The Grip 551, nice knife, bad ending.

F

Fonly

Joined
Sep 24, 2006
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So, the Grip came in the mail today. Excited to get it I Ripped open the package, had a nice little blue box, slid that open and found my grip in a slick little cloth sack. Upon inspecting the knife, I noticed some stripping on the pivot screw, so fine what ever. went to open the knife and it didn't budge a bit. fiddled with for about 10 mins think there was a lock or somthing, though I knew the back of my head there wasn't.

To be honest this supremly pisses me off, not only if I have send it back, but itsgot to go out west, wait for god only knows how long. What can I do to loosen the pivot up?, any sugestions?

I'll get some pics up tonight.
 
because the axis lock can allow you to open the knife using gravity, Benchmades are often shipped to Canada with the pivot tightened so they aren't confiscated at the border. Canadian law stipulates against 'gravity' opened blades.
Save the money sending it back and buy yourself a Blue Box so you can strip and tune your knife by yourself.
I sell Benchmade knives, and they all come to me so tight they can't be opened. I requested this so I wouldn't have problems at the border. Once the knives arrive, I tune the pivot so that the knife will open easily, but not so easily that it becomes a 'prohibited weapon'.
 
If the knife was fully assembled upon receipt, how could a visual inspection show that the screw was stripped?

Evenso, call them up, tell them the situation and request they send a replacement screw. I'd think you're qualified to turn counter-clockwise and clockwise, so I'd resist their anticipated urging to send it back to THEM so they can unscrew/screw the thing.
 
David E said:
If the knife was fully assembled upon receipt, how could a visual inspection show that the screw was stripped?

Evenso, call them up, tell them the situation and request they send a replacement screw. I'd think you're qualified to turn counter-clockwise and clockwise, so I'd resist their anticipated urging to send it back to THEM so they can unscrew/screw the thing.
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I would assume he means the hex head on top of the bolt.
 
Personally I'd call the dealer and have them replace it. That shouldn't take that long. Benchmade will take 4-8 weeks to fix it.
 
The head of the pivot screw on my 530 was beginning to wear a bit. I emailed Benchmade and requested a new pivot screw. I had it in about five days for no charge.
 
Exactly, not a hex, but a torx. But this isnt the bad part, im not taking the time to do all that If I cant even get it out, I want the knife and for that matter I love the thing, but do any of you know a way to get it loosened?
 
I had a Benchmade a few years ago that the pocket clip screws were so "set" in place that nothing would get them out. I don't know if they had to much loctite from the factory or what, but they would NOT budge.

I called them and they had me send it in and 8 days later I had it back in my hands with the screws working fine.
 
oooh man... i would be heated...:mad:send it back...

i would call benchmade, and let them know's going on.... they should take care of you, they're a great company....
 
Is there anything you guys can think of for me to try, Ive tried making the screw so its a flat head, tried tapping it some, put some vegie oil on it an let it sit, then tried it again and still nothing. It just doesnt seem to want to budge.
 
Fonly, I can only think of one thing. In my work I deal with stuck fasteners a lot. What most often works is a spray penetrating oil called "PB Blaster". I think it is kerosene based. And not sure you can get it there. Wal-Mart and most auto parts stores here carry it. Alternately, send it back.

Codger
 
Yeah, tomorow Ill go in town and try that and I remember seeing a bit that would remove stripped screws, dont know how they work but Ill try it. I just gets me so frustraded, its right in front of me and the only thing I can see fixing the problem is sending it back, which fing sucks because I just got the damn thing.
 
Fonly said:
Yeah, tomorow Ill go in town and try that and I remember seeing a bit that would remove stripped screws, dont know how they work but Ill try it. I just gets me so frustraded, its right in front of me and the only thing I can see fixing the problem is sending it back, which fing sucks because I just got the damn thing.
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be careful.... :o if you tinker with it too much, benchmade might not take it back... if you decide to go that route....
 
I feel for you Fonly.....they joy of receiving a fine knife is being able to play with it right away! And admire it!

As much as it hurts bro, send it back. Just close your eyes and do it.... there shouldn;t have been any strippage or a messed up screw.
 
Hmm, their may be some type of thread compound on it, maybe a little bit of heat from a soldering gun then tap on it, maybe.

Good luck
Helle
 
There are many "tricks" for removing a frozen screw/bolt such as PB Blaster, heating the object then touching it with wax, the wax wicks down into the threads to facilitate removal, etc. Fonly, you are far away. Take it down to a good machine shop or the head mechanic in a local tech. school. These guys remove frozen/busted screws as a daily job. I have found that with a friendly approach, most times these items will be removed for free or minimal cost. They also likely have the same screw/bolt, whatever that you need, on the premises, or can direct you were to find one.

I feel for you, but I wouldn't blame Jay if that's were you got it from. I have always gotten top shelf goods from him. I just recived a Ka-Bar Kukri and an Endura 4 from him. Jay was disapointed that the post office was going to take longer than he expected (actually it didn't), so he tossed a pretty decent free-bee folder into my order. He's good people and I'd say that this was a sucky fluke. Try a machine shop or tech. school buddy for a quick local fix. You have a good knife, just get rid of the crappy screw. Good luck.
 
upnorth said:
There are many "tricks" for removing a frozen screw/bolt such as PB Blaster, heating the object then touching it with wax, the wax wicks down into the threads to facilitate removal, etc. Fonly, you are far away. Take it down to a good machine shop or the head mechanic in a local tech. school. These guys remove frozen/busted screws as a daily job. I have found that with a friendly approach, most times these items will be removed for free or minimal cost. They also likely have the same screw/bolt, whatever that you need, on the premises, or can direct you were to find one.

I feel for you, but I wouldn't blame Jay if that's were you got it from. I have always gotten top shelf goods from him. I just recived a Ka-Bar Kukri and an Endura 4 from him. Jay was disapointed that the post office was going to take longer than he expected (actually it didn't), so he tossed a pretty decent free-bee folder into my order. He's good people and I'd say that this was a sucky fluke. Try a machine shop or tech. school buddy for a quick local fix. You have a good knife, just get rid of the crappy screw. Good luck.
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Yeah, luckily I have a friend who is a Tech Ed. teacher. Also teaches design, so he'll love to see a few of the more odd designs. I just never saw this coming, and it was NOT from Jay, he wouldn't let something like this out. Im not going to say the store, but I wont be buying from them again, the order befor this one came really late, so I should have knowen something was up. but I absolulty love the knife, it just sucks that its my first folder I've had open twice in two days.
 
Fonly said:
Yeah, luckily I have a friend who is a Tech Ed. teacher. Also teaches design, so he'll love to see a few of the more odd designs. I just never saw this coming, and it was NOT from Jay, he wouldn't let something like this out. Im not going to say the store, but I wont be buying from them again, the order befor this one came really late, so I should have knowen something was up. but I absolulty love the knife, it just sucks that its my first folder I've had open twice in two days.
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Sure you don't want to mention the seller?, might save some of us a headache. Must have come from the states if the pivot screw had to be cranked in. NewGraham?, that would be disapointing as I've heard nothing but good about them on the forums. I would appreciate some follow up on how this issue was solved/resolved.
 
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