Bugout blade play

sharp_edge

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Jul 30, 2015
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I know fully well that it can be very tricky to adjust the action of Axis lock folders so that the blade (nearly) free drops while having no blade play, through tweaking the pivot screw tension, polishing the washers, lubing, etc. I have done so successfully with all my other Axis folders (including two Hogue Ritters). However, the S90V/CF Bugout that I have seems to be an exception. I saw recently a guy selling this model at the Exchange has this exact problem. I wonder how many Bugout owners have experienced this problem and which variant your Bugout is.
 
I don't know of any issues specific to that variant, but in general, achieving that smooth drop while maintaining no blade play may require adjusting both the pivot screw and the stop pin screw.
If you had the knife apart, you may have overtightened the stop screw during reasembly.
If the stop pin is tight and you loosen the pivot too much trying to get the blade to drop freely, then you will likely have blade play.
 
I have 3 Bugouts and have taken all 3 apart. None have what you describe.
But I do not have the S90V/CF model.
 
Check the washers for flatness. The washers are stamped so one side is always smoother than the other. Put that side against the blade. Only lube between the washer and blade. Try grease instead of oil. Try extreme micro adjustments.
 
Appreciate all the responses above. I did these tricks already. I think the blade play is a relative thing, depending on how much force I apply to wiggle the blade. It is not as bad as it sounds.
 
Bugouts are small thin knives with small thin blades, and much of the same shared hardware that's used in a variety of BM's of various sizes and shapes. IMHO, it's just sorta the nature of the beast. I love my Bugout and I'm not complaining, I just think it sorta goes along with the form factor. The blade play is small, and acceptable to me considering the price point. YMMV
 
I know fully well that it can be very tricky to adjust the action of Axis lock folders so that the blade (nearly) free drops while having no blade play, through tweaking the pivot screw tension, polishing the washers, lubing, etc. I have done so successfully with all my other Axis folders (including two Hogue Ritters). However, the S90V/CF Bugout that I have seems to be an exception. I saw recently a guy selling this model at the Exchange has this exact problem. I wonder how many Bugout owners have experienced this problem and which variant your Bugout is.
It's not really "a problem" that it can't be adjusted to "free drop" unless "free drop" is a BM manufacturing spec.
 
I’ve learned that the tension on the screws that hold in the liner can have a huge effect on the action. I‘m talking about the screws located close to the center of the grip on each side. After installing a titanium back spacer on my Bugout (nice improvement!) I checked tension on all the screws. The liner screw on the right side didn’t seem real tight so I torqued it down to what seemed correct - big mistake. It totally messed up the action and no adjustment of the pivot screw corrected the problem. Backed off the screw in question and the action is smooth as silk and no problem with blade play. All the screws on Bugout cannot just be screwed in tight. That’s why the use of Loctite is so important.
 
My bugout has had blade play since day one but nothing too extreme. I just lived with it and customized the crap out of it to make it mine.
 
After replacing both Omega springs due to one breaking and tweaking and lubing, I feel my 535-3 is now close to perfection.
 
My 535 CF-Elite had a tiny bit of vertical play that I was able to get out just by adjusting the pivot.
 
I know fully well that it can be very tricky to adjust the action of Axis lock folders so that the blade (nearly) free drops while having no blade play, through tweaking the pivot screw tension, polishing the washers, lubing, etc. I have done so successfully with all my other Axis folders (including two Hogue Ritters). However, the S90V/CF Bugout that I have seems to be an exception. I saw recently a guy selling this model at the Exchange has this exact problem. I wonder how many Bugout owners have experienced this problem and which variant your Bugout is.
My Blade HQ 535-2002 Bugout is smooth as silk after a little bit of a break in and screw adjustment. And, zero blade play!
 
I find that initially it should be a little tight so that it doesn’t drop home and close on it’s own. Work it for several days and it will break in, drop free, and be solid. You go trying to loosen it up before it’s broken in and you’re working with it way too loose.
 
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