Question about spyderco persian

S

speedfan

Joined
Sep 5, 2003
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Ok, well the result of my sub-3 inch blade quest led me to a Persian. It arrived yesterday, and it's awesome. One question: Is there supposed to be enough side to side play in the blade when it's closed that with brisk shaking you can hear it touch the sidewalls? It's not really anything I mind, I'm just wondering if it's normal.
Thanks,
Richard
 
This isn't really uncommon. While it isn't prefered, I think if you tried to move the blade on every knife you have ever owned or handled while closed, you would find it is fairly common and not really something to be concerned with.

It is sort of like blade play while open, but more common and not as much of a problem.
 
I am a bit obessive about my knives, and hate when they rattle. I send 'em back when they do that. That is just me.
 
I'm sorry, I misread the topic post.

I thought he meant if he grabbed the blade and shoke it back and forth briskly. It is normal for the blade to be able to touch the liners if you grab it and shake it hard enough (while holding the handle with the other hand).

But he meant just holding the knife and shaking it.

I have never experienced a knife that did this, so I would consider it uncommon.

As long as it locks up secure when open and does not have excessive play, I wouldn't think it was a real problem, though.
 
Yeah, I looked at my other knives. I think it's just simply that one this knife the liners are so close to the blade, but it actually has a little less, or maybe the same at most, play as my afck
 
I'd say, as long as it locks up nice 'n tight, it shouldn't be a problem. If there is any play while locked, send it back.

Daniel
 
speedfan said:
Ok, well the result of my sub-3 inch blade quest led me to a Persian. It arrived yesterday, and it's awesome. One question: Is there supposed to be enough side to side play in the blade when it's closed that with brisk shaking you can hear it touch the sidewalls? It's not really anything I mind, I'm just wondering if it's normal.
Thanks,
Richard
Click to expand...

I must be a cheap arse, if any of my knives could be shook in one hand and make the blade touch the liners and rattle OMG, off it goes, to be repaired or sold.

That does not make me feel very good, thinking 6 peeps saying its only the lock up you worry about, that puzzles me.

A little play in a blade closed is normal, from being manipulated through a second hand on the knife, but to make it rattle in one hand without leverage of a second hand means there is definate play and worn parts or something is amiss.

I must be fussy.

WR
 
Many blades move easier once closed. All that you should be worried about is how much slop there is when opened. Thats where you judge it from not in the closed position.

Minimal blade movement laterally or vertically will not affect the useability of the knife. You would be surprised at how much movment some guys adjust their blades to for the easy flick open instead of using a thumb stud or opening hole. If its minimal movement just use it. If it is beyond what you think is within normal tolerances send it back to them to evaluate and they'll either correct it or replace it for you.

Spyderco is top shelf when it comes to covering their work and their knives.

STR
 
Hmm, if i accepted that in a piston in automotive engines, which operate on a pin, a gudgeon pin, i would be a busy man repairing them.

This does not make sense, a cylinderical hole on a round shaft should not move more on one side then the other without something not mating correctly.

Maybe i am missing some knife mechanics in this, but i dont think i am, and this comes down to a manufacturing and machining error or wear factor.

I know what your saying STR, however if some peeps want a sloppy blade so be it for flickability, but on a new knife without heavy wear on the axis pin,hmm.

Again i repeat, i must be fussy.
If it is loose open and loose closed,its not adjusted correctly, if its tight open and loose closed, it is improper,imho.

WR
 
Test it out. I can pick a lock back at random that has no play when open and watch the blade move easily when closed. I've never given it much thought. Just observations I've made. Some are tighter than others but they are easier to move laterally when closed for some reason. Many blades have give in them. As I said if it bothers you send it back.

There are acceptable tolerances in all knives. As an example of this lets say you built a folder using 3/32 pins. A 3/32 bit drills a hole .0938 in diameter. But lets say you are one that doesn't like to fuss with having to struggle to fit the pins and hurt your fingers making it harder on yourself to put it together and take it apart so you drill each hole with a #41 drill instead of a 3/32 bit. (Common practice in knifemaking) All your holes are .0960 in diameter using the #41 drill vs a 3/32 one. Thats acceptable tolerances.

Now if your pivot is 1/8" and you don't want to drill it .125 and use a # 30 drill for that your hole is .1285. So you have slight give throughout the knife in every hole drilled and this may show up in ways questioned by this thread by slight movement either vertically or laterally in blade play. I think that is all that most people are feeling or seeing in most cases. Either the blade gives some by this method or the lock bar or both. It doesn't mean there is anything wrong with it.

However, if the movement is more than what is acceptable then it is a faulty knife. That can really only be determined by third party perspective really so mail it to the company that made it to see if they side with you that it is defective. Hope that helps clarify what I'm saying.

STR
 
%100.

I agree there has to be room to work.

A properly built item can work with or without lube, if its too tight to move,it is improper, it is too loose again not correct.

Maybe plasti-gauge is needed in some instances here, you know the ol stuff, go-no go.

Other wise the slop has to be accounted for, it is in the pin,blade hole or scales where pin sits, and should be accounted for imho only.

Last thought STR, i dont want to cause any trouble over this, just if it is that loose as the original poster said, this is not typical and should be addressed.

Peace guys and good luck with what ever you do decide to do with that knife.

WR
 
Carp, i just realized i fixxed a friends knife, it had a loose blade, and it was the body screws that were the cause.

They allowed the scales to slide up and down just abit but caused an extreme amount of play at the blade pin.

The body screws were recessed and he could not tighten them and didnt think of them, he would tighten his blade pin instead and make it too tight to use nicely.

Just a errant thougt.

WR
 
It shouldn't shake back and forth. None of my lock backs do that. All of the persians I've seen had good fit and finish with nothing loose. After time, with this knife, you'll wind up scratching the blade on the liner when you open. The knife construction should hold the blade firmly centered when closed. The only way to move the blade side to side should be with some significant force. Sounds like your missing a washer or two, or the frame isn't pinned tight enough.

Send it back to the dealer and ask for one that's tight or send it back to Spyderco. Don't accept inferior construction at that price..
 
I've been looking at this more closely and I think there is no real difference in the movement of the blade closed or open. After checking it out it seems that any movement is just easier to see when its closed because you have the sides of the knife right next to the blade and it allows you to simply see the movement easier. My mistake. I never thouroughly checked into it before.

STR
 
BTW, you guys were right, it was defective. I sent it to Spyderco the day after the last post was made in this thread and I got it back today.
 
Glad it's back and in shape!

FWIW, I just saw this post, and checked the three folders I have on me right now: Two Benchmades and a SAK. None of the blades move (when closed) more than the minimal flexing of the blade.
 
I checked my personal carry of two years and it doesn't rattle. I checked several NIB and they don't rattle. I have personally handled and sold many of these knives and have not encountered the problem. You should definately return this piece to the vendor...Take Care...Ed
 
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