Vertical blade play on the Delica 4

B

bk400

Joined
Nov 1, 2005
Messages
172
I've used four Delica 4s since they've come out, and all of them have developed some sort of vertical blade play after light/moderate use (I primarily use them to break down boxes and whittle balsawood). The vertical play is enough to visibly (probably a little less than 1mm of movement) and audibly (slight clicking noise) move the lockbar up when I apply edge to spine pressure. I've tried tightening the screws, but it doesn't seem to help.

Any suggestions? Is this normal for lockbacks?
 
Yes, a little vertical blade play seems to be normal. (My Native III and even my Mini Manix has minimal vertical blade play, but it's OK for me.)
 
While I wouldn't call this "normal", it is a fact of life in my experience with having a Spyderco delica and assist. It is a little irritating on an otherwise nice knife, eh?
 
I bought a Endura 4 about a week ago and have used it for light duty around my office. It now has the same play as you describe. It's rather disappointing. This is my first Spyderco since my full size Calypso which I traded off because of blade play, and that was after a trip back to the factory.
My Endura is now back in its box. I'll probably sell or trade it off. I guess I'm a blade play snob. :(
 
I suppose that it is normal because the lockbar swings out of the notch in an arc. As a result, there must be some play, because if there isn't, then the lockbar won't disengage (the only way for it to disengage without play is if it lifted vertically out of the notch in the tang, which is impossible because the lockbar pivots on a fixed point).

I think this makes sense, but I could be wrong. But it does beg the question: why not buy an axis-type lock? I'm with some of the others on the forum in that blade play really bothers me, and if there are folders without them at a comparable price point (read: mini griptilian), than those may make more sense.

I suppose the ball-bearing lock is Spyderco's answer to the blade play problem. The D'Allara knives are priced well and have ball bearing locks. That may be another solution.
 
bk400 gots it right. It is the nature in its design that lockbacks will have minimal bladeplay.
 
Deathshead, it's good to be right about something every now and then. But it was guyfalks link that got me to think about it more closely. Thanks, guyfalks.
 
Vertical blade play may be becoming "normal" in Spyderco lock backs, but it isn't necessary. Why is it that some knives of the same model have it and some don't?

Should I send in my old ATS-55 Delica or VG-10 Caly Jr because they don't have blade play?
 
dakota said:
I bought a Endura 4 about a week ago and have used it for light duty around my office. It now has the same play as you describe. It's rather disappointing. This is my first Spyderco since my full size Calypso which I traded off because of blade play, and that was after a trip back to the factory.
My Endura is now back in its box. I'll probably sell or trade it off. I guess I'm a blade play snob. :(
Click to expand...

Can't say I blame you.

This is why I desperately want more Spyderco models to be brought out with ball-bearing locks. I have never seen one iota of vertical blade play -- and scant horizontal blade play as an aside -- with a ball-bearing lock (or Axis lock, for that matter) knife.

-
 
Steven Andrews said:
Vertical blade play may be becoming "normal" in Spyderco lock backs, but it isn't necessary. Why is it that some knives of the same model have it and some don't?

Should I send in my old ATS-55 Delica or VG-10 Caly Jr because they don't have blade play?
Click to expand...
Do you desire blade play in your knives? Many new knives will have blade play, and many knives will develop blade play in time. This isn't an arguement. It's a fact.
 
bk400 said:
I think this makes sense, but I could be wrong. But it does beg the question: why not buy an axis-type lock? I'm with some of the others on the forum in that blade play really bothers me, and if there are folders without them at a comparable price point (read: mini griptilian), than those may make more sense.

I suppose the ball-bearing lock is Spyderco's answer to the blade play problem. The D'Allara knives are priced well and have ball bearing locks. That may be another solution.
Click to expand...

Your assessment sounds completely logical to me, regarding the nature of the pivot of the lock bar on a lockback knife. (I think I have seen that discussed before, here as well; when the Manix came out, someone had the same complaint, and so someone else posted pics of a disassembled Manix.)

I liked the D'Allare drop point momentarily, and then looked again and decided I didn't like the weak-looking tang, which seems to mount to the blade too low and with not enough metal for my liking. That, and I don't care for the flanged (read: not streamlined enough to be "tactical") bolster/hilt dealie. No, I don't care for that at all. Overall, the knife is nice to look at, but I am hoping for something a little more "Mini-Griptilianesque" from Spyderco.

And with a CHOIL at the tang to make sharpening easy, PLEASE! :p

-Jeffrey
 
Steven Andrews said:
No. That's why I favour Axis lock knives.
Click to expand...
Axis lock is one smooth reliable lock. I favor those too. Benchmade makes some solid knives with little to no blade play out of box. Some can be a little tight but you just have to find that sweet spot with the tension screw. You pay a little more money for a knife than Spyderco, but I think its worth it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top