New benchmade ritter mini grip - Off centered blade and super "sticky" lock

S

SirKrimzon

Joined
Sep 3, 2015
Messages
2
Hey fellas,

I just bought a new benchmade mini grip ritter in m390 steel today. I noticed that the blade is off centered. Please see this photo

http://i.imgur.com/k2Obb5X.jpg

Is this considered normal in your opinion for the company or would you personally return it?

Also the axis lock is SUPER sticky atleast one half of the time I try to close the blade...it actually hurts my fingers when I try to pull it back to close the blade. I have to use a great deal of force. I've been playing with it for a few hours and the frequency hasn't really gone down. I really want to like this blade, but I don't know if my expectations are unrealistic or not? This is my first benchmade. Any thoughts or opinions from fellow mini grip owners would be appreciate. Thanks fellas.

Also is it not "safe" to wrist flick the blade open via axis lock too much? I find it much more enjoyable than the thumb stick.


Best,
Stan
 
SirKrimzon said:
Hey fellas,

I just bought a new benchmade mini grip ritter in m390 steel today. I noticed that the blade is off centered. Please see this photo

http://i.imgur.com/k2Obb5X.jpg

Is this considered normal in your opinion for the company or would you personally return it?

Also the axis lock is SUPER sticky atleast one half of the time I try to close the blade...it actually hurts my fingers when I try to pull it back to close the blade. I have to use a great deal of force. I've been playing with it for a few hours and the frequency hasn't really gone down. I really want to like this blade, but I don't know if my expectations are unrealistic or not? This is my first benchmade. Any thoughts or opinions from fellow mini grip owners would be appreciate. Thanks fellas.

Also is it not "safe" to wrist flick the blade open via axis lock too much? I find it much more enjoyable than the thumb stick.


Best,
Stan
Click to expand...

I would say that the off-centering is not uncommon with benchmades. However, I would say that the lock being sticky is. I would either return it to the company or maybe just send an email to benchmade. There customer service has been good to me.
 
My large grip was like that until I took it apart and lapped the washers with fine polishing compound. It's much smoother now, and the centering is right on. It took about 15 minutes.
I suppose I could of sent it back but I didn't want them grinding away with their power sharpening tools or over tightening screws.
 
Thanks for the reply mine, you genuinely dont think benchmades are that well centered? And i emailed both benchmade and knifeworks (the retailer I purchased from) and am awaiting a reply. Hopefully its not an issue!
 
Benchmades aren't the only ones delivered off-center. Yours doesn't look too bad, but the sticky part could be an issue. I would suggest calling them at 800-800-7427 and ask for Customer service. Emails are iffy, often we get better results by picking up the phone. Good luck!
 
A millimeter offset doesn't matter (to me, anyway) and certainly doesn't affect function. As far as the Axis stickiness goes, run it under hot water, dry and lube it a bit (I find BreakFree works well). You can also adjust the pivot screw with the appropriate Torx bit. Grippies are one of the most ergonomic knife designs around, IMHO, in addition to the Axis lock.
 
Agree with Alberta Ed. Two driver bits needed for most Benchmades are T-10 for the pivot (which MIGHT be too tight...) and T-6 for the handle and clip screws. Just back off the pivot and see if the blade is easier to deploy. The mechanism's pretty simple once you play with it.
 
I would return an off centered blade if it were rubbing the scales when opening or closing the knife. I don't like an off centered blade, but wouldn't send it in for that. I have gotten slightly off blades from Spyderco (kiwi 4) and in a Moki Glory. All my Benchmade blades are centered. I must be lucky with them.
 
I would try this first, before I sent it back to BM that is.

"With the knife closed.
I would loosen all the screws including the clip screws
Now snug down on the pivot.
Not real tight, just hand tight.
I then gently, but firmly, apply pressure to each side of the knife in opposite directions.
Left side up/right side down or Left side down/right side up; while at the same time seeing what combination gives you the desired results.
While holding the right effect, start tightening screws.
If the tightening of one particular screw ruins the effect, then tighten this problem screw last.
Once all screws are tight, adjust pivot."
 
I've noticed that the axis lock feels a bit sticky or like metal is sticking on metal when I try to unlock it. This is compared to my 710 in ATS-34, another mini-grip in CM154, and a 940-1 in S90V. I wonder if the M390 on the Ritter models with the nice stonewashing isn't as smooth and binds a bit on the axis lock bar. I wonder if it will break in, if I can put some polishing compound on the lock bar and blade and work it around or disassemble and polish the parts a bit. Has anyone else found that some knives have a more sticky axis lock like this?
 
I don't think it has anything to do with blade finish. Out of all of the Mini Grips I have owned, I have only had one that had a "sticky" lock mechanism...
I took the knife apart and used a fine file on the edge of the tang, where the Axis bar slides across. I think it had a very slight burr on it. It didn't take a lot of work and it eliminated the problem.
 
I would clean it good do the centering trick then reoil. If it's still pretty off center or rough send it in
 
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