How do I tighten up a detent hole? (yeah I know...)

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Fire_Brand

Joined
Dec 30, 2009
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I have a frame lock and the blade has some very slight up and down loose wiggle in the closed position as if the hole for the detent ball is too big allowing some slop. It is a minor issue that doesn't effect performance, but it's annoying and just makes the knife feel crappy.

I'm thinking I could take JB weld or something similar, fill in the detent hole on the blade and ream it out with a toothpick or something while it is still wet to try and make the diameter of the hole smaller. I wanted to get some feedback on this idea before I went and ruined my knife though.

Has anyone else had this issue and has it bugged you enough to attempt a fix? What would be the best way to correct this? I will add that this is a flipper and the detent is VERY strong so it isn't that the ball just pops out or it opens unexpectedly, it just wiggles around in the hole.
 
I have a ZT0550 blem with the same situation; lots of blade movement up and down when closed. It is also difficult to open using the thumbstuds because it feels like the blade hangs up a bit on all that extra slop versus previous 0550/0551's I've owned.

Hopefully someone will have an idea or suggestion to help. :thumbup:

edit: Maybe press fitting a larger detent would help? Never tried that before so I'm outside of my comfort zone...
 
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Fire_Brand said:
Why not? It just needs to act as a filler. Honestly even if it wasn't on the leading edge where it would see most of the wear it could fill in the far side of the hole to eliminate the slop.
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I'm thinking it would chip out easily as such a small amount is needed; not much surface contact means it wouldn't last long.
 
Czechmate said:
I have a ZT0550 blem with the same situation; lots of blade movement up and down when closed. It is also difficult to open using the thumbstuds because it feels like the blade hangs up a bit on all that extra slop versus previous 0550/0551's I've owned.

Hopefully someone will have an idea or suggestion to help. :thumbup:

edit: Maybe press fitting a larger detent would help? Never tried that before so I'm outside of my comfort zone...
Click to expand...

That would definitely do it if it is possible. I definitely don't have the skill or tools to do that myself, but yeah a bigger ball or a smaller hole seems like it would solve it!
 
Czechmate said:
I'm thinking it would chip out easily as such a small amount is needed; not much surface contact means it wouldn't last long.
Click to expand...

Probably true, but if that's the only concern I think I'm going to give it a shot then. Worst case is that it doesn't last, best case is my problem gets solved! I may try superglue though since maybe that will have a better chance of adhering and staying.

I would still appreciate more suggestions though, I'm really only going to try the glue thing as a last option.
 
Fire_Brand said:
That would definitely do it if it is possible. I definitely don't have the skill or tools to do that myself, but yeah a bigger ball or a smaller hole seems like it would solve it!
Click to expand...

I believe all you'd need is a pin punch and slightly larger detent with the hole drilled out to fit it. Press fit into place in a vice or a press or something. ;):D:thumbup:
 
Make the hole smaller with a round punch. JB Weld is just epoxy.
 
Honestly you may not have to do anything to the hole and may just need an adjustment. Many of these chinese knives have a slip fit and there is some give to the parts. There is a trick that many sebenza owners utilize to get earlier lockup by loosening the handle screws and putting bias on the two scales and then retightening everything. Some knives for whatever reason have a larger hole than is needed and they seem to be made to have the edge of the ball ride the edge of the detent hole. Its a hard thing to describe but I wouldnt go messing with the detent hole in the blade. I have had several knives with this issue from $75 CRKT's to $400+ knives and Its always something I was able to adjust out. And after tightened down it never comes back unless the knife takes a really sharp drop to concrete or if I disassemble and forget about the issue.
 
What knife is it ???

If there is play in the detent, there is likely play in the blade stop area.
 
bigmark408 said:
What knife is it ???

If there is play in the detent, there is likely play in the blade stop area.
Click to expand...

the person is talking about a daboia. It is a chinese knife manufactured by Kevin john but its not a clone of anything though it borrows inspiration from a number of sources. The knife has a hidden stop pin design similar to a custom knife factory Decepticon. The stop pin is actually in the blade and uses the frame as the stop. And it also has thumbstud stops as well.
 
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