Kulgera Lock Issues

Nosetotail

Nosetotail

Joined
Jun 10, 2007
Messages
398
I don't know if this fits here or in the Toolshed, but here goes.

I just got a Kulgera and I really like the knife, however I noticed that the axis bar doesn't seem to slide up as far as it should. I have a 960 and when locked the bar slides to it's original closed position. This places the blade back completely against all of the bar.

The bar on my Kulgera only slides halfway up to it's original position, and the blade back just barely, if at all, is nested against just half of the bar. I have compared my knife to many pics on here of an open Kulgera and it seems that the lock on the pics are solidly in place while mine is just shy of where it needs to be. The portion of the blade that is supposed to contact the lock seems to be ground at a slight angle as viewed through the axis opening(with the blade fully open) where as on my 960, this part is straight and isn't actually visible viewing through the axis hole. This angle serves to cause that axis lock stick issue from time to time. The bar seems to jam into place on snappy openings, and once again I don't experience this with my 960.

I'm just wondering if anyone has had a similar problem with their Kulgera or any other BM axis lock.
 
I don't think it is a problem. My ritter is similar. If I open it really hard, it kind of sticks in there a bit. It has smoothed out quite a bit, I think you just need to keep using it and break it in. As long as it locks securely, you are ok. If your problem isn't fixed after a month of break-in then send it off if you are unhappy.
 
On my Kulgera axis bar sits the same place opened and closed. There is about 1/16" gap in liners the bar can go further. This is normal, it allows to avoid vertical blade play. The portion of the blade is made with slight incline along the bar goes forward to the tip for the same purpose.
 
As long as there is no vertical play in the blade, I would say it is only a matter of it "wearing in".
 
I'm sorry for being vague, I should have been more specific with my question.

My concern is that it isn't locking far enough. The sticking thing is just an annoyance and it usually doesn't stick on the side of the lock that I usually use. I'm afraid that the bar is just making it far enough to lock, but that it is right on edge of possible failure, say if I did a spine whack or something similar were to happen. I'm not into spine whacking, but I just want to be secure that the lockup is solid. I only have to move the bar about half as far on my 930 as I have to on my 960 to release the blade. From my point of view, this isn't very much leniency.

I posted because I got the knife in the exchange and I'm concerned that Benchmade won't warranty it. I honestly don't think this will work out with break in. There is just too much metal in the way, and I know for a fact my 960 came from the factory locking where it is locking now and is as you describe work3.

I'm wondering whether Benchmade is usually good for new knives that have changed hands (I don't even have original receipt) and if not, whether anyone has attacked this problem themselves. I know that sounds a little radical, but like I said before, I'm not secure with the lock up particularly because of the small amount of movement of the bar for lockup.
 
Last edited:
Just send it to Benchmade saying you recently purchased it and its having lockup issues. There is no reason to say where you bought it, and they wont bother asking.
 
The Axis Lock system is captured too so it may not be dangerous to take the scales off and take a gander at what is going on inside yourself.
 
Reeek said:
The Axis Lock system is captured too so it may not be dangerous to take the scales off and take a gander at what is going on inside yourself.
Click to expand...

I can see it through the axis lock opening if I pull the bar back with the blade fully opened. The portion of blade that nests against the lock bar is just a smidge to full. It needs to be taken back perhaps a 64th or even half that.
 
Nosetotail said:
I can see it through the axis lock opening if I pull the bar back with the blade fully opened. The portion of blade that nests against the lock bar is just a smidge to full. It needs to be taken back perhaps a 64th or even half that.
Click to expand...


I see what you mean
 
Disassembling an axis-lock BM will void the warranty so you might be safer just sending it back to them. They have excellent customer service and will fix you right!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top