Kershaw Leek problem

N

NickelPlate

Joined
Apr 16, 2006
Messages
33
Hi All,

I've noticed on my leek (model 1660) the last couple of days that when folded, the blade is not sitting in the center of the handle. In fact it's lightly rubbing against the inside, on the side with the Kershaw logo.

The knife has not been dropped or used to pry or abused in anway, just light cutting chores for about a month.

I took it apart but can find nothing wrong. If I squeeze the top of the knife where the blade pivots, it re-centers and if I tighten the screw down it is okay but then there is too much drag on the blade and it won't flick open. Any ideas?

Thanks,

NP
 
Get some good lubricant (I'm sure the local gurus can suggest an excellent one), and tighten up the pivot. I should do the same thing on mine, it's dragging too.
 
Hi Lucky Bob,

I finally managed to somewhat fix the problem. I did re-lube the moving parts using some Marvel Mystery Oil. After reassembly, I found that by tightening down the pivot screw all the way first and then just backing out to the point where the knife opens freely, the blade sits better. Still not in the center but not dragging anymore. Could be a wear issue with the washers perhaps. I used blue loctite on all the screws which will hopefully keep them from loosening.

Regards,

NP
 
It sounds like the washers are too thin on one or both sides. You can get aftermarket ones at the knifekits website, nice ones too. You can drill the holes to fit exactly. The only reason that the blade would be sitting improperly is that the washers are either not making full contact with the blade on both sides (so it's always being pushed to one side by your thumb down the pivot), or that one washer is too thick or one too thin, causing it to favor one side of the handle, unless of course the washer seats on one of the liners was milled improperly, in which case you're pretty much SOL unless you can install a thicker or thinner washer to compensate.
 
Could be a ball detent pushing the blade one way. (not familiar with the particular knife)

When you had the knife apart did you polish all the mating surfaces and check for burrs/wear points? Measure the washers?
 
NickelPlate said:
Hi Lucky Bob,

I finally managed to somewhat fix the problem. I did re-lube the moving parts using some Marvel Mystery Oil. After reassembly, I found that by tightening down the pivot screw all the way first and then just backing out to the point where the knife opens freely, the blade sits better. Still not in the center but not dragging anymore. Could be a wear issue with the washers perhaps. I used blue loctite on all the screws which will hopefully keep them from loosening.

Regards,

NP
Click to expand...

That's how I tighten all my pivots.:thumbup: **note, I have found that if I use too much blue locktite, it will seep between the washers and the blade and the scales and will effect the centering of the blade (sometimes). Just a thought. I now use a toothpick to place a "small" (read small) drop of locktite in the threaded (female part) of the pivot pin.
 
frugalweaver said:
Could be a ball detent pushing the blade one way. (not familiar with the particular knife)

When you had the knife apart did you polish all the mating surfaces and check for burrs/wear points? Measure the washers?
Click to expand...
That's my theory, at least with the Leek.
 
frugalweaver said:
Could be a ball detent pushing the blade one way. (not familiar with the particular knife)

When you had the knife apart did you polish all the mating surfaces and check for burrs/wear points? Measure the washers?
Click to expand...

I cleaned but didn't polish the mating surfaces. I didn't measure the washers either but that's a good idea and I have a set of calipers to do so.

NP
 
Isn't it sad that anyone has to mess around with a knife like this? Especially one that costs $50-100? I would think with the sophisticated machine tools and the top of the line steels available to knife manufacturers that stuff like this would never happen. Sounds like a lousy job or engineering, IMHO. I'm just glad they don't build airplanes!
 
I read of a trick on here that helped center the blade on one of my knives. It also hasn't worked on some knives too so....

1. Make a note of which way the blade "leans" when closed
2. Open the knife and apply pressure in the direction of the "lean" (this part may initially strike you as counterintuitive)
3. Close the blade, and check the results - if your blade is now leaning too far in the other direction, repeat steps 1 and 2, reversing directions as needed. If the blade hasn't really moved at all, try again, but use a bit more pressure.

The version of this trick that I initially read had something about loosening the pivot a half turn before you applied the pressure. Hope this helps!
 
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