Correct blade tension for large BM Axis Locks?

T

trooplewis

Joined
Sep 19, 2005
Messages
58
My new TSEK has virtually no tension on the blade. By that I mean that if you have the knife open and are holding it horizontally, edge down, when you release the axis lock lock the blade "flops" straight down, and if you keep holding the lock open it will swing back and forth like a pendalum with just the slighest wrist motion.

My 707 is tighter, but the blade being much smaller and lighter, thought I'd ask what the norm is. Does the pivot pin need tightening? How do you gauge proper tension?
 
Well, that's up to you. If you feel it's too loose, tighten it. If you think it's too tight, loosen it. Lather, rinse, repeat!

Different users have different needs. In some jurisdictions, having a knife blade that swings open under its own weight is a felony charge just waiting to happen. Others like to fflip 'em open and closed like a balisong.

For a general guideline, though, your should keep the pivot tight enough to eliminate any lateral blade play, e.g. the blade shouldn't move from side to side; yet loose enough that you can open it without a shoehorn and pliers. Beyond that, whatever floats yer boat!
 
I loosen mine off as much as possible until it gets some left to right blade play. Then tighten up gradually until the play is gone.
Being able to use the weight of the blade to open and close it has its advantages when using your knife all day, especially in awkward positions.
 
The lateral blade play is the key...as loose as possible without exhibiting any blade play and you're good..usually, it's just BEFORE the free swinging phase, where if you move the handle around a little, the blade will swing, but you still have to help it a little. This is about perfect, I find. A lot of people use screw drivers to tighten up their benchmades, but a little tip, I just use a ton of thumb pressure on the screw to tighten it or loosen it up whenever I want....works surprisingly easily.
 
I agree with pretty much everyone else here.

Although i would add find the sweet spot you like, and use a dab of Blue Medium strength Loc-Tite on the screw to keep it there.

WR
 
I don't think I've ever adjusted my 710, and it swings freely with the lock open but locks up tight when you let go. I never even really thought about it. Just lucky I guess.
 
Shmackey said:
I don't think I've ever adjusted my 710, and it swings freely with the lock open but locks up tight when you let go. I never even really thought about it. Just lucky I guess.
Click to expand...

I think you are lucky. :) I had to loosen mine, and I have treated it with Militec-1. Now when I release the AXIS lock the blade will swing open under it's own weight. If I hold it right I can release the AXIS lock and re-engage it without moving the knife at all and have the blade fall all the way open and lock.

I don't have any blade play once it's locked up.
 
Well, it should lock up fine no matter how loose...it's the lateral blade play that concerns me. Not that that should really be a big deal if you use your knife properly, but it bothers me.
 
I appreciate the help, I do think that it is a little too loose; there is just a hair or 2 of lateral movement in the blade.
I will be stopping by Home Depot today to get the torx tool I saw in another thread to make the adjustment and put a little loctite on the threads.
 
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