Can you damage a knife by over-tightening the pivot?

VermontEdge

VermontEdge

Joined
Jun 10, 2015
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I don't mean by cranking it down to insane degrees. I have a ti framelock knife that dropped freely when the lock was disengaged. On framelocks, this bothers me. I'd rather have something that is still smooth, but requires really intentional closing (for the safety of my thumb and fingers).

Anyway, I tightened the pivot down as much as I felt comfortable doing, and while the action is still pretty smooth it won't free drop.

So, ignoring the risk of stripping (as I know what I'm doing) is there any damage that could occur to a knife or its (in this case) phosphor bronze washers by having a pivot too tight?

Thoughts much appreciated.

Thanks!
 
Not really. If you tighten it down too much, you'll just make it too difficult to move the blade (except with knives with pivot bushings).
 
Muaddib1116 said:
Not really. If you tighten it down too much, you'll just make it too difficult to move the blade (except with knives with pivot bushings).
Click to expand...

Awesome, thanks! That's what I figured. So the only real danger is stripping screws or making the knife too hard to open, right? So as long as it's centered, easy to open and not stripped it's just a preference thing?
 
VermontEdge said:
Awesome, thanks! That's what I figured. So the only real danger is stripping screws or making the knife too hard to open, right? So as long as it's centered, easy to open and not stripped it's just a preference thing?
Click to expand...

Yep.
And actually, a snug blade is better as it is that much closer to being a fixed blade.
I personally prefer it because it makes the knife feel good and solid when open.
 
If its has bearings then yes you can certainly damage it... If washers you will be fine.
 
I have my Ritter grip pretty tight where the thumb studs are the only way to open it.
 
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