New Knife Stripdown: Wise or Waste?

[The Burgh]

Just started buying new knives in earnest (20) in the past 12 months, $5 to $200 each. Have known, lived with and maintained "old friends" for 45 years.

Every new-to-me firearm I buy, I first strip it down as far as possible, closely inspect all parts for defects, clean every part with cleaner/degreaser, and lube the parts sparingly/appropriately (usually with Eezox). In almost all cases, every part has been defect free, but removed much manufacturer/prior user grit, lint, dust, grime and expired lubricant. In a few cases, stoning, polishing filing has been necessary

Now my question: Is it necessary, or even wise, to follow the same stripdown procedure with new (and, I suppose, used) knives?

 

[OHALLUM]

I think if that is your part of your enjoyment of owning fine knives and firearms, then by all means, strip them down and clean/inspect and "tune" them up to your standards. But ( there is always a "but" ) be aware that there could be a loss of mfg's warranty if any damage is done in the process. I strip some of my knives down just for the reasons you stated, and have never damaged any of them. However if I ever do any damage, then the repairs are on me, and not a warranty item. I breakie, I fixie! Enjoy your knives and the best of luck to you!

Omar

 

[Spey]

+1 OHALLUM comments

Personally, I strip down & inspect every knife I plan to use/carry (firearms we treatment). This allows me to get ahead of potentially miss-worn parts.

Many knives come from maker/factory with small (sometimes greater) production tolerance related issues. Examples: nylon pivot bushings/washers potentially have metal debris that after a few opening becomes embedded into the nylon (typical Cold Steel), phosphor bronze bushing that got pinched/compressed during assembly effecting pivot & lockup (recent ZT301 & also a PM-2).

Just make sure to use properly fitting drivers for the tiny fasteners, and slow steady pressure to loosen (some makers use Locktite blue and/or red).

Additionally, this allows close inspection of lock interfaces, etc. Many folks simple open & close 'em "to break them in". I believe this practice can prematurely wear components that could have been "blueprinted" (so to speak) by a proactive initial "tuning".

I find this is a great way to determine the "keepers" & the traders. Of the last batch of PM-2's that I bought, 2 were really good, one was exceptional. Interestingly, to each buyer I offered their choice, and I still wound up with what I considered the best two of the lot ... ;-) Buyers were more interested in color & pattern of G10, perfect boxes, etc. (go figure ...).

On the flip side however, I personally tend to devalue knives previous owners have disassembled because it seems a lot on people don't understand that just because a screw head is "supposed to be" a T-8, that a T-9 might actually be a better fit ... Also, it's been my experience that few understand how little force (measured in inch-pounds not ft/lbs) it takes to properly secure such small stainless fasteners. I have had my fair share of friends knives with fasteners that "just stripped for no reason" :-o

Regards,

 

[singularity35]

I think stripdown for a knife is a waste but if you're happy doing it, go for it. Firearms on the other hand, I usually mod right off, even if just a trigger job.

 

[8steve88]

First off let me qualify this by saying that I usually only buy Chinese knives, mostly SanRenMu, Enlan and Ganzo but some other lesser known makes as well.
I strip the knives down if they need it i.e. if they do not open and close smoothly or have lock-up or centring issues. A year or so ago it was about 25% of the knives I bought that required some form of adjusting. Enlans EL-xx series got a new pivot screw in the original pivot and new phosphor bronze washers, the washers themselves make a world of difference. Now it is rare that a knife requires anything other than a drop of oil and working in about 10-20 times then it's good to go. I still give them a strip down and clean, lube, washers, re-assemble if I think it will improve them.
With these Chinese knives there is no guarantee to worry about and the costs are low.
With just about any knife there is very little that can be done, it is one of the simplest tools, so stripping and putting back together is easy. Obviously automatics are a different matter and cost and guarantee issues more of a bar to working on the knife.
I feel that it is part of the hobby and have acquired a decent set of tools over the years.