?

i think side to side play is "wobble".... i don't like wobble at all. i have one whittler that has great snap etc, but it has so much wobble i just won't use it.
i really dislike week springs and it shouldn't be too much to expect good walk and talk from a $30-$50 slip joint IMO. F&F is a good indication (to me at least) of how well the knife will hold up to daily use. a little blade rub is ok and off center blades are not so bad but, gaps at the springs, liners, bolsters or scales make me think the knife will eventually loosen up and lead to wobble and weak springs. i can't prove it but that's the impression i get when i see it.