Kershaw Leek Problem

cziv

cziv

Joined
Nov 24, 2005
Messages
10,038
I just recieved a new Kershaw Random Leek 1660TGRYST yesterday. I bought it as a back up since my older one has developed vertical blade play, I think because the steel lock bar is softer than the S30V steel tang.

Anyway, it arrived and wouldn't open past 1/3 rd of the way out. ARGGH - since the older one is faster than a switchblade. Next problem is that the blade is off center.

I tried backing off the pivot until I got blade wobble and it barely opens enough to allw the lock bar to close. Adding a drop of oil only slowed it down, so I rinsed it out with alcohol and proceeded to work on the blade centering.

After many queries I found some helpful threads (old threads from this forum actually) which didn't do a darn thing. Here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/696581-Kershaw-Leek-blade-centering

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/676100-Quick-Kershaw-Mafia-Question/page2

Ive loosened pivot and screws and tried to slide scales, push the blade over and using the Spyderco Military centering method with a cardboard shim in place as I tightened up the screws.

I'm frustrated with this little bugger after spending a couple of hours on it and still having an "I don't wanna open, off center knife." This model isn't exactly cheap either.

I called Kershaw yesterday and I was transferred to the warranty dept. but they were out. I left a detailed message as requested on the machine and my phone number several times very carefully. Does it take them a day or two to call back or do I call again? Also, if anyone has any tips other than what I've tried and linked to, please share okay?

Thanks! :(
 
First thing is , it needs a new torsion bar for sure, then you should be able to tighten the pivot enough to center blade and still open properly, my apologies for not inspecting it before I sent it.
 
Should I call Kershaw to request the torsion bar and they'll send one out?

Edit: I called Kershaw warranty dept and they said they were sending torsion bars and some other parts (not sure what - maybe a new pivot assembly as she said something about the pivot) to make changes. Thanks Dave and the rest of you guys. I hope to have it up and firing soon. :thumbup:
 
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sounds good, the problem is if you loosen the pivot enough to get a weak spring to fire, then you can't center the blade. You will have much better luck after you get a new torsion bar in it. I could have had you send it back to me, but this will be faster. That was the only one I had.

Dave
 
kershawguy said:
sounds good, the problem is if you loosen the pivot enough to get a weak spring to fire, then you can't center the blade. You will have much better luck after you get a new torsion bar in it. I could have had you send it back to me, but this will be faster. That was the only one I had.

Dave
Click to expand...

Thanks Dave,

Hey one more question. I don't recall what was even inside the knife from rinsing out the extra oil I put in it to fix the problem. What do I put in the torsion bar cavity and what on the blade & washers?

I have white lithium grease, CRK grease, Latama Quick Release (thin) Militec-1 (thin) Corrosion-X for guns (medium) Rem-Oil (super thin).

Thanks once more. :)
 
Figured I would piggy-back on this thread (since the OP's issue is resolved). Should the pivot on my Leek tighten/loosen a bit, to a point where it slips back to loose (so that the pivot cannot be unscrewed)? I have the uncoated SS version.
 
I always loosen the pivot up a ways, then tighten back down, then a quarter turn or so, you want it just at the point where you have no side to side play, but still no pressure on the blade so that it snaps open nicely, sometimes I loosen the frame screws, just off tight , because they also ad tension to the torsion bar and prevent it from opening smoothly. Bottom line is, just adjust it to fit your needs.
 
kershawguy said:
First thing is , it needs a new torsion bar for sure, then you should be able to tighten the pivot enough to center blade and still open properly, my apologies for not inspecting it before I sent it.
Click to expand...

kershawguy said:
sounds good, the problem is if you loosen the pivot enough to get a weak spring to fire, then you can't center the blade. You will have much better luck after you get a new torsion bar in it. I could have had you send it back to me, but this will be faster. That was the only one I had.

Dave
Click to expand...

(4) new torsion bars arrived today. I put the longest one in and tightened all the torx screws up nice and snug. The blade returned to center and the Random Leek fires like a rocket. Had to put a dab of blue lock-tite on the pivot screw but hey, it's unbelievably solid.

Kershaw CS delivered what you suggested and I wanted to let folks know about my cool S30V framelock w/reverse tanto blade. Got it as a back-up as I worried that the old one might discontinue. Love it! ;)
 
I think you just need to send it to kershaw. they are very nice and they have awesome costomer service. I totaly took my kershaw OD-1 appart and broke it, they still sent me parts to fix it for free. they probably would have fixed it themselves if i would have sent it in. so ya id just call kershaw.
 
Mine is solid as a rock and fires like a rocket. It helps to know how to take them apart and put them back together again. There's at least one YouTube video that's a good visual of doing it plus a lot of threads on how to take them apart & put 'em back together again, that turn up in a google search.

I got 4 torsion bars from Kershaw and lined them all up. One was definitely longer than the others - guess which one I installed? :D
 
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