Folding Hunter lock-up: the good and the not-so-good

the-accumulator

the-accumulator

Joined
Jan 24, 2008
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After recently acquiring this 1982 Case Shark Tooth, I realized how I have taken nice tight lock-up and minimal side-to-side wobble for granted. Perhaps I'm just accustomed to Buck 110s which, in my experience, are particularly tight. This Case is so loose in all directions that you can hear it wobble across the room!
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Overall fit and finish of the handle is great! Feels good in the hand, but it's definitely a loosey-goosey! What are your thoughts/experiences? T-A
 
I've wanted one of those for years but I haven't found one at a price I consider reasonable. I've never handled one myself. Sorry yours is so loose. The stoutest-feeling lockback I have is my Schrade LB7.
 
I have a Hammerhead and a Mako purchased back in day when issued. Both are tight.
Thought many times about picking up a Shark Tooth but never pulled the trigger.
I've seen just as many "loose" Bucks as any other production knife.
Often with production knives it's luck of the draw. And a used knife? ... maybe there's play and maybe there isn't. Maybe depends on how used in the hands of a previous owner.
I've sent as many Buck knives back to the mother ship for warranty work as I have Case knives. A couple each.
One specific knife is no indication of overall quality. Honestly I started out a few decades ago as a "Buck guy" but came to appreciate Case as well ... maybe more so.
 
It may be that a 40-year-old knife has had its share of prybar use in others' hands, which could loosen it up over time. I tend to believe lockbacks like the Buck 110s and similar models from other makers are more likely to have been used HARD, even if not necessarily for ordinary cutting tasks. Seen too many Buck 'beater' lockbacks on the 'Bay and elsewhere with broken tips on the blades, which makes it a little hard to ignore the possibility of harder-than-appropriate use over time. And it may've been also, that this particular knife might've also been sub-par from the beginning. But a 40-year history behind it today leaves open a lot of possible other reasons why it might not be so tight any more.

Years ago, while living in Texas, I went to Walmart one day to look into purchasing a Buck 112. They had some in stock that had nickel bolsters & frames, instead of brass. Upon asking to see one, the counter person pulled one of the boxes from inventory and slid it across the counter for me. I took the lid off the 2-piece box, glanced at what was inside and immediately slid the box back to the clerk. At some point prior to my seeing it, somebody had taken the new knife out of the box and replaced it with a many-years-old Buck 112 beater with about 1/2" of blade tip broken off. The counter clerk looked at what was in the box and just shook his head. He did let me inspect a few more in their boxes, and I did end up buying two of them. :)
 
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I have only one example, a mako with locks up tight with no movement that I can detect. How does the sharpshooter compare to the Mako size wise? Looks to be more rounded overall as well
 
peen the pivot. second hand knives ??? you have no idea how they were used or abused. if you can’t tighten the blade play live with it.

buzz
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
It may be that a 40-year-old knife has had its share of prybar use in others' hands, which could loosen it up over time.
Click to expand...
I've seen and also owned plenty of folders both large and small that have experienced more than their fair share of abuse, but most of those knives show many more signs of trauma. Worn and broken blades, grinder scars, dents from being hit by or used as a hammer would certainly not be unexpected on a knife with a blade this loose, but this Case shows none of those traits. And while use as a prybar can easily cause side play, this knife has loose lock up, suggesting it probably was made on a Monday.
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I arranged these four knives left to right, tightest to loosest. And no, I'm not responsible for the damage to the #3 knife. I just figured I'd use for cutting tar paper BEFORE I send it in to be rebladed. BTW, knife #2 dates from 1972, that's fifty years old! (Fifty years in someone's dresser drawer, I imagine!) Thanks to all for joining in the conversation. T-A
 
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