Purpose of flats on blade pivots?

[ToddM]

I recently picked up a VECP V2 folder and when I removed the pivot screw the female mate fell out as well. I noticed that it had two opposing flats ground into it. I was curious what the reason for those flats were since they didn't seem to interface with a corresponding flat/notch in the handle slabs or pivot bushings?

In the past when I've seen that used it was to interface with the handle, liners, bushings in some way. It seems like that if they are not interfacing with anything a completely round pivot would be stronger/smoother, but then I thought perhaps they were there to allow a place for pivot grit to escape the bearing surface, or function as a grease "reservoir" similar to the idea behind perforated bushings.

 

[bpeezer]

Any chance you can post some pictures?

 

[Jens Schuetz]

Have seen that on a cheap Buck only so far. Normally the shape of the pivot nut fits perfectly through the liner. Sometimes its completely round, sometimes it has a flat on one side. I like the flat better since that prevents the pivot nut from spinning when screwing in the pivot screw.

 

[ToddM]

I'll work on pics, could be I just didn't notice the handle/bushing interface, sometimes they are pretty subtle.

Looks like 3 equally spaced flats on the pivot, and the handle/bushings/blade holes appear perfectly round.

 

[Cereal_killer]

It could be to allow a little extra lube/grease to fill the space but more than likely it's just that the pivot is ordered from some supplier and comes that way.