- Joined
- Aug 27, 2004
- Messages
- 12,955
I get this kind of thing often. In fact this morning I recieved two liner locks and another knife. Both liner locks are needing an opinion on the lock and my recommendation.
This one is a fairly new looking Mini Commander by Emerson knives. I happen to know the owner of this knife and he is not a real hard core user but simply carries his knives keeping them in very good condition never abusing them. Nothing but normal use has ever been done to this knife but he felt the lock was getting questionable.
I've taken some scans of it. I've always liked the ergonomics of this little folder. I think my take on these thin locks is fairly well known so I'll pass on further comment there.
I will say that one of the problems with knives made this way with thinner liners mated to a system where each washer on the pivot barrel is .035" in thickness or greater can create its own unique situation.
When I recieved this knife as is typical of many Emersons I get the pivot was just sloppy lose. I could easily turn the head of the screw with my finger nail and lateral blade play was quite evident. This is not a good idea with set ups done this way because now you have widened that already wider than normal gap between the blade and the washer on each side so that its dangerously close to being and open space ample enough for the lock to get into it.
When the lock leaves the contact interface on a folder well worn like this one what that can lead to is a defeat of the lock where you wedge it into the space where the washer sits. It can permanently damage your contact if not cause chipping of the lock face and I've seen this as well as bent up mangled locks due to this.
My first recommendation is to send this knife back to Emerson and have them either replace it or repair it under warranty. I believe its time since as you can see the lock has traveled to the very edge of the contact on the opposing side liner. The good news is that so long as you keep your blade from developing lateral AKA side to side play by letting your pivot get lose the lock is still doing its job. The bad is that eventually its going to just leave the blade altogether and to be honest it nearly does this now even with light openings. When I waved it open I nearly made it leave the blade at that point so its very close to doing it already.
I can fix it. But I can also guarantee you Ernie will void your warranty in a heartbeat if I do it even though its the exact same thing he'll do when they get it at EKI.
STR
This one is a fairly new looking Mini Commander by Emerson knives. I happen to know the owner of this knife and he is not a real hard core user but simply carries his knives keeping them in very good condition never abusing them. Nothing but normal use has ever been done to this knife but he felt the lock was getting questionable.
I've taken some scans of it. I've always liked the ergonomics of this little folder. I think my take on these thin locks is fairly well known so I'll pass on further comment there.
I will say that one of the problems with knives made this way with thinner liners mated to a system where each washer on the pivot barrel is .035" in thickness or greater can create its own unique situation.
When I recieved this knife as is typical of many Emersons I get the pivot was just sloppy lose. I could easily turn the head of the screw with my finger nail and lateral blade play was quite evident. This is not a good idea with set ups done this way because now you have widened that already wider than normal gap between the blade and the washer on each side so that its dangerously close to being and open space ample enough for the lock to get into it.
When the lock leaves the contact interface on a folder well worn like this one what that can lead to is a defeat of the lock where you wedge it into the space where the washer sits. It can permanently damage your contact if not cause chipping of the lock face and I've seen this as well as bent up mangled locks due to this.
My first recommendation is to send this knife back to Emerson and have them either replace it or repair it under warranty. I believe its time since as you can see the lock has traveled to the very edge of the contact on the opposing side liner. The good news is that so long as you keep your blade from developing lateral AKA side to side play by letting your pivot get lose the lock is still doing its job. The bad is that eventually its going to just leave the blade altogether and to be honest it nearly does this now even with light openings. When I waved it open I nearly made it leave the blade at that point so its very close to doing it already.
I can fix it. But I can also guarantee you Ernie will void your warranty in a heartbeat if I do it even though its the exact same thing he'll do when they get it at EKI.
STR
