Why new pivot screw?

Joined
Dec 18, 2000
Messages
208
I see we have new pivot for later model folder. I bought one Para Military and one Yojimbo but I have to let them go because I can not tightened the pivot according to NYC law. Now, I see Manix also has same pivot. I think old pivot (one head) is way stronger than these new tiny one! Please correct me If I am wrong. :confused:
 
The Yojimbo screws are a PITA, I hope there aren't many new knives like this. The best is the Gunting screw, simple to tighten and won't strip as easily as the Yojimbo seems to.
 
The pivot on my Yojimbo has been a little frustrating. When I got it a week ago, the blade was looser than I prefer. I tried to tighten it, but the female pin just spun around. Using two torx drivers - one on each end - I was able to unscrew it, but it took a lot of force. I had to secure one driver in a vice and use pliers with the other one. There was lock-tight in the threads and the bond was very strong.

When I went to put it back together, the screw just sort of stopped before I could get it as tight as I wanted. I tried screwing it down more, but the head of one of the screws began to deform as the driver started to slip in it. I had to stop before I ruined it.

As it stands now, the blade on my Yojimbo is a bit looser than those of my other folders, but it's not bad at all. The blade opens and closes very smoothly, there's no play in any direction, and the lock-up is rock solid. I don't think I'll fool around with the anymore of the new pivots though!
 
I had exactly this problem with a Benchmade 520A and ended up selling it for this reason. I could make the pivot screw pretty tight, but it wouldn't stay as obscenely tight as I like to make it for NYC carry. (I tighten them to the point that you can't flick them opened even with the axis bar depressed.) After an hour or two it would loosen up to a reasonable level.

Nothing was wrong with the knife (lockup was perfect and opening was smooth, and the pivot screw could be tightened reasonably), just with the knife laws. But that's the reality we have to live with, unfortunately.
 
I also wish they would go back to the older pivot.I did get a Para adjusted but with a lot of trouble and it seemed like it would be real easy to break the pivot pin.
A knife like the Manix should have a large pivot screw if for no other reason than just to match the knives size.
 
In this case, I think spyderco went for good look but it pays for it with strength and connivances. When I look back the history, spyderco has been good to better and better to best. I think this time spyderco went one step forward for look but two steps back for other. This is just my opinion.
 
From what I've heard, Spyderco likes these new pivots and considers them an improvement. I haven't been told a reason for the change or what the advantages are/
 
Have they changed the pivot again? I've seen several pics of the new Manix and it looks like it has a different pivot from the Chinook II, the Dodo, and the Paramilitary. Speaking of which, if you check out the pic of the new black-bladed Paramilitary at NewGraham it looks like it has the same new pivot as the Manix. I like the look of the new pivot. It looks more solid than the previous ones. If it is a new pivot and not just prototype pics, I wonder if one could send their older knife in to have it upgraded.

Flinx
 
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