Catapult 288 vs. Quickfire 288

Plumberdv

Plumberdv

Joined
Sep 26, 2008
Messages
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I just got a new in the box Catapult made in 2007. It was only made that one year and then disappeared from the catalog. It reappeared in the 2009 mid-year catalog as the Quickfire with the same #288 model number.

I had a couple of Quickfires but I gave them away as gifts so I don't have one here to compare too (I've ordered another one) but I remember them opening fully like any other ASAP's that I have, so meanwhile, I'll ask here.

Was the reason that the Catapult was discontinued because it doesn't open (ASAP) as it should? Mine will rarely open to the locked position using the ASAP system alone. I still have to "flick" it the rest of the way open by flipping my wrist. I've cleaned and relubed the pivot point, but it just seems as if the spring isn't strong enough.

Anyone else have any experience with them?
 
That sounds about right Dave! I still wonder if it can be sent back under warranty or not? Who knows maybe the old catapult will be worth something, like a sawby down the road LOL :)
 
I just had 1 for sale, but no one wanted it, so I gave to a friends son. That Catapult opened fully every time. I have a RUSH that got slow and wouldn't open fully. I took it apart to clean the pocket lint out....I wouldn't recommend taking any ASAP apart....I had no idea there could be so many tiny pieces :o
 
I had the original 2007 Catapult for many years, before the handle cracked. I sent it in for replacement, and received the newer QuickFire model. I had a problem with the Catapult, not wanting to fully open and lock upon releasing blade. The blade itself seemed to rub the metal frame(body) of the knife, clearly polished drag areas on the base of blade. I had the Catapult apart many times to grease all the nylon bushing, and know how buck fixed this problem.

On the QuickFire, specifically the non-clip side metal frame(body) portion of the handle, around the pivot hole for the Torx head screw that holds blade in place. Buck knife company cut away a void (void area shaped like thin piece of uncooked curved macaroni,,, or,,, a rainbow), just outside the pivot hole, thus creating a flex point when torqued upon assembly. This eliminated the problem of the Catapult side frames being squeezed together upon torquing, causing all the drag marks like my initial 2007 Catapult. The QuickFire is way better design and gives blade plenty of room to zip right open, locking up right away.
 
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