Steel shim to tighten up loose pivots?

[sogflash]

If I remember correctly someone here used a thin piece of steel or another metal to remove play from a pivot. Not side to side play, but in and out.

I have some knives with a tiny amount of in and out play in the pivot and it annoys me more than it should. Can it be fixed with a steel shim without making other problems like a less smooth opening?

 

[ErikMB]

Sorry, I don't understand, what do you mean by in and out play (for pocket knives!!!!)?

Which direction is this? Do you mean when the knife is open there is play as if you were pressing the tip against something?

And similarly for when it is closed, that you can move the blade back and forth like that removable thumb trick we do with kids?

 

[sogflash]

I'll try to explain. The knife I'm talking about is a back lock with no sideways play. When the knife is open I press down the lock an pull on the blade like I'm trying to pull it straight out of the handle that's the out part, the in part is just the opposite.

I don't know if this made any sense at all.

 

[Mossyhorn]

So it's in through the outdoor?

 

[000Robert]

I'll try to explain. The knife I'm talking about is a back lock with no sideways play. When the knife is open I press down the lock an pull on the blade like I'm trying to pull it straight out of the handle that's the out part, the in part is just the opposite.

I don't know if this made any sense at all.

I know that photos help a lot when we need advice or help with something. Maybe you can take some photos?
But I think most of the pivot washers are Nylon, copper or brass. I know that I stocked up on pivot washers and springs for auto's, 99% alcohol, nitrile gloves, N95 masks, special Q-tips, and some other stuff right before C19 hit us. Someone was looking out for me...
Go to a Knife Supply website and search 'pivot washers'.

 

[ferider]

I'll try to explain. The knife I'm talking about is a back lock with no sideways play. When the knife is open I press down the lock an pull on the blade like I'm trying to pull it straight out of the handle that's the out part, the in part is just the opposite.

I don't know if this made any sense at all.

I think I understand. There can be two reasons for this play: (1) Pivot sits loose in the blade, or (2) Pivot sits loose in the scales/liners, or both. Do you know which ? Also, in absence of a picture, what knife are we talking about ? Would help to learn how it's constructed. (1) can only be fixed with a new Pivot, (2) maybe with shims.

Roland.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

If the knife has no play when open, why do you care if it has play during the brief time the lock button is depressed?

 

[killgar]

It sounds like maybe the pivot pin/barrel is too small a diameter for the pivot hole in the blade.

If that's the case then installing a larger diameter pin/barrel might solve the issue. However, such a procedure would require some amount of of work. A new pivot might have to be custom-fit to the blade, and the holes in the bolsters/liners/handle scales might need to be drilled larger to accommodate the larger pivot.

Is there forward-to-back blade play when the blade is locked open?

 

[ErikMB]

What Kilgar wrote.

I have replaced pivot pins by taking a special tool (forgot what it's called) and making a few taps to get the pin loose and move it in 1-2 mm. Then I tap in the replacement pin, end to end with the old pin.

If the replacement pin expands properly when peening then you probably won't need a special pin.

I'm a total beginner so please disregard my advice if it doesn't work or make sense.

 

[ferider]

OP: do the "Spyderco Siren Test":

Open and lock the blade. Push the tip down onto something, cutting board or similar. If the blade doesn't move backwards, the knife is fine.

 

[sogflash]

It sounds like maybe the pivot pin/barrel is too small a diameter for the pivot hole in the blade.

If that's the case then installing a larger diameter pin/barrel might solve the issue. However, such a procedure would require some amount of of work. A new pivot might have to be custom-fit to the blade, and the holes in the bolsters/liners/handle scales might need to be drilled larger to accommodate the larger pivot.

Is there forward-to-back blade play when the blade is locked open?

Yes.

I think I understand. There can be two reasons for this play: (1) Pivot sits loose in the blade, or (2) Pivot sits loose in the scales/liners, or both. Do you know which ? Also, in absence of a picture, what knife are we talking about ? Would help to learn how it's constructed. (1) can only be fixed with a new Pivot, (2) maybe with shims.

Roland.

Number 1!

If the knife has no play when open, why do you care if it has play during the brief time the lock button is depressed?

It has play when opened.

it's an older Spyderco native 5 with fluted titanium handles. It used a bushing I think it's called in the pivot. For the price the blade play annoys me.

 

[killgar]

I don't know if you are in the US, but if you are I'd suggest contacting Spyderco. They have a toll free phone number listed on their website. Perhaps a repair/pivot replacement would be covered under warranty.

 

[fishface5]

I would take it apart and find out if the pivot fits loosely in the blade, or liners/scales, or any combination. Then you can contact Spyderco with that info. Or if it is loose in all of them you could buy a bigger pivot from a knife supply place. You could also try shimming once you know what the problems are, but it might be tough to find shim that is both thin enough to both fit and to bend smoothly, while being wear-resitant enough to last.