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Realign a BM30
- Thread starter tique
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2000
- Messages
- 1,695
I've tried realigning my 30S but it didn't do anything. What I did is I put the tip of the bali handle (just above the pivot pin) inbetween 2 flat pieces of metal in a vise and I squeezed the handles and held it there for about 10 seconds each, I did it also directly on the pivot pin but nothing happened either way. Maybe I'll try tightening my 45 sometime (when I get my balisongs back) but until then I'll just think about it
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Cameron
"Look deep, deep inside and you will find a place of anger, vengeance, and brutality. Go there. It is your last hope to conquer the truly wicked."
A few of my balisongs
My Photopoint album
------------------
Cameron
A few of my balisongs
My Photopoint album
Gollnick
Musical Director
- Joined
- Mar 22, 1999
- Messages
- 29,258
Your question is a bit unclear. Four things happen over time that can cause a BM30 to be "loose".
If the knife doesn't lock closed tightly, then:
The latch is worn out. The only option here is to replace it. I don't think BM will do this one either. So, you've got to get a new latch made and installed.
(It could also be the "kick" on the blade, (there's a list of balisong terminology on my web site which will define all these terms for you). I've never seen the kick "wear out", but I have seen people grind it down since they feel that the knife is to hard to lock closed. What happens is that they get the knife new and think it's to tight, so they grind off the kick to "adjust it". Then, the tang pin wears a bit, which it's going to, they sort of "break in", and the knife suddenly won't lock closed reliably. There is no fix for this.)
Now, if the knife doesn't lock open, it's either the latch above, or
The "pockets" on the side of the handles where the tang pin goes. These can also get worn out, though my experience has been that the tang pin goes first.
The tang pin is worn out. Pray for this as the worn tang pin can be replaced. I don't think BM will do this for you, maybe, but probably not. It's not a do-it-yourself job unless you're very well equipped. Basicallly, one side of the old tang pin is cut flush with the blade and then the tang pin is driven out of the blade. A new tang pin then has to get made and driven in. The other option here is build up the worn out tang pin with some sort of hard material. Clay, I think, has some suggestions on his site.
If the blade wobbles from side to side, the problem is that the forks on the handle have splayed. The first step to fixing this on a BM30 is to grind down those exposed handle pins. Next, insert razor blades into the fork area of the handle between the handle and the blade. Don't skip the razor blade step. Now, clamp the fork area in a giant bench vice, one with a very long handle. Tightnen the vice to "finger tight". Now, very slowly tighten the vice. Go very slowly, the steel in the handles is very brittle and you can crack it if you go to fast. Release the vice equally slowly. Remove the razor blades.
Finally, if the blade is loose between the handles when the knife is closed, if it rattles, then the problem is also probably that the kick has been adjusted. You may be able to fix the problem by putting a thin strip of duct tape into the blade channel of the opposite handle.
This all sounds very terrible. People may ask "Why buy a knife that has all of these problems?" The answer is that these problems don't happen that often and they are usually the result of many, many years of constant use. Remember that in five minutes of manipulation, I can put more cycles on the joints of my balisong then the average folder will endure in a year of routine use. Many of my favorite manipulations apply considerable torque to the knife. That's something you are specifically told not to do to the typical folding knife. The fact that BM Bali-Songs can withstand decades of this abuse with only a few minor problems is a strong indication of the high quality of these knives.
------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
If the knife doesn't lock closed tightly, then:
The latch is worn out. The only option here is to replace it. I don't think BM will do this one either. So, you've got to get a new latch made and installed.
(It could also be the "kick" on the blade, (there's a list of balisong terminology on my web site which will define all these terms for you). I've never seen the kick "wear out", but I have seen people grind it down since they feel that the knife is to hard to lock closed. What happens is that they get the knife new and think it's to tight, so they grind off the kick to "adjust it". Then, the tang pin wears a bit, which it's going to, they sort of "break in", and the knife suddenly won't lock closed reliably. There is no fix for this.)
Now, if the knife doesn't lock open, it's either the latch above, or
The "pockets" on the side of the handles where the tang pin goes. These can also get worn out, though my experience has been that the tang pin goes first.
The tang pin is worn out. Pray for this as the worn tang pin can be replaced. I don't think BM will do this for you, maybe, but probably not. It's not a do-it-yourself job unless you're very well equipped. Basicallly, one side of the old tang pin is cut flush with the blade and then the tang pin is driven out of the blade. A new tang pin then has to get made and driven in. The other option here is build up the worn out tang pin with some sort of hard material. Clay, I think, has some suggestions on his site.
If the blade wobbles from side to side, the problem is that the forks on the handle have splayed. The first step to fixing this on a BM30 is to grind down those exposed handle pins. Next, insert razor blades into the fork area of the handle between the handle and the blade. Don't skip the razor blade step. Now, clamp the fork area in a giant bench vice, one with a very long handle. Tightnen the vice to "finger tight". Now, very slowly tighten the vice. Go very slowly, the steel in the handles is very brittle and you can crack it if you go to fast. Release the vice equally slowly. Remove the razor blades.
Finally, if the blade is loose between the handles when the knife is closed, if it rattles, then the problem is also probably that the kick has been adjusted. You may be able to fix the problem by putting a thin strip of duct tape into the blade channel of the opposite handle.
This all sounds very terrible. People may ask "Why buy a knife that has all of these problems?" The answer is that these problems don't happen that often and they are usually the result of many, many years of constant use. Remember that in five minutes of manipulation, I can put more cycles on the joints of my balisong then the average folder will endure in a year of routine use. Many of my favorite manipulations apply considerable torque to the knife. That's something you are specifically told not to do to the typical folding knife. The fact that BM Bali-Songs can withstand decades of this abuse with only a few minor problems is a strong indication of the high quality of these knives.
------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2000
- Messages
- 1,695
OK, how 'bout this Chuck:
When I flip my bali (30S) and it ends up in the open position and I lock it open, the blade is not straight with the handles, I have to push on one side of the blade so that it looks remotely straight. Any ideas to why this would happen, are the holes for the pivot pins not drilled perfectly straight? Thanks.
------------------
Cameron
"Look deep, deep inside and you will find a place of anger, vengeance, and brutality. Go there. It is your last hope to conquer the truly wicked."
A few of my balisongs
My Photopoint album
When I flip my bali (30S) and it ends up in the open position and I lock it open, the blade is not straight with the handles, I have to push on one side of the blade so that it looks remotely straight. Any ideas to why this would happen, are the holes for the pivot pins not drilled perfectly straight? Thanks.
------------------
Cameron
A few of my balisongs
My Photopoint album
Chuck, I guess I was pretty vague on that one, I knew what I was talking about, but I didn't put it down here very well.
It locks closed fine, and it locks open fine. The problem is the handles wobble when it's not locked open or closed. Exactly how far down would you grind the pins to do the vice thing? I think that is what this one needs, and it would make sense that the pins need retightened on it. About how much wobble is normal in a 30, this one is a good bit more than in my other 30 and tons more than in my 42 which almost has none.
Also, where would I go about getting a giant bench vice to clamp the handle and a grinder for the pins, I don't keep either of those in my garage, and the machine shop supervisor would go ape**** if I tried to do it on campus.
Thanks,
Tique
It locks closed fine, and it locks open fine. The problem is the handles wobble when it's not locked open or closed. Exactly how far down would you grind the pins to do the vice thing? I think that is what this one needs, and it would make sense that the pins need retightened on it. About how much wobble is normal in a 30, this one is a good bit more than in my other 30 and tons more than in my 42 which almost has none.
Also, where would I go about getting a giant bench vice to clamp the handle and a grinder for the pins, I don't keep either of those in my garage, and the machine shop supervisor would go ape**** if I tried to do it on campus.
Thanks,
Tique