Lum Pivot/Washer Question

[Handwrecker]

i dont know about the para but the manix2 has bronze washers.

Thanks, I stand corrected. I've never seen a Spyderco with the nylon/nylatron washers then, every model I've owned has been PB.

[JNewell]

Yes ^^^

Here's an interesting (?) thought...the fact that there are a bunch of these knives with mix & match washers doesn't actually prove that it's what Spyderco intended, I suppose - it could be an accident. I can't think of any evil result from having PB on one side and nylon on the other (it's not like you'd get galvanic corrosion or something like that), but it certainly is unusual. Maybe it's just a goof or misunderstanding... :confused:

[Pneumothorax]

Im checking directly with Spyderco so we can put the mystery to rest. Should know by tomorrow or so. Will post as soon as I get the straight scoop. Just to be clear on my original post, Im not unhappy, just curious. Mr. LumCF is in RHP watching me type this. :D

[fast.ed]

Pneumothorax's Lum:

DemskeetSkeet has pics of his new LUM, and it has the same space to the right of the blade as does Pneumothorax's. Wonder if it has 2 different washers also. 4th post down from yours under "I just have to have my own thread".

Fast.ed

[Javascript]

Well, if you think it's a nylon-type washer, then here are the possibilities: :D
Polycarbonate, Nylon, Polyethylene, Acetal, PVC, A.B.S., MD Nylon, Polypropylene
ptfe ,Polyester, Linen Phenolic, Vulcanized Fiber, FR-4, G-10

[gull wing]

I acquiesce to the Deacon.

[Spider bite]

Yes ^^^

I can't think of any evil result from having PB on one side and nylon on the other (it's not like you'd get galvanic corrosion or something like that), but it certainly is unusual. Maybe it's just a goof or misunderstanding... :confused:

I can. This is a liner lock and the blade is now pushed to one side more then the other It can effect thow much purchase the liner gets on the blade... unless it was designed this way :confused:

[JNewell]

I can. This is a liner lock and the blade is now pushed to one side more then the other It can effect thow much purchase the liner gets on the blade... unless it was designed this way :confused:

I have linerlocks with nylon on both sides, so in theory having it only on one side should be fine, I'd guess. (Emerson is one example, but there are plenty of others.) It'd be interesting to hear from Sal or Taz about whether it's a feature or an accident. :D Not gonna lose sleep over this, though. :spyder:

[fast.ed]

Have been looking at Pneumothorax's and Demskeeskeet's Lum pictures with interest. I have never seen a knife with the blade off-center or with different color/size washers on it. What do you guys have to say?

fast.ed

[DemskeetSkeet]

Pneumothoral's Lum:

DemskeetSkeet has pics of his new LUM, and it has the same space to the right of the blade as does Pneumothorals. Wonder if it has 2 different washers also. 4th post down from yours under "I just have to have my own thread".

Fast.ed

Mine is the same way, doesn't bother me because the blade is centered when closed.

Only thing is, is that their is that small gap on the one side(no biggie for me).

Take care
-Matt

[fast.ed]

Have never seen a knife made like this in over 40 years.

The answer is obvious. The blade was not made to design specifications, and is just a little undersized at the tang, so get it to work they had to use 2 different sized washers.

[Spider bite]

Have never seen a knife made like this in over 40 years.

The answer is obvious. The blade was not made to design specifications, and is just a little undersized at the tang, so get it to work they had to use 2 different sized washers.

Fast.ed

This could be. I hope Spyderco will shed some light on this.

[JNewell]

You may be leaping to conclusions. If it were that simple, and if I were running the company, I'd swap in a thicker PB washer on the other side. Or, more likely, change the spacers/backspacer. May a recall is what's needed, but demanding a recall at this point without more information is a little premature?

Have never seen a knife made like this in over 40 years.

The answer is obvious. The blade was not made to design specifications, and is just a little undersized at the tang, so get it to work they had to use 2 different sized washers.

Spyderco needs to stand up and issue a recall.

Fast.ed

[captnvegtble]

I'm surprised nobody from Spyderco has chimmed in on this thread. I'm very curious myself as I was thinking about purchasing this knife.

[araneae]

Have never seen a knife made like this in over 40 years.

The answer is obvious. The blade was not made to design specifications, and is just a little undersized at the tang, so get it to work they had to use 2 different sized washers.

Spyderco needs to stand up and issue a recall.

Fast.ed

Wow. That's a pretty brazen declaration. So, are you stating that you're better qualified to make quality control/ design decisions than the spyderco crew? Just because you haven't seen it means it can't be right?

I have seen this same washer config by another major maker- Kershaw.

[kawr]

Have never seen a knife made like this in over 40 years.

The answer is obvious. The blade was not made to design specifications, and is just a little undersized at the tang, so get it to work they had to use 2 different sized washers.

Spyderco needs to stand up and issue a recall.

Fast.ed

lol... I'm guessing you havent seen too many knives then since I've seen Kershaws and CRKT folders use PB+Nylon or Teflon washer combos. Now I dont know why they do it but doesnt mean there isnt a good reason for it.

[Pneumothorax]

I'm surprised nobody from Spyderco has chimmed in on this thread. I'm very curious myself as I was thinking about purchasing this knife.

Im not going to comment on the previous definitive statement about Spyderco's capabilities. Everyone else has done fine. Like I posted earlier, I have already contact them directly and hope to hear an answer today so we can put this to rest.

And Captnveg, regardless of how this turns out, I like mine and am keeping it. It is silky smooth opening and the CF is totally cool. There are some great macro pics, but I looked at mine last nite though 15x mag and it is even cooler. Too bad I cant take a pic of that.

[STR]

Some makers and some manufacturers have used double washers per side. This has gone on for years. Some makers contend that a double washer set up reduces friction so some knives have rather than one .020 washer per side two .010 washers per side instead. I've worked on and had apart thousands of knives in my day and I've seen double washers for years and within the last two years I've seen and bought some with washers set up like this Lum knife where one would be PB and the other something else.

Most of these are foreign made knives come to think of it but the thing is this. Its not going to degrade or devalue the knife or cause any reason to doubt it function wise just because the maker or manufacturer mixed washers. So no reason to recall the knives due to this at all! Listen if you price PB washers or nylon washers or nylatron or teflon they are all priced very similarly to each other. Some makers, Emerson, Terzuola and others like and prefer nylatron. Others prefer teflon type, and still others PB. Its really very subjective. From my stand point I use them all and find I like PB the least of all of them personally. I mean I use them and if a customer wants that well hey fine. I can make it work but for myself I prefer and use the nylatron type when I can or teflon for others.

From the stand point of function ask yourself is the knife working correctly? If the answer is yes what is there to worry about? Is the knife smooth when you open and close it? If yes what is there to complain about? If you ask me you guys are making a mountain out of a mole hill. I can't say for sure why but there is really no reason to explain it really as its not a big deal. The one side demanded a different thickness for whatever reason. Maybe a detent ball issue to space it correctly. Perhaps the white washer was more effective or easier to come by in the thickness needed or perhaps it was as I said, big whoop on what it is so long as it fits the need and does the job well.

The point is its really no big deal. Now what would be a big deal would be you guys just bugged by the look that decide to replace the white washer. Keep in mind its probably the way it is for a reason. You could change the nature of how the lock works if you try to even things out in the pivot or you may make it so it doesn't work at all. Its not much to look at the spacing difference but in a folder a little can be a lot so I'd leave it. If you do have to replace that white washer with a matching PB washer make sure its the same thickness as the factory washer, the same inside diameter and the same outside diameter. It is not just a matter of calling up the knife supplier and buying any ole washer.

Anyway, I was asked to contribute my thoughts on this thread. Thats my thoughts. Merry Christmas if I don't see you guys again before then.

STR

[fast.ed]

The washer question(s) are of some concern. If it were my knife, the little space to the right of the blade, between the blade and the handle would be my main concern. It just looks like the blade tang isn't wide enough.

[fast.ed]

Nylon: Cheapest and has the shortest lifespan.

Nylotron: Better washer, longer life, smoothest.

Phosphorous Bronze: The best washer, and has the longest life in a good knife.