Picked up a Mini-Commander, have questions

one2gofst

one2gofst

Joined
Dec 3, 2001
Messages
1,536
I received a used Mini-Commander in a trade a while ago. I just got to handle it this weekend. There are a couple things that I noticed. I was wondering if you guys could tell me if they are normal and/or how I can remedy them.

First think I noticed is that the pivot screw works itself loose fairly quickly. I can retighten it with my thumb, but it is a pain having to do this every 20-30 openings.

Second, when I adjust the pivot screw I have two choices. it can open smooth or be tough to open. If it opens smooth the blade can also be flicked open really easily. If I tighten it up so it cannot just be flicked open it is really stiff. Is this normal? Suggestions?

Finally, I noticed that the pivot of the knife squeaks some when I am opening it. The faster I open it the louder it squeaks. None of my other knives have ever done this (this is my first emerson though) and it is annoying.

I took the knife apart today and cleaned and lubed it up and all of these problems persist. Any comments or advice you could give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
Ironic post compared to my experience with Emersons. My MC I've cycled hundreds of times, and experienced no loosening of the pivot pin. No squeaks. Tightness has been just right - for me - since taking delivery.

The loosening you're experiencing with your MC, I experience with my custom CQC-6, which I paid $1000+ for. Personally, it doesn't bug me much though, but that's just me. Every 50 cycles or so, I just tighten it up a bit.

If you find it too annoying, just send it off to Emo, and they'll fix it for you....

AL
 
If my memory serves me correctly, med. Locktite seemed to remedy the loosening pivot (As suggested by many on the Emerson Forum). Don't use the strong stuff as you'll not be able to ever remove the pin.
The adjustment of the pin, in my experience, was done in small increments till the right balance was achieved. Hopefully you can get it before the locktite sets. I personally haven't had to use locktite, but it seems logical, if you're having this problem.
As for the squeaking :confused: I've never had anything like that happen to me. Has the seller been able to shine any light on the noise? This "problem", seems the most serious, compared to the other ones because I've never heard it mentioned before (Kinda sounds like the pivot pin might be damaged. The Wave feature puts alot of stress on this part). EK can definitely fix it if no one else can help. Good Luck!!
 
Thanks for the replies. Anyone else who could shed some light would be greatly appreciated. I could not see any damage when I took it apart, but I did not know exactly what to look for. The squeaking is the thing that really bothers me the most. Thanks again. I am waiting to hear back from the person I traded with. Hopefully then I will know what I need to do.
 
I realize you probably don't want to hear this, but here goes. You might consider living without your new pride and joy for a week or so. The folks that built it could fix it up better than anyone else, and the only charge would be to/from shipping. Just slip a money order for five bucks (or so) in with the knife and send it back with a detailed description of the problems. Be sure to include your email addy so they can reach you with any questions/suggestions. Have 'em sharpen it too. :)

All told, you'll spend about ten bucks and be without your knife for a week tops. In return, you'll have a MiniCom that rocks.

Just my two cents.
 
Hi, guys. I am the guy that traded the Mini-Commander to Steve. I have tried to answer his questions as best I can. As far as the squeaking goes, I believe the answer lies in the lubricant. When I received all of my Mini-Commanders, they were lubed with a thick, black grease. As they became gummy, I disassembled them and re-lubed them with a lighter lubricant. After that, they all began to squeak. My full-sized Commanders got the same treatment but do not squeak. My theory is that a thicker lubricant needs to be used. Maybe the manufacturing tolerances are different between mini and full sized commanders, requiring the thicker lube on the mini. The pivot screw problem is common as I have observed. Many of my EKI knives have this trait, and I find it to be a minor annoyance.

Steve, I replied to your mail and I'm waiting to hear back from you. Please respond by Thursday as I'll be going on vacation starting friday morning.
 
I purchased a Mini-Commander when they first came out, and mine has a squeaking problem too. When I first noticed the problem, I assumed it was due to improper lubrication. I disassembled the knife, cleaned it completely of old lubricant, applied new lubricant, and reassembled it. The squeaking persisted. I have repeated the process with several different lubricants, yet none of them have helped the squeaking problem. I have noticed that the squeaking stops if I hold the liner lock completely open (press it flush against the clip-side scale) while opening the blade. Perhaps the squeaking is caused by part of the liner lock rubbing against the tang of the blade as it opens? I have considered sending the knife back to Emerson, but hate to pay exorbitant shipping from Hawaii if it is something I can fix myself.

Fedaykin
 
I just got my Mini-Commander back from Emerson. Sadly, they do not appear to have remedied my biggest concern. As soon as I got it back I took it out to examine for the squeaking noise. It was still there. The blade also does not appear to have been sharpened. I am somewhat disappointed. I know that it was looked at because the pivot seems to stay put now and the liner engages at a different point. I also know that it was looked at because it was returned in a different Emerson black box than it was sent it. I have sent the folks at Emerson an email. This bothers me a little because I am about to purchase a Specwar, but am having doubts since this problem persists and it is the majority of my experience with Emersons. Any thoughts?
 
Sorry you're having trouble w/ your Mini-
I tweaked the screw to get it where I wanted it (was a bit tight right out of the box) & it's been perfect ever since. Good luck.
 
Use car grease on the pivot...only a little. Some I know have used crisco, but it needs re-crisoing more than if you use car grease.

Steve C.
 
Well, the knife is back in Derk's hands now. I talked to him and he said to send it to him and he will work on it personally. I am anxious to see if he was able to remedy the problem. Even if he is not, it should at least be sharpened properly this time.
 
one2gofst
Damn glad I am not the only one to have the squeaks form a mini-c. Let me know what Derk does to fix it.
I have tryed every type of lube on the liner lock I can think of, to no avail.

EKI customer service is outstanding. I had a problem with a 2k commander and they did it in a 2 day turnaround time. That is just outstanding. I just dont want to let the mini-c out of my hands....
 
Well I have had my mini about 5 weeks now and I love it.The jury's still out on the chisel ground edge tho..Any thoughts on sharpening this rascal would be appreciated as I'm still a sharpening newbie.
I stripped the knife down the other day,cleaned it and applied Mili Tec to the metal parts.
After reassembly the knife squeaked...big time.
Stripped it down again and applied a little graphite grease to the pivot.
This solved the squeaking problem and we're back in business.

kj
 
Just a note...

On another thread, I heard that you can take care of the pivot screw problem by applying a thread of teflon tape to the screw before screwing it in. This seems logical enough to work and eliminates the need for glue.

As far as all the other problems are concerned, I have no clue. :D
 
yup, the teflon tape has worked for me. i used to have to tighten weekly, if not more. no more- i haven't needed to tighten in 3 months
 
Originally posted by kimberjim

After reassembly the knife squeaked...big time.
Stripped it down again and applied a little graphite grease to the pivot.
This solved the squeaking problem and we're back in business.

kj
Click to expand...

Just curious about what kind/brand of graphite grease you used. I am experiencing the singing or squeaking issue as well. It is definitely the liner lock vibrating as someone above mentioned.

This did not occur until I cleaned the MC with a Tuf Cloth and swabbed a little Tuf-Glide into the pivot. It seems like a good cleaner and protectant, but not a good lube.

BC
 
My $.02.
I've had my mini for about 1 1/2 months now. No problems what so ever. I do think a very small amount of graphite grease should solve the squeaking problem. (someone else mentioned this too I think). No problems with the pivot screw. But after reading this thread I know what to do if it does work loose. Thanks all. I really like the feel of the mini and am glad I went this route instead of a full size commander. Of course I may get one of those next. ;)
 
I just picked up a Mini this past weekend. It didn't squeak initially, but was a PITA to open. I disassembled and lubed with CLP. I adjusted the pivot to where there is no lateral blade play and the blade opened smoothly. Hello squeak. Disassembled again, removed all CLP and (lightly) lubed with Chris Reeve's Teflon grease. The knife squeaked yesterday, but has become buttery smooth and SILENT as of this morning. I cycled the blade many times after applying the grease and reassembling. I would recommend this approach...

FWIW, I'm thinking that the squeak is originating from the bearing on the opposite side of the lock (the bearing that actually engages the detent in the blade). Another solution may be to (gently) adjust the flap thingy (part of the liner - this will involve complete disassembly of the knife) that the bearing is on. I used a small screwdiver to adjust this on a squaeky SOCFK and it eliminated the problem. I would recommend this only as a last resort and only after trying the grease lube-and-cycle method.

Chris
 
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