Sawby 531

Plumberdv

Plumberdv

Joined
Sep 26, 2008
Messages
8,160
Does anyone have a 531 with the Sawby lock? I just got mine and although it has zero side to side blade movement, it does have quite a bit up and down when locked open. I don't think it's from use, the knife appears to have never been used at all.

Is that typical?
 
Plumberdv said:
Does anyone have a 531 with the Sawby lock? I just got mine and although it has zero side to side blade movement, it does have quite a bit up and down when locked open. I don't think it's from use, the knife appears to have never been used at all.

Is that typical?
Click to expand...

I have two, and they both lock up like a vise.
 
Do they all have the Patent number on the off side of the blade?

If I sent it to Buck to fix the blade wobble problem, I wonder if they would or would they keep it due to them having been recalled??
 
Plumberdv said:
Do they all have the Patent number on the off side of the blade?

If I sent it to Buck to fix the blade wobble problem, I wonder if they would or would they keep it due to them having been recalled??
Click to expand...

ItsTooEarly said:
Try Leroy R...... Or e-mail Joe H.... :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Yes, they do have the patent number and you bring up a good point about returning it to Buck. If I recall correctly, I seem to remember a few being listed in the past that referred to some blade play as well which seems a little strange because most of these are not "users" in today's market. I agree with ITE that I would contact Joe H and see what he says, but I think I would send it to Leroy in any case since I'm betting few current Buck employees have any experience with that model.
 
Thank guys, I just sent Joe an e-mail about it. It will never get used, so the play really isn't a big issue but I'd like to have it as perfect as possible.

I also asked Joe about the tang stamp, but maybe someone else has the answer. The tang stamp is an upside down V but it also has a dot inside the V. Just curious what that means if anything.
 
Dave, Thats the correct stamp . Good questions, I'd wait Joe's reply . Yes, probably few of Buck's employees know about this model . I'd lean more toward sending it to Mr. Sawby . He's familiar w/ it and set up to do that type work and would have spare parts . Of the two I handled at the 20yr. reunion one locked up solid the other had the slight wobble . Someone here posted pictures of their Sawby about 2yrs. ago . So, someone knowledgable may come along . Glad you guys found one . A real piece of Buck history . DM
 
I received the following e-mail from Joe today. I can understand why they can't work on them anymore and I don't really have a problem with the knife and a tiny amount of blade play.

"Hello Dave,
We would not be able to help your 531 but only because we don&#8217;t have the parts, which are especially unique on the Sawby knives. I don&#8217;t know for sure about the dot but am fairly positive it was for some unknown dimensional change. Once someone invented the spine wack test and decided that the Sawby failed, we went into fast gear looking for a way to help the knife pass that nonsensical test. I bet there were a couple dozen changes inside that locking mechanism before they decided to scrap the idea and go with the mid-lock design. <---So I hope you don&#8217;t mind my editorial comments and I hope you find some useful info in the above.

Take care,
Joe Houser
Director of consumer Relations
Buck Collectors Club Administrator"
 
Mine's tight in both directions. Here's a family photo of sorts...well, two are just close cousins:
 
I have three 531s.2 club knives and "one that got away" I also have a 535 sawby and all of these have a very very small play in them in the locked position.One of the club knives is tight.To tell you the truth I've had them for years and never even thought about checking them to see how tight they were.I've always just felt so fortunate to have been able acquire them in the first place.

Daryl #233 & #300
 
Just as an FYI the first five knives made, the prototypes, of the 531, 532 and 535 Sawby's have a Buck, USA tang stamp only.
 
This reminds me, sometime last year Leroy asked me for some Sawby parts. I gave him all I could spare, which was a pitifully small pile. You might want to check with him first.
If anyone could fix it, it would be Leroy.
 
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