Sal, Is this normal for the Military??

Mitchell Knives

Mitchell Knives

Knifemaker
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
May 21, 2000
Messages
6,250
Hi. I've had my Military for a few weeks now, and simply love it. However, today I noticed that when I put pressure on the top of the blade, as if I were closing it, the liner lock flexes/moves a tiny fraction, allowing the blade to move slightly. I did the spine whack test, and couldn't get the lock to fail. Is this normal? Thanks.
 
My Military behaves in a similiar fashion. The important thing is that the lock does not fail. I have tried every odd angle and pressure and the lock has held.
 
I can't say whether it's normal or not, but my Military does exhibit any of that sort of play. And recently, especially, I've used the crap out of it (removing carpet from my house). It still locks up tight with no play in any direction.
Probably doesn't help you, but at least it's another data point.
 
Actually, it's not really play. Let me explain. When the knife is open and locked, and I put pressure in the direction as if I were going to close it, the liner moves very slightly to the left. I can see a littly flex in the liner. This liner movement causes a little blade movement. The only blade movement I can detect is when I do this test.
 
I have an AFCK that does that. I don't carry it for that reason. Just makes me uncomfortable. I dunno how much flex you're talking about but mine is pretty severe. If you're really worried about it, send it in to Spyderco.
 
My Starmate, with the same type of lock design as the Military, behaves the same way as ElectricZombie's. At first, the knife had some vertical play that was excessive. I adjusted the eccentric pivot to move the blade closer to the lockbar and tighten up the lock-up (something that Spyderco should do before shipping their knives out). Now there is just a tiny bit of vertical play such that downward pressure on the spine causes the lockbar to move very slightly. This seems fine and within a reasonable tolerance.
The design of the eccentric pivot allows for rotation of the pivot bushing in 12 increments of 30 degrees each. If your Military or Starmate has some very slight vertical play it's probably adjusted as well as it can be.
 
Very, very little flex...mostly the liner is just moving over to the left enough to detect movement.
 
marty, how did you adjust that? I don't know anything about it...
 
ElectricZombie: I'll try to explain the adjustment later today. I don't have the time right now to compose a proper explaination. Or better yet, maybe Sal would post a good explaination of the process, either here or at the Spyderco web site.
How about it Sal?
 
Sal does not want people to adjust the eccentric pivot pin themselves. It voids your warranty. Send in your knife if you want the adjustment done and you want to keep your warranty.
 
UPDATE! I was just playing around with my Military, and noticed that the tang and inside were dirty/oily/etc. So, I broke out the rem oil, cleaned it thoroughly and adjested the blade tension...and guess what?...My military is back to perfection! Absolutely no blade movement whatsoever....none! Yay! The only explination I can come up with is that gunk inside the knife was causing the slippage.
 
Electric Zombie,

Glad to hear you found the source of the problem. I'll watch for this myself w/ my Military's. Thanks, Jeff/1911.
 
Glad you got it sorted Zombie. As far as adjusting the pivot, we use special tool. Some have adjusted it themselves, but it is somewhat difficult to understand. We would just as soon do it for you if necessary.

sal
 
Well, the liner dosn't slip anymore but, I can feel the smallest amount of blade movement...So small you can't even see it, only feel it. Is this normal?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top