How do you define "zero blade play"

T

the kid

Joined
May 5, 2008
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This seems like a stupid question, but I considered all my knives to have zero or no blade play.

Until I was adjusting the pivot screw off a knife to make it open smoother, and checking for blade play while doing so. I noticed a very slight movement of the blade which could not be felt but only seen if you look hard.

I checked some other knives and they all seem to have this. Maybe not when the pivot screw is being tightened to the max, but this would make opening the blade very difficult.

Is this still considered zero or no blade play?
I ask because I want to review some knives in the future and don't want to give false information.
 
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If the knife doesn't rub the scales or present any danger, I'm fine with it. Blade play is inevitable with any knife, many Bali flippers even like the loose feel.
Just my $0.02
 
I'm fine with it to, I just checked again and it really is very very very minor. You can barely see it even if you look very hard. Just want to know if this is considered zero blade play or not for future reviews.

Maybe even a $300 Sebenza has this amount of blade play and it is considered zero, I don't know. :)
 
I have the same question. So what is the big deal about zero blade play? Why even mention it on most knifes $50. and over? I find it ridiculous that someone would mention blade play on a sebenza.
 
there will be movement or flex in any folder since there are multiple parts interacting.

i am concerned when this movement creates a noticeable gap between the blade and scales. in other words, there is blade play when i can "rattle" the blade back and forth.
 
colubrid said:
I have the same question. So what is the big deal about zero blade play? Why even mention it on most knifes $50. and over? I find it ridiculous that someone would mention blade play on a sebenza.
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My $5 Rough Rider came with zero blade play If a knife doesn't or at least if I can feel the blade moving, it gets send back. Except for $5 knives since shipping costs the same or more.:D
 
In the open position I hold the ripe and start wiggleing front to back and side to side with a petty decet amount of force. If it doesn't move AT all, then there's no blade play to me. The SLIGHTEST wiggle is blade play to me. That's why I'm a frame lock guy.

Anyone else have the same system?
 
nate3993 said:
In the open position I hold the ripe and start wiggleing front to back and side to side with a petty decet amount of force. If it doesn't move AT all, then there's no blade play to me. The SLIGHTEST wiggle is blade play to me. That's why I'm a frame lock guy.

Anyone else have the same system?
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I do the same thing, open the folder, hold the handle and pinch the front end of the blade and wiggle with all my might :D If it doesn't move, then there's zero blade play. I've never had blade play with any microtech, CRK, or Emerson frame locks......well, I guess frame locks in general :o
 
I figure a folding knife is going to loosen up as it gets used. When it's new I expect it to have no horizontal or vertical blade play. If it already has play it will only get worse.

I'll qualify this by saying I'm speaking of hand made folders, specifically slip joints, that can't be easily tightened up.
 
My little (china) buck 325 (framelock) have no blade play at all...but i had a buck 110 alaskan guide with a big lateral blade play.
 
nate3993 said:
In the open position I hold the ripe and start wiggleing front to back and side to side with a petty decet amount of force. If it doesn't move AT all, then there's no blade play to me. The SLIGHTEST wiggle is blade play to me. That's why I'm a frame lock guy.

Anyone else have the same system?
Click to expand...
YUuppers, I agree with you there. I also agree about a custom knife. :thumbup::D
 
if i can make the blade move at all in any direction when open, i define that as blade play, i have a few folders that have developed some lately, i know it happens but it bugs me.
 
Something is wrong with your sebenza. They should have 0 play. Though it might not be affecting function at all. If you're still happy with it I wouldn't bother to send it in.
 
Out of all of the knives I own, I can only think of 3 that have absolutely no blade play what-so-ever. My sebenza, strider sng, and my Chinook III
 
As long as I don't feel any rattle when I wiggle it, I consider it to have no blade play. If you look closely, there is going to be some movement when you forcefully wiggle the blade, but as long as there isn't enough space for parts to be smacking together, I'm fine.

For the record, my Sebenza is absurdly solid, and I cannot visibly detect any movement even with a lot of pressure on the blade. It's like a rock. Nothing else I've owned, including other custom Ti framelocks have been this solid.
 
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