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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
My first Blur
- Thread starter tcc
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2006
- Messages
- 10,795
Hey guys, here's some more pics of the three Blurs.
Top to bottom: S30V, SG2, S60V.
The Macro function of the camera distorts the alignment of the S30V and the S60V, so here are some shots of each:
S30V (Ugh! Gotta work on that tip a little bit!)
SG2
S60V
My point of this is that the S30V is not aligned as perfectly as the other two. Now I could spend some time and tweak the handle and pivot screws, but since the blade is not touching the liners, I'm satisfied. I carry my S30V (and the SG2, look at the edge width compared to the other two...it's a scalpel!), and the slight alignment problem isn't an issue to me. Please keep in mind that these are production knives, not customs, so the tolerances will vary from knife to knife. Believe me, if Kershaw thought for a moment there was anything that wasn't up to their standards from a mechanical standpoint, you wouldn't have the knife in your hand today. If it were a cosmetic issue, there'd be XXXX stamped on the blade, but the knife would still be 100% sound mechanically and fully covered under Kershaw's warranty for mechanical issues.
So I guess if you're going to carry the knife, it's going to get beat on anyway. If it's a safe queen you're looking for, there's always Kershaw's excellent CS. There have been post after post about someone not liking this or that about their Kershaw, and all have been resolved to their satisfaction, or better.
So I think calling an alignment problem a "flaw" is a little over the top.
Top to bottom: S30V, SG2, S60V.
The Macro function of the camera distorts the alignment of the S30V and the S60V, so here are some shots of each:
S30V (Ugh! Gotta work on that tip a little bit!)
SG2
S60V
My point of this is that the S30V is not aligned as perfectly as the other two. Now I could spend some time and tweak the handle and pivot screws, but since the blade is not touching the liners, I'm satisfied. I carry my S30V (and the SG2, look at the edge width compared to the other two...it's a scalpel!), and the slight alignment problem isn't an issue to me. Please keep in mind that these are production knives, not customs, so the tolerances will vary from knife to knife. Believe me, if Kershaw thought for a moment there was anything that wasn't up to their standards from a mechanical standpoint, you wouldn't have the knife in your hand today. If it were a cosmetic issue, there'd be XXXX stamped on the blade, but the knife would still be 100% sound mechanically and fully covered under Kershaw's warranty for mechanical issues.
So I guess if you're going to carry the knife, it's going to get beat on anyway. If it's a safe queen you're looking for, there's always Kershaw's excellent CS. There have been post after post about someone not liking this or that about their Kershaw, and all have been resolved to their satisfaction, or better.
So I think calling an alignment problem a "flaw" is a little over the top.
I'm the one who called it a flaw, a design flaw to be specific.
I suppose what one considers a flaw depends on one's expectations, which should vary from one manufacturer to another. For example, it would be unreasonable to expect near perfect blade alignment in one of those $5 knives made in Pakistan (although you might get lucky once in a while). On the other hand, it would not be unreasonable to expect near-perfect blade alignment when buying a Blur, if for no other reason than the fact that many--perhaps most--Blurs are made that way, thus demonstrating Kershaw's ability to do so in a knife at this price point. In other words, high expectations need not be reserved for custom-made knives only.
I'm not necessarily saying that the Blurs that leave the factory with slightly off-center blades are "flawed," but I am saying that they weren't made as well as they could have been--indeed, as well as others were. Presumably these off-center knives were allowed to pass quality control because Kershaw figures, out of economic necessity, that most people who buy $60-70 knives aren't going to be bothered too much by a minor "flaw" like this.
As for calling the problem a design flaw, I'm guessing that larger diameter washers would provide more bearing surface against which to distribute the pivot screw's "centering" pressure on the blade, thus better countering the lateral force from the liner lock when the blade is closed. If that's the case, then larger washers may have resulted in virtually all Blurs having well-centered blades. But, alas, I'm no engineer...
By the way, if tcc was able to completely correct the blade alignment issue by tightening the pivot screw on his Blur, then I wouldn't call the alignment issue with his knife a flaw or defect. In that case, the screw was simply undertightened at the factory. On my Blur, however, tightening the pivot screw helps to a degree but doesn't completely center the blade. To get the blade completely centered, I'd have to tighten the screw so much that the blade wouldn't open or close properly. That's what got me thinking about larger washers in the first place.
I suppose what one considers a flaw depends on one's expectations, which should vary from one manufacturer to another. For example, it would be unreasonable to expect near perfect blade alignment in one of those $5 knives made in Pakistan (although you might get lucky once in a while). On the other hand, it would not be unreasonable to expect near-perfect blade alignment when buying a Blur, if for no other reason than the fact that many--perhaps most--Blurs are made that way, thus demonstrating Kershaw's ability to do so in a knife at this price point. In other words, high expectations need not be reserved for custom-made knives only.
I'm not necessarily saying that the Blurs that leave the factory with slightly off-center blades are "flawed," but I am saying that they weren't made as well as they could have been--indeed, as well as others were. Presumably these off-center knives were allowed to pass quality control because Kershaw figures, out of economic necessity, that most people who buy $60-70 knives aren't going to be bothered too much by a minor "flaw" like this.
As for calling the problem a design flaw, I'm guessing that larger diameter washers would provide more bearing surface against which to distribute the pivot screw's "centering" pressure on the blade, thus better countering the lateral force from the liner lock when the blade is closed. If that's the case, then larger washers may have resulted in virtually all Blurs having well-centered blades. But, alas, I'm no engineer...
By the way, if tcc was able to completely correct the blade alignment issue by tightening the pivot screw on his Blur, then I wouldn't call the alignment issue with his knife a flaw or defect. In that case, the screw was simply undertightened at the factory. On my Blur, however, tightening the pivot screw helps to a degree but doesn't completely center the blade. To get the blade completely centered, I'd have to tighten the screw so much that the blade wouldn't open or close properly. That's what got me thinking about larger washers in the first place.
spiralarchitect
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2007
- Messages
- 2,685
I'd try larger washers. I suspect you could contact Kershaw CS and tell them the issue and that you prefer to fix it yourself, request larger PB washers and give it a go. While installing the new washers be careful to line everyting up everytime you tighten a screw on the handle. if it seems to throw things out of whack back it out and get things realigned, move to the next screw and tighten it down if e/t is still lined up go back and tighten the one you skipped over.
Getting these things lined out isn't hard it just takes a little time and patience. I typically tear my knives down shortly after getting them to squeeze every bit of performance out of them. It just takes alot less time than breaking one in. If you need any help with anything along the way we will be glad to help. Most of us have one of just about every model and can tear it down to take pics if you get stuck.
Welcome to the forum, and come back and see us if you need anything or feel like goofin' around with the gang.:thumbup:
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2007
- Messages
- 2,155
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2007
- Messages
- 2,155
Kershaw definitely wants you to have high expectations for their knives, they set their standard high and do everything they can to maintain it.
If a knife with an issue gets past QC, it is not because they think no one will mind; unfortunately it means that someone missed it. This happens, they're human. I can't imagine that anyone that lets stuff slide through QC intentionally will last very long at Kershaw.
An example of their high standards is the recent S60V Blur. Only 10 made it out of the factory for sale. I don't know if any will make it as seconds. Kershaw's standards are high even for seconds!
I have a few of Kershaw's seconds, and I honestly am not even sure why some of them are seconds. Their QC is that tight.
In any case if you feel that there is a quality issue with your knife, don't hesitate to contact Kershaw's warranty department, they are there to make sure you are happy with the quality of your knife.
Hope this helps.
Thomas W
Banned
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2005
- Messages
- 5,710
stanton2, sorry of your disappointment with the alignment of your Blur. By the sounds of it, you must have parted ways with the piece.
Being one of the few quality US manufacturers’ left that has volume capabilities, life in the factory is organized perfectly, and yet is run at a fast and furious pace. With literally ten’s of thousands of knives being produced monthly, and 100+ patterns on the books, our QC has quite a bit of experience in what and how they do their job.
There are 3 stages that parts go through once they come from the machines: sub-assembly, assembly, and final QC. This is tedious work as you can imagine, but everyone on the line is accountable for their units daily. If you’re slacking, you're not going to be around for long. Knives can go through 6-10 different hands prior to a knife being tucked into a box. We take great pride in our QC department, as they know they are the last to see the product prior to the ELU.
As kd mentions, knives become factory 2nd’s for a plethora of reasons, most of which I can't identify, but there are acceptable tolerances, and then those that can't be tolerated in final QC’s knowledgeable eyes. Liner lock positioning, blade centering, and blade play, are just a few critical areas where tolerances and QC decisions have to be made. These tolerances are occasionally questioned by the consumer, but the QC Dept. has an accepted range within these tolerances that are in place, and that we as a manufacturer are satisfied with.
The S30V Blur SPX picture's is a classic example of this. Personally in my eyes, the blade is within tolerances of leaving the factory. I'd be satisfied. If it doesn't pass stanton2's QC, then there are avenue's to get it taken care of. Did you take any of these avenue's stanton2?
Personal knife preferences and acceptable factory tolerances will vary from time to time, and there may even be a knife that leaves the factory that shouldn’t. These though are quite rare occurrences.
Can every knife we produce be perfect? Probably not, but we’re damn consistent day in and out.
If you still have your Blur, and it’s not responding to some of the hints from the regulars, you should send the knife in for evaluation. Better yet PM with a shipping addy, and I’ll hand pick one for you that doesn’t incorporate a “flaw”.
Maybe a little explanation is in order to help with the understanding of how we quality control our knives.
Being one of the few quality US manufacturers’ left that has volume capabilities, life in the factory is organized perfectly, and yet is run at a fast and furious pace. With literally ten’s of thousands of knives being produced monthly, and 100+ patterns on the books, our QC has quite a bit of experience in what and how they do their job.
There are 3 stages that parts go through once they come from the machines: sub-assembly, assembly, and final QC. This is tedious work as you can imagine, but everyone on the line is accountable for their units daily. If you’re slacking, you're not going to be around for long. Knives can go through 6-10 different hands prior to a knife being tucked into a box. We take great pride in our QC department, as they know they are the last to see the product prior to the ELU.
As kd mentions, knives become factory 2nd’s for a plethora of reasons, most of which I can't identify, but there are acceptable tolerances, and then those that can't be tolerated in final QC’s knowledgeable eyes. Liner lock positioning, blade centering, and blade play, are just a few critical areas where tolerances and QC decisions have to be made. These tolerances are occasionally questioned by the consumer, but the QC Dept. has an accepted range within these tolerances that are in place, and that we as a manufacturer are satisfied with.
The S30V Blur SPX picture's is a classic example of this. Personally in my eyes, the blade is within tolerances of leaving the factory. I'd be satisfied. If it doesn't pass stanton2's QC, then there are avenue's to get it taken care of. Did you take any of these avenue's stanton2?
Personal knife preferences and acceptable factory tolerances will vary from time to time, and there may even be a knife that leaves the factory that shouldn’t. These though are quite rare occurrences.
Can every knife we produce be perfect? Probably not, but we’re damn consistent day in and out.
If you still have your Blur, and it’s not responding to some of the hints from the regulars, you should send the knife in for evaluation. Better yet PM with a shipping addy, and I’ll hand pick one for you that doesn’t incorporate a “flaw”.
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2005
- Messages
- 3,309
...Just seems to me that in your position Thomas, you should be far too busy to personally take up this concern by this individual customer. Yet time and time again I see you doing just that. This should speak volumes to the folks who think about what company to purchase knives from. Kudos to you Thomas...and to Kershaw for having you ...:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:WOW!! That is true CS. Going above and beyond. :thumbup: