What is Benchmade's definition of disassembly?

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Squashfan

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Jun 6, 2012
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My Nitrous Blitz has developed severe blade play. The scales are wobbling. If I take the pivot screw out and locktite the screw will that void my warranty? Will just tightening the pivot screw void my warranty?
 
Wobbling scales?? I'm sure you meant the blade...right? No you won't void your warranty by using Loc-Tite, (But may I suggest you use the BLUE 243 formula and sparingly), and as you own the knife no one will challenge you should you choose to tighten your pivot bolt. Also before you go to the Loc-Tite fix a few turns of the pivot bolt might just solve your problem. Try that first~!
 
Well, I wanted to ask before I voided my warranty. What I mean by the scales wobbling is this: When the knife was open, the pivot pin was so loose that when I pushed on blade the non locking scale visibly moved. I might have been able to shake the knife and induce blade play. The pivot was that loose. This play has developed since I got the knife last Friday. I did tighten the pivot yesterday but I have a feeling that it will loosen again with time. I have 242 blue Loctite and will put some of that on the pivot screw.
 
More info; when applying, only use a drop on the threads of the pivot bolt - and it helps to completely remove it and wipe the threads with alcohol to remove any BlueLube before applying. Once the bolt's been replaced, there's plenty of time to find the sweet spot where the adjustment feels right, and then let the knife sit over night. I don't use 'LT' very much, but when I do it works well.
 
Can someone from Benchmade clarify this policy?

How is this applied in practice?

I own about two dozen Benchmades but have mostly jumped ship to Kershaw/ZT (own nearly 200, 60+ of which are Blurs) partially because of this policy. I'm still a big Benchmade fan and a huge fan of the pre-BM Lone Wolf knives, but a policy against disassembling for maintenance has me carrying a ZT. I really love the black Adamas (I own 3) and would carry it but instead have carried a ZT 560 (have 2 of them and 3 561s) for the last year because I know they will cover any sort of crazy thing other than outright abuse. I know their written policy is much stricter than they tend to apply it. I suspect Benchmade is the same but I have not wanted to test it.
 
Strigamort said:
Use only the slightest amount, let it dry, then install.
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Loctite doesn't dry in open air. Just a small amount on the first couple threads and screw it in and let it cure overnight. If you are worried about fouling the pivot you can use nail polish or a paint marker. Those will dry in open air. Then screw it in.
 
jkarp_53 said:
More info; when applying, only use a drop on the threads of the pivot bolt - and it helps to completely remove it and wipe the threads with alcohol to remove any BlueLube before applying. Once the bolt's been replaced, there's plenty of time to find the sweet spot where the adjustment feels right, and then let the knife sit over night. I don't use 'LT' very much, but when I do it works well.
Click to expand...
That is very similar to how I have used Loctite. I guess I have Loctited 7-8 Kershaws after opening them up for maintenance. Though if there is old LT on the screws, alcohol isn't enough and I have to use nail polish remover. (Try explaining THAT to the clerk at the grocery store. "It's for my knife!")

Anyway, I was hoping to get a better interpretation from Benchmade, themselves.
 
Squashfan said:
That is very similar to how I have used Loctite. I guess I have Loctited 7-8 Kershaws after opening them up for maintenance. Though if there is old LT on the screws, alcohol isn't enough and I have to use nail polish remover. (Try explaining THAT to the clerk at the grocery store. "It's for my knife!")

Anyway, I was hoping to get a better interpretation from Benchmade, themselves.
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The answer on that is to give them (BKC) a call...800-800-7427...our moderator, Ryan has a huge job and is here only part-time and might not see this question for a while. If it suits you, when you have the answer why not post it into your thread here?
 
I work Mon-Fri so it will be awhile before I can call them. I guess I could email them, though.

I went ahead and loctited the screw. Forgot to clean it first, duh. But looked completely clean, no sign of previous loctite.
 
Squashfan said:
I work Mon-Fri so it will be awhile before I can call them. I guess I could email them, though.

I went ahead and loctited the screw. Forgot to clean it first, duh. But looked completely clean, no sign of previous loctite.
Click to expand...

I work six days a week, sometimes seven myself, the cost of being self-employed. You could send Ryan a PM or email with your question(s) but it's proven to always be faster to call the 800 number.
 
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