Ball Bearing Lock Play

[MattM68]

I have an orange Dodo that I absolutely love, and I just noticed today that the ball bearing had a little bit of play. The ball bearing just wiggles side to side when the knife is closed. When it's open, this is not a problem. I don't know if I never noticed this, or if it developed. If it's normal, I have no issues. I'd just like to see if this is normal. :)

Matt

[videorecipes]

hey matt! i just got a manix 2 (s110v) that does the same thing. i don't think it's a defect or anything; it was there from the start and hasn't gotten noticeably worse after about 400 cycles. i don't think you have anything to worry about!

[Ray Allen]

Well one thing to consider is, I believe they are technically two different locks, in that the Dodo is a ball bearing lock, as opposed to the Manix LW S110V being a Caged Ball Bearing Lock. I have had several CBBL's that were all pretty darn solid, but no Ball Bearing Dodo's so I can't directly comment on them.
Best....

[MattM68]

Well just to clarify, the lock is totally solid when the knife is open. It only moves a bit when the knife is closed. I don't own a Manix or any other knife with a BBL, or CBBL. I've borrowed my friends and I'm pretty sure the Manix 2 had the same "issue".

Matt

[DougC-3]

I have a very old D'Allara Rescue which has a little lateral play in its large ball bearing when closed but is rock solid when open. I got this knife used, and the ball bearing spring is apparently weak, enough that the blade can be slung open without manually retracting the ball (I definitely wouldn't do this and don't recommend it and plan to get a new spring}, but, as I said, the lock is rock solid, so I don't think there's anything wrong with yours. It's not necessary to make the channel that contains the ball in closed position to tolerances as close as those in the open position, so I suspect a little leeway is left to insure that the ball won't bind if the ball or channel get covered with dirt or grease, etc.

Also I have a couple or three knives where there is a bit of blade play in the closed position and none in the open position, which would go completely unnoticed if you weren't just looking for it and is probably totally harmless.

[Anubisman]

Mine has a little bit of play. I agree it's nothing to be worried about. I worry more about the clip which I had to tighten down 2x. I EDC the Dodo for a month this May.