Uncentred Dominator blade?

A

aaltl

Joined
Jul 21, 2003
Messages
34
Hi guys,

I just received my Dominator in Singapore. Just wanted to find out if the none centred blade when closed is normal? At least there isn't any lateral blade play that I can notice though. Also, the lock up bar is only in contact with less than 20% of the tang when the knife is in the locked open position. Did I get a defective knife? Please advise.

thanks
 
I received one that is exactly the same, off centered by 70% but not touching the opposite liner. Also the same lockup. I also noticed that the edge bevel are grounded very rough. I can almost file my nails using the bevels.
 
Gentlemen,
First let me say that we want you to be happy with your purchases. We will be glad to take a look at your knives and effect any repairs needed. I do, however understand that you are FAR away from the USA, and don't want to send in the knife unless needed, so...

Blades being centered. Guys, we do everything we can to ensure that the blade doesn't rub the frames by being off center. This can be influenced by several things, mainly by ensuring that the blade is straight, that there is nothing stuck under the blade washers[a tiny spec of foreign matter can cause big problems], that the frames are flat and parallel, and that the pivot screw is tightened sufficently. That is usually where the confusion starts. If you tighten the pivot screw down, the blade may center, but the "action of the knife" may be too slow. We cannot ensure that the blades fall EXACTLY down the middle when you have the knife adjusted to a looser or "faster" setting.

To surmize, we will be glad to warranty any of our knives if you are dissatisfied, but we cannot garantee that every blade will fall EXACTLY down the middle in the closed position. If it is rubbing on the frame, and the pivot is reasonalbly tight, there is a definite problem, and we of course will take care of that also. The DOMINATOR in my pocket is "slightly" off center[tip toward the non locking side], and its just fine with me.

Regarding lock engagement. 20% of the lockbar engaging on a new knife is fine, as long and the lock is not slipping any. The engagement will wear in a bit, and give you a very long lock life. If the lock is slipping at all, then there is a problem and we will be glad to take care of it ASAP!

Kevtan,
Regarding your edge bevels, they should not be "rough"....we do not mirror polish them, but they are "buff polished" after setting the bevels. Again, if you you are unhappy, we will be glad to address it.

I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm beig vague, but these issues are a bit of a judgement call, and its hard to tell without seeing the knives. I know this puts you in a tough spot, being so far away, but rest assured, that we will stand behind our products 100%.

If you want to return the knives, please contact customer service @

customerservice@camillusknives.com

Thanks for being a customer!
 
Hi Mr Fennell,

Thanks for your reply. I'll think of a way to get some pictures of the knife and email it to you guys so you can perhaps make a better judgement from there if I need to send it in.

Regards,

aaltl
 
Fennell, I am happy with my Dom as is. The knife is functional and the blade is straight. The blade even goes back to its as come position after pushing it to the non locking liner. As far as the bevel are concern, I have honed the rough grindings away, but the top of the bevel is still some roughness. This is nitpicking at a great knife. I will edc it for a while more and see what happens, but I know that Camillus will be there if warranty issues arise.
 
Dear Will,

I have got some pictures of the knife but have not uploaded them to the computer. Have checked on the knife after some opening and closing and it seems that the off centering is getting worse? When closed the blade is almost (less than a millimetre) touching the handle/scale/liner? Seems like much as I hate to I am going to have to send it back to you. Sigh. More money spent on shipping.

aaltl
 
My Dom has the same clearance between the blade and the non locking liner. I have adjusted the pivot tension by tightening until theblade cannot be opened and loosening but 1/8 turn and wiggling the blade sideways to ensure the pivot is not too loose. I got mine from Roger of knifeworks.
 
My Dominator is the same. The blade when closed is very close to the handle (Thickness of 1 piece of paper). I'm kind of worried that in my pocket it might flex and the blade will get scratched. If I barely apply pressure while its closed it makes contact with the handle. Also the blade when engaged has some play and I have to manually push the lock over a little more. I installed the bronze washers and cleaned everything up and properly lubed everything and the bladed still has play and is off center. I have spent hours trying minute adjustments with no success.

I just opened it and when I look at the blade you can see that the entire blade was made off center.

Please note that I have a CUDA Maxx and it's one of my favorite knives. :)

eric
 
When I received my Dominator tbe blade was centered but as I opened and closed it repeatedly the blade wandered toward the nonlocking liner.When I tightened the pivot screw the blade centered but would not open well. I disassembled the knife and cut a small piece of teflon pipe tape the same size of the washer and placed it between the washerand the nonlocking frame. It provided the extra tolerance to nearly center the blade. It has worked smoothly and flawleessly thru multiple and repeated opening and closing cycles.
 
Just my bad luck?
Got mine yesterday morning. Blade was way off centered and touched the scale. A few hours later, it was heading back to NY by EMS. Hope to see it back in healthy shape.
BTW, MAXX w/dagger blade is sitll my most favorite EDC. Big&Slick.
 
I've seen quite a few frame locks of different manufacture where the pressure of the frame in the closed position forces the blade toward the non lock scale.

From a use point as long as the blade doesn't rub the scale it's OK. From a asthetics standpoint everyone prefers a centered blade.

I will note that the blade on my frame lock CUDA MAXX is perfectly centered and has been that way since I bought mine during the first release. Camillus has excellent customer support if you decide you prefer a centered blade.
 
hi Will,

I have just sent you a picture of the knife from the top view with it closed. Hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks
 
You can normally fix an off centered blade real quick. With the blade open press against the flat of the blade and push it TOWARDS the side it is closer too. You might want to unloosen the pivot a 1/2 turn before doing this. You will need to use firm pressure to do this. Tighten it back up and see if that doesn't fix it. I did the same thing on my year-old Cuda Maxx and also added phospher/bronze washers. Makes for a perfectly centered blade!
 
Thanks for your advise Artsig.

Mr Fennell and Camillus have kindly agreed to take a look at my knife which will soon be on its way back to them.

Cheers
 
artsig1, tried your trick and guess what? The teflon washers are now compressed and will not bounce back to original shape. The pivot tension is adjusted until it will not go in and I still have a wobbly blade and off centered until touching the non locking line. I have some bronze and Nylotron bushing from my Benchmade 940 and exchanged them. The bronze bushing outside diameter is too big and I had to reduce it. It will fit but then the thickness does not match those of the original white washers. Also tried a combination of bronze, Nylotron and white washers. Unless I do not use the T6 screw next to the pivot, otherwise the replacement washers are too thick. Help!!
 
Hi,

Just to have a close to this matter, Camillus which kindly took my knife back has had it fixed and I now have a fully centered right smack in the middle when closed Dominator. My thanks to Will and to Ms Wendy Wilson of customer service for their time and patience. Outstanding service Camillus.

Cheers
 
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