Tales of the Stripped Elementum

[TiCKed]

I found this a bit bizarre. And since many own (and love) the Civivi Elementum, it may be a good word of warning:

But, yes, I stripped the pivot screw in mine. I ASSUMED it was probably a case of too much loctite...(combined with too much force, and a soft screw)....though I didn't recall over-doing the loctite.

Turns out, it wasn't loctite at all. The driver end of the pivot is actually the female, or receiver end. I'll call it the "pivot barrel". (The "C" side is the threaded screw side, and non-spinning. Odd configuration if you ask me).

In an attempt to get it apart, I pulled all of the body screws and clip from the screw head side, and was able to remove the pivot barrel by rotating the entire Micarta scale. The pivot barrel was completely adhered to micarta scale!!

After removing the barrel/scale conjoined piece, I was able to press the barrel out of the scale. But it's an extremely tight fit. I could see it becoming adhered once again. Guess when I get the replacement, (working with Civivi customer service on that), I may go ahead and lube the scale where the barrel pokes through? That might allow for it to remain spinning again? Or maybe work the barrel around in the hole, hoping to add some clearance?

Bottom line: Don't force a Civivi pivot screw. (Good advice in general). It is a pretty soft screw. If you encounter excessive resistance, best to use my method, remove the body screws and clip (if required), and just turn the whole thing to remove it.

Lessons learned(?)

Anyone encounter anything similar? Either with the Elementum, or any other micarta scales?

 

[c7m2p3]

I think this is actually a fairly repeatable problem with Civivi pivots in general. I had a hell of a time trying to get my elementum open and then back together (Black Ebony wood handles) and I have stripped out the pivot of my new Civivi Ortis in Shred CF and Damascus. With the elementum the problem sounds a lot like the one that you are describing above but for the Ortis I cant really tell since I still cant even come close to getting the thing open. As I turn the pivot the show side with the Civivi logo just spins with it. Trying to use some rubber bands for friction just results in stripping the pivot screw further. I reached out to Civivi only to essentially get a "go pound sand" response. I guess i could try and heat gun and really work on it to get it open but the knife is currently functional and flipping so I am cautious about making things worse.

 

[TiCKed]

After reaching out to "CIVIVI USA" customer service, I finally got put through their parts department in China. They are willing to send me a new pivot for the cost of shipping only. So, it's not impossible to get some help...

But it seems that the tolerances are maybe a little TOO tight at least on the scales for the Elementum? Certainly, the screws are pretty soft, adding to the caution to be careful....

 

[c7m2p3]

After reaching out to "CIVIVI USA" customer service, I finally got put through their parts department in China. They are willing to send me a new pivot for the cost of shipping only. So, it's not impossible to get some help...

But it seems that the tolerances are maybe a little TOO tight at least on the scales for the Elementum? Certainly, the screws are pretty soft, adding to the caution to be careful....

Im sure I could pay to get a pivot sent out my way but given the issue with the Ortis is quickly approaching the need for power tools to drill out the offending screw, im not sure that route is viable either. The twill Carbon Fiber scales are way too pretty to mar with a power drill. Maybe I will sit down at some point and try and figure out a way to get that pivot out of there but as of now the knife still does function.