Vertical Blade Play Liner Locks

[Mme09005]

So I just bought a CJRB Centros as an EDC knife after seeing glowing reviews and seeing that it checked a lot of my boxes for what I want. I was very happy with the action and the lock up and everything was great. I went to check the knife for side to side play and found absolutely none. I grabbed the tip of the blade and checked the vertical direction, found some play, no audible clicking but I can feel it. I took a look at the lock up and it was at 60%. I pushed the liner tab further to really wedge it against the blade tang, but still could feel the same vertical play.

I disassembled and reassembled several times with the same result. I bent the liner a little bit and still the same issue. I took it apart and reassembled by switching which direction the pivot went in and that helped a little, but it's still there. The lock up feels solid and the play is ever so slight, you can't see it or feel it happen, but it's there.

I hadn't been checking vertical play on my knives for a while and this prompted me to check some others, I found the same sort of thing on two other knives... now that I'm aware of it, I'm slightly ticked off. Ignorance is bliss sometimes. Any ideas for what may be going on, or if you have the same sort of situation on your folders?

 

[Edgeoflife]

Budget knives more so can be hit or miss as they are produced on a massive scale to hit the price point. On the other hand i own knives costing significantly more with some having small amounts of vertical play (lock rock) but they are still production folders nonetheless and produced in mass quantity generally also. Nobody likes it but it happens sometimes with most all brands. Either the lock geometry is off and not making full contact with the blade tang (you stated you pushed the liner lock further over) or there is excessive tolerance possibly between the pivot and stop pin. If its minimal as it sounds like it, it shouldn't affect function but if it bothers you send it back or exchange it. I dont know if CJRB/Artisan has a warranty or not (and on a $30 folder) but me personally I generally live with it unless its alot of play or an expensive folder. That choice however is up to you.

 

[Alberta Ed]

My liner locks -- Sebbie 21, Kershaw/Emerson, Emerson, Spyderco Military -- all have stop pins and exhibit no detectable vertical play.

 

[Mme09005]

Budget knives more so can be hit or miss as they are produced on a massive scale to hit the price point. On the other hand i own knives costing significantly more with some having small amounts of vertical play (lock rock) but they are still production folders nonetheless and produced in mass quantity generally also. Nobody likes it but it happens sometimes with most all brands. Either the lock geometry is off and not making full contact with the blade tang (you stated you pushed the liner lock further over) or there is excessive tolerance possibly between the pivot and stop pin. If its minimal as it sounds like it, it shouldn't affect function but if it bothers you send it back or exchange it. I dont know if CJRB/Artisan has a warranty or not (and on a $30 folder) but me personally I generally live with it unless its alot of play or an expensive folder. That choice however is up to you.

I work in aerospace and mass production of parts is something that I can wrap my head around, no two parts will be the same if we want them for a reasonable price. The blade play is very minimal and when I check it towards the center of the blade (as opposed to the tip) I cannot feel it. I have another CJRB, the barranca, and it is ROCK solid in all directions. Anyway, I'll get over it and not let it taint my view of the knife.

 

[Mme09005]

My liner locks -- Sebbie 21, Kershaw/Emerson, Emerson, Spyderco Military -- all have stop pins and exhibit no detectable vertical play.

Would you mind telling me how you check for vertical play. Personally, I grab the knife in my left hand fist and then use my right hand thumb and pointer finger to grab the tip of the blade and wiggle it back and forth. If I grab the blade in the middle, I have no perceivable play, only when I go to the tip.

 

[benchwarmer380]

Would you mind telling me how you check for vertical play. Personally, I grab the knife in my left hand fist and then use my right hand thumb and pointer finger to grab the tip of the blade and wiggle it back and forth. If I grab the blade in the middle, I have no perceivable play, only when I go to the tip.

If and when there is play, you're going to feel it more so when you grab it from tip as the tip is traveling a farther distance. (As minute as it may be.)

I test for it as you do. As long as it is a small enough that I only feel it when I'm looking for it and it does not slide on the lock face or disengage all together I don't really mind.

If you feel it at the tip, but not when you test in the middle, I wouldn't worry about it. It's either a tiny amount or your brain/hands playing tricks on you. If it gets more severe over time then it may be cause for concern.