Vantage Force ball detent strength?

C

CoffeeCat2112

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Jan 26, 2007
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I just got a Vantage Force Select a couple days ago and have been playing with it. Overall, I really like it. I was just wondering about the strength of the ball detent that keeps the blade closed. On mine, I can turn the knife upside down and, with a firm shake, get the blade to open anywhere between about 45 and 90 degrees. I can feel the ball seat into place when I close the knife slowly, so I know it's seating. I was just wondering if this is a normal strength? Most of my other locking knives are mid or back locks, and they kind of suck the blade down when closing, so this feels different for me...
 
I'm puzzled by the term "ball detent". Here's pictures of the internals on the liner lock side (of a regular Vantage, the internals are the same as the Force) and I see nothing that I'd consider a detent. Could you explain what exactly you mean by that term? I've had the blade completely out and saw nothing of a ball.

IMG_0476.jpg


IMG_0473.jpg


IMG_0475.jpg
 
I beg your pardon, I just looked closer and found what you're talking about. A tiny dimple in the blade matched up with a tiny bump on the inside of the liner lock. Mine, and I have several, seem to stay in place no matter how I shake it.
 
Many liner locks utilize a 'dent ball' to keep the blade in place during opening rotation and closed. I've built them in folders. I'm not familiar with that model, whether it uses one. Yes, thats what he's meaning. DM
 
I've had mine completely apart, as well. It's not a separate ball bearing, but on the inside of the liner lock, there is a semicircular bump that acts like one. It mates to a dimple on the side of the blade when the blade closes.

Also, I've noticed the little stop pin that rides in the semicircular cutout around the blade pin rattles when the blade is half-open. Weird stuff I notice...

ETA: If I tighten it up more, it does stay closed better when shaken, but then it becomes a thumbhole opener instead of a flipper.
 
All my vantages have varying detent strength. My EDC vantage has the strongest and snappiest feeling detent of the bunch; it's also the easiest to open using the flipper.

If I turn it upside down and shake it, it won't open. However, if I add some wrist movement and snap it down, the knife will fly open.
 
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