loose handles

[nybble]

Hello all,

I have an old benchmade, I don't know the details (it was given to me in 96 or 97 and I don't know when they bought it). Forgive me my ignorance, I don't know the blade style either, but it seems to be like the soon to be BM 31 (utility?). At any rate, the handles are quite loose, sometimes the latch misses the latch groove on the safe handle completely and falls to one side or the other of the handle.

I've read that I can hammer the pins to tighten it up, but there are no pins showing through. It is just smooth metal to the top of the handles. Can I still hammer that? Will that cause some ugliness to appear on the handle? Thanks for any information!

nybble

 

[tonyccw]

Just proceed as if the pins are exposed, but place a piece of leather between the handle and the table, and another piece on top to protect the finish before you hammer. Hit straight down at the pin, otherwise you will cause the hammer to mark the handle with little divots. If the handle is too far out of alignment, you will see (feel actually) the pin stick out a little. Getting rid of that is more involved.

 

[nybble]

Thanks so much for the help.. now to find a sturdy enough table and hopefully not ruin my bali.