Should my new CKS 501 rattle? [Update!]

V

VTer

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Got my brand new CKS 501 Squire. I've included a couple of quick snapshots below (I'll replace them with better ones when I can get some natural light), but I have a question: should my knife rattle? When it's closed there is a significant amount of both horizontal and vertical blade play, resulting in distinct rattling when carried. If held blade-down, the blade opens about a quarter of an inch (see image below). There is also a bit of vertical blade play when the knife is open. My mass-market 110 is rock-solid whether open or closed, and I expected this 501 to be the same.

First, some pictures (forgive the artificial light and boring background; I promise I'll take some better ones soon):

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And now for a picture illustrating the blade movement:

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So you are saying the blade moves when closed?

How about when locked back?

Just curious...

Send it back to Buck, They will take care of it.
 
Pack Rat said:
So you are saying the blade moves when closed?

How about when locked back?

Just curious...

Send it back to Buck, They will take care of it.
Click to expand...

When locked open there is a very little vertical blade play; but I was expecting none from a custom shop piece that cost more than twice what my 110 did. But it's worst when it's closed; then it moves significantly in both directions. It rattles in my pocket or if I hold it by the handle and move my hand even gently. And, as I showed in the picture, the blade opens just by the weight of the blade. It seems like there may be an issue with the spring.

The knife is beautiful, but after waiting four weeks I'm pretty disappointed that I may have to ship it right back to Buck.
 
Just my two cents but I think you should send it back.
I suggest that you write Att. Joe Houser on the package
below the address.
Include a letter explaining the problems with the knife.
Buck will make it right .
 
As difficult as it is, send it back right away. They will fix it. I had a 110 with a water buffalo handle lifting off the frame on one side. How it got out of the factory, I do not know. I tried to love it, but it ended up sitting in it's box. I finally sent it in a year later and all is right with the world now. Don't wait. It will just bug the heck out of you.
 
Just to reiterate what everyone else said, no way should it be doing that, send it in, they will take care of you.
 
Seems dangerous to have a knife in your pocket that can have the blade tip exposed like that. I'm 100% sure Buck will fix it right up or replace it.

PS I'm a big fan of the 500 series. My every day carry is either a 505 or 503 in Oak from the custom shop. I'm getting a 501 in Oak for Christmas.
 
As others have stated it should not be like that. Have you tried cleaning the pivot area? Might be some buffing compound or something in the pivot that's causing the issue. Worth a try.
 
Badhammer said:
As others have stated it should not be like that. Have you tried cleaning the pivot area? Might be some buffing compound or something in the pivot that's causing the issue. Worth a try.
Click to expand...

There's a little bit of grit in there making it open a little stiffly after the detente, but cleaning it up is only going to make the it looser when closed, I think. If I were going to keep the knife as-is, I'd take some time to clean it out.

As tough as it is, I'll be shipping the knife out to Buck by priority mail this afternoon. And I think I'll follow redcanoe's suggestion of sending it to Joe Houser's attention. I'm confident that he'll see it gets fixed right.
 
It's probably a little late now, but no it shouldn't do that, but if there is compound holding the lockbar from springing against the blade, then cleaning it would help.

For instance hold your 110 as you did displaying the blade fall, and slightly depress the lock, you will see it fall as well. So a good hot water bath and may have helped.
 
Send it back. That is a CS knife and cost a pretty penny. Buck will make it right.
 
Not good.

You can send it to my attention if you want

Jeff Hubbard
Quality Manager
Buck Knives
 
Thanks, Jeff. I already sent it to Joe's attention. He should have it today if he does not already [Edited to add: USPS says it was delivered half an hour ago]. I also communicated with him by email, and he was most reassuring.
 
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Update: exchanged E-mails with Joe. He received my 501 and said that he "was surprised at how bad" it was even after my descriptions. It's back in the Custom Shop being repaired and should be in the mail next week. Can't wait!
 
This is so odd. I have read a couple of other accounts of knives not being right coming from the Custom Shop. What gives?
 
DocT said:
This is so odd. I have read a couple of other accounts of knives not being right coming from the Custom Shop. What gives?
Click to expand...

This is the busiest time of year at Buck. No excuse but they might have someone new in the CS or someone simply rushed the knife through and didn't take the time to get it right

I had a subcontractor do exactly that on a job last week. He was already booked with work for one of our other offices but worked my job in at the last minute. He was rushing my job so he could get to the other jobs and skipped over some parts of the process on my job. It wasn't intentional and he had to make it right but it still made the customer upset and rightly so.

The answer in nearly all these situations is pretty much the same, we are all human and humans make mistakes.
 
I now have in my pocket, fresh from Buck and shipped first-class, one freshly-repaired CKS 501 Squire in SV30 with heritage walnut scales. No blade-play, no rattle. This is the knife I expected when I pulled the trigger on this order.

I will post photos when weather and lighting permit.
 
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