Fixing XM-18 blade centering issue?

G

Gideons

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Dec 9, 2015
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Hello BF,

Normally this doesn't bother me I'm just curious. To get the XM-18 I own to perfect flipper action why have no side to side blade play, the knife heavily favours the G10 side. I feel like it may of gotten worse, I remember it use to be slightly off center, now it is almost rubbing. I worry that it may keep progressing to that side, or maybe it was always that close to the G10. Either way, does anybody have any tips/tricks to fix blade centering? Also, does hinderer service stuff like this?

Thank you,

Gideons
 
From the Hinderer Facebook page:
How do I center my blade?
1. Open blade to 90 degrees and tighten pivot so that it is really tight.
2. Close the blade and loosen frame screws so they aren’t tight, but still holding the frame together.
3. While the blade is still in the closed position, pull blade towards the side you want the blade to move. In my case, I pulled the blade toward the liner/scale.
4. While pulling blade, tighten the frame screws.
5. Loosen the pivot and adjust it to the desired tension.
 
Tried both, really didn't help sadly. I guess I will just get use to not being centred. It seems like that is a common thing with hinderers. It isn't rubbing or anything so it is fine.
 
Sorry to hear about your Hinderer problem G Gideons . I know Hinderer would gladly help you out but I get how shipping back and forth to the States from Canada is a hassle as customs up there can be arbitrary and unpredictable.

Anyway, check out this thread that I posted last May concerning centering knives over at the Benchmade wing of BF. The methodology described there involves using a vise with the blade in an open position rather than just moving it with the knife closed. This affords greater leverage and control and I and others have had good results with problem knives using this technique. Hope it's some help to you.

--Steve
 
Gideons said:
Tried both, really didn't help sadly. I guess I will just get use to not being centred. It seems like that is a common thing with hinderers. It isn't rubbing or anything so it is fine.
Click to expand...
Curious did you check your washers and your stop pin. If the washer is frayed it can cause it to be off. Also the stop pin has to be all the way in. I have worked on many that customers took apart and could not get centered and more often than not it was the stop pin. Strange to hear you have heard centering is a problem on Hinderer knives. I rarely ever see a new one that is not dead centered.
 
One of the washers may of been a little bent(it looks like it straightens out when it is in the knife from compression)? But, not frayed. Here are pics of centering and pin.

u1JXYCl.jpg

dkJoC1F.jpg
 
Last edited:
Gideons said:
One of the washers may of been a little bent(it looks like it straightens out when it is in the knife from compression)? But, not frayed. Here are pics of centering and pin.

u1JXYCl.jpg

dkJoC1F.jpg
Click to expand...

How hard is the tension on your lock bar? If it's sprung with a lot of tension it may be pushing the blade off center.

In my experience, hinderers can work themselves off-center as the nylon washers wear. You could try changing them out for phosphor bronze washers. But if the issue is too much lock bar tension that may not solve the problem.
 
Like Whitty said, the stop pin could likely be the issue. I'd take it down and make sure their isn't debris in the holes the stop pin sets in. If is can't fit all the way down in the hole, it can put the pivot on a bind.
 
I agree, check the stop pin first. Bronze washers can be obtained at USAknifemaker dot com. The size you need is 1/4"ID x 1/2"OD x .015"Th.

If you go that route expect to need to polish up the washers on 2000 grit sand paper or finer to get them dialed just right.
 
Loosen the pivot and grip screws, then put a wad of paper in between the blade and frame and force it over to the other side a bit, then re-tighten everything. Finally, remove the paper.
 
Officer's Match said:
Like Whitty said, the stop pin could likely be the issue. I'd take it down and make sure their isn't debris in the holes the stop pin sets in. If is can't fit all the way down in the hole, it can put the pivot on a bind.
Click to expand...

I double checked, and yes as that picture confirms the stop pin is completely in its place.
 
Gideons said:
I double checked, and yes as that picture confirms the stop pin is completely in its place.
Click to expand...
Not saying you are wrong, but how does that picture show whether or not the blind holes have anything preventing the stop pin for seating fully?
 
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