Pacific Salt issues HELP!

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tuffthumbz
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Pacific Salt issues HELP!

#1

Post by tuffthumbz »

I just got my Pacific salt and i noticed there is a little blade play :(
How do i fix it? I dont know how to tighten it due to the pins not bolts.
Whieee
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#2

Post by Whieee »

Don't panic, yet. ;)

The handle of the Pacific Salt is made out of FRN, and while being a very tough material, FRN will flex a little. I haven't seen any folder with FRN handles without liners, that didn't have a little bit of horizontal play. However, I have abused my Salts quite a bit, and have never had any issues whatsoever with the lockup of the knife. Also, blade play on my Salts has not gotten much worse, apart from my Salt I, but I _really_ abused that one so I won't blame Spyderco for it.

There are some options to tighten the riveted pivot, but I have yet to try it myself. I simply didn't find it worth the hassle actually. My Pacific has a tiny bit of play due to the FRN, but it's a tough workhorse.

If bladeplay does get worse, or if you find the amount of bladeplay unacceptable, contact Spyderco's customer support.
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unit
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#3

Post by unit »

Some play is normal and will not hurt anything.

This design in my experience loosens up a bit during initial use, then seems to settle or break-in at some point and play does not seem to increase more.

Some people whack the pin with a punch (opposite end of pin on an anvil of some sort) to tighten the action. If you go too far, it can not easily be undone...so I do not recommend this.

If you have detectable (not/barely measurable) play at the tip of the blade, I suggest living with it. I have never realized any negative impact on performance of the knife as a result of slight blade play.
Thanks,
Ken (my real name)

...learning something new all the time.
tuffthumbz
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#4

Post by tuffthumbz »

yeah i figured the lack of liners might cause some flex. Is there anyway to take them apart? Would pressing the two sides of the rivets together tighten it? or should i just leave it be?
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Zenith
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#5

Post by Zenith »

Just leave it be.

A little blade play is normal with lockback folders, even Delicas and Enduras have them. The tolerances on these knives are high but not as high as that of customs or Chris Reeve. The hole is slightly bigger then the pivots and screws and it causes some blade play, but it does not affect safety.
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tuffthumbz
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#6

Post by tuffthumbz »

My delica is rock solid this is why i was worried that i got a defective Salt. ill leave it be.
I think the most ill do is a little tap with a small hammer.
Whieee
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#7

Post by Whieee »

I just grabbed my Pacific to verify what I said earlier. I got a tiny bit of horizontal play when grabbing the handle about halfway, and the blade at the tip. When grabbing the handle as I would do normally, there's even less play.

But here's the thing: The Salt line consists of high-value knives using specialized steel, that will not rust. Yet, the Salt knives are incredibly affordable. The catch? Tolerances. When I compare my Pacific Salt to my CF/S90V Military (that costs about 4 times as much), there's a huge difference in tolerances. The Military is flawless, really custom-quality. The Pacific is riveted, and it could be way tighter too. In fact, mine has a 'gap' next to the locking bar.

But I don't care.

My Salts get used. Abused. Beat up. Thrown in the mud. Used in salt water. Etcetera. Still, they won't let me down. Even though my Military is a better knife, I prefer my Salt for the _really_ hard and dirty work. Not because it's better, which it probably isn't, but because it won't break the bank to replace it should I ever manage to break it.
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Evil D
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#8

Post by Evil D »

Funny someone mentioned liners...my new Delica has more blade "twist" movement than my non liner Native has. I blame it on the blade thickness..the Native is a bit thicker than the Delica and i figure that equates to a tighter lock.
~David
kiwispyder
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#9

Post by kiwispyder »

My Salt 1 came with a fair bit of side to side play.
I put one side of the pivot pin on an anvil and tapped 'lightly' with a hammer on the
other side of the pin until the play was gone.
Was easy (in my experience).
JEFF B
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#10

Post by JEFF B »

Whatever you do don't smack it with a hammer and punch,trust me.I tried that with mine and it made it alot worse.
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