Vantage Pro - Centering Question

S

Steve6387

Joined
Jul 1, 2013
Messages
494
Just got it. Love the blade profile, heft, action, clip. Blade not as centered as would be nice (are they ever?) :p. Took it apart, cleaned, lubed, reassembled ... and it's the same. I can center it with the pivot screw but it's too tight and opening becomes a 2 handed operation. So, I'm looking for options.

Here's what I am thinking:
1. Leave it since it's not rubbing and re calibrate my expectations in a $57 knife ;-)
2. Is is possible to get a slightly thicker bronze washer for the offending side? that might allow me to loosen up the action / pivot a good deal and still keep it centered.

I did see the YT video on "tuning" the knife but that video seems older. Mine is constructed with liners that are pinned together. There are no "internal" screws holding the liners together, so i can't tweak those to play with the centering.

Any thoughts appreciated.
--Steve
 
If it's not rubbing I don't sweat centering. It's a visual thing and has nothing to do with the functioning of the knife.
 
I own 11 Vantages and don't worry about the centering. As long as the blade doesn't bang on the side, I am okay with it. One of my Vantages goes to work with me every day.
 
I've had good success with playing with the pivot screw. Not to tight and not to loose. Find the happy spot by watching the blade move one way or the other. I like mine to flip with my finger have absolutely no play and the blade centered. If you can't achieve that I would send it to Buck. The older Vantages have screws for the frame and you may need to loosen those and adjust the frame watching the blade as tighten the screws. The newer ones don't have screws they have drive pins, with the scales off you might be able to tap with a piece of wood to adjust the sides of the frame . The pivot pin may be a little bent ?
 
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I think there's a thread that has the procedure for centering the blade on a Vantage that has the screws, Google and search.

I can't remember the details but it goes something like this. Take the clip off. Loosen all screws, pivot included. Place a 'wedge' on the side of the blade that's off center to center the blade. The order of tightening is where my memory is lacking. I do know when I did mine I had to play with differing order of tightening. I think the pivot is last. I't not difficult, just time consuming. Preston
 
pjsjr said:
I think there's a thread that has the procedure for centering the blade on a Vantage that has the screws, Google and search.

I can't remember the details but it goes something like this. Take the clip off. Loosen all screws, pivot included. Place a 'wedge' on the side of the blade that's off center to center the blade. The order of tightening is where my memory is lacking. I do know when I did mine I had to play with differing order of tightening. I think the pivot is last. I't not difficult, just time consuming. Preston
Click to expand...

Tighten the pivot first and then the rest of the screws. This will keep the centering, in most cases.
 
I had to use a drop of superglue on the pivot pins after I got mine centered and locking up properly. It was just a matter of adjusting the pivot pin on my knife.
Rich
 
Just pulled mine out of my pocket. Its off center, looks like it hits but just barely doesn't. Bothers me a little and I tried to center it but as others said, it make it too tight. So, I just learned to live with it. Really love the Vantage so it being a little off doesn't bother me much.
 
Here is where the problem is on these knives. When closed the Liner Lock presses on the blade causing the off center problem. With the blade closed if you take a small screw driver and press the the liner lock (through the nail nick hole) away from the blade and the blade will center. As for a permanent cure I do not know. I just live with mine the way it is, after many attempts to center it. That being said my Vantage Pro has served me well since 2010.
 
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