Kershaw Tilt...again.

CrimsonTideShooter said:
I still want to know:

Is it ok to lube the ball bearings? 1 of my Tilts is noticeably less smooth after tightening the blade play out. I would imagine that lube would free it up.
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Shouldn't be a problem, I've used Eezox on my RAZR with no issues.

If it isn't smooth, the issue is more likely over-tightening, or the detent ball riding over the blade.
Try pushing the lockbar away from the blade so the detent ball doesn't touch, if it is still rough and there is no blade play, then try reducing the pivot tension.
You should be able to adjust the pivot to the point where it just takes out the play. Any tighter than that can feel rough (even though the knife will still flip open easily), and can lead to faster wear of the bearings and faces.
Make sure you only adjust the pivot in very fine increments, the point at which the play disappears is kind of abrupt.

Worst case scenario, take it apart and make sure the surfaces the bearings are rolling against are smooth and flat. If the pivot tension ever got cranked down way too much it is possible (but unlikely) that the bearings left impressions.
 
When I push the lock bar over, there is absolutely zero binding. It swings freely.

So I guess that means that the one I flip often is more smooth because the detent has worn the coating down. And the one that is not smooth will become smooth after it wears in also?

I will note that the ball detent on the smooth knife is a lot stronger than the other, so it probably wore it's path very quickly.


kneedeep said:
Shouldn't be a problem, I've used Eezox on my RAZR with no issues.

If it isn't smooth, the issue is more likely over-tightening, or the detent ball riding over the blade.
Try pushing the lockbar away from the blade so the detent ball doesn't touch, if it is still rough and there is no blade play, then try reducing the pivot tension.
You should be able to adjust the pivot to the point where it just takes out the play. Any tighter than that can feel rough (even though the knife will still flip open easily), and can lead to faster wear of the bearings and faces.
Make sure you only adjust the pivot in very fine increments, the point at which the play disappears is kind of abrupt.

Worst case scenario, take it apart and make sure the surfaces the bearings are rolling against are smooth and flat. If the pivot tension ever got cranked down way too much it is possible (but unlikely) that the bearings left impressions.
Click to expand...
 
That sounds about right.
You might also check to see that the ball is actually protruding from the face of the lockbar. If it was pressed in to far it might explain why the other knife's detent feels stronger.
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
So I guess that means that the one I flip often is more smooth because the detent has worn the coating down. And the one that is not smooth will become smooth after it wears in also?
Click to expand...
Almost certainly so. I only have one Tilt so far, but I have a lot of experience with Striders and have found on those that the detent ball wearing a path through the coating is probably the single biggest factor in them smoothing out/"breaking in" over time.
 
I think the only problem with my Tilt is.....

It has made me want all my knives to be this smooth.

After a full day of handling my new Tilt, knives in my collection that I had previously found to be very smooth are now not up to snuff with the Tilt.

I can now appreciate the handle design as well - the designer knew how a human hand holds a knife, and the knife is contoured to fit the hand rather than the hand accommodating the knife.

After using the knife to cut up some food, and washing it a few times in the sink, the knife is still just as smooth, if not smoother than it came to me.

I am going to leave my clip set for tip-down carry, I think that makes the most sense for me. If I moved the clip it might make the grip less comfortable. As delivered, the clip contacts the pad of my right index finger when I grip the knife, and it fills the area "just right".
The clip also seems very stout - it will endure a lot of incidental-abuse, the kind that you get from snagging on seat-belts, and desk-edges etc.

This is a sturdy knife, let there be no doubt. It's not a prying tool, but it will endure daily use as a go-to-cutting-tool, and it is going to do it in style and with great satisfaction for the user if solid lock-up, quality materials, and smooth action are what matters to you.

Good job, Kershaw.

best regards -

mqqn
 
Additionally, the clip in the tip down position, seems to help keep you from squeezing the lock bar when flipping the blade open.
 
Seems as though a lot of people have gotten their Tilts... Hoping I am coming up on Dave's list as I am feeling a little left out! :grumpy:
 
puyallupn8ive said:
Dave said in an email that he should have enough to fill all his pre-orders, but he is out of town right now.
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YYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! :D That's exactly what I wanted to hear. I was considering e-mailing him myself... Thanks for the info puyallupn8ive.
 
IRZ28 said:
YYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! :D That's exactly what I wanted to hear. I was considering e-mailing him myself... Thanks for the info puyallupn8ive.
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Yeah I was happy with that response too, don't know when he will have them though.
 
Picked up my Tilt (#36) today at my PO Box. I got home and found my housekeeper had left a knife on my desk. They do move out cleaning and folks leave things behind. This was a damascus blade with real Silver bolsters and bone handles. Held together with big hand peened bolts. No makers mark. Incredible knife.

So here I am with these two very different and similarly sized knives. I inspected and handled the Damascus knife and considered my good fortune, then turned my attention to opening the Tilt. I opened the box and slid the knife out of the plastic wrap. In my hand it felt ridiculously light, amazing. There are times when Ti makes an extra special impression and this was one of them.

It's a beautiful knife that I will treasure. I hope my other pre-orders work out for me. You can't have too many Kershaws! Thanks Dave, you're swell!

I moved the clip and found some residue on the pivot pin and under where the clip had attached there's some residue or scarring.. NBD. It'll end up cleaning off I'm sure. The grind is smooth and even, the knife sharp as sin. I think I may need to loosen the pivot just a weeeee bit. Wearing a groove in the detent may help too which justifies repeated and neurotic flipping of the knife.

Home Run! A special knife to own and love. Thanks Thanks Thanks! Thomas & Co, Thou Verily Rocketh!
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
I love the Tilt, but I wish Thomas would answer the few questions I've posted....
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CTS, sorry but I just don't have the time to read every post and answer every request.

CrimsonTideShooter said:
I still want to know:

Is it ok to lube the ball bearings?
Click to expand...
Sure.

For obvious reasons, there are a few subjects that I mostly stay away from here on the forums: legal, warranty, and advice when cracking your knife open.

CrimsonTideShooter said:
So I guess that means that the one I flip often is more smooth because the detent has worn the coating down. And the one that is not smooth will become smooth after it wears in also?
Click to expand...
Remember that each knife is going to perform differently. These are laser cut parts we're talking about. The tolerances are going to vary from piece to piece. They will not all function like they're clones. Perhaps time and use will smooth a specific Tilt's action out, but it's not always the case.
 
Thomas W said:
CTS, sorry but I just don't have the time to read every post and answer every request.

Sure.

For obvious reasons, there are a few subjects that I mostly stay away from here on the forums: legal, warranty, and advice when cracking your knife open.

Remember that each knife is going to perform differently. These are laser cut parts we're talking about. The tolerances are going to vary from piece to piece. They will not all function like they're clones. Perhaps time and use will smooth a specific Tilt's action out, but it's not always the case.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the answers Thomas. I wasn't trying to be an ass, I was just bustin your balls. :D I know you are busy as hell, so really, thanks for answering.

And that's cool. I am fine with each one being a little different. I just want to say that you really did hit it out of the park with this one. I made a video about it and it went to 1000 views in 4 days! It is literally my favorite knife, and I own a lot of knives. Simply awesome!
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
Thanks for the answers Thomas. I wasn't trying to be an ass, I was just bustin your balls. :D I know you are busy as hell, so really, thanks for answering.

And that's cool. I am fine with each one being a little different. I just want to say that you really did hit it out of the park with this one. I made a video about it and it went to 1000 views in 4 days! It is literally my favorite knife, and I own a lot of knives. Simply awesome!
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Appreciate that you're loving your Tilt(s). :thumbup:
 
Thomas W said:
Appreciate that you're loving your Tilt(s). :thumbup:
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More and more by the day. Got in a Benchmade 806-1101 and the Tilt is a superior knife for the money. The two are within a couple dollars of each other and the Tilt is the clear winner in my mind as far as quality goes, hands down.
 
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