How is it with Benchmades QC? Bladeplay normal?

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Slowstarter

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I own five Benchmade folders, three with Axis lock. And two of the Axis lock folders has developt bladeplay and I have to adjust the pivot screw to get it tight again. That´s two out of three that had that problem. Is that normal or am I just having bad luck?

I know that there is no big deal to fix it (I use Teflon Tape) but it´s anoying to have to fix brand new (expensive) quality knives. I live in Europe so sending them back for repair is not an option.

Is it the pivot screw that is bad or is it the knife itself? Will a new screw be more stable? Where can I buy new screws?

It´s a NRA Mini Grip (S30V) and a 707 Sequel I had to use Teflon Tape on, but the 556 Mini Grip is stable as a rock. The other two I own is the Vex and the Nagara and there is no play at all.
 
In my experience that's not normal. BM's QC is normally very good in my experience. None of the axis locks that I've had have developed blade play. If you were up to it, I'd see if they could be sent back for repair. But I might first start a thread over on their forums asking the same question. This tends to bring attention to the manufacturers to make sure that they get it fixed.
 
When you tighten the pivot screw does it go away without becoming excessively stiff to open?

Any knife that the pivot screw is not tight enough will have blade play. If the pivot screw didn't get much thread locker on it the pivot could loosen up fairly quickly, especially if you are flicking the knife open and closed using the AXIS lock.

If it goes away with teflon tape or some liquid thread locker then I don't think it's a problem or anything to worry about.
 
I dont see this issue as a huge deal. I will admit that it is annoying, but many manufacturers dont use loctite when they put the screws in the handle. This makes it somewhat normal to develop some play. My 710 has not loosened at all but the pivot screw on my 720 tends to loosen a little. It is not a big deal and I know I could put some blue loctite in to resolve the problem. Had to do that with my paramilitary and it has been fine since. So many people like to tweak their knives when they get them that I guess I understand why manufacturers dont always use loctite. The good news is that it is usually an easy fix unless something is wrong with the knife.
 
I have only owned an Osborne 940, but from that data point I would say yes, it is normal.

Mine had the same problem. The tolerances are so "perfect" that any changes will give the knife a little play. I have only used mine to cut paper and some light carving of pine wood. After that the screw must have loosened and now there is a little play. It has been extremely difficult to fix back to perfection. tightening makes it too tight (so that the blade no longer has the free swinging movement that it once did), loosening makes it too loose (where it has bladeplay).

I just let it be slightly loose.
 
All of my Benchmades with Axis locks get blade play pretty quick. For me, I use a a bent paperclip and dab a drop of "blue" loctite on the adjusting screw threads - not too much.

Then tighten the screw and get it where I want it - (no blade play but still deploys okay and not too stiff) - I let it sit for 24 hours and they're good to go.

I may have to try the plumber's tape in a future purchase - The Nagara is next on my list.
 
I have a BM with the axis lock and yes, it's normal to have the pivot screw get loose, especially if you like to open and close it a lot. In fact it's common with most knives, as they don't use blue loctite. That's all you need to do

With the screw tightened just enough to allow free blade movement, there is absolutely zero blade play on the Black-class knife.

Red class are made with larger tolerances, so you'll see a little more movement with those, but anything else, you should have nearly zero.
 
First thing I do with any knife is take the pivot apart and give it some loc-tite.
Often times I'll take the factory lube out and replace with my preferred lube as well.
And then grind the thumbstuds off. (You don't need them on an Axis lock knife anyway.)
 
Joshua J. said:
First thing I do with any knife is take the pivot apart and give it some loc-tite.
Often times I'll take the factory lube out and replace with my preferred lube as well.
And then grind the thumbstuds off. (You don't need them on an Axis lock knife anyway.)
Click to expand...

why grind them off??
 
I believe he is being facetious. Axis lock knives are easy to deploy by just pulling the axis lock rearwards and giving the knife a flick.
 
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