Hello All- This is my first post, I'm a fng. However I've read an awful lot before registering. If I had known I was missing so much I would've registered sooner. Nevertheless I'm here now. I've been collecting, using and abusing blades since my grandfather gave me a wooden nickle (a very long time).
I received a Blur from my wife for my birthday in Nov '12. The torsion bar broke in approximately 3 weeks. I was surprised considering I had a leek for several years (before I gifted it to my father) and the torsion bar never snapped. But, I left the Blur broken and continued to use it. Having never taken it or my leek apart I had no idea that the bar, if broken wouldn't stay in place. Eventually the broken bar inside the Blur started impeding the action of the blade, so I tore it open. I removed the bar completely after checking here on BF that the ball/detent would work to hold the blade sufficiently.
I enjoyed my Blur without speedsafe, however the detent alone wasn't strong enough for me. So when I received the replacement bars from Kershaw I quickley repaired the speedsafe in my Blur so as to increase the blade retention. Waiting on spare parts around the holidays really sucked.
Quite simply, without the bar my Blur would swing open with little effort at all (mind you, it was extremely smooth). With the bar installed, my Blur needs a bit of a push to actuate the action. I enjoy there needing to be some effort exhausted on my part for any of my tools to function. For a paradoxical "relative-tangeant", I also enjoy manual safeties on firearms, lol. Even though my edc is a glock with only passive safeties. Sufficient for faster shots on target, especially after a long draw from concealment.
As for centering the blade on the Blur, it's actually very easy if you're dexterous enough. Hold the knife in your weak hand with the blade closed. Then using 2 fingers on your weak hand (while still holding the knife firm and steady) center the blade in the handle. While still holding the blade centered, use your torx to tighten the pivot with your strong hand. It will take a try or two to get the tension just right, however I found it easiest to get the pivot screw flush with the scale first, and then feel for the tightness of the screw.
To each their own on speedsafe; I love it personally. I just can't stand to think that the bar could snap at any moment, especially now that I know the bar can actually interfere with the action of the knife if not removed. I won't always have access to tools in the field, let alone torx bits. And so, I'm due to receive a zt0550 in 2 days.
I break gear. Guns, knives, packs, tools...I'm hard on my things, and few items survive me. I've heard nothing but good things about gen 2 0550's so we'll see.
Anyway, I hope my rambling introductory post isn't too annoying. Maybe the blade centering trick will provide me some redemption.
no biggy, finger tips sure bleed sometimes! I'm accident prone
