Question about Strider SMF lockup

[Mobile-eyez]

Hey all. Today at work I noticed something that really bothered me. My Strider SMF that I've been carrying every day for a solid five months now seems to have developed some very noticeable front to back blade play.

I know that Striders are supposed to have a slight amount of side-to-side flex, due to the thumbstud/lockbar only making contact with the Titanium side of the grip. However, it now has forward to back bladeplay. I know for a fact that this shouldn't be the case with a Strider and certainly isn't safe to work with.

What I've noticed is that the lock bar is sliding out from the blade's tang when slight pressure is put on the spine of the knife. At first I figured that this was because the lock bar wasn't fully engaging. Even when I gave the knife a good flick open, or tried to engage the lock bar further by manually pressing on it, I'd have the same problem.

I'm not going to carry the knife until I get this solved, because I don't want to take the risk of cutting myself badly or making the problem worse.

Has anyone experienced this? If so, is there any way to fix it without sending it back to Strider?

 

[Charlie Mike]

Looks like you're gonna have to send it in. Strider has great customer service.

 

[Tobin]

I have not had any issues with mine. Infact it's bank vault solid, not a fraction of play in any direction. I have been carrying mine for the past 11 months of my current deployment, it has certainly seen it's fare share of hard use. I am certainly impresed with it. So I would say that your example needs to go back to them ASAP. From what I heard they will take care of you, there should be absolutely no issues as you have described with your SMF.

 

[rourtex23]

I had a similar problem with my sng sent it to strider and one week later it was good as new and not to mention nice and sharp send it to them they will fix it right up

 

[tapedeck74]

I had the same problem with an older (BOS stamped) GB that I recently got. The knife was in like new condition, but had both vertical and horizontal blade play, and lots of it. Like yours, the lock bar would slide across the tang when I put pressure on the spine of the blade.
Since I live in Canada, sending it to Strider was not an option. I completely disassembled the knife and bent the lock bar a wee bit (towards the opposite scale, of course). Put it back together, adjusted the pivot to a sweet spot where there was no side to side play, yet opens smoothly, and it was perfect. The lock bar no longer has play across the tang. It's rock solid now.

Just something to consider.

 

[Matador]

Check your blade stop pins. Are they moving around? Sometimes they loosen up and it can cause a bit of blade play. It might also need a good cleaning in the pivot. Spray some WD40 into the pivot area and wipe it clean. This has worked in the past for me. It has been said too that too much lube, (Rem oil, Militec1 and such) in the pivot can cause blade play too. The WD40 will dry things up a bit.

Matador-

 

[Josh K]

Send it in if it's developing play after the break in period.

FWIW I've never had any folding Strider fail on me, even before the break in, or ones with noticeably play. They just hold.

 

[Mobile-eyez]

Thanks for all the prompt input, guys! I really appreciate all the help. Looks like it's going back to Strider. I guess the Benchmade 520 has a more regular home in my pocket once more...... for now, that is.

M.E.