Stretch Blade Centering?

B

BamBam45

Joined
Oct 7, 2009
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Hello all. I usually just lurk but I have recently been bitten by the Spyderco bug. I purchased a ZDP Stretch (my first back lock) and a Gayle Bradley. The GB is perfect, in fact it compares to some of my customs costing 3X the price. The Stretch's lock up is solid and their is no play, but when closed the blade wants to sit to the right (looking down the spine from the spydie hole to the tip). Is this the norm for back locks? I tried tightening the pivot screw and it did not change the positioning of the blade when closed. Do back locks ever sit centered when closed? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Regards- Brett
 
I recently got a FRN Stretch in VG10. It's blade is about as perfectly centered as possible. Typically I haven't had centering problems w/ lock back knives. I've seen it most often in liner locks myself.

If adjusting the pivot screw hasn't helped then I can only suggest contacting Spyderco customer service. Good luck with it.
 
My CF stretch is centered as well. With a back lock there is no force pushing sideways that should push the blade off center unlike liner/ frame locks. In fact the stretch uses very thin washers and the cf caly 3 uses no washers at all because the tolerances are so good. At this that is what I have heard claimed. If being off center was common I would think they would use washers to get more room between the blade and liners.

Does the blade look like it could be warped (bent)? Just a thought. A blade can be centered many times by loosening all the screws and then re-tightening them in different orders until you get it where you want it. I have also heard that if you push the blade in the direction it is off that it will help center it. You push it in the direction that is counter intuitive and it is supposed to work. You can try this if you are concerned but don't want to send it off and be without your new knife.
 
I have a VG-10, FRN Stretch. The tip is quite a way to the left of the scale when closed. So is my ZDP Endura.

It's a cosmetic bummer, but it doesn't affect the function of the knife.
 
One of my blue FRN Stretch Spydies had an out of alignment blade so I set it aside; a little disgusted with the whole thing to be honest, but I read this thread and pulled it out and went to adjust the pivot screw and discovered it was really, really loose. I tightened it and the blade is centered now. Now the Native 4 I bought is a whole different issue. Blade out of alignment and ALL the screws were loose and the lockback won't engage. Off to Spyderco I think.

-Tye
 
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Thanks for the responses. It sounds like hit or miss with the Stretch. I tried loosening everything and then retightening, but still off to the right when closed. I know it is purely cosmetic and in no way does it effect performance, but for their flagship Stretch with msrp of $259.95 I think I will be contacting Spyderco. Thanks again and if anyone has more info I will continue to check this thread.

Regards- Brett
 
There have been a couple of threads where people have reported seeing warped ZDP blades on the CF Stretch. (Here's one from a few months ago on Spyderco's forum.) It doesn't seem to be a widespread problem, but maybe it was something that happened to a batch of blades.

The blade on my CF Stretch is warped (bends to the right when looking down at the spine), but it's minor enough that I'm not worried about it. It never hurts to see what warranty & repair has to say though. I'd definitely return it if the blade is off-center to the point where it's rubbing against a liner, like the knife in the link above.
 
I have a zdp carbon fiber that has a distinct warp to the left. It doesn't rub the liner, but comes close. The finish on the bug side of the blade is very inconsistant. This is the only Spyderco that I have recieved that was dull - of course it had to be a zdp!
I spoke with both Spyderco and Roger at Knifeworks and they both said to send it in and they would replace it. That being said, I use my knives and thought about it a bit. Finally sharpened it up, stuck it in my pocket and have since given it a work out. I was disappointed because it was one of the more expensive spydercos I have picked up. I keep thinking that I am going to have to pick up another one that looks like I would expect it to, but what with the Bradley, M4 military, etc, etc, etc, I think tis going to be awhile!!
 
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