Vertical blade play on a knife with steel insert

[jstn]

Today I received a really nice knife from a maker I am choosing not to disclose. I am not trying to gripe; I am very happy with the knife, it is essentially perfect, but I a have one concern. It is a titanium framelock with a steel insert, and it has quite a bit of vertical play when I don't apply pressure to the lockbar while holding it. If I press the lockbar in, it goes away. It seems like the lock face isn't quite getting seated all the way. It doesn't affect the lockup, and the knife does not seem like it would close on me, so maybe I am being to picky. But on a $500 dollar knife, I expect it to be pretty solid.

Will the lock eventually wear in a bit and seat itself, even with the steel insert? I really don't want to send the knife back in since it was a long wait. Thanks for any and all suggestions.

 

[johnnytoxin]

You need to send it back to the maker and have him fix it. It will not wear in, it sounds like the lock bar doesn't have enough spring tension. For $500 you should always expect an knife to function properly, provided you don't abuse it.

 

[jstn]

Thanks Johnny, I have yet to use so definitely no abuse. I guess I will need to send it back unfortunately.

 

[MostMenAreRuthless]

I would be an unhappy customer. On a production knife a few may slip through with issues, but a custom? That means that a custom maker did one of two things:
A. Did not inspect the knife that he made for you before shipping out

Or

B. He did inspect it and figured it was good enough to send to you with vertical play.

Either way, that's poor form and poor service.

 

[jstn]

I would be an unhappy customer. On a production knife a few may slip through with issues, but a custom? That means that a custom maker did one of two things:
A. Did not inspect the knife that he made for you before shipping out

Or

B. He did inspect it and figured it was good enough to send to you with vertical play.

Either way, that's poor form and poor service.

Yeah , I kind of agree. I hate to be picky since I know most makers are very busy and just trying to make a living, but at the same time, I am not a rich man and like to get quality when I pay for it.

 

[jstn]

I spoke with the maker today, and he told me the play will disappear with time and opening/closing. He claims it takes some break in time for the steel insert to grind into the heel of the tang. Anyone care to comment?

 

[Fish30114]

Shoot yeah I will comment. That is bullshizzle! Of course it MAY do that, but the point is, a good maker would not make the knife like that to begin with. Look around on the custom forums and see how common phrases like 'zero blade play in any direction' or 'rock solid lockup' are. I have a LOT of customs and NONE of them have anything like you are describing as far as lockbar engagement--to that end I also have a whole lot of production framelocks, and none of them have any issues like that--if I got one that did it would be going back to the mfg./dealer ASAP--much less a custom. At the pricepoint you are talking about it is reasonable to expect PERFECT fit and function.

 

[SOLEIL]

I agree with the ohers. For 500 there should not be any issues. It should be an easy fix as the steel locking tab is an insert and not part of the lock bar. If there is enough tension for it to move to the blade a longer steel insert may be a fix.

 

[Le Fermier]

Sometimes a knife is dirty in the hinge or liners region. Any friction area really. Perhaps a real good cleaning in a hot soap & water bath followed with compressed air (hair dryer will do) and then a good oiling with manipulation may solve the issue. Personally I won't tolerate a tool that doesn't function exactly as it's supposed to so if my suggestions don't help I'd 'send it back'.

 

[jstn]

Thanks guys, I'm gonna get it a good cleaning and if that doesn't work send it back in. Always frustrating to really look forward to getting a knife, only to have to send it back in. Guess I am gonna have to learn to be patient!