Questions about slipjoint action

USAFSP

USAFSP

Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Messages
2,357
So I have been EDCing my yellow CV small trapper now for 2 weeks exclusively, and was wondering if these knives develope blade play and if they do how do you adjust them? The one I have is still pretty stiff, so I am not conearned yet, but I am sure it will loosen up. What do you guys do to break them in and adjust them?
 
use and use and use...eventually that will slick them up a little as it smoothes out any toolmarks or burrs on the moving parts. I have tighened up really loose or older slipjoints by gently pressing them in a smooth vice or tapping the pins, but only on junkers, a nicer knife I would rather send back and have the factory do it.
 
You're talking quite some time of daily EDC and use before a lipjoint loosens noticeably. I've EDCed an Old Timer 8 for almost a decade and it's tight and snappy.
 
Keep in mind: the pivot isn't adjustable, and the pivot pin is generally nickel silver, not hardened steel. So, it'll smooth out with use, but once it does, it's important to keep the pivot lightly lubricated. If left dry, it'll wear too fast, and possibly develop play.
 
As I am looking down to type this there is an Electric Knife Co. large equal end on my desk that gets carried once a week or so. They went out of business around 1915 (may have been 1912 - I am to lazy to look it back up.) ;)

It is a nice brown bone "honestly" used carbon 2 blader with half stops and great action by both blades at each stop. I think it will easily make it to it's 100'th year if it has not already.

With a little care and oil a good quality slip joint should last around a decade at least especially if it is only used for cutting things appropriate for it's construction and size. I have only had this one for 10 years or so and obviously it was not subjected to much heavy use most of it's life.

These old factory slipjoints in decent shape can be great buys. Some of them have incredible actions compared to the best regular production actions found today.
 
I have a Case xx 11031 I bought in 1978 and I have abused that poor knife in so many ungodly ways it should be a crime. The back spring still snaps the blade open and closed and the blade has maybe a milimeter of play side to side. But there's only about a third af the blade left as 27 years of sharpening has stolen the rest. Have no worries bro, It will last a lifetime with minimal care. Enjoy...Jim
 
Usually in time it will break in with use. You can leave it open for a time, and it may help some, but the difference will not be very noticeable, if at all.

As far as it developing blade play, most all knives will eventually develope some if used extensively. Than of course you take into account the quality of a knife. Most cheap knives will of course develope it more quickly.
 
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