Do off-center blades bother you?

S

SubSpace

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May 26, 2011
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Just wondering your thoughts of off center blades on a user knife. I've got a lovely G-10 Peanut, the main blade of which almost, but not quite, rubs the handle when in the closed position.
It seems to have no impact at all on usability. But there's a touch of OCD in me that is bothered by it.
Is this a deal breaker for anyone?
 
On a mid-range production knife, I generally don't worry about it, unless the actual edge of the blade was in danger of colliding with the liner, or if it rubs enough to restrict or slow the closing of the blade. Especially on a small, thin blade like the Peanut, it's very common for them to have at least a little bit of bend/curve in the blade. Thin blades are very sensitive to uneven cooling after heat-treat, and it's very easy for them to warp a little bit.
 
I have a bit of the OCD, too. It bothers the heck out of me. I wish it didn't. I have returned several knives for that very reason.
 
It doesn't bother me much. It's very common on the peanuts. I always check for off center blades when I buy a knife, but I don't think it's ever stopped me from buying a Case. On the little patterns, the blades seem to go back and forth from being centered to off-centered from time to time on a given knife, when it's used. As long as there's no blade play, nothing rubs too much, and everything's flush, I have no real problem with it.
 
SubSpace said:
Do off-center blades bother you?
Click to expand...

WAY more than they should, yes. It's a sickness I think.

You know how you can sort of reposition the blade on most slipjoints by pushing it towards center? My favorite custom single blade lays a TINY bit off center, I mean barely perceptible, and I literally cannot admire it with out nudging the blade until it is perfectly centered. Can you say OCD?

On Production models I have convinced myself not to worry about it if the blade is "mostly" centered. By that I mean closer to center than than either liner, or not touching another blade on a multi-blade knife.
 
SubSpace said:
Just wondering your thoughts of off center blades on a user knife....Is this a deal breaker for anyone?
Click to expand...

Yes. Can't help myself. I don't always notice and have had a few that I only noticed when I went to sell them and the buyer asked me specifically to check. But for those that are off-centered enough that I notice, it bothers me.
 
The centering of blades will often change over time, too. Traditional knives with thin brass/nickel liners will bend & flex with use, and even distort in shape sometimes. That usually makes the blades move a bit, sometimes even 'correcting' a formerly off-center blade. That's why I don't worry too much if it's off-center today; it might look different tomorrow. ;)
 
If the blades rub together,then it kind of ruins it for me.Blade wobble also bugs the $hit out of me.
 
Comforting words from those not affected. And for those who are bothered, glad to know I'm not alone!
 
On higher end knives, say $400 and up, the blade should be centered...PERIOD. It bothers me alot, and it also bothers me when others try to convince you that, "it's no big deal"
 
Most of my GEC and Case multi-blade knives have blade rub to some extent. I guess it doesn't bother me because I always put up with it before becoming a knife nut.
 
Anything less than $100 and I wouldn't be bothered by it unless the edge was hitting other metal. Anything over $200 for me and the blade better be centered, it better be self-oiling, and the knife better do my college homework every night too!
 
A custom knife? Absolutely.
A production knife? Not so much.
 
If it bothered me I'd have to get rid of three-fourths of my knives, maybe more. If the edge catches on the liner when I close the knife, I find it a little annoying. If it makes the knife cut crooked, I find it even more annoying. What really bugs me is people making a big deal out of a blade being a few thousandths of an inch off center. I have to feel sorry for those guys, I'm sure they will never get any enjoyment out of life.
 
Naw. If it's a working knife, then I don't care. If a custom knife is off center as a result of use, that doesn't bother me, either.
 
I like a tight and centered at rest folder.I wouldnt return a knife if it were off center a bit though.
 
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