*Update* Strider SMF with horizontal play

Sgt_Bobbo

Sgt_Bobbo

Joined
May 21, 2012
Messages
344
Just got in my new coyote tan cpm154 SMF. This thing is awesome and I was super stoked to open it up and start playing with it. I opened the blade and it has a very slight side to side blade play. To top it off the lock gets stuck, like I have to pry it open with my left pointer and middle fingers while holding it in my right hand. Is this normal and will it "break in."

Thanks for the help.
 
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adjust pivot and yes it will break in. you can add graphite from a pencil to the tang surface to decrease stickiness while it breaks in
 
i have handled about 7 smf, non of them had any play. adjust pivot could be a pain with out Strider tool, also whoever you bought it from might not let you return it if u mark up the blade while trying to mess with the pivot. you can try adjust pivot very carefully or just return it for another one because the side to side should not be there at all. lock dose break in but i also never seen one that needed two hands to open.
 
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Buy a spanner wrench for the side to side play, that's no problem. The lock will break in as well. Used a sharpie or pencil on the blade tang where the titanium hit and it will help until the break in is finished.
 
Break the knife down, clean the locking surface with alcohol, lube everything up, and put it back together. Put some sharpie on the blade locking surface. Then put that bad boy to use.
 
I have heard that what you describe is normal to some degree (I have heard more than a few reports).

There are several schools of thought. People that really love the knife will tolerate some lock stick and blade play. Others will use various tactics to "fix" the "problem" (some of the reported fixes may result in warrranty issues in that you need to dis-assemble...and that apparently is something Strider does not want you doing). And others, have sent the knife back for either return, or repair (warranty).

I could go on, but it gets to be somewhat messy with people sharing opinions, that often times leads to arguent;)

Suffice to say, if you want buttery smooth, operation and no discernable blade play, Strider would not be my recommendation. There is plenty positive opinion I could offer, but the probability of getting some blade play, or lock stick is known to be higher than 0 ;)
 
the pivot has a very fine thread. this means you need only a hex driver to screw the pivot just a little bit stronger and on the other side a small flat screwdriver. never needed a special pivot tool. i prefer and suggest to tighten the pivot for stronger blade opening operation. good luck.
 
Thanks everyone for your replies. I will try to adjust the pivot but I don't think that I will be taking it apart. If I did take it apart would that void the warranty? Also through some further playing with the blade it seems the side to side play is coming from the "thumb stud" on the titanium side rocking back and forth.
 
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unit said:
I have heard that what you describe is normal to some degree (I have heard more than a few reports).

There are several schools of thought. People that really love the knife will tolerate some lock stick and blade play. Others will use various tactics to "fix" the "problem" (some of the reported fixes may result in warrranty issues in that you need to dis-assemble...and that apparently is something Strider does not want you doing). And others, have sent the knife back for either return, or repair (warranty).

I could go on, but it gets to be somewhat messy with people sharing opinions, that often times leads to arguent;)

Suffice to say, if you want buttery smooth, operation and no discernable blade play, Strider would not be my recommendation. There is plenty positive opinion I could offer, but the probability of getting some blade play, or lock stick is known to be higher than 0 ;)
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I would hope that any blade play would not be normal to any degree.
 
I received a CRKT Endorser as a gift from a NKP friend. It's a $40-$60 import from China and it doesn't have these problems. It's unbelievable to me that anyone would spend that kind of money on a knife and be expected to fiddle with it to make it right, let alone take it completely apart and clean it. My "love" of any knife design would go right down the crapper if that happened and I would return it for a full refund after kicking my own butt for not doing some research which would have shown these problems to exist with a brand before I bought.
 
Do not take it apart. Strider uses a jig to assemble the knives and if you get it wrong, you could loose your warranty.

Always go by the warranty of a knife, not what people tell you.

My SmF took a bit to settle down and now is very smooth with zero play. When new, it was near perfect, with just a little stick, then went through a rough period. If it still has issues, send it in...from what I read it will come back perfect.
 
GronK said:
I received a CRKT Endorser as a gift from a NKP friend. It's a $40-$60 import from China and it doesn't have these problems. It's unbelievable to me that anyone would spend that kind of money on a knife and be expected to fiddle with it to make it right, let alone take it completely apart and clean it. My "love" of any knife design would go right down the crapper if that happened and I would return it for a full refund after kicking my own butt for not doing some research which would have shown these problems to exist with a brand before I bought.
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Gotta agree here! I understand a little break-in, in regards to maybe smoothness or even a touch of lock stick but... for that type of money, shouldn't need any tweaking.
 
Well I'm going to have the knife dealer do an exchange and if it's still an issue I'll just have to pass on the Striders. That would be a real bummer because I'm about as in love with this knife as one can be with a knife haha. But for the money I shouldn't have to send the knife in upon arrival just to make it right.
 
This might give you a little insight:

http://www.bluelinegear.com/about/faq/1

But beyond that, you might want to join up with Strider Hardcore Forum to get more useful informations or contact Warranty Dept. for direct answer. Be weary getting answer from those don't even own a Strider.

When I had my new Strider, my case was different than yours. Pivot was really tight and lock was sticking. Per Strider's site, disassemble knife will not void warranty. But screwed it up in the process, another story - Strider discourage take their knife apart in general and encourage to let them deal with problems.

On the other hand, I am fairly capable, pivot came with some kind of locking compound, very tight, so I made this precise fit spanner to help disassemble, clean and pack pivot with Christo Lube to help break in. I adjusted pivot to zero lash and for the lock face, applied thick layers of Sharpie several times certainly helped too. During the three week break in, painfull at times on the thumb, Striderholics call that Strider Thumb - I, among others, went through the rite of passage. Now it is smooth as can be and without lock stick.

DSCN2235_zpszwgsqq2a.jpg


HTHs!
 
victorf said:
This might give you a little insight:

http://www.bluelinegear.com/about/faq/1

But beyond that, you might want to join up with Strider Hardcore Forum to get more useful informations or contact Warranty Dept. for direct answer. Be weary getting answer from those don't even own a Strider.

When I had my new Strider, my case was different than yours. Pivot was really tight and lock was sticking. Per Strider's site, disassemble knife will not void warranty. But screwed it up in the process, another story - Strider discourage take their knife apart in general and encourage to let them deal with problems.

On the other hand, I am fairly capable, pivot came with some kind of locking compound, very tight, so I made this precise fit spanner to help disassemble, clean and pack pivot with Christo Lube to help break in. I adjusted pivot to zero lash and for the lock face, applied thick layers of Sharpie several times certainly helped too. During the three week break in, painfull at times on the thumb, Striderholics call that Strider Thumb - I, among others, went through the rite of passage. Now it is smooth as can be and without lock stick.

DSCN2235_zpszwgsqq2a.jpg


HTHs!
Click to expand...

I'll take my knives sans "right of passage". They're just knives.
 
GronK said:
I received a CRKT Endorser as a gift from a NKP friend. It's a $40-$60 import from China and it doesn't have these problems. It's unbelievable to me that anyone would spend that kind of money on a knife and be expected to fiddle with it to make it right, let alone take it completely apart and clean it. My "love" of any knife design would go right down the crapper if that happened and I would return it for a full refund after kicking my own butt for not doing some research which would have shown these problems to exist with a brand before I bought.
Click to expand...

Actually, if you go to other Strider sources, this is not that widespread of an issue. My SnG was perfect. SmF just took a little break in. BTW, I have had to break many other brands that people rave about. And my CRKT M16 is the blade play king.
 
No knife should require "break in". That is retail code word for "I don't really want to deal with your problem. Maybe I can convince you that its supposed to come like that. Maybe you will overlook it to be part of the 'club'."

A few years ago I bought a Ontario Rat-1 for $25 that was just about perfect. It arrived the same day as the Emerson CQC-14 that I ordered; it arrived in a thin cardboard box, no padding, with poorly fitting liners, lock stick, and a mis-printed logo. If another manufacturers is going to charge me 10x the price, it better come absolutely perfect with top notch materials and good product presentation. I don't care which super secret commando club you hang out with.
 
retzius said:
No knife should require "break in". That is retail code word for "I don't really want to deal with your problem. Maybe I can convince you that its supposed to come like that. Maybe you will overlook it to be part of the 'club'."

A few years ago I bought a Ontario Rat-1 for $25 that was just about perfect. It arrived the same day as the Emerson CQC-14 that I ordered; it arrived in a thin cardboard box, no padding, with poorly fitting liners, lock stick, and a mis-printed logo. If another manufacturers is going to charge me 10x the price, it better come absolutely perfect with top notch materials and good product presentation. I don't care which super secret commando club you hang out with.
Click to expand...

I have read about CRK's having issues at times. Nothing is perfect. BTW, the Emersons I have, had no issues. And while my Rat-1 is near perfect, I have read where others have not.

And good product presentation...Why, I'd rather have that money go into the knife. Down the road, it is just trash.
 
All my folder knives benefited after a few days of cycling. Call it breaking in or whatever, they all benefited from having their mating parts adjusted to each other. Even William & Henry with its teflon washer pivot bushings became more buttery smooth - well, maybe Christio Lube is the common denominator with all my folders being smooth.

William & Henry came with an aluminum inlay box and Rockstead from Japan came in a presentation wood box. Both presented to impress along with certificates. IMO, presentation is not important, nice but lower entry price is better and once opened, I don't keep my folders in their original packaging.

On the other hand, having nice presentation does not guarantee a product, my recent returned for refund on two separate 1 of 200 Brous SSF Titanium Framelock is proved.

Strider folder definitely has a personality all its own. I got one because it is unique.
 
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