Running an axis without washers

A

asdf12345

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Jul 4, 2014
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I recently reassembled a Pardue but was not able to get the washers back into place. Is there any harm in using the knife without washers?
 
Lota of blade slip or drag and premature wear on all of the parts. Take the time to get those washers in. Use the pivot pin to get it all together. Slide the pivot pin in just enough to get the first washer in, then slide the blade in place while holding the Axis Lock open. Once the blade is in place, push the pivot pin into the blade enough to hold it there. Once the blade is captive, slide the last washer in and align it with a needle. Once it's in place, the pivot pin should snap back into place and you can install the pivot screw to your desired tension.
 
Yes, harm can come about and it's not really safe to operate long-term in this fashion. The choice of a material like bronze is softer than the inner liner (hard stainless) and the blade (even harder stainless, or semi-stainless, or carbon/tool steel) and it plays an active role in normal operation. I think the hard-softer-hardest/steel-bronze-steel format is much more desirable one than a hard-harder/steel-steel surface contact, especially on something like a folding knife that is going to see repetitive surface contact in which better designs over time will wear less.

While I am not an engineer, to my understanding, beyond reducing direct component wear and changing lubricity, these washers are redistributing load (as per BM design specs in which not using washers will change this completely), absorbing shock, reducing the chance that the pivot pin works its way out during operation, and reducing the chance of damage/loss of torque upon impact/shock.
 
After putting your pivot pin back in place and inserting the first pb washer and then the blade you can use a tooth pick to help keep the washers and pivot hole in the blade all lined up. Hope that is a little help.
 
If you really can't fit them back in send the knife to BM and they will put new ones in for you. Call first and explain. I'm sure they will do it for free. Might as well get it sharpened and cleaned while they have it.

Better to send it in and wait a couple of weeks the run it without all it's components.

All the best.
 
It may be tricky but after a few failures you will get them back in.
They are there for a reason, put them back it is not impossible.
 
Umm...yes of course you need them.

I dont know what you are doing to have an issue but I find it much easier to just take the whole knife apart instead of trying to pry open only the front. It makes disassembly and reassembly ridiculously easy.
 
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