Hinderer Half Track Issues...

[photoman12001]

I've been wanting to try a Half Track for a while and finally picked one up. It has been custom anodized but was described as being like-new otherwise. It fell short of that description, a very disturbing trend that I'm starting to run into a lot.

Anyway, an issue with this one is that the belly of the blade has a ding from striking one of the pillars when closing. The middle of the pillar also has a ding down the middle showing where it contacts. The blade does not touch the pillar if closed slowly but it has enough play that it can be pushed down to the pillar once it's closed or contact it when closed with a little force. I figured this was a result of improper modding or something until I saw another Half Track for sale today that appears to have a ding on the blade in the same area, though it's hard to tell. Now I'm wondering if this is an issue with the design. My MP-1 will also dip a little further into the handle when closed if pressure is applied to the blade spine but not nearly as much as this Half Track or enough to touch the pillar.

The other thing I've noticed is that there seems to be quite a bit of play between the blade and pivot when the knife is partially open. It locks up solidly though and the pivot seems to be solid within the scales.

Overall I really like the knife. I haven't disassemble it or anything because I might explore return options.

Here is a photo of the damaged edge area. Sorry for the poor quality but I don't have a better setup right now and apparently the iPhone application I used to magnify stuff like this doesn't offer that feature anymore. I know it's not easy to see the ding but it at least shows the affected area. I'll also include the video I shot to display issues to the seller.

Can anyone else tell me if they've seen this issue?
Tagging whitty since many of these have passed through his hands.

 

[whitty]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! You can not talk bad about my favorite knife ever made Personally I think you should be banned immediately

In all seriousness. The knife has more than likely been altered. I own 10 Half Tracks now and have checked out plenty of them. Detent rock has never been an issue. Where I have seen detent rock on a Half Track is when people try to alter the detent hole by following a video on You Tube about how to make their knife have a stronger detent. I would be willing to bet good money that the detent hole on this knife has been altered. With that said I am shocked it could have been altered enough to make it hit the standoff. I just checked around 20 of our Half Tracks and there is more than enough gap in them that they would never hit the standoff even if altered. In my opinion I would send it back and demand a refund. If you have further questions or want to get in more detail off line please feel free to email me anytime at scott@usamadeblade.com

 

[photoman12001]

Thanks whitty . I figured you would be the best source for information on this one. I do like the design a lot.

 

[photoman12001]

I just took a look at the detent hole and it doesn’t appear to have been altered. There is a well-worn track in the blade's finish from the detent ball but the finish around and without the hole seems to be intact. The overall blade finish seems to original too since the factory markings are crisp and don’t seem to be altered (light source is blowing out the markings in the photo).

I also shot a message to Hinderer to inquire about the issue.

 

[whitty]

I want to share one other thing. We recently had a customer return a Half Track saying there was detent rock. He swore he had not touched the knife except to lube the pivot. When I received it back in the mail I had no doubt it had been altered. I took it apart and it was obvious the detent hole had been drilled. When I confronted the customer they still denied it had ever been touched. I found the denial strange as there were still small parts of metal fragment stuck to the washers.

Normal is on the left and altered is on the right!

https://flic.kr/p/Z4Rmkj https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/

 

[Lapedog]

Damn what a beautiful stonewash!

 

[photoman12001]

I want to share one other thing. We recently had a customer return a Half Track saying there was detent rock. He swore he had not touched the knife except to lube the pivot. When I received it back in the mail I had no doubt it had been altered. I took it apart and it was obvious the detent hole had been drilled. When I confronted the customer they still denied it had ever been touched. I found the denial strange as there were still small parts of metal fragment stuck to the washers.

Normal is on the left and altered is on the right!

Oh yeah, that has obviously been altered.

 

[Lapedog]

If I compare the size of the hole to the letters USA S35vn in Photoman's picture to the letter size compared to the hole in witty's picture it looks to me like photoman's may have an altered hole after all.

Look at the letter A of USA in Photoman's pic. The detent hole is big enough it could completely cover the A. Now look at witty's pic. The detent hole is way smaller than the A in USA.

I realize you can't actually compare by photos due to angle differences and whatever. If you look closely though and compare detent hole size to letter size it looks like it may have been altered.

Also isn't there something else on this knife stopping the blade from over closing other than a detent? For example the stop pin contacts part of the blade near the heel of the blade.

 

[whitty]

I just took a look at the detent hole and it doesn’t appear to have been altered. There is a well-worn track in the blade's finish from the detent ball but the finish around and without the hole seems to be intact. The overall blade finish seems to original too since the factory markings are crisp and don’t seem to be altered (light source is blowing out the markings in the photo).

I also shot a message to Hinderer to inquire about the issue.

Very hard to say from the Pic. Trying to gauge a few we have here at the same angle and I could not say yes or no. I will say the full ti Brick Pattern were some of the first they ever did. Maybe they made some changes but I don't think so. Regardless where you bought it from the issues with the knife were not detailed and that would be an issue for me. Once again if I can help at all please let me know.

 

[whitty]

If I compare the size of the hole to the letters USA S35vn in Photoman's picture to the letter size compared to the hole in witty's picture it looks to me like photoman's may have an altered hole after all.

Look at the letter A of USA in Photoman's pic. The detent hole is big enough it could completely cover the A. Now look at witty's pic. The detent hole is way smaller than the A in USA.

I realize you can't actually compare by photos due to angle differences and whatever. If you look closely though and compare detent hole size to letter size it looks like it may have been altered.

Also isn't there something else on this knife stopping the blade from over closing other than a detent? For example the stop pin contacts part of the blade near the heel of the blade.

Good catch on the photo. The stop pin is built in to the blade and yes it does stop the blade from hitting the stand offs. That is what is really weird here. Should have never been an issue. The only way I could see it happening is if they were testing the knife after drilling the hole, with out the knife completely assembled, and hit it past the detent.

I will also state that Hinderer, like any company, can make mistakes, and a bad apple can get out there. While I think this knife has been messed with, I have not seen it in person. Even the knife I got back, I sent to Hinderer for verification on the detent hole being drilled. Also for additional information, the knife I got back in had no issues with closing too far to hit the standoffs.

 

[halden.doerge]

I want to share one other thing. We recently had a customer return a Half Track saying there was detent rock. He swore he had not touched the knife except to lube the pivot. When I received it back in the mail I had no doubt it had been altered. I took it apart and it was obvious the detent hole had been drilled. When I confronted the customer they still denied it had ever been touched. I found the denial strange as there were still small parts of metal fragment stuck to the washers.

Normal is on the left and altered is on the right!

Man, dealing with dishonest customers like that must suck. Hopefully it's a small minority.

 

[photoman12001]

Edit: I see the stop pin was addressed above.

Judging by the size of the track caused by the detent compared to the size of the detent hole (using whitty’s photos as a reference) and the intact finish in & around the hole leads me to think the hole is not altered. Also, I would hope the knife is not designed to rely on the detent to stop blade travel into the handle when closed. Detents are made to be overcome. The internal stop pin is what should be keeping the blade from traveling farther into the handle. Maybe there is an issue in that area.

 

[whitty]

Man, dealing with dishonest customers like that must suck. Hopefully it's a small minority.

It is a small minority but happens more than people would think. I never understand it. You spent a lot of money on a good knife. It shows up and there is a feature about it that is less than what you expected, why do you not just send it back? I am sorry but as soon as you use it or alter it, it is yours.

 

[Lapedog]

That's what I am saying. It should be a stop pin problem not a detent one. The half track has that weird stop pin which is those little metal caps visible in witty's pic of the blades

 

[whitty]

That's what I am saying. It should be a stop pin problem not a detent one. The half track has that weird stop pin which is those little metal caps visible in witty's pic of the blades

The internal Stop Pin is built in to the blade, and I agree it should definitely stop the knife from hitting the standoffs, and on all the ones we have it does. My theory above is that they drilled the detent hole and then tested it before assembling the knife back together. This throws everything off center and can cause the knife to hit the standoff. I only know this because I have messed around with enough of them (anodizing and customizing) that I have made this mistake. These are the ones we sell out of our store for a discount. We also disclose everything wrong we did to the knife. This is just my theory, and without having the knife in my hands or having Hinderer personally check it out, I could not say one way or another for fact.

 

[sharp_edge]

OP - I dont own the model but based on my experience with other folding knives, I suspect the cause is the size of the pivot is a bit too small. That there is blade play when the knife is half open is a giveaway. Based on your description, when the knife is closed and you try to push the blade, thete is play/wiggling, correct?

I dont know how KAI fixed the issue in my cases of ZT/Hinderer collab, but I dont think it was fixing the detent hole. It could be the replacement of the pivot.

 

[Officer's Match]

With regard to the internal stop pin, you guys are looking at the wrong part(s). The scales would be the part to inspect for mod's/defects, in the spot where the stop pin contacts (in the closed position).

edit: I just watched the video in the OP and I would definitely say the "timing" is off in the closed position, ie the stop pin in not engaged with the knife in closed detent.

 

[jwh720]

I have had my half track for awhile now and reading this thread made me remember shortly after I got it and carried it a chip appeared on the edge. I figuered it was from use and it gave me a reason to reprofile it to 17 dps. So I did and it hasnt been an issue. Your thead made me think maybe mine had been hitting on the stand off too, after checking I think it definitely had been. Here is a pic of the stand off you can see the mark in it .

Mine however doesn't not have any blade play what so ever. Strange.

It was purchased new from a dealer and no mods were made. And after the sharpening I have not had any other issues, infact if I had not seen this thread I probably would have never known that the standoff caused the chip.

 

[photoman12001]

OP - I dont own the model but based on my experience with other folding knives, I suspect the cause is the size of the pivot is a bit too small. That there is blade play when the knife is half open is a giveaway. Based on your description, when the knife is closed and you try to push the blade, thete is play/wiggling, correct?

I dont know how KAI fixed the issue in my cases of ZT/Hinderer collab, but I dont think it was fixing the detent hole. It could be the replacement of the pivot.

The only other knife of mine on which I’ve noticed significant play between the blade and pivot while the blade is partially open is a Southern Grind Spider Monkey. If pressure is applied to the blade spine of that knife while closed it will also dip down farther into the handle, similar to this Half Track, though it does not contact a pillar.

 

[photoman12001]

I have had my half track for awhile now and reading this thread made me remember shortly after I got it and carried it a chip appeared on the edge. I figuered it was from use and it gave me a reason to reprofile it to 17 dps.

It was seeing another used Half Track for sale that seemed to have the same edge damage that made me ask about it here. The photos of that knife are good and it appears to be in excellent condition otherwise. I asked the seller to verify if the edge has a ding there but they have not responded.