Just Received the SOG TF-2 Trident, a few concerns..

too solid

too solid

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Apr 17, 2011
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Hello all, I just received my SOG TF-2 Trident and inital impressions are, looks like a cool knife, size is perfect, handle isn't super grippy but it'll do. My 2 concerns are that when the blade is closed it doesn't look quite centered. It's off to the side about half a mm or so. Also when the knife is open and closed the blade wiggles from side to side, when closed to the point where it's actually touching the inner side. Is this normal for a SOG assisted opener? Would a quick tighten of the blade screw fix all of this? Also the lock mechanism when unlocked looks like the red part inside has greese or oil inside, I'm sure this normal but thought I'd ask as I'm new to knife collecting. Are my concerns valid or is this what to expect from a $60 assisted opener from sog?
 
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Blade play is a very commonly reported problem on SOG assisted openers. I used to have a Flash II, and on that one there was still significant lateral blade play even with the pivot screw tightened all the way.

As for the substance in the lock mechanism, that's almost certainly nothing to worry about: most knife manufacturers put a light coat of oil on the blade (for corrosion protection) and moving parts (for lubrication) of their folders before they leave the factory.
 
Thanks for the quick response neuron. So I guess it's not as large a concern as I intially thought. What about the uncentered blade? Is that another common problem?
 
Slightly off-center blades and other minor imperfections are the sort of thing you encounter in the production knife world from time to time. Different people have different standards for what's acceptable in terms of centering (some people will send back a knife if the blade isn't absolutely perfectly centered), but the only time I worry about it is if it's extreme and/or affects the functioning of the knife.

If I'm understanding your original post correctly, the blade is so far off center that it's touching one of the liners when closed. That, for me and (I think) most others, would qualify as a significant enough issue that it justifies returning the knife to the retailer or sending it to the manufacturer for repair/replacement.
 
My Trident has a slight amount of play too. Tightening the pivot will improve it. You can get the pivot to a point where most of the play is gone without restricting the blade from opening. You might need something to prevent the opposite end of the pivot from turning, I can hold it with my finger, you only move the pivot a fraction.
The blade on my knife is pretty much centered... if you adjust the pivot it might make it better ( or worse). It's not a problem as long as it's not hitting the liner.
 
Tighten the pivot before you do anything, I had a flash II that was horrible off when I got it and wiggled like crazy, I found a sweet spot where it still flung open but was good and tight. It has zero blade play now and it all but perfectly lined up when closed.
 
The blase isn't hitting the inner lining but when I wiggle it it easily hits from side to side. It's off center by about half a mm, not a big deal to me just wanted to see if it was normal. The blade functions fine, but when I close the blade it's a bit stiff and hard to close when at about a 45 degrees. Overall I'm happy with the knife now that I know these minor issues are quite normal with these knives. I'll try tightening it a tad and see if it helps align the blade better. Is it just an allen key needed to do this?
 
too solid said:
The blase isn't hitting the inner lining but when I wiggle it it easily hits from side to side. It's off center by about half a mm, not a big deal to me just wanted to see if it was normal. The blade functions fine, but when I close the blade it's a bit stiff and hard to close when at about a 45 degrees. Overall I'm happy with the knife now that I know these minor issues are quite normal with these knives. I'll try tightening it a tad and see if it helps align the blade better. Is it just an allen key needed to do this?
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I think it's a torx bit, but I'm not at home so I can't check the size. If no one answers by tonight, I'll check my knife.
Tightening the pivot will reduce the blade wiggle in the closed position. The spring tension while closing is normal.
 
too solid said:
Hello all, I just received my SOG TF-2 Trident and inital impressions are, looks like a cool knife, size is perfect, handle isn't super grippy but it'll do. My 2 concerns are that when the blade is closed it doesn't look quite centered. It's off to the side about half a mm or so. Also when the knife is open and closed the blade wiggles from side to side, when closed to the point where it's actually touching the inner side. Is this normal for a SOG assisted opener? Would a quick tighten of the blade screw fix all of this? Also the lock mechanism when unlocked looks like the red part inside has greese or oil inside, I'm sure this normal but thought I'd ask as I'm new to knife collecting. Are my concerns valid or is this what to expect from a $60 assisted opener from sog?
Click to expand...

That is notmal for most moving parts on knifes. All you describe is to be expected from a $60 SOG knife. That can also be found on higher end folders at times from other brands. There is a way to cener the blade, however if you do not have the proper tools (correct torx driver) I'd recommend getting one before attempting. The wrong size or a hex wrench will strip out the head.
 
sounds like a totally normal blade to me. Centering when closed is a problem for all categories of knives including customs and high end production knives. It doesnt effect the function but often annoys collectors who want their knives perfect. I know, because im one of those people :)
 
too solid said:
The blase isn't hitting the inner lining but when I wiggle it it easily hits from side to side. It's off center by about half a mm, not a big deal to me just wanted to see if it was normal. The blade functions fine, but when I close the blade it's a bit stiff and hard to close when at about a 45 degrees. Overall I'm happy with the knife now that I know these minor issues are quite normal with these knives. I'll try tightening it a tad and see if it helps align the blade better. Is it just an allen key needed to do this?
Click to expand...
As mentioned by JPD1998, that's a normal and unavoidable part of the design of assisted openers. The spring/torsion bar that aids in getting the blade open has to be overcome to get it back to the closed position.
 
I checked the pivot on my Trident and it's a 2.0 hex bit.
The blade is centered and you can adjust most of the blade play
 
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