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Do you like your PM2 blade to hang loose or tight?

C

csisland

Joined
Aug 8, 2013
Messages
979
Some users have said that they actually prefer a tightened pivot screw or blade and control the deployment while others I see the blade hanging loose and the deployment is quick. Which do you prefer?
 
Like my Manix' as well I prefer the blade to be right in between. I can flick it open but closing takes a shake to drop back into the handle.
I was bitten a few times by loose blades and learned my lesson.
 
My blade drops when I hold the knife out and release the lock, so loose, I guess. Maybe I just got lucky, but mine was like that from the factory, and has 0 blade play in any direction.
 
Everyone I have is pretty much the same, once you crank the pivot screw all the way, it has a preset tension. Loosening the screws creates blade play and wobble.
 
I like it right at the point where it flicks open easily, but blade play is minimized. If I err, its on the side of having a loose, flickable blade. I'm okay with a teeny bit of blade play to accomplish that.
 
I've found that I like just enough tension in the pivot to keep it from swinging freely but still be able to close it one handed.
 
RevDevil said:
Everyone I have is pretty much the same, once you crank the pivot screw all the way, it has a preset tension. Loosening the screws creates blade play and wobble.
Click to expand...

When I got my PM2, I was unable to flick it open with my thumb unless I helped it along with some wrist action. I loosened it a bit so it would flick open a little easier. I'm not sure what you mean about the preset tension. If I tighten the pivot screw all the way, it would be unflickable.
 
I like em a little tighter. I use the full arch with my thumb to open all my Spydercos. Not really into flicking.
 
Haven't touched a screw on mine, and it falls free when pushing the lock. Came like that from the factory, and I like it that way.
 
Screwdriver said:
I like em a little tighter. I use the full arch with my thumb to open all my Spydercos. Not really into flicking.
Click to expand...

I see. So you keep pressure on the hole with your thumb all the way through. and control it, rather than flick it open?
 
I never flick open my PM2 because I don't want the blade hammering on the stop pin. I'm afraid over time it would lead to blade play, but I do flick open my Manix 2 a good portion of the time.

I like the blade a little loose but I've seen them so loose that they would swing freely and at some point you could push on the lock and the blade would swing all the way into the handle. I would like a tiny bit of resistance so it won't do this because I don't want to have a fingertip a little bit in the way. So far I've only handled 4 PM2's- 2 of the had a little resistance, 2 of them would swing freely.
 
To me the goal for any of my knives is to have it tight yet loose at the same time. Minimize both friction and bladeplay.

While I find a little friction tolerable, blade play is not at all. So i only keep knives with zero blade play, but my favorites are the ones that are exceptionally smooth still. On knives I consider well made that balance is easier to find. That's why I like the para2. When locked mine is quite solid, yet when the lock is disengaged it glides like there's nothing to hold it.
 
csisland said:
When I got my PM2, I was unable to flick it open with my thumb unless I helped it along with some wrist action. I loosened it a bit so it would flick open a little easier. I'm not sure what you mean about the preset tension. If I tighten the pivot screw all the way, it would be unflickable.
Click to expand...
Well, the few I have seem to be set from the factory with the screws tightened all the way down. I did try and adjust the pivot on them and it could not be tightened any more than what it was. It wasn't the loctite either. As soon as I loosened the pivot, the blade would become off centered and it would get blade play.
 
My orange Para 2 took endless fiddling for me to get my desired action. That being no play and a free swinging blade. Unfortunately, I can't dial the play out of my green Para and still have a knife that is operable with one hand. It's a work in progress though.
 
From the box, mind was loose and had a little side to side play at the pivot.
After releasing the screws but not disassembling I could clean and lubricate one side of the blade / washer and after replacing the screws there is no play, and a nice smooth action.
The blade will swing open/shut with just a slight twitch of the wrist, when the lock is depressed. Perfect.
 
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