Should a knife have a little blade play in closed position?

C

csisland

Joined
Aug 8, 2013
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Basically with the knife in the closed position, I can take the blade with my index and thumb and move the tip a little bit. Very little though.
How tight should the blade be when closed?
 
Blade play while closed is not a big deal. The problem arises from blade play when in the open and locked position. I can't think of a single folder I own that doesn't have a little bit while closed.
 
K.O.D. said:
Blade play while closed is not a big deal. The problem arises from blade play when in the open and locked position. I can't think of a single folder I own that doesn't have a little bit while closed.
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Gonna have to disagree with you my friend this grail has no play open or closed.
 
Even super solid knives can have a little play when closed. It shouldn't be so loose that slapping the knife against your leg causes a click between the blade and liners though. I've had Emersons that would do that and ended up getting rid of them.
 
I'd venture to say many knives would have at least 'vertical' play in the closed position. Even more so if the knife has been opened many times, weakening the detent.

I don't see any issue that could arise from strictly closed blade play, other than being more likely to open slightly in a pocket.
 
Some do, some not so much. Doesn't matter to me unless there's play when it's open. That's where it counts.
 
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Lol my buck 112 the blade touches both sides while closed. If i take the tension off it youd think it was gonna fall off its so loose. No play while open though.
 
EChoil said:
Forced flex, sure. Wiggle play from the pivot, no.
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Agreed. A larger diameter pivot generally means less chance of wiggle. If there is wiggle, I get rid of it. Not acceptable.
 
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I see a lot of play resulting from the ball not hitting the détente right when the blade hits the stop. So it will push in a little further to hit the stop after the detent clicks in.
 
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