Cuda Maxx O-ring causing blade play problems

Z

zeus36

Joined
Jan 28, 2004
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Had my Cuda Maxx for a few months and have replaced the washers with phosphor-bronze, added a fold over DR clip, used the factory clip on the other side for a tip-up option, and polished the pivot areas and washers. I noticed a lot of blade play which I feel is attributed to the O-ring being a bit fat and not allowing the female portion of the pivot pin from extending completely thru to the opposite scale. The head of the pin did not sit flush with the scale even though there is a counter bore for the O-ring to sit inside. Seems the tension backs off due to the rubber O-ring after several flips and snaps. I have tried locktite, but again the rubber "flex" allows side to side play. I removed the O-ring completely yesterday and all seems fine now.
Anyone else have this? Should I leave it as is or find a thinner O-ring?
 
Dirk said:
Was the blade play there before you did the work to the knife?
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Yes, never was a really positive lockup, alway had some flex. The frame lock would "squeak" as I was gripping it. I thought it was the teflon washers causing the movement of the blade (main reason I changed them)
Should the pivot pin head sit flush with the scale or sit just above the scale ridding on top of the O-ring?
 
Well, based on your last description and on some of the newer CUDA Maxxes I have handled, it sounds like the lock isn't engaging completely. That is, it wasn't bent over far enough.

The O-ring is there to keep tension on the pivot and pivot screw so you can set the tension on the pivot how you like it. With use, it is very possible for the pivot screw to loosen with the O-ring in place. Not likely, but possible. As far as the pivot head sittong fluch with the O-ring - no, it won't sit quite fluch. Some knives get close some don't. This is one of the donw sides to production knives. They don't get the indiviual attention that would make sure verything is just right.

I think you have one of two options. Try bending the lock over a bit more and seeing if that will eliminate the blade play. Or, send it back to Camillus.
 
I've rebent the lock tang just a bit and the lockup is perfect now. I locktite'ed the pivot screw in place after adjusting the pivot tension to my liking. I will be searching for a bit thinner O-ring in the mean time, as the whole pivot is rotating slightly. (maybe this is ok? because the tension remains constant...)
 
Hey Dirk,

I need three more of the button head Torx clip screws to attach the factory clip to the thong hole area for my tip up carry. (I'm using a Phillps countersunk flathead and locknut thru the thong hole now)
Where can I get these? Darrell's site?

Also wanted to restate something Logan5 mentioned in a prior post... tip up and drawing from the front pocket while using the guards as a wave feature makes this the fastest opener I've seen !
 
Try knifekits.com for the the torx screws.

The flipper on the maxxes inadavertantly turned out to be good at opening the blade on the draw.

This is not endorsed by Darrel or Camillus. The "wave" is Emerson's and neither Darrel or Camillus want to infringe on his patents.
 
Dirk said:
The flipper on the maxxes inadavertantly turned out to be good at opening the blade on the draw.

This is not endorsed by Darrel or Camillus. The "wave" is Emerson's and neither Darrel or Camillus want to infringe on his patents.
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Yes, I was at the Blade Show West on Saturday and the Emerson rep. wanted to know who put the clip on my Cuda Maxx for a tip-up carry. He was very concerned about "wave" and tip-up patents. I can see the "wave" issue but not the tip-up aspect. I thought Kershaw came out with a bottle opener on one of their knives that was essentially a "wave" and preceded the Emerson patent. The rep strongly disagreed!
 
Hello All

I just got my Cuda Maxx back with a few mod's: bronze washers, conversion to tip-up and a fold-over pocket clip.

The knife is now easier to carry and IMHO really brings out the best in this knife design.

While I respect Emerson Knives (and other patent holders), what I do with my knife after I purchase it in my own business. Also, who does the conversion work for me is also my business.

Sorry for the vent, just my 0.02
 
I cannot see why anyone in his right mind would want a tip-up CUDA MAXX. About the only worse combination that comes to mind is a tip-up Gunting.
 
FullerH said:
I cannot see why anyone in his right mind would want a tip-up CUDA MAXX. About the only worse combination that comes to mind is a tip-up Gunting.
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Hello FullerH

I'm not too sure why you think a tip-up Cuda Maxx is a bad idea.

Clipped to my front right pocket, there is no chance of it opening up on me and if I like, it can be "waved" open very quickly.

Not trying to start anything with you, but would like more information. Am I over-looking something? Thanks for your time sir.

Best regards,
 
From what I have gathered here and in other places, the only patent issue would be if someone marketed the conversion as a means to utilize the flipper as a wave. If you do it and don't market it, it would be hard to get into any legal issues. I don't personally endorse waving a maxx that has been converted to tip up. I realize that many people like that idea, but that is not the reason I do the conversion.

Tip up or tip down, which is right? Neither. It's a personal choice. Each way has it's own risks of personal injury. It is up to the individual to determine which is the best method of carry for them. They also need to understand what their knife will do when carried in that manner. I'm not just talking about putting it in the pocket and walking around the mall. Riding a bike, climbing a ladder or stairs, running, in and out of a car, crawling on the ground etc. After all, we are talking about a sharpened piece of steel just short of half a foot long.
 
Mine's now front pocket left side tip-up( I'm a lefty) and the blade sits at the aft seam of the pants pocket. It cannot open inside the pocket due to the seam. I carry this at work 8-14 hours a day depending on the op schedule, and I don't sit at a desk all day. I climb up ladders, drive a forklifts, big rigs, work on aircraft and in cockpits. BDU pants or Chinos or jeans are used for my style carry, with a Spyderco Military in the back pocket and a folding kerabit on a belt . The draw for the Cuda is the quickest and slickest of all my blades.
 
If you carry tip-up with a knife such as the CUDA MAXX, the extra size and weight of the blade makes it easier for the knife to open unintentionally. I see that some of you are taking precautions , such as carrying it with the blade set against the seam of the pocket, and that is a good idea. But both Daryll Ralph, the designer of the knife, and Will Fennell, then representing Camillus, Have said, in earlier threads, that they did not deem it safe to carry the CUDA MAXX in tip-up mode and that is why it is not offered from the factory with that option. I have never actually cut myself on a blade accidentally opening in my pocket, but I have come close on my Gunting and on my Salsa. The Gunting is tip-down, but the "horn" tends to catch on pocket linings and start the blade opening, while the Salsa it tip-up and I can only guess that the cause was a loose pivot screw. I now make it a practice to check the tightness of the pivot screws on my EDC knives as a part of regular maintenance.
 
FullerH, I have seen the comments you reference, but note that Mr. Ralph will (apparently) now modify the MAXX to tip-up carry. I've had some folders partially open in my pocket (one Microtech and one Emerson Commander), and it ain't fun! Clipping the folder so the spine of the closed blade is "restricted" by the seam of the pocket is (as you noted) a good idea.

Frankly, I carry any potential defensive device under the assumption I'll need it instantly (reacting to an iminent threat). So, tip-up & waved is the order of the day for me. I take pains to periodically brush my fingers against my folder to ensure all is well. It's now a conditioned reflex.

We all must weigh our circumstances and make our own decisions (informed decisions, hopefully :D ).
 
Hello FullerH

Thanks for the post. While the chances of the Cuda opening in my pocket are slim (snugged up to the pocket seam), the Cuda pretty much opens when drawn from the pocket (sometimes even when I'm not intending to open it). Since I really wanted the instant opening, I'm willing to live with this behaviour. However, I don't take this knife out around sheeple.

I found out the hard way with tip-up blades to keep the blade tucked toward a seam. A tip-up Spyderco Dodo I was carrying in the wrong pocket opened a bit. When I went to get some change, it bite me but good :( That lil' bugger is really, really sharp. Believe me, that won't happen again!

Best regards,
 
Darrel offers the tip up option on his knives by heavy customer demand. He still doesn't advocate it, he is just giving his customers what they want.

I've had my finger sliced open by tip up carry. The blade riding nice and tight against the seam. Or so I thought. The clip had a lot of tension and the handle had textured G-10. I didn't think was possible. However, I had been going up and down stairs a lot that day. Apparently that type of movement caused the knife to shift away from the seam just enough. The blade opened partially and slice! :eek: If I carry tip up, I make sure the knife has a very heavy detent. I also periodically check it to make sure it hasn't shifted in my pocket.

I also had one of my maxxes open while tip down. I got a nice little poke in the leg whn I sat down. Again, I have Darrel put a heavy detent on all of my maxxes.

If you carry your folder for work or SD, you need to learn it. It is a tool in either case. Just as a gun is a SD tool. You don't go buy a gun, slip into a holster and say, I'm ready to defend myself! Why would you do the same thing with a knife.
 
I found a bunch of O-rings at work and replaced my absent one under the pivot head. It was a tad thinner than the factory one and now the pivot head sits flush with the scale.
At the blade show, I saw that Emerson was using copper based Never-Seize on their pivot washers and since I had a can of it, I applied it to the washers on my Maxx. After setting the pivot tension and re-adjusting the lock tang tension (heavier, for more secure detent), it opens like it's on ball bearings. No more side flex of the blade around the pivot and now the framelock is rock solid.
 
I forgot to add Camilus Customer Service sent me the extra Torx clip screws for FREE (and more than I asked for!!)

Many Thanks to them.
 
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