Vertical blade play on brand new Nakamura.

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ebar

Joined
Oct 24, 2014
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I just got my first Benchmade folder, a brand new 484-1 Nakamura.

It has some vertical blade play. Is this to be expected from an Axis Lock knife?
 
Vertical blade play should not be expected nor accepted in an Axis lock knife. I'm sure the dealer will exchange it, or you could go through Benchmade. Benchmade has good CS but I don't believe they will send a shipping label, meaning you need to pay to ship it to them (I'm not 100% sure about this and you should always contact the company before initiating a return anyways).

That being said, it's possible that you can fix it yourself. I've had experience with dirty Axis locks (or ones with broken springs) not closing all the way, leaving some wiggle in the blade. Are you able to push the axis lock stud such that it engages more fully and reduces play? If so, you might be able to fix this with cleaning and lubrication. You could also try tightening the pivot screw, although that should only affect horizontal play...

Good luck!
 
Some blade play is acceptable and not all brand new axis lock knives lockup solid when new.
 
Yes, I can force the lock pin forther into the blade wedge to eliminate the play.

I have cleaned the rails were the pin rides and lubed them. I first used Hoppe's No. 9 oil with no results. I the applies a little Finish Line Teflon grease and that didn't help either.

Would it be posible that the springs on this knife are to weak?
 
Are we talking about a lot of play? Does the blade move or knock or rattle when shaken? Does the blade move a little when using force to cut something or when applying pressure to the spine? Or is there just the tiniest perceptible movement when you grab the blade tightly and really torque it up and down?

I can detect a tiny amount of movement in Axis lock Benchmades when I really give it a gorilla grip torquing up and down. The movement is very tiny and less than I've noticed with virtually every knife I've owned with back locks. But if it's more than a tiny amount of movement under extreme force, either return the knife for replacement/refund or send it to Benchmade for repair/replacement.
 
The more common side to side is acceptable (and in many cases adjustable,) compared to 'radial' blade play, which is not.
 
ebar said:
Yes, I can force the lock pin forther into the blade wedge to eliminate the play.

I have cleaned the rails were the pin rides and lubed them. I first used Hoppe's No. 9 oil with no results. I the applies a little Finish Line Teflon grease and that didn't help either.

Would it be posible that the springs on this knife are to weak?
Click to expand...

If that's the case but cleaning and lubrication didn't work it's still possible that over time the lock will engage more completely on it's own. In my opinion the springs on the axis lock are inherently too weak, I am not a fan of the design...
 
My contego had a little play like you described, it went away after using the knife for a month or two.
 
Lee48 said:
Are we talking about a lot of play? Does the blade move or knock or rattle when shaken? Does the blade move a little when using force to cut something or when applying pressure to the spine? Or is there just the tiniest perceptible movement when you grab the blade tightly and really torque it up and down?

I can detect a tiny amount of movement in Axis lock Benchmades when I really give it a gorilla grip torquing up and down. The movement is very tiny and less than I've noticed with virtually every knife I've owned with back locks. But if it's more than a tiny amount of movement under extreme force, either return the knife for replacement/refund or send it to Benchmade for repair/replacement.
Click to expand...

The blade has no lateral play. All the play is "angular" very similar to the type of play you find on a back lock. That's why I don't like back locks.

Maybe it needs a little break-in.
 
ebar said:
The blade has no lateral play. All the play is "angular" very similar to the type of play you find on a back lock. That's why I don't like back locks.

Maybe it needs a little break-in.
Click to expand...

It probably will wear in with use. You might try flipping it open a few times really hard. If the movement is not present after really slamming the blade open, I'm pretty sure it's stiff and normal use will wear it in.
 
I've followed Lee's suggestions. The knife now opens with no vertical blade play one out of three times. I guess it will get better as it breaks in. I'll report back later with what happened. Thanks again everyone for your advise.
 
Send it in to benchmade they will have it back to you within the week and it like 5 bucks for shipping back or something. They will spa treat your knife and fix everything up. had that problem with a 940 just sent it in should be back in a couple days.
 
FWIW.. a new 484-1 arrived in the mail to me yesterday and it is rock-solid. No blade play in any direction, centered, with symmetrical grinds. Couldn't ask for more... -there's a tiny bit of grittiness to the deployment (to be expected) ... that will disappear in the coming days (with constant play!) ;)
 
Phil03449 said:
FWIW.. a new 484-1 arrived in the mail to me yesterday and it is rock-solid. No blade play in any direction, centered, with symmetrical grinds. Couldn't ask for more... -there's a tiny bit of grittiness to the deployment (to be expected) ... that will disappear in the coming days (with constant play!) ;)
Click to expand...

good to hear. my 484-1 came to me with very tight and gummy pivot. After adjusting and cleaning, it is perfect now.
 
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