how off center is too off center

banksy said:
That's like saying lock rock isn't an issue as long as the lock doesn't fail. Or that a missing screw doesn't matter so long as the scale doesn't fall off. It's poor workmanship imo. I can buy a $10 knife from China with a perfectly centred blade. Why should I expect, or accept, anything less from a US maker?
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Maybe you should stay with your Chinese crap then. I will take an off centered blade that doesn't rub over inferior steel, inferior handle materials, inferior locks and all the other garbage that comes with those $10 knives.
 
mmarkh said:
Maybe you should stay with your Chinese crap then. I will take an off centered blade that doesn't rub over inferior steel, inferior handle materials, inferior locks and all the other garbage that comes with those $10 knives.
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Several posters have commented on a price point at which they would accept an off center blade. My point was not about materials; it was about craftsmanship. If it is possible to get centering and quality control right for $10, price is not really relevant. In other words, if it can be done right for $10, then it can't be an expensive process. When I look at the two photos I posted above, there is a 12x price difference, but I don't see 12x the craftsmanship.

But thanks for your comment about my 'crap' knife; just for the record, the lock is fine (as I said) as are the rosewood scales. I accept that Chinese stainless may not be as "good" as S30V but again, that was not my point.
 
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banksy said:
That's like saying lock rock isn't an issue as long as the lock doesn't fail.
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No...blade centering is 100% cosmetic as long as its not touching the liner. Lock rock is a problem.
 
I say if it bothers you then it will always bother you. Many times centering can be adjusted. If it wont straighten out with some elbow grease and torx driver I would send it back. Im a very picky collector. I expect a certain level of fit and finish in a blade. I collect and use my knives but after a certain price point you are paying for non essentials. And as such I consider a centered blade as standard equipment.

idaho said:
oh, cmon. As long as blade don't touch liners centering is not an issue...
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I disagree. Centering to me and many is a sign of quality and tolerances. With modern production methods there is no reason why a blade cant be centered. Whether it is an out of spec washer, a bent or poorly ground blade or even a crooked pivot, if the blade isnt centered something somewhere didnt go as planned. I used to say to consider the price point when being picky about centering. But these days when you can buy a $20 chinese folder with perfect blade seating there is no reason a $70+ american made product cant be made to do the same thing. Now its very likely the guys knife is just out of adjustment and can be dialed in but to dismiss it completely If it isnt rubbing I think is just making excuses for the company making the product. Knives after a certain price point are a luxury item. A $25 gerber will cut every bit as well as a $100 benchmade. I think you should get something for paying that premium. And you do in materials, but it should also be in the workmanship, not $25 in upgraded materials and $50 of excuses as to why having a non centered blade is acceptable.
 
mmarkh said:
Maybe you should stay with your Chinese crap then. I will take an off centered blade that doesn't rub over inferior steel, inferior handle materials, inferior locks and all the other garbage that comes with those $10 knives.
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That is one huge blanket statement and generalization. Thats like saying ALL USA made knives are high quality products. Or that All USA produced beer tastes good. Either way I think his point is that if a chinese company can center a blade then the USA companies shouldnt be making excuses for not.

evanPGH said:
No...blade centering is 100% cosmetic as long as its not touching the liner. Lock rock is a problem.
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lock rock isnt a problem unless the lock fails. Blade centering while not being the end of the world still isnt simply cosmetic. It is a sign that the tolerances of one or more parts of the knife is out of spec or that it was poorly assembled. But lets say for the sake of not arguing that your right and it is purely cosmetic. So what? does that mean its not important? Most knife collectors and users are drawn to a knife based on its aesthetic qualities. Would you buy a car with a hood that didnt line up when closed, or a huge scuff going down the door? I mean its only cosmetic.
 
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Keyman said:
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.
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Just quoting keyman to get this info on page 2 since its pretty much turned into a USA vs China argument. This is the answer if you don't want to send it back. Even if you do want to send it in its still worth a try first.
 
mmarkh said:
Maybe you should stay with your Chinese crap then. I will take an off centered blade that doesn't rub over inferior steel, inferior handle materials, inferior locks and all the other garbage that comes with those $10 knives.
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Maybe Benchmade should sell their products in a DIY kit with parts and assembly instructions. ;) :)
 
PURPLEDC said:
That is one huge blanket statement and generalization. Thats like saying ALL USA made knives are high quality products. Or that All USA produced beer tastes good. Either way I think his point is that if a chinese company can center a blade then the USA companies shouldnt be making excuses for not.



lock rock isnt a problem unless the lock fails. Blade centering while not being the end of the world still isnt simply cosmetic. It is a sign that the tolerances of one or more parts of the knife is out of spec or that it was poorly assembled. But lets say for the sake of not arguing that your right and it is purely cosmetic. So what? does that mean its not important? Most knife collectors and users are drawn to a knife based on its aesthetic qualities. Would you buy a car with a hood that didnt line up when closed, or a huge scuff going down the door? I mean its only cosmetic.
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No worse than cherry picking a cheap knife that isn't off center to proclaim their superiority.
 
mmarkh said:
No worse than cherry picking a cheap knife that isn't off center to proclaim their superiority.
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He was merely making a point that if a $10 knife is most of the time centered, then a mighty Benchmade should be centered all the time (at well over 11X's the prices).

Ive owned many Benchmades and most were off centered.

2-Mini grip's

1-Grip

1-Nitrous Stryker

1-Nitrous Blitz

and there's more that I cannot think of of the top of my head.

My point isn't that Benchmade's quality control sucks, its just that my experience hasn't been good with them.

The above and the prices have deterred me from buying any more......

Honestly I like centered blades but I wont kick a user out of my pocket for not being centered.
 
On cheaper knives I don't care as long as the blade isn't rubbing...on higher end stuff I expect it to be centered.
 
wolf5391 said:
He was merely making a point that if a $10 knife is most of the time centered, then a mighty Benchmade should be centered all the time (at well over 11X's the prices).

Ive owned many Benchmades and most were off centered.

2-Mini grip's

1-Grip

1-Nitrous Stryker

1-Nitrous Blitz

and there's more that I cannot think of of the top of my head.

My point isn't that Benchmade's quality control sucks, its just that my experience hasn't been good with them.

The above and the prices have deterred me from buying any more......

Honestly I like centered blades but I wont kick a user out of my pocket for not being centered.
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Aside from my #43 Balisong I only have one Benchmade right now, a Ritter Mini Grip which is perfectly centered. I have several Spydercos :eek: that are slightly off center and it doesn't bother me a bit. It just seems like people like to fawn all over $10 China knives and bash Benchmade. I don't really consider a $100 knife "high end".
 
banksy said:
As others have pointed out, you are spectacularly missing the point.
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No, I get it. You have a China knife that's centered. You had a few Benchmades that were off centered. Got it.;) I will stick with my Ritter M2 which is perfectly centered over 100 Enlans.:barf:
 
mmarkh said:
I will stick with my Ritter M2 which is perfectly centered over 100 Enlans.:barf:
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Well that's good for you. My $400 CRK's and my $700 Hinderers are also centered. But it has nothing whatever to do with the topic.
 
Maybe Benchmades being off-center is a good thing--it could be a way to tell the real ones from the fakes from China :p
 
banksy said:
Well that's good for you. My $400 CRK's and my $700 Hinderers are also centered. But it has nothing whatever to do with the topic.
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I'm impressed.:rolleyes: So you like cheap knives and over paying for Hinderers?:confused: I'm not getting into a pi$%ing contest. I'm done with this thread. Have a nice day.:)
 
mmarkh said:
I'm impressed.:rolleyes: So you like cheap knives and over paying for Hinderers?:confused: I'm not getting into a pi$%ing contest. I'm done with this thread. Have a nice day.:)
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I wasn't trying to impress. Trying to explain that price is irrelevant. But again, you missed the point so, yeah, have a good day.
 
Picked up an Adamas a few weeks ago and the blade didn't rub but you couldn't get a sheet of paper between blade and liner it was so off! Rather than send it back I did what Keyman said and it's almost nearly centered now! It was about like CJZ's pic before.Of my 3 other Benchmades 2 are off center so for me it's been a 50/50 deal now! Haven't taken the time to work on my new Barrage yet but yes it's about the same! :-( doesn't rub but close!
 
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