Balance Owners: Point "Exposed" When Closed?

Gibsoniam · #1

Hello Forumites!

I just received my Balance, and I've got a question/concern about which I hope other Balance owners can advise me.

When fully closed, the pointy tip of the blade is almost flush with the butt of the handle; close enough than running your finger along the CF over the groove allows you to feel a slight tug as your skin brushes arcoss the point.

If this is normal, and wont cause some unusual wear on the tip, I'm fine. However, if no one else's is like this, perhaps I should send it in for a look?

I've had a couple of Natives that had a similar issue with the tip being very near flush with the butt of the handle, so I'm just checking. Maybe it's normal on this model too.

Thanks!

cosmo7809 · #2

Mine is also like that... Very minute yet you could feel it.

Not a big deal to me either.

slimshaneee · #3

I haven't noticed any problems with mine

gbelleh · #4

I just checked mine and the tip is fully enclosed.

Pneumothorax · #5

Mine is pretty well covered. I have to press pretty hard to get a hint of catching.

The Deacon · #6

Pneumothorax wrote:Mine is pretty well covered. I have to press pretty hard to get a hint of catching.

Same here.

dbcad · #7

I measured this morning with a caliper. The point on my balance is about 1/16" behind the liner at the closest. Could you post a picture??

Gibsoniam · #8

dbcad wrote:I measured this morning with a caliper. The point on my balance is about 1/16" behind the liner at the closest. Could you post a picture??

Definitely much less than 1/16th. Sorry the pics aren't macro, the only working camera I have right now is my iPhone. :)

By mljsgn at 2010-12-21

dbcad · #9

I would call and inquire about it. The pic is how mine looks.

The Deacon · #10

Here's my take on it. The design of the Balance calls for the knife to be symmetrical, so the "setback" of the spine in relation to the handle is intended to be the same at both ends. Can't speak for anyone else's, but mine achieves that quite well. The "price" for that is a tip that sits fairly close to the surface. However, it is certainly not exposed and takes either a very small finger, or considerable pressure to make contact with it. That might make me think twice about giving one to a youngster as their first knife, but should not present a problem for an adult unless they choose to makes it one.

BDNX · #11

The Deacon wrote:Same here.

Same here as well. Takes a bit of pressure to notice the point on my finger...nothing I've had a problem with though...

dbcad · #12

If it takes a bit of pressure you should be fine. With a bit of pressure I can feel the tip on mine also.

It is a terrific little knife :D

freeman7 · #13

The point on my Balance is recessed enough so that I can't feel it with light pressure and can only just detect it with firm pressure. Let me add that I have had one expensive semi-custom slipjoint and one very expensive custom by a maker you all would recognize in which the point was definitely detectable when the knives were closed. So I am not surprised when a production run knife exhibits a minor flaw in fit & finish.

The Deacon · #14

freeman7 wrote:The point on my Balance is recessed enough so that I can't feel it with light pressure and can only just detect it with firm pressure. Let me add that I have had one expensive semi-custom slipjoint and one very expensive custom by a maker you all would recognize in which the point was definitely detectable when the knives were closed. So I am not surprised when a production run knife exhibits a minor flaw in fit & finish.

There are even some strange folks out there who would consider packing the most blade possible into a given handle as a desirable trait, rather than a flaw.

:D

Gibsoniam · #15

The Deacon wrote:There are even some strange folks out there who would consider packing the most blade possible into a given handle as a desirable trait, rather than a flaw. :D

Don't get me wrong, I love the knife! But it sounds like mine is a but different than all of yours. I can run my finger along it with zero pressure (and I don't have skinny fingers) and catch on the tip. Or run if along my jeans lightly and the tip catches... any oressure at all and it would snag.

I've contacted Warranty & Repair and they asked for me to send it in for a look. I'll be sad without it, I've decided it's my new office EDC!

Thanks for all the replies. I do think this version is easily worth the price, the materials are top notch and the fit is amazing for such a small knife.

dbcad · #16

Let us know how it goes Gibsoniam. The Balance is really a unique, thoughtful and useful piece

Creepo · #17

I had a similar problem with my Grasshopper, I could catch the blade with my fingernail and pull it out. Didn't think much of it as it reguired quite a lot of force. However one day at work when I pulled it out from my jeans watch pocket it snagged and ripped a small hole in my jeans.

Since it was a cheaper knife, I took a diamond stone and slightly honed the tip Delica style, now it sits deeper in the handle. Another specimen I had didn't have this problem.