SERE 2OOO LockUp

D

dumbluck

Joined
Mar 29, 2005
Messages
6
Rec'd a NIB S2K today from KnifeWorks. Beautifully burly knife; love the finish of the G10 handles and the deep-carry clip. Love the heft of the piece.

All that said, first thing I checked, based on read reviews, was the lock-up. Sure enough, there is approx. 1-2mm of vertical play in the blade. As I push down on the tip-side spine, I can see the liner lock moving towards disengagement approx. 1mm. It's a bit disconcerting to feel the liner lock and blade move ever so slightly as I shake the knife back and forth. The lock does not seem like it will fail, but the movement is troubling.

So, here's my question: would you call Al Mar and send the knife back for repair/replacement? I'm inclined to, if nothing else, to get them to dial-in this nearly perfect knife, even if the lock will not fail in current condition.

I know this subject has gone round before, but I would appreciate your thoughts/advice one way or another. Best Rgds. DLUCK
 
dumbluck said:
...would you call Al Mar and send the knife back for repair/replacement?
Click to expand...
I would first check the lock stability with some impact and torque tests, then email them to check and see if it was the expected behavior.

-Cliff
 
How hard are you pushing on the blade? If your putting 100+ psi on it that isn't too weird, but if you are barely putting presure on it then I would say something is wrong. And am I reading it right? The blade wobles just shaking it? If so then something is definetly wrong. I have one and it's a tank, no blade play or wobble. Supposedly the early models had problems, does it say Moki,Seki, or SERE on the blade?
 
samhain73 said:
If your putting 100+ psi on it ...
Click to expand...
That is a really low pressure, you would achieve that with a load of about five pounds (you would never notice exerting the force) and generate a torque of about 5-15 in.lbs, locks can be stable under ~1000 in.lbs.

-Cliff
 
Oops, I just ment put 100 pounds of downward presure, like if you were to try to "crush" the knife back closed. But your right, that would probably be conservative.
 
There should be zero vertical blade play on a liner lock knife.

I have had 3 S2k knives - two "users" were rock solid, one that was new-in-box was not, I sent it back, and now its right.

It took a little longer than I expected but they fixed it and I am very pleased with it.
 
Cliff et al - thanks for your input. The movement in the blade and liner-lock could be initiated with minimal force, e.g. a touch. Update - I did call Al Mar's warranty department to describe the issue and get their thoughts. I was told that the described movement was incorrect, they were very apologetic and quite insistent that I send the knife in to them for repair/replacement. I'm looking forward to really trying out the SERE once fixed. To satisfy my jones in the interim, I picked up a BM 690 and a sweet Spydie Blackhawk (version 2.0). Thanks again for everyone's thoughts.

jhillas - how long did it take Al Mark to get your SERE back to you?
 
Dumbluck- I had exactly the same problem w/ my S2K. Eventually under hard use that lock can and will fail. When I saw the problem developing I sent it back the company. I can't remember the turn around time specifically so I don't want to misrepresent it. But, when I got the knife back the problem still persisted...at that point my theory was I could no longer trust the knife and it sits comfortably retired amongst my collection while a Benchmade Axis lock is comfortable ensconced in my pocket. I love the design and general function of the S2K, but given the hit-or-miss nature of the lock up I will not purchase another or recommend them to anyone else.
 
Lobo - thanks for the information. I'm sorry it worked out like that for you. Update: I sent my S2K to AMK last week. I received the repaired S2K today, along with a nice AMK baseball cap, presumably for my troubles. Seems like the lock up issue has been resolved, although I am in my office and have not tried any "robust" tests of the lock - that will be in the garage this evening. I'm hoping all issues are resolved as the knife appears to be a solid and well-produced piece. I do have to say Kudos to AMK for their quick turn around and responsiveness; I really appreciated the update emails they sent me after receiving the knife, and prior to sending it back to me. The AMK cap does not hurt, either. ;)

The absolute upside to this is that I picked up a new BM 690 and a Spydie Blackhawk to satisfy my steel jones while AMK had the S2K; love both of the new acquisitions. The 690 looks right at home in my office with the business attire. The Blackhawk has already seen some solid duty in my garden - super solid knife at a nice carry size.

Again, in a nutshell - the anecdotes you may have heard about the S2K's liner lock are true in some cases. That said, my experience with AMK's customer service/RMA department was very, very positive and I would not hesitate to purchase another AMK knife. Thanks again for everyone's input! Best, D-luck
 
That's cool that AMK's customer service took care of you properly. Maybe my expieriece with them was an anomaly or perhaps they are improving in that area. Now if they can lick that QC issue...we'll be good to go! :D
 
Lobo,

I am looking at getting one of these. Is there a reason that you are not sending back for repair if you are still not satisfied? If you want to unload it I will be more than happy to take it off of you hands.. send me an email and we can discuss price.

Hawk
 
I have a black-bladed SERE 2K and although there's no lockup problem, the blade on mine will no longer close properly anymore. It seems like the ball bearing detent is off; it won't stay closed and feels loose enough to just come open on accident. Other than that, everything else seems perfect. It's too bad, because I'm a bit nervous about sending it back; it just sits atop a row of books. One of these days I'll probably send it back for service, though.
Jim
 
Just a heads up... I would send it back or contact the retailer or dealer. But, something you should know about Al Mar... if you don't already. They make nothing here in Tualatin Oregon. EVERYTHING is manufactured oversees in Japan. That being said, their knives are of a very high quality and standard. There should be NO play. Kershaws are more infamous with me for that kind of problem, but they are a different price point. :grumpy:
 
Hawk 45,

Thanks for expressing interesting in My S2K. I would have sent you an e-mail but my work addy is pretty non-secure. The reason I haven't sent the knife back for service is that I believe for the amount of time AMK had the knife the first time it should have been fixed properly, and at this point I'm not confindent that it would hold up to my standards (which aren't unreasonable). I've been EDCing a Benchmade Rittergrip (not as sexy but much more functional) for about 6 months now w/ no complaints and as such don't really need the S2K. That being said the knife went with me to some fairly signifigant places and I'm not particularly interested in parting w/ it for sentimental reasons. Good luck w/ your hunt and I hope you have better luck w/ AMK than I did.
 
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