It really bothers me on high end knives. It happens all the time sadly
...and there is nothing wrong with that kind of thinking either....on a $200+ folder, yeah it should be milled and aligned perfectly on initial purchase.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Blades that aren't centered
- Thread starter SteelSnob
- Start date
...and there is nothing wrong with that kind of thinking either....on a $200+ folder, yeah it should be milled and aligned perfectly on initial purchase.
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2004
- Messages
- 4,704
The heat treating process normally involves red hot metal so yeah, I would say it causes the metal to warm slightly
I am curious how many of the knives people are concerned about an off center blade are frame/ liner locks since the lock bar pushes the blade to the side. I also wonder how many of the off center blades would be centered if the pivot were tightened down.
I don't mind an off center blade as long as it is not rubbing the liners. I also don't like frame/ liner locks and have very few knives that are not centered.
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2008
- Messages
- 5,911
I don't subscribe to this 100%. I used to think that was a problem when I had a knife with an uncentered blade but the fact is, I have enough of each lock type that have perfectly centered blades or near enough that I know it's not an excuse. And the lock bar usually rubs the tang close the the pivot and not the blade itself. I'm just saying that all of my liner locks and frame locks have blades either dead center or near enough for me.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2009
- Messages
- 110
If I were selling a folder here on BF, I'd feel obligated to tell you up-front if the blade was not centered. I wish mfgr's would do the same with me. If it comes to me off-center I consider it flawed and it is disappointing; even though it works, I consider it flawed.
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2004
- Messages
- 4,704
Well I don't think it is the sole reason of an off center blade. But I do think the force can push the blade off center. In fact I know it can sometimes because I have pulled the lockbar away from the tang and it centers and if I tighten up the pivot it makes it better or completely centers the blade.
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2004
- Messages
- 18,501
They have to be dead nuts centered for me. If not they go back. If the maker or dealer won't take it back he's lost my business forevermore.
I'm talking about handmade or expensive production knives.
I understand to each his own and I'm not saying what someone should or shouldn't accept.
I'm talking about handmade or expensive production knives.
I understand to each his own and I'm not saying what someone should or shouldn't accept.
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2001
- Messages
- 8,968
if the pivot hole in the blade is not perpendicular, if the holes through the liners/scales aren't, if the pivot is machined wrong, if the hole in the blade is appreciably larger than the diameter of the pivot bolt, if there is slop between the blade and liners/washers, if the blade is warped, or ground incorrectly, if the pivot is loose - all that can lead to an uncentered blade.
It comes down to how much of that you expect the manufacturer to control for and correct when making the knives.
It comes down to how much of that you expect the manufacturer to control for and correct when making the knives.
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2008
- Messages
- 5,911
I'll agree to that one and have seen it - that's when I would look at the pivot adjustment you mentioned
JTR357
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2007
- Messages
- 14,327
An off-center blade is a flaw and reflects a lower manufacturing standard. Like everything, you get what you pay for, therefore in cheaper knives that's probably acceptable, even expected, but not in more expensive knives. Having said that, I will not buy a knife that doesn't have a perfectly centered blade.
Cisco Kid,
:thumbup:That's an excellent,to the point post,& I couldn't agree more.
:thumbup:I also concur with Reeek,Tony8179 & a few others.
An off-centered blade is a slap in the face of the consumer.It doesn't matter whether you can fix it or not,you shouldn't have to.It's the same argument about companies pushing out dull,sloppy grinds on their edges off their line(you know who you are
).I know how to sharpen.I can figure out how to re-center.BUT I should NOT have too![kinda off-topic]
If there's one thing to say about Kershaw & Spyderco it is these things don't happen to them often & if they do,they make it right at NO COST TO YOU.For instance,I had a little problem with one of Kershaws knives awhile back.I PM'd Thomas about my problem.Well,Thomas didn't even ask me to send it in.He said he'd send me a new one.Couple days go past & what do I get?TWO,yes TWO brand new knives in my mailbox.Now friends,That's a Class Act!I've read of Sal doing similar things like this too.That's one of the reasons why I would NEVER turn my back on these two(& a couple of others)Companies.They care about their customers & they care about their reputation.
I guess what I'm trying to say here is if you can put out knives with off-centered blades & sloppy grinds ,as well as other things.You're saying you don't give a crap about your customers.All you care about is the bottom line.
[sorry bout' the mini rant]
