As posted over at BFC...
My package from SMKW arrived today with the Navigator and the Salsa. The Navigator is pretty much perfect, except that the slots cut in the handle could use a little rounding.
I've got the Blue Salsa (I'm too cheap to get the titanium handled one), and it has a couple of problems when it arrived.
First, the blade was not centered. Centering the whole thing isn't as bad as I thought it would, but note of warning, do not take out the wire clip screws while adjusting them. Loosen it.
What I did is that I tightened the pivot, then I loosened all the screws on the handle one turn, hold the blade center while screwing the handle tight again. I do it in pairs. Tighten one side, then the other side, before I move on to another screws and post.
The second problem would be better addressed by the manufacturing process.
Those of you who have taken apart the Salsa would understand what I mean.
The wire clip is held in place by a ring, which a standard barrel screw assembly that we see on the FRN prevents this ring from moving. It is this ring that causes the problem.
The blade and this ring have fairly small clearance. If you shut the knife quickly, the edge may just hit the ring, causing a dull spot.
It could be easily solved if the outer diameter is about 0.5mm less than the current outer diameter of the ring. It should give it just enough clearance to make the blade that much less susceptable to this kind of damage.
It's still a great knife. I've almost completely remove the dull spot on the blade using the 204, and it's still shaving sharp after a couple passes using the white stone. The finger choils are great, making the grip on a small knife that much better. The blade now is more centered than before, but that's more about the aesthetics more than anything else. I won't be surprised that the flat grind makes it a great cardbox cutter. But the flat blade doesn't allow it to open letters that easily. The yet smaller navigator is much suited for the task.
I now have two small, arguably "cute" knife that would make acceptance easier (I just heard arguments today saying that the lock on the blade makes it more of a fighting knife. They were refering to my navigator *rollseyes*), and I'll be carrying the at the appropriate times.
I think I'll have to get the Pride or Kiwi just to shut those people up <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Aluminum handled salsa - couple of little problems.
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spidernoiree
- Member
- Posts: 264
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Calyth,
No matter where you go in this world there are always going to be those people who will be bothered regardless of how small a knife you carry. See if the area you live in has any laws regarding legal knife carry. If the knifes you carry are within the legal size then I wouldn't worry about it.
Jeff <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
No matter where you go in this world there are always going to be those people who will be bothered regardless of how small a knife you carry. See if the area you live in has any laws regarding legal knife carry. If the knifes you carry are within the legal size then I wouldn't worry about it.
Jeff <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
I did a little tuning on my Salsa too. One thing in particular that's important is that the blade stop pin has a flat on it to allow the liner lock to traverse under it. You have to make sure that the pin sits completely neutral to the liner lock as you tighten the screws, or it will bind the lock. Took me a couple of tries tightening each side just a little at a time to get it perfectly positioned.
The other caution is that the blade washers are DELICATE, so be careful with them if you remove the blade.
I acquired mine pre-owned, so I wasn't as concerned about taking it completely apart. I also polished the spacers while they were out <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
The other caution is that the blade washers are DELICATE, so be careful with them if you remove the blade.
I acquired mine pre-owned, so I wasn't as concerned about taking it completely apart. I also polished the spacers while they were out <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Ken: I'm no knife technician, but I've read other's post about how to recenter a knife, and so far I've seen improvement on blades other than the Salsa. It just seems that the Salsa would be more centered if the pivot is tightened, so I did that. I just hang around at BFC a lot <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Jeff: I know I can't please everyone, but I was lacking in dress knife in the first place. And also I don't want to raise so much concern whenever I take out my folder for use. I do think that it makes a difference that I take out a Salsa instead of the Starmate.
Besides, I was interested in the Kiwi in the first place.
Jeff: I know I can't please everyone, but I was lacking in dress knife in the first place. And also I don't want to raise so much concern whenever I take out my folder for use. I do think that it makes a difference that I take out a Salsa instead of the Starmate.
Besides, I was interested in the Kiwi in the first place.