Weak Spring on 110?

[BerkshireHunter]

I just got another Buck 110 as a backup and I'm a little disappointed with it. With blade closed, it has a fair amount of wiggle to it and it seems like the return spring isn't as strong as my other one. On the other hand, when opened, it locks up real tight with no play and the blade is well centered closed. It's going to be a user knife no doubt, so it should perform as designed.

I thought about sending it back to maybe have some warranty work done but it's probably not worth it. Maybe if I ever send it back to have a spa treatment or sharpening, I can ask them to tighten it up.

Any of you guys ever get knives like that where you were a little disappointed with?

 

[ItsTooEarly]

I would call Buck and tell them that your not happy with your new 110 and I'm sure they will take care of it... Why keep it...

 

[imafritz]

Yeah, if its out of spec wigglewise, no reason to have it spa'd, send her back and they will fix or replace.
I have seen closed wiggle on some but lock like a vault so I dont worry about it. Out of the 60 or so new knives I've bought, one or two have concerned me.

 

[Badhammer]

Have you tried giving it a good cleaning with dishsoap and hot water? I've done that on more than a few 110's both new and used and most of the times it made a difference with several minor issues. Don't forget to dry well and oil after the bath. HTH

 

[BerkshireHunter]

Thanks for the responses. Not sure what I'll do yet.

Have you tried giving it a good cleaning with dishsoap and hot water? I've done that on more than a few 110's both new and used and most of the times it made a difference with several minor issues. Don't forget to dry well and oil after the bath. HTH

^ Maybe I'll try that, the blade did have a bit of gunk.

 

[Badhammer]

I work the dish soap into the blade pivot area and the lockbar for several minutes and rinse under hot water. Also take a toothbrush and toothpick to as much of the nooks and crannies as you can. Buffing compound and other crud from production can find it's way into a lot of places. Work the blade open and closed under running hot water and blow dry if you have a compressed air source or just lay it on a towel to air dry.

 

[GundaManiac]

My 110, 110FG, and 112FG all have some wiggle when the knife is closed. The blades wobble a little side to side without much effort. But once the knives are open, lockup is solid.

 

[ursamajor]

What is this spa thing? My 110 has wriggle in it front to back, and side to side. I thought that is how all 110's are supposed to be.

 

[Joe Houser]

I would say that if your in doubt, send it in, we will take care of it one way or another. Yes, some wiggle is common on the 110/112, but it should snap open and closed. If the knife has been used hard, sometimes the blade rivet "pops", which will make it wobbly. If you can catch your finger nail on the rivet, its likely popped.
Cleaning with soapy water, and oiling right after, will work if there is an issue with goo in the workings of the knife. I would not open and close it too much during the cleaning process though since you really want some oil on the rocker/blade radius contact point to prevent gauling of the metal.
I like spraying a solvent into the knife, then using high pressure air to blow it all out. Then oil.

 

[BerkshireHunter]

I would say that if your in doubt, send it in, we will take care of it one way or another. Yes, some wiggle is common on the 110/112, but it should snap open and closed. If the knife has been used hard, sometimes the blade rivet "pops", which will make it wobbly. If you can catch your finger nail on the rivet, its likely popped.
Cleaning with soapy water, and oiling right after, will work if there is an issue with goo in the workings of the knife. I would not open and close it too much during the cleaning process though since you really want some oil on the rocker/blade radius contact point to prevent gauling of the metal.
I like spraying a solvent into the knife, then using high pressure air to blow it all out. Then oil.

Thank you very much for responding Joe. I looked the knife over more carefully and gave it a good hot bath. My final take away was that the knife was quite acceptable. Like you said, it has some wiggle closed and the tip of the blade just barely goes low enough to be enclosed in the handle's recess, but it does. The knife will always be in the sheath if not in use, and locks open like a vault.

I know that if I felt it necessary, you guys would make it right, what a great company! I'll likely be getting more 110s in the future.

 

[Mitch W.]

I got a 110 at a pawn shop that was so loose it would actually fall open. I sent it in and it turned out the spring was bad. When I got it back it looked like a new knife. I've got 5 I am fixing to send in to be rebladed and know when I get them back, they will also look like new.