Superleaf (vertical blade play)

Mike79 · #1

I've been edc'ing my Superleaf for about 8 months now. Great knife, it's been with me from coast to coast and I really feel it's the perfect mix of elegant lines and rugged sturdiness.

One thing I have noticed on mine though is slight up and down blade play. I only really notice it when I grab it by the blade and then wiggle the handle. I'm just wondering if this is just a common thing with compression lock knives?

chuck_roxas45 · #2

Did the play develop with use? Mine is absolutely solid.

Mike79 · #3

Didn't really check it when I first got it so I can't really say.

chuck_roxas45 · #4

Have you tried rotating the stop pin?

Mike79 · #5

chuck_roxas45 wrote:Have you tried rotating the stop pin?

Never taken a knife apart before. Will give that a try.

chuck_roxas45 · #6

Mike79 wrote:Never taken a knife apart before. Will give that a try.

You don't need to take it apart. Just loosen the screws on the stop pin and rotate 1/4" at a time. Test each time too. If you find a position you like, loctite and tighten.

JNewell · #7

Rotating it shouldn't work but sometimes does. :) Call Spyderco tomorrow and ask them about that - it's not unheard of and I'm not sure they consider that a warranty issue. Unlike most locks, a compression lock with a little play almost always remains completely safe and reliable.

Mike79 · #8

JNewell wrote:Rotating it shouldn't work but sometimes does. :) Call Spyderco tomorrow and ask them about that - it's not unheard of and I'm not sure they consider that a warranty issue. Unlike most locks, a compression lock with a little play almost always remains completely safe and reliable.

Love the compression lock. Looking at getting a Para2 soon. Looks like it's the most edc'd knife in existence right now.

JNewell · #9

Totally great knife and one of the best locks available today. :) :spyder:

Mike79 wrote:Love the compression lock. Looking at getting a Para2 soon. Looks like it's the most edc'd knife in existence right now.

Leatherneck · #10

It's not super uncommon but the design allows it to remain safe like mentioned. I sent a Para 1 back to Spyderco last year with a little too much rock and they sent me a brand new knife stating the play could not be corrected. Out of the 6 Paras that I've had there is this one instance.

gull wing · #11

There may be something preventing the lock lug from going far enough over to allow a solid lockup.(requires teardown)

The locklug is sliding backwards when you push down on the blade spine.(look at the locklug as you push down on the blade spine. This could be a big problem)

Let us know what you find.

Mike79 · #12

Spyderco told me just to send the knife to them to look at. It's gonna suck not having my leaf on me.

Mike79 · #13

So instead, I went ahead and tightened the pivot screw just a hair and now the play is gone.

I haven't had a chance to rotate the stop pin yet because my bit set doesnt have the right sized torx bit.

Donut · #14

IMO, you have to have that bit. Every so often I find a model that has issues, so I grab my torx and one of the screws is loose. Tightening everything or adjusting something usually fixes everything.

Mike79 · #15

Donut wrote:IMO, you have to have that bit. Every so often I find a model that has issues, so I grab my torx and one of the screws is loose. Tightening everything or adjusting something usually fixes everything.

To be honest, I think I'm being a little too picky. The movement was so tiny I doubt it truly warrants my sending it to spyderco. I actually like the blade a little tighter like this, it's still an ultra smooth knife even with the pivot screw tightened like this. I'm not one to flick knives open.

chuck_roxas45 · #16

Mike79 wrote:So instead, I went ahead and tightened the pivot screw just a hair and now the play is gone.

I haven't had a chance to rotate the stop pin yet because my bit set doesnt have the right sized torx bit.

Id the play is gone, don't bother rotating the stop pin.

Mike79 · #17

chuck_roxas45 wrote:Id the play is gone, don't bother rotating the stop pin.

Ok. I bought a torx set today anyways.

gull wing · #18

Did you push down on the bladespine while looking at the lock lug, to see if it slides back?

chuck_roxas45 · #19

Mike79 wrote:Ok. I bought a torx set today anyways.

A torx set is indespensible to a knife nut. You'll be needing that, if not for this knife, for some other knife.

Mike79 · #20

gull wing wrote:Did you push down on the bladespine while looking at the lock lug, to see if it slides back?

With the knife opened or closed?