Off-Center, loose Lahar: Normal?

U

uberdog

Joined
Feb 17, 2006
Messages
11
Hey Folks,

Ran a lot searches, but cannot find the info I need specific to the Lahar:

I picked up a Lahar this week along with my second JYD II (black this time!). The two JYD's and the Lahar are my first and only Kershaw knives. Being blown away by the JYD II left me wanting more.

The Lahar is a bit of a disappointment. The blade was loose in the frame as new and badly off center when folded. Everything else seemed great. So I removed the pocket clip and tightened the blade to remove the wobble. Doing so made opening the knife very stiff and a two handed deal, but solid when locked. Backed it off a little bit, but still a stiff opener. The blade remains off-center when closed and I was not able to adjust that at all. It is not rubbing the frame, but close.

So my question for other Lahar owners: Is this the way the Lahar is in all samples? My JYD's are dead center when folded and lock up tight while remaining easy to flip open. Maybe the Lahar is just different.

Thanks in advance. :)
 
Loose in the frame? I don't understand. Do you mean there is a loose detent when closed, or the blade has play when open?

My Lahar came with a little play when open, but Kershaw warranty fixed it for me. Its locks up solid as a rock, and the blade is almost centered perfectly.
 
uberdog said:
Hey Folks,

Ran a lot searches, but cannot find the info I need specific to the Lahar:

I picked up a Lahar this week along with my second JYD II (black this time!). The two JYD's and the Lahar are my first and only Kershaw knives. Being blown away by the JYD II left me wanting more.

The Lahar is a bit of a disappointment. The blade was loose in the frame as new and badly off center when folded. Everything else seemed great. So I removed the pocket clip and tightened the blade to remove the wobble. Doing so made opening the knife very stiff and a two handed deal, but solid when locked. Backed it off a little bit, but still a stiff opener. The blade remains off-center when closed and I was not able to adjust that at all. It is not rubbing the frame, but close.

So my question for other Lahar owners: Is this the way the Lahar is in all samples? My JYD's are dead center when folded and lock up tight while remaining easy to flip open. Maybe the Lahar is just different.

Thanks in advance. :)
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do yourself a favor and send it in to Kershaws waranty dept. They'll take care of ya.

to answer you question.....NO! not all Lahars are like that. I have had 2 (i still have one. sharp as can be, locks perfectly, smooth as silk. the other i sold to a friend). they were both perfect. did you order it over the net? or did you actually pick it up at a knife shop?
 
If you can't get it to open smooth and center the blade up with simple adjustments, I'd recommend sending it to Kershaw and let them have at it. You'll have it back in about a week. Kershaw has a fantastic turn around time. I don't have one but from what I've heard from all the guys that have one.....it's one helluva knife.
 
Uberdog,

If you feel like it, send it in to the warranty department and put a note with it to my attention I would like to take a look at it. It probably just needs some minor tweaking.
 
Tim Galyean said:
Uberdog,

If you feel like it, send it in to the warranty department and put a note with it to my attention I would like to take a look at it. It probably just needs some minor tweaking.
Click to expand...

Tim's your man Uberdog. It is his design. :thumbup:
 
Tim Galyean said:
Uberdog,

If you feel like it, send it in to the warranty department and put a note with it to my attention I would like to take a look at it. It probably just needs some minor tweaking.
Click to expand...
There ya go...It doesn't get any better than that. This is why I love Kershaw!.:thumbup:.:thumbup:.
 
Tim Galyean said:
Uberdog,

If you feel like it, send it in to the warranty department and put a note with it to my attention I would like to take a look at it. It probably just needs some minor tweaking.
Click to expand...

Very Nice Tim !!!! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
Oh...Love the Bulldog Tim. How bout them Georgia Bulldawgs!! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
My Lahar was also tremendously off center - as far to the side opposite the lock as possible without touching the other liner. Fortunately, in STR's threads he has instructions on how to correct this problem. I'll see if I can find it and post it in a separate post. Basically, though, you can just bend it back.

I had to play with the pivot to find the right balance, as well. The tiniest adjustment made a huge difference. Just the slightest bit too loose, and I had side-to-side blade play (when open). Too tight, and it was too hard to flick open. I'm talking the smallest possible adjustments, I could barely tell I was turning the screw, making very noticable differences. Eventually I found a happy medium where I have no blade play, but the knife is flickable. I also have the blade almost perfectly centered now. Even though the knife wasn't perfect out of the box, with these simple, minor adjustments, made by a novice, I am perfectly happy with the knife.
 
A loose off-center blade is definitely not the norm, see this thread for a fair amount of feedback and pictures of mine. If you don't feel that tinkering with it has gotten you anywhere, you should definitely take Tim up on his offer (he did design it after all).

If you do feel the need to tinker some more, one of the things I've found that can help is to loosen all the screws holding the handle together, push the blade to the opposite side (wedge it if necessary), then re-tighten the screws. If the handles and liners aren't properly aligned, the pivot pin may not be perpendicular to the handles, this can help.
 
Tim Galyean said:
Uberdog,

If you feel like it, send it in to the warranty department and put a note with it to my attention I would like to take a look at it. It probably just needs some minor tweaking.
Click to expand...

Thanks very much Tim, I'll take you up on the offer. I did not know you designed the Lahar as well as the JYD. I clearly like what you come up with.

Thank you as well for all the other replies. This was only my second post on this forum, but clearly good folks hang out here. :thumbup::thumbup:
 
all is well, I guess I've had around 4 Lahars so far and they've been pretty good. But, I've encountered the above problems periodically on most knife models. The difference is Kershaw will make it right, and fast. Usually just a tweak anyway
 
uberdog said:
Thanks very much Tim, I'll take you up on the offer. I did not know you designed the Lahar as well as the JYD. I clearly like what you come up with.

Thank you as well for all the other replies. This was only my second post on this forum, but clearly good folks hang out here. :thumbup::thumbup:
Click to expand...

The best Uberdog. Pull up a chair and hang out a while. ;)
Really though, all these guys go above and beyond to help
a man out. Simply a great bunch of folks with a lot of knowledge
to share. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Oh...Welcome to the forums. :)
 
i am still looking forward to getting a lahar for xmas, with or without problems- i know kershaw will make it right if its not, out of the box!!
 
My Lahar came perfect. (or at least close) Someday I am going to pick up another. I want to get the RAM first though and see how I like it.
 
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