Military wiggles when closed

sharp_edge · Jul 31, 2016

Hello Spyderco Military owners out there, I just want to check how many actually run into this. Both of my spyderco militaries wiggles a bit when closed, i.e., when you slowly push and pull the blade when it is in the closed position, you can feel a slight movement (up and down not side to side), maybe 1mm or so. Both knives were purchased new (a ti and a plain jane). I don't want to rule it as an issue because it does not seem to compromise the function. However, I am curious if this is common to all millies or just to some. FYI, an old thread discussed this matter but only a few people responded (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...itary-Blade-play-wiggle-when-closed-Need-help). Thanks in advance.

Bruennis · Jul 31, 2016

The pivot on mine in the closed position wiggles a bit from side to side. Sent it to Spyderco and they said it was normal

Bruennis · Jul 31, 2016

I have the titanium reeve integral lock variant

ShepardCC · Jul 31, 2016

Try tightening the pivot. Might be a detent ball issue. My military isn't like that normally but will wiggle when the pivot gets loose from constant opening and closing.

sharp_edge · Jul 31, 2016

Thank both of you. Shepard - I thought about it too but currently the pivot of both is not loose at all in that neither blade will free fall when the lock is disengaged. With that being said, if the pivot is tightened a bit more, the wiggle will disappear but consequently the blade won't be able to be opened and locked with the normal thumb or middle finger flick method (though can be opened with the thumb pushing the hole all the way until the blade is locked).

ShepardCC · Jul 31, 2016

Yea some knives its a trade off....a little wiggle when open/closes vs. smooth open and close. I usually always go for the ladder. I prefer a smoother opening/closing.

Sometimes you luck out and have a super smooth and rock solid lockup/close and those I always hang on to.

Red House · Jul 31, 2016

sharp_edge said:
Hello Spyderco Military owners out there, I just want to check how many actually run into this. Both of my spyderco militaries wiggles a bit when closed, i.e., when you slowly push and pull the blade when it is in the closed position, you can feel a slight movement (up and down not side to side), maybe 1mm or so. Both knives were purchased new (a ti and a plain jane). I don't want to rule it as an issue because it does not seem to compromise the function. However, I am curious if this is common to all millies or just to some. FYI, an old thread discussed this matter but only a few people responded (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...itary-Blade-play-wiggle-when-closed-Need-help). Thanks in advance.

I had the same exact issue with my standard Millie. I put a tiny drop of oil on each side of the pivot with a needle oiler and constantly played with the action while watching TV. No more wiggle now and smooth as silk. I can get the blade to drop if I hold the lock open and shake the knife. Perfect! Give it a try.

sharp_edge · Jul 31, 2016

you mean you first tighten the pivot so that the wiggle is gone and then applied the oil correct? Otherwise I dont understand how oil on the pivot could eliminate the wiggle.

lo8el · Jul 31, 2016

I own three and one of them is well used (in my edc rotation for past four years). All three of them are stiff in closed and open position, no wiggle at all.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Red House · Jul 31, 2016

sharp_edge said:
you mean you first tighten the pivot so that the wiggle is gone and then applied the oil correct? Otherwise I dont understand how oil on the pivot could eliminate the wiggle.

No. I did nothing other than add the oil and work the action. The wiggle went away pretty quickly and the action keeps getting smoother over time. I don't understand how it eliminated the wiggle either other than maybe the oil allows the washers to work properly now.

Riz! · Jul 31, 2016

If you mean when the blade is closed there is a slight wiggle in the range of motion in which the blade opens and closes then yes mine have that. It is because the detent hole is bigger than the detent ball. Side to side (handle scale to handle scale), none of mine do that, open or closed

Red House · Jul 31, 2016

Forgot to add that I put a tiny bit of oil on the detent ball too.

sharp_edge · Jul 31, 2016

Riz - yes thats what I meant and I think your explanation makes perfect sense. Now the question is why Spyderco does not make the detent ball and the hole mate perfectly. Or maybe this is within the error range of production folders?

Then if so, does it mean Red Houses method collected gunk in the detent hole such that it left no room for the ball to move once it fits in? idk...

Red House · Jul 31, 2016

sharp_edge said:
Riz - yes thats what I meant and I think your explanation makes perfect sense. Now the question is why Spyderco does not make the detent ball and the hole mate perfectly. Or maybe this is within the error range of production folders?

Then if so, does it mean Red Houses method collected gunk in the detent hole such that it left no room for the ball to move once it fits in? idk...

Mine was virtually new and never carried. I believe it just needed better lubrication to run smoothly. I never took a bit to any of the screws.

115Italian · Jul 31, 2016

My standard mil has no play that you speak of. It is probably the detent hole.

Red House · Jul 31, 2016

Sharp_edge, I should also mention that my other two Millies, a standard black blade and a sprint run 52100, have never had the wiggle we're talking about.

sharp_edge · Jul 31, 2016

ok thx. I tightened the pivot just so the wiggle disappeared then applied a drop of tuf glide to the pivot, and began opening and closing the blade. After a while, it seems now smoother and the wiggle has not shown up. Hope this is just a matter of needing break in.