Centered blade, what does it matter?

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actionyak

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Feb 13, 2011
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I just picked up a Military new in standard handle and blade configuration, and a new Para-2 in standard configuration. They have both been so highly and often recommended here on the forums that I wanted to see if their reputations were waranted.

First impression of each is these are well designed, strong knives that should be amazing slicers. (And that Millie is huge!) I bought them both to be no consequence users. Use as designed, but no worries if they get beaten up, lost, etc. Easy to replace since not a sprint or limited run.

My only negative observation was that each has an off center blade while closed. Having made that observation, and determining that was a negative, I had to ask myself, "Why?" What does an off center blade take away from the functionality of the knife? Of course, if it is so off center it is rubbing the liner or interfering with closing or opening, that is a problem. That is not the case here.

Thoughts?
 
It can usually be corrected by tightening or loosing the pivot.
 
awh said:
It can usually be corrected by tightening or loosing the pivot.
Click to expand...

^This. Try adjusting the pivot tension. :) Likewise this is a common occurrence with frame/liner locks and their equivalents due to the pressure against the blade when closed. If it's not hitting/rubbing the liner then I'd be more concerned about the blade being centered when OPEN! :p
 
I do not think that loosing and tightening pivot would be of any help. Unless it is so loose that there is apparent blade play. In my experience it would require actually loosening and then tightening of all the bolts in the handle. You just try to achieve ideal alignment when you tighten the bolts back. A few times... And with some big knives even after many attempts it would not work. I tried it with my Rukus and only with limited success. And from practical point of view it does not matter of course. It is strange to hear about that problem with Milie and Paramilitary - they were always prized for being just so absolutely perfect by so many. And Paramilitary is in fact not so big to have it. But anyway, no practical consequences I am aware of.
 
My standard millie's blade is offcenter as well when closed... It is closer to the liner than I'd like to be, but it doesn't rub at all.

It's dead center when open though; that's all that really matters to me. :D
 
It doesn't matter to me, since my knives are tools that I use, not show-pieces that sit around on display. That being said, my Military has a warped blade, not just off-center (curves slightly along its length), which made it weird to sharpen until I got used to it.
Still not a big enough deal to cry about to a warranty department.
 
I've read a lot about off centered blades over the past many years. Many differing opinions about it. It used to bother me - but after buying and using many knives it just doesn't any more (unless the blade rubs the scale or liner).

A few of my knives actually got better as they broke in and with the parts mating the blade was able to be set closer to center.

A trick I've used in the past with mixed results - remove clip entirely. Loosen all remaining screws and pivot. Stick a folded piece of paper or index card in between the blade and the scale or liner on the side where the blade is closest to the scale or liner. Force the blade as far over towards the other scale as possible with the folded paper / card. With the paper / card in place, tighten the pivot firmly. Then tighten the screws and reinstall the clip. Remove the paper and loosen / set the pivot to the desired tension.

Sometimes there is enough play in the frame / scales of a knife that this get the blade to center.

Also - sometimes switching the washers helps.

I've had $80, $200 and $500 knives brand new with off center blades. None were so bad that they were even close to rubbing.

I say use them in good health - and send it in for warranty work if the problem gets too bad.

I've bought a lot of new cars and I can always find a few cosmetic defects or things that don't line up quite right. The car still performs as designed.
 
I agree with everyone above... if the blade doesn't rub on the liners, it shouldn't really matter. As long as it doesn't hinder the function of the knife itself, it's more an aesthetic thing than anything else. Personally though, I think subliminally it shows the quality that goes into the construction of the knife, as well as the quality assurance. No rub, no problem (for the most part).
 
As others have said, if there is no robbing, it doesn't matter. It's just one of those things perfectionist strive for.
 
I've had a couple that weren't perfectly centered that I was able to adjust with the pivot. I've also had a couple that were centered but not opening as smoothly as I wanted, and adjusting the pivot made them off center.

I think it speaks well of the manufacturer to have perfectly centered blades, as it demonstrates careful attention to detail. If they paid that much attention to the blade centering, then they may have put forth that much more effort in the overall construction of the knife. Unless the centering is really bad (to the point where the blade doesn't open smoothly or is rubbing against the liner), it really doesn't impact the knife's utility.

To an extent, I see blade play in kind of the same light. I always prefer no blade play, and knives having that also reflects well on the manufacturer's design and QC. I have a couple of knives with slight blade play, though, and it has not at all hindered the knives' ability to perform the tasks I've attempted.
 
It used to really bother me if a blade was off center. But now I can live with it, as long as the blade isn't rubbing when opening. I would prefer to have the option to adjust it. As an example, I love my Caly 3.5, the blade is a bit off center but it is not rubbing. The pivot screw doesn't move the blade in any direction unfortunately. The knife is smooth to open and close and isn't rubbing in any way. It is one heck of a slicer. So I will live with it.

Blade play, however, is a different story altogether. I will not tolerate vertical or horizontal blade play in a folder.
 
must see pics. sometimes this comes down to pickyness. pickin nits. if you gauged a closed blade of any folder its likely to show most are off to a degree. so how much is too much? really i think it depends on weather it causes rubbing or hinders knife operation in some way. or also if its so bad that a owner cant live with the imperfection. if either is true then the knife in question should be sent back to the seller if possible or sent in for warranty or sell it off outright. Ive seen pics of this kind of complaint that vary from bad to barely able to see its off center by eye.
 
These are pretty easy to see with the naked eye, but I've come to the conclusion it really doesn't matter. I may try playing with the pivot and all of that, but I'm not worried about it. Lock up is tight, there is no blade play, and with the blades out it makes no difference. I can't imagine it would cause a problem unless they continue to go towards the side. I like the post by Toyz that mentioned his centered up just from use as time went on.
 
actionyak said:
My only negative observation was that each has an off center blade while closed. Having made that observation, and determining that was a negative, I had to ask myself, "Why?" What does an off center blade take away from the functionality of the knife? Of course, if it is so off center it is rubbing the liner or interfering with closing or opening, that is a problem. That is not the case here.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

It's easy to center the Military and Para see here. And see here.

I use the first method but spotted the second while I was looking. :)
 
I have Military with the blade a little off center. It is a fine knife and has served me well for many years with no problem.

To me a blade that is slightly off center is a small cosmetic problem. The types of things that matter to me are.... Blade steel and heat/cryo treatment..... Blade shape and dimensions.... Lockup and movement.... Handle materials and shape.... Strength of construction.

Sure looks matter to me. But there's a chance I might buy a knife which I consider ugly if it has enough features I like. There's no chance I would buy a great looking knife which is badly made with poor materials.
 
I recently bought a standard s30v military that had the blade too close to the liner when closed. I tried everything, loosening screws, tightening pivot, alternatly loosening and tightening etc. Nothing worked. Somewhat frustrated I tried fully opening the knife and tweaking/bending the blade in the opposite direction of the liner it was close to rubbing. When I closed the knife, the blade fully rubbed the liner hard. I opened the knife again and tweaked it the other way. Damn if that didn't center it. It didn't make sense to bend it toward the liner I wanted to move it away from but it worked.
 
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