Wanting a Folding Knife with NO Blade Play

N

Noesis

Joined
Apr 5, 2003
Messages
50
Both of my folding knives--a Benchmade AFCK Axis and a Strider AR-- have developed significant vertical blade play with use. About a month ago I owned a Spyderco Manix for a few days, and it too had significant vertical blade play right out of the box. I feel like I'm cursed, and I want to restore my faith in the folding knife industry by finding a production folding knife that has NO vertical blade play. So please give me your recommendations. I'm betting that a Sebenza will be mentioned. Let me hear the others.

Thanks.

Noesis
 
Sebenza :p

If you spent that much money on an AR, you probably won't mind spending enough for a Sebenza. You will not be disappointed in any way.
 
I feel like I'm cursed

I know the feeling, but I don't understand how these knives with 3 point loading (Axis and Strider) has blade play. Sort of like how can a 3 legged stool be woobly? Are your pivot and stop pin screws tight enough? The Manix, well, that apparently is not unusual.
 
If you wore down an Axis lock knife, to the point that it developed vertical blade play...... Maybe you should consider a fixed blade.
 
kel_aa said:
I feel like I'm cursed

I know the feeling, but I don't understand how these knives with 3 point loading (Axis and Strider) has blade play. Sort of like how can a 3 legged stool be woobly? Are your pivot and stop pin screws tight enough? The Manix, well, that apparently is not unusual.
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I don't understand it either. I gathered on these forums that both the Axis lock and the Strider lock are supposed to be some of the most solid in the industry. They started out that way, but now they are not.
 
I can see the Strider lock wearing down to the point of vertical blade play. But in theory, I believe the lock bar on the axis lock should self-adjust for vertical blade play. Vertical blade play should not exist until the lock bar has traveled as far as the omega spring will take it.

Are you sure that you aren't talking about horizonal blade play?
 
Buzzbait said:
Are you sure that you aren't talking about horizonal blade play?
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Buzzbait,

Yes, I grab hold of the blade and pull it towards the back of the knife while pushing the handle in the other direction at the same time, then reverse directions. It moves noticeably in the vertical direction every time; if I keep it up I can sort of get it into a 'rocking' motion.
 
Noesis said:
Both of my folding knives--a Benchmade AFCK Axis and a Strider AR-- have developed significant vertical blade play with use. About a month ago I owned a Spyderco Manix for a few days, and it too had significant vertical blade play right out of the box. I feel like I'm cursed, and I want to restore my faith in the folding knife industry by finding a production folding knife that has NO vertical blade play.
Click to expand...

You don't need to buy another knife, just return all of those as they are defective.

-Cliff
 
Buck 110, Opinel, Victorinox Soldier, Spyderco D'allara Drop point....none of these have ever had any vertical play for me whatsoever. You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to get a properly functioning knife. Cliff also speaks wisely. Have you attempted contacting any of the respective companies?

FYI, most Spyderco lockbacks I've handled come with very slight vertical play when putting pressure on the cutting edge. For this reason I'd stay away from their lockbacks since this seems to bother you so much, but keep in mind their locks are still very secure and robust in my experience.
 
Sounds like some QC people should spend a little less time browsing the internet at work..:rolleyes:
 
Noesis said:
Yes, I grab hold of the blade and pull it towards the back of the knife while pushing the handle in the other direction at the same time, then reverse directions. It moves noticeably in the vertical direction every time; if I keep it up I can sort of get it into a 'rocking' motion.
Click to expand...

If you're Axis lock is doing that, without a wicked amount of abuse and usage, you really should return it. I have 3 Axis lock knives, one of which is years old, and none of them exhibit this problem.
 
I don't see how the axis can move vertically unless the lock pin is all the way forward in the slots and the tang is not making contact.
 
You might give it a shot:

Take the AR apart and bend the lock bar a bit, so it has more tension. Most ARs can be cured this way.
 
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