Yes. Particularly if Buck would offer a full flat option.
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I'm conflicted about the Spitfire
- Thread starter JayC783
- Start date
Yes. Particularly if Buck would offer a full flat option.
I'm not sure what I did, or what finally clicked into place. I was fidgeting with my black Spitfire again. I had tightened the pivot screw for the lock bar and the one for the blade before. It didn't really help, except make the blade tighter when opening. The vertical play was still there. As I was fidgeting with the knife, I got the screwdriver set out and tightened the two pivot screws again. The blade is a little tighter to open than it was when I got it, but I can still flick it open and closed. But now when it's open, there is virtually no blade play at all. I'm stumped why it would lock up with no play now, and not when I adjusted the screws before. Maybe it just needed some breaking in. I do notice the lockbar doesn't stick quite as far up, in the thumb groove, as before when the knife is open. It's now about the same as on my orange Spitfire. The two knives are still rather different in the lockup. The orange one is easier to open, and doesn't have the blade play. The black one needs to be tighter to achieve the same affect, but at least the blade play is pretty much gone. If anyone wants to try and adjust the blade play, try cranking those two pivot screws. I'm pretty happy with the way the black one locks up now.
This is just me thinking out loud, but I also wonder if the black one feels a bit grittier to open is because of the coating on the pivot bushing? I don't know if the stonewash of the blade has any effect, but there is a definite difference in smoothness of the action between the two knives. Part of me wants to take the Dremel and polish the inside of the blade's pivot hole and the surface of the pivot bushing. Does anyone think that would make any difference?
This is just me thinking out loud, but I also wonder if the black one feels a bit grittier to open is because of the coating on the pivot bushing? I don't know if the stonewash of the blade has any effect, but there is a definite difference in smoothness of the action between the two knives. Part of me wants to take the Dremel and polish the inside of the blade's pivot hole and the surface of the pivot bushing. Does anyone think that would make any difference?
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The Extreme I have has a little play when opened and is also grittier than the other Spitfires I have. But I think you would be better off to send it back to Buck and let them apply there expertise to the fix. Mine will soon head that way . Good luck eather way.
Just saw this thread and wanted to add my Spitfire experience. I sent mine back to Buck because it had a decent amount of play when opened and locked. It was returned back to me and they said that this play was inherent in a mid-lock back design. I ended up giving it to a friend that I knew would be less picky about it and was in need of a knife. I really did enjoy the knife, and would still be carrying it if it weren't for the issue. I had tried all combination of tightening the screws to no avail. I went back to my 501, but miss the one handed opening for sure.
MT_Pokt
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I purchased the Hornet a couple of weeks ago. It was tight as a snare. I'm pretty happy with everything about it. The size, steel, f&f, etc...
I prefer a little thicker handle personally. I have some clear C-tek I might add to give it a little more girth.
I prefer a little thicker handle personally. I have some clear C-tek I might add to give it a little more girth.
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Wow, that's a real Bummer! I have two Blue Spitfires with S30V steel they both have an embarrassing amount of PLAY. Saw that some people were having too wait quite a while to get there Knives back. So I thought I'd just wait. It's a Damm shame they can't fix the problem and strange that the play varies from a little to a lot? Also strange that the Bantams lock up solid at least the ones I've checked. This is just my opinion, but I think the problem is so out of hand as thousands of this model are out there with this issue and Buck can't afford do deal with it. The SAD 😭 thing boils down to QUALITY CONTROL! It's not the design that's at fault, that's for sure. It's the fitting of the Blade and lock bar. There to much play between the two parts. Buck has made thousands and thousands of GREAT KNIVES over the years and to see what should have been another GREAT Knife the SPITFIRE to become a hunk of Junk and I'am not kidding the play that some of these have is 💩 and what a crock that a company like BUCK allowed something as bad as this to happen is 💩 Again my apologies for my rant, but I am that pissed about it. And please I don't need to hear that the Spitfire isn't a very expensive Knife. ☹️ 👎
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I just read through this thread today. Since I own a Grey Spitfire 722, thought I add a few pennies worth of comments.
I really like mine -- solid, no up/down blade play whatsoever, scary sharp, smooth opening, tight lock up --- overall works excellently! Plus it is one very sharp-looking blade! Here is my knife:
In the very first post, my Buck description is very much like the description JayC783 provided of his orange Spitfire --- everything is A-OK. Interesting that the date on my box is 03-03-16, just 4 days different than JayC783's box date. He ended his first post by saying:
Then in post #39 street soldier wrote:
Although my 722 is just fine and I'm most content with this blade, I just recently bought a 112 Ranger that I returned because of, again what I think, was another "miss" on production QC. I sent it back and received a replacement, which is considerably better made....my issue was resolved.
As some others have said, I hope this model's issues will be resolved. It can be a winner for Buck.
I really like mine -- solid, no up/down blade play whatsoever, scary sharp, smooth opening, tight lock up --- overall works excellently! Plus it is one very sharp-looking blade! Here is my knife:
In the very first post, my Buck description is very much like the description JayC783 provided of his orange Spitfire --- everything is A-OK. Interesting that the date on my box is 03-03-16, just 4 days different than JayC783's box date. He ended his first post by saying:
Then in post #39 street soldier wrote:
I must be one of the fortunate buyers that ran into a well-made 722 when the QC was ramped up. That's all I can see that the issue appears to be --- errant QC. QC is very tough to maintain, and takes much vigilance. So it appears there have been too many misses on this knife. I feel bad & sad for those folk, who don't have a watched-over, QC-handled Spitfire. That is not a fun thing for sure.
Although my 722 is just fine and I'm most content with this blade, I just recently bought a 112 Ranger that I returned because of, again what I think, was another "miss" on production QC. I sent it back and received a replacement, which is considerably better made....my issue was resolved.
As some others have said, I hope this model's issues will be resolved. It can be a winner for Buck.
MT_Pokt
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I received my "Hornet" about 2 weeks ago and it's absolutely perfect. The box date is December last year which could have been after tweaking the design, I suppose.
Okay, so I'm taking this opportunity to show this off again. It's perfect in every way and a hands down the sharpest knife I've gotten from any manufacturer.
Along side the Vantage Pro for size reference...
Okay, so I'm taking this opportunity to show this off again. It's perfect in every way and a hands down the sharpest knife I've gotten from any manufacturer.
Along side the Vantage Pro for size reference...
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Thanks Jay, the Hornet is the best of my Spitfires. Got the blues for a gift and myself. Was going to sent the blue ones back for play issues but from what I understand now, that's just how some of them are, some have none some have a little and some have a lot. 🙄
I've been debating getting a blue one, but I think if I get another knife I want something different. I've got my eyes set on a Marksman. I'm really intrigued by that knife. For right now, though, my EDC is my black Spitfire. Despite the quirks that it has, compared to my orange Spitfire, I still love it. I just love the way it looks with the black handles and stonewashed hardware. Yeah, it's got some wiggle, but it's doable. It doesn't sound as bad as the blue Spitfires. The blade play actually doesn't bother me as much anymore, compared to the scratches and dings I manged to put on the handles already. 
My OCD doesn't like that. 
My OCD doesn't like that.
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You never know you might get a good one 🙄. I think you'll have better luck with the Marksman.I've been debating getting a blue one, but I think if I get another knife I want something different. I've got my eyes set on a Marksman. I'm really intrigued by that knife. For right now, though, my EDC is my black Spitfire. Despite the quirks that it has, compared to my orange Spitfire, I still love it. I just love the way it looks with the black handles and stonewashed hardware. Yeah, it's got some wiggle, but it's doable. It doesn't sound as bad as the blue Spitfires. The blade play actually doesn't bother me as much anymore, compared to the scratches and dings I manged to put on the handles already.
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I own two Spitfire's. I love the way they carry and feel in the hand but have had had the wobble and play most of you are speaking about. On one it's not as noticeable but with pressure it does happen. I'm not sure why Buck decided to go with a flat rod on the internals. When I look on the inside of a Bucklite series or a better quality lock back like the 112, I see a solid round rod in there. I'm no expert but I think that the flat metal rod was a cost saving decision that is causing the issue.
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That very well could be. I just don't understand why some are better than others. The Hornet and the Extreme seem to have stronger pressure and I think SK mentioned that Buck put a heavier rod in them. The Orange one that I have isn't that bad eather with play and you can tell it doesn't have the stronger spring rod. You would think Buck would sure know. Cause I did call Buck and was told this style of Knife needs to have some degree of play.