Micro blade play on new Rift 950,, normal?

rcb2000

rcb2000

Joined
Apr 15, 2014
Messages
3,747
Hi all,
Opened up my new 950 yesterday,, absolutely LOVE it.
Quick question though,, the axis screw was VERY tight out of box,, so I loosened it to the point that I could comfortably deploy it with either the thumb stud, or flicking it open. When I do get it to that point,, there is a VERY SMALL amount of vertical play,, almost impossible to notice unless you really pay attention.
My question is, is that normal? It really doesn't bother me, but if its a problem that could become a larger issue later on, I'd like to exchange it for another 950.
Thanks for any help!
 
I'm not sure how lose you made the pivot screw. If you lose it enough, it is normal to see some horizontal blade play. I like to tighten up enough for the blade to not to drop down with gravity and light enough for quick deploy.

Hope it helps.

(edit) me bad, didn't see "vertical" Play. Make sure the barrel spacer right above pivot point is the right one (There are 3 in Rift, and it may be wrong one in there)

MFL
 
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Just to verify, when you say vertical, you mean when the knife is locked open and you move the blade up and down in the same direction that the blade opens and closes, right? (as opposed to wiggling the blade side to side)

Yes, it's normal provided it is a small amount and that the play presented itself after you loosened the pivot. Most production knives are going to have blade play and more so if the pivot or any of the stand offs are loose. Making sure the pivot is tight as well as the standoff/spacer screws is the first thing to check, usually. While the pivot has a more direct role in horizontal (side to side) play, it can also affect vertical play as well. Exceptionally dirty knives can also sometimes develop superficial play coming from a less-than-perfect lockup, but that probably isn't the case here given how new the knife is.

I am right with MobileFireLord in that I like my AXIS knives to be ever so tighter than what is needed for the blade to drop freely with gravity. From my personal experience, when the pivot is tightened to this point, blade play is very rare and the blade should center mostly evenly when closed.

Most knives will also develop a small amount of play after usage. By small I mean not enough to have any effect on usage and something that you have to really wiggle the blade around to feel (not something that you can feel move freely during usage or by shaking the knife.)

As the general usage of a knife can result in the pivot or other screws coming loose over time (which will result in play directly from this) I tend to use something like VC3 on pivots and in some cases other screws so that once I have a pivot tightness I like I can hold it there long-term. I prefer it over other threadlockers for it being easy to remove, reusable, and it having really good corrosion resistance.
 
To add to what pnsxyr has kindly mentioned, I have added the picture to indicate the size difference in spacers.

WP_20140426_00a_zpsc21dd26a.jpg


Funny things are that 2 regular spacer and pivot stop pin can fit in lines. Does your Rift has any space between blade detent and the pin?

MFL
 
Hi guys, thanks for the info.
I did ever so slightly adjust the pivot screw to where to blade wouldn't drop by its own gravity, but would deploy easily enough,, and sure enough the play is gone.
I think I may have just taken it too loose. No space between the blade indent and the pin though..
I never had and horizontal play,,just a VERY small amount of vertical.
Absolutely love this knife,,, can't wait for my next ,, maybe one of the custom mini grips as a "sheeple friendly"...
 
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