Question about SOG assisted opener folders

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

Slipjoint Addict
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Feb 2, 2005
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I currently have a Trident TF2, Blink, Twitch I and II, and a Flash II. All are brand new, and all but the Blink have a wobbly blade. I don't mean it feels like it will come out, but you can move it from side to side with a little force, enough to be noticeable. Now, I have been flicking them open and closed, the only one I have put to some real use is the Blink, and on that one, the blade doesn't move at all. Is it just something having to do with the assisted opening mechanism. I saw my knife dealer last weekend, and he played around with the Blink, and said that it wasn't loose enough yet. :confused: Any help is appreciated.
 
It is trickier with an assisted knife or auto than a regular folder. In order for the mechanism to open the knife correctly the tension needs to be loose enough for the spring to kick the blade open and locked. At the same time it needs to be tight enough to lock the blade open solidly once it is open and locked.

I would probably just clean them off really well using some soap and hot water, or some sort of chemical parts cleaner if you wish. Then put a good lube on there and work it a bit. Then break out the tools and play around with the pivot pin tightness. You need to find the point where the spring just stops kicking the knife open all the way. Then back the screw out again slowly until it just opnes again. Doing this will get the most pressure to prevent any blade play, without interfearing with the assisted opening.
 
Along with what ErikD said, I took my Kershaw bump apart and used 600 grit paper to smooth out the washers and around the pivot hole on the tang, then I finish off with fine steel wool. Now I have a assist with solid lock up.
 
My comment is about Kershaws as well. I have about 1/2 dozen assorted speed safes, and the only one that has any appreciable blade wobble is the one I lost a washer too.

Pivot screw tension, and polished parts is the answer, my friend.
 
I wouldn't recommend taking them apart completely unless you have a good idea of what you are doing. If you have already taken apart a few regular folders and gotten them back together in working order you are well on your way.

You will need to be the judge as to whether you will be able to get them apart and back together again in working order. If you are generally mechanically inclined and good at working with small parts and precision assemblies you should be fine.
 
Silent....,
There is a slight amount of play (side to side) on almost every SOG assisted folder I have examined and tried. It is a simple thing to adjust these assisted openers to be almost perfectly tuned. All you need is a 5/64 allen wrench (Twitch IIs), and turn allen screw on right side of knife slightly to the right until the blade slows down when opened............then leave it alone. This is as tight as you are going to get it.

Then get a lightweight oil and add a couple drops to the pivot area, this will instantly loosen it up to where it will pop out very fast. Sometimes it may take a few openings to reach the maximum, but it will just get smoother and faster, and you will probably have zero play from side to side.

SOG uses loctite on their pivot screws, and sometimes it is a little hard to turn the pivot, but it can be done most of the time (if it does not turn, don't force it, you may strip it, if stripped :D , use a torx, it will bite even stripped allens). (May void warranty). I have 4 Flash IIs, 1 Blink, almost all had a slight amount of side to side movement, most people seem to never notice this amount, but I am picky so I fixed mine in about 3 minutes.

Don't worry about the Blink, it sounds like it's perfect, and a drop of oil will make it that much smoother and faster. If you ever take a SOG Twitch II apart, beware of a microscopic ball bearing and spring that holds the lock bar in on or off position, it is so tiny you could stick it under your finger nail and not know it's there :D .

Robbie Roberson ;)
 
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