Help with blade centering techniques? (940-1 project)

GhostAlpha0

GhostAlpha0

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Apr 9, 2014
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So this is my project knife -- I bought a third party damascus blade and replaced the blade in my 940-1. For some reason I just can't get the blade centered. I've tried swapping the brass washers on each side of the blade at the pivot. I've also tried loosening all of the screws in the frame, tightening the pivot screw, placing a wedge in between the blade and the scales and then tightening the frame and loosening the pivot. Since it's a project knife I don't really have any options other than figuring it out myself. It's not like I can send it to Benchmade now.

Anybody have any ideas?

photo-2.jpg
 
This is how I do it


With the knife closed.
I would losen all the screws including the clip screws
Now snug down on the pivot. Not real tight, just hand tight.
I then gently, but firmly, apply pressure to each side of the knife in opposite directions.
Left side up/right side down or Left side down/right side up; while at the same time seeing what combination gives you the desired results.
While holding the right effect, start tightening screws. If the tightening of one particular screw ruins the effect.
Tighten this problem screw last.
Once all screws are tight, adjust pivot.
 
You can buy phosphor bronze bushings of different thickness to help adjust centering, most of the knife-kit type stores carry them.
 
Thanks for the tips. Not much luck so far. And now I've accidentally stripped one of the screws so I'm going to have to find a new set of screws before I can continue.
 
Just asking but was the factory blade centered on the knife, if so and the only change was the third party blade you may have to question their machining or heat treatment either could effect the blade shape. I have looked at similar 940 blades on the internet and it looks good but sometimes smaller production facilities can be a little questionable, some are great and some just want your cash.
Good luck, hope it gets fixed.
 
No it wasn't centered with the original blade. I wasn't too concerned since I picked it up on the secondary market intending to put the third party blade on it. I figured I would see what the new blade was like and then tweak it if necessary.
 
It's probably the handle that's off not the blade. Put the original blade back in and sent it back to Benchmade. The models with partial liners and flexible scale material seem to have the most issues with off center blades.
 
Redmasta said:
It's probably the handle that's off not the blade. Put the original blade back in and sent it back to Benchmade. The models with partial liners and flexible scale material seem to have the most issues with off center blades.
Click to expand...

Agreed on more of an issue with flexible handle material like carbon fiber. No matter how well I fixed my 940-1 and also sent it in to Benchmade for blade centering issues it eventually drifts back to the left after many open/close cycles.
 
I wonder if they had used a solid back spacer made of titanium/aluminum instead of standoffs if that would've helped keep the handles more rigid.
 
I agree there is noticeable flex in the 940-1 scales, also mine came from the factory off center and had to be returned to Benchmade to be fixed, but luckily it has maintained its centering after frequent use.
 
The flex is extreme... :( I love my 940-1 so much, but I have to tell the truth despite the love. I took the blade out to clean and with the pivot removed the knife is like wet pasta. You can flex the handles together easily and wiggle them around. It, to me, is all the beautiful blue standoffs fault. With the blade in place it is completely fine. It holds up to medium uses with zero perceived flex. I have, living dangerously out of curiosity, really put some force into bending the knife and it laughed at my attempts. We can conclude that in reality the knife is plenty strong and that this flex is one of those irrational yet real fears we share. I'm pretty well over it though.
 
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