Meridian Topo Clip

[Que]

I picked up a Meridian Topo today and so far I'm really liking the knife overall. I have noticed that despite tightening down the screw that secures the clip I still get side to side movement. There is a notch on the clip above the screw and a pin that sets into that notch which I assume is to limit the movement of the clip. But, with the screw in as far as it goes I still get a good 2mm of movement each way side to side. Is this normal and/or part of the design?

 

[Alann45]

I got one a couple of days ago...always found it interesting and wanted to pick one up before they dissappeared. Kind of garish, but I like it.
Box looked like it had been on the dealers shelf for quite awhile, apparently this was not a big mover.

Had not noticed the clip movement until you mentioned it, but mine does the same as you described.
My assumption is the same as yours: they put the pin to limit the amount of movement of the clip since they chose to attach it with only one screw.

I doubt you can tighten that screw enough to keep it from moving considering the leverage you can apply to the clip. On the plus side, with the pin there, its not going to move any more that than the 2 mm. You probably won't ever notice it with normal pocket insertion.

Kind of curious really. I wonder why they went with that way of doing it? Screw and a stop pin? They could easily have put 2 or maybe 3 torx screws in about the same space.

 

[Que]

My first thought was that possibly the slide of the clip was engineered in so that once could get at the screws underneath the clip, but I quickly realized that this made no sense as the only time that you would mess with those screws you would already have the clip off.

I agree that this movement will not hinder the use of the clip. For me the question of the movement was more academic than anything else as I don't use a clip and it is already off the knife with the set screw back in place.

The aesthetics of the knife is a bit over the top. I can see how many wouldn't be into the looks, but I think that is what caught my eye; somethng different that stands out. The knife is overall very nicely built. There is zero blade play but possibly a bit of "flex" that I find completely acceptable.

Acquiring the Topo has caused me to go back and take another look at my other SOGs ((Twitch, Flash, Spec Elite, Trident) and I really think that SOG often gets less credit than they deserve. My Spec Elite I is one of my favorite knives and one of the smoothest/slickest opening knives that I have experienced.

 

[Alann45]

It is a bit different, but it's nice to have some variety. I'm sure glad it has the kicker, because so far I've found the thumb stud nearly impossible to use.

SOG's folders tend to not be liked by many, but I have several and have been happy with all of them. For the price, I think they are fine.

Since you like the Meridian, you might like the Bi-Polar, if you can find one.

 

[Que]

I don't have any significant problem with the thumbstud although it is a bit more stiff opening than a lot of knives. I do like the flipper much better.

I've been thinking about trying the Bluto. Anyone have one?