XM Detent & Blade Tension Questions ???

[nyefmaker]

I recently scored a non-flipper XM-18 and a flipper XM-18. Both are 3 1/2".

The non-flipper is super smooth and almost auto like, its that buttery smooth. The detent looks normal and does not stick up alot. It definately serves its purpose and looks like alot of detents I have on other knives.......The flipper is not as smooth, more sebenza hydraulic like. If I just use the flipper, no matter how hard I press on it, it will only open half way as its that stiff-like. It will open with a wrist flick though. On the flipper, the detent sticks way up, about twice as much as the non-flipper and the blade catches on it. No matter how much I depress the lockbar, the detent since its sticking up so high catches on the blade tang. When you put a little more effore into it, the detent rolls up over the blade and does its job. Just doesnt "feel" right. My question is, does the detent on the flipper have a different height spec when compared to the non-flipper ??? Is this normal that it slightly catched on the blade tang ??? I tried some CRK lube and it helped very little. I took it apart and lubed it up, but there was not any difference when opening and closing as far as stiffness goes.

Also, how much tension do you guys put on the blade pivot ??? If I tighten it down, it is too stiff, but when I losen it up like 1/4 to 1/2 turn, it loosens up nicely ( pivot screw feels loose, but it is snug ), but then the blade goes off center hitting the titanium slab that the G-10 scale resides on. I am thinking the pivot bushing on this is kinda like the umnumzaan where you have to set it to its proper tension ???

It there some simple fixes to these questions, or is the flippers specs a little different than a non-flipper due to the flipper and its design ??? I am thinking not, but had to ask !!!

Is this something that I have to send to Rick to look at and fix ???

To me, it looks like the Detent is not seated deep enough.

Hopefully some of you guys that have had both or do have both can compare yours to mine and see if they are the same ???

I took some pics to help you better see the detents.

Yellow- Non Flipper -- Opens with perfection

Black - Flipper - Detent catches on the blade

 

[brightb]

I can't speak to the detent height. But, as far as the pivot adjustment goes a tiny amount of turn makes a big difference. A 1/4 turn is way too much, try in
tiny increments until you get the action you're looking for.


Bill

 

[nyefmaker]

I can't speak to the detent height. But, as far as the pivot adjustment goes a tiny amount of turn makes a big difference. A 1/4 turn is way too much, try in
tiny increments until you get the action you're looking for.


Bill

Thanks for the heads up, I was adjusting it after I posted it and a little bit definately goes a long way like you said. I was turning in about 1/32"and trying to find a sweet spot. I was setting it to how my non-flipper is. I got it pretty well adjusted. But since the detent is sticking out furthur on my flipper, there is more blade tension.

Does the XM-18 pivot bushing resemble the Umnumzaan where you can/do have to set it ?? Do any of you use the purple lock-tite on it to just hold it snug, or does it just stay in place ??

I know alot about CRK, but am a XM newbie.....lol.

 

[Grimspoon]

Taken from another forum:

Okay, I finally took my 3" XM-18 apart and cleaned it up. This knife has always been perfectly centered and the blade was really smooth and opened like lightning.

Usually when I put my XMs together and get the blade centered they are a little tight making it hard to flip open. When I got this one together, the blade was past center towards the lock face and still looser than I like.

I called Rob on the phone and he taught me a little trick that fixed the problem. I felt bad because while I was talking with Rob, my kids were going crazy in the back ground. He didn't seem to mind though.

Here we go:

1. Open blade to 90 degrees and tighten pivot so that it is really tight.

2. Close the blade and loosen frame screws so they aren’t tight, but still holding the frame together.

3. While the blade is still in the closed position, pull blade towards the side you want the blade to move. In my case, I pulled the blade toward the liner/scale.

4. While pulling blade, tighten the frame screws.

5. Loosen the pivot and adjust it to the desired tension.

These instructions helped to "reset" my blade. Now while in the centered position, my blade has a little more resistance. This is the way I like mine to be.

Hopefully that helps. To add to the above, I use a small bit of folded paper wedged in between the blade and the frame instead of pulling or pushing the knife.

I use this method to help get the perfect balance between desired pivot tension and centered blade.

 

[GunSmoke16610]

Taken from another forum:



Hopefully that helps. To add to the above, I use a small bit of folded paper wedged in between the blade and the frame instead of pulling or pushing the knife.

I use this method to help get the perfect balance between desired pivot tension and centered blade.

This post just saved me TONS of aggravation :thumbup: Worked perfectly.

 

[ryosuke]

I remember someone else in this forum who had exactly the same problem with the detentball sticking up very high. He also posted a picture of the detentball and it looked exactly like that. Don't remember if it was a flipper or non flipper though. I have 2 mx18 both non flipper. Generation 2 and 3. Both have normal detentballs but the lockbar on my 2 gen is very hard when closing the blade. It hurts my thumb when closing with one hand. But on my 3 gen it's much softer and I don't need much force releasing the lockbar with my thumb.

 

[Severance]

Hey Nyefmaker, I just want to clarify something: You keep referring to the "pivot bushing" on the XM. The XM-18 does not have a bushing, and nor does the Umnumzaan. Rather, they have what I consider a rather standard pivot system(albeit maybe a little more heavy duty), wherein the blade rides directly on the pivot screw itself.The Sebenza is the only knife you will likely own that actually has a bushing in the pivot assembly, which is why there is no need to "set the pivot" as is required in the XM, Umnum, and most other folders. I own all of the aforementioned knives, and would say that it is a little more of a challenge to get the XM(a gen 3, 3.5 flipper) set just the way I like it. I actually use the loctite that came with my Umnumzaan takedown kit to lockdown my XM once I get it dialed in. Just make small adjustments, play with it a while, and you will get a feel for finding the pivot's sweet spot. Also, I was not trying to sound critical, or like a know-it-all in regard to the "bushing".

 

[Severance]

Oops, I guess I should have looked at the date on this post....doh. I have seen from more recent posts that you(Nyfemaker) have figured everything out.

 

[Klingsteve]

I remember someone else in this forum who had exactly the same problem with the detentball sticking up very high. He also posted a picture of the detentball and it looked exactly like that. Don't remember if it was a flipper or non flipper though. I have 2 mx18 both non flipper. Generation 2 and 3. Both have normal detentballs but the lockbar on my 2 gen is very hard when closing the blade. It hurts my thumb when closing with one hand. But on my 3 gen it's much softer and I don't need much force releasing the lockbar with my thumb.

Mine is like that too. What is the "fix" for this? My blade opens fine and is centered, but it's a $&@#% to close. Have you tried anything successfully?