Washer questions? 3" XM

[Jfoley4]

I was curious to see if there are any washers out there that are nicer than the ones currently on my XM-18 3" Flipper. I know a lot of manufacturers use different ones but are there any out there that are noticeably better than others? I guess my problem could be the pivot. I can't tighten my pivot enough to center the blade without the flipper being way to hard. If I keep the pivot loose enough to flip with ease the pivot looses to the point where the blade will rub on the liner. Is there any suggestions from all you experts out there? any advice would be awesome.

I am in no way complaining about the knife, I love it. I have had it two weeks and I cannot put it down. I love the size. I now have one of each of the three xm sizes and I love this one the most. I am just curious to see if there is something I am missing or an easy fix. Thanks for your time. I will add some pictures when I am on my laptop.

 

[Varga Knives]

First of all I definately would not consider this a washer issue. The nylon washers at play here work perfectly and although there are other options available they were chosen for a reason and I wouldn't mess with it. A very light touch of oil on the washer may allow you to tighen it a little more while retaining your preferred action.

Search this forum for Blade Centering as there is a process to it that may help in centering.

Last thing, once you get the pivot to where you like it a tiny bit of blue locktite on the pivot scew will prevent it from working its way loose again. Make sure that this is the only place on the knife that you apply locktite to.

There are many factors involved in making the perfect flipper and also tweaking it to where it most suits you. The learning process is half the fun.3

***** I find there is a lot of fuss about bearing sytems vs. nylon vs. PB, etc. and I could expound at length all the pros and cons but there is absolutely nothing wrong with nylon washers. I once asked Les George if I should change out my nylon to PB and of course the answer was no. With your thumb remove lockbar pressure with blade opened. Adjust the pivot as tight as you can without sacrificing freendom of movement. Should be friction free (relatively) and the blade will move with gravity.

Lockbar pressure has a lot more to to with blade centering than washers.

 

[Jfoley4]

thanks For the heads up about the locktite. I will try that. I have done everything else I can think of. I have adjusted other flippers and easily found a Happy medium. My other hinderer flippers are perfect so I was just curious if there was an easy fix I had overlooked.

 

[RubiconSS]

I have done this and it has worked, completely dismantle the knife. Clean and lube. .

 

[Jfoley4]

I will report on the knife once the locktite is dry. I took it apart and reseated it.

 

[Jfoley4]

The reseating was a success. The blade is now centered. The pivot issue is still there. I used locktite let it sit for 24 hours but it still worked its way loose today. Once I tighten the pivot the blade returns to center so I guess I can live with it. thanks for the help guys.

 

[RubiconSS]

I have had good luck with a wrap of teflon tape. Glad the re-seating helped. Nice thing about the teflon tape is it is clean and you really can't over do it, just a wrap around.