TLC Time

And today....

Always suspected its an internal stop pin for the lack of an external visible one on this knife, the 100 piece collaboration, Tetra. But a pivot bushing! Wow! I certainly didn't expect that.. For all the Shirogorov I had.. this would be a first with such an assembly.. I was aware some of their knives were with bushing but never knew all the specific ones.

Next came the washer.. hmmm funny shape with a cutout.



 Simple enough to put it back eh... or so I thought... and good thing I have not 1 but 2 of those club shaped bits... to help counter torque as things start to tighten...

Some knives behave nice and will simply
center upon pivot and back screws being assembled back without much fuss. afterwhich it is just a matter of fine tuning  the pivot tension right. Anymore desired will most likely need a tweak to lock bar tension or mucking with detent ball and tracks etc.

Some knives are more finicky and centers well only when assembled in an open position

Only problem was  no matter which way I try, there is a horrible amount of play of the blade between the handles when screw was already tight and there is no way to over tighten with a bushing assembly.

Tried doing it with blade close, open in locked up position and open with lock pushed aside like in pic.. in a bid to keep blade centered before screwing in to tighten

Zilch -- and the blade will stay rubbed on non lock side as the lock pushes against it when closed.

Troubleshooting:

(a) washer is worn too thin and bushing is extended now as a result?

(b) over clamped when in the vice?

(c) washer somehow was dropped away from pivot hole when assembling?

Nope.. all was good and only lightly slotted the backend on the vice., hardly any pressure at all?

The play...

about to give up... thinking of the worse scenario is finding a way to send it back to factory... Something that I really dread.

Break!

Came home and took it apart again.. then I started to think if the cutout bit on the washer means it has to be fitted in a specific position.

Place them on and turn. Bingo! the Cut out fits nicely to the stop pin. As I slowly move the blade.. the entire washer is now rotating. Something that just doesn't happen with most washer knives!

Proceeded to put everything back together with the washer cut out positioned against the stop pin and tighten.

Bingo! Knife was back in order. Almost perfect and "self centering" as pivot tension kicks in.
As what was mentioned somewhere, bushing system can't be overtightened. The adjustable range of the pivot tension is really narrow after  the full assembly but yup, everything is back in order now.

Payment in Chilli

Let's start off this new blog of mine with some edged related content before I port over past articles from my other sites.

Twas mail-call time last nite. Nope not knives but my anything-and-everything Shiro package, at Koji-san's abode.

Finally! Yes both the Nasgul holster and one of those really nice big SiDi designed radiator bead. Ok throw in a couple of those factory bear buttons too.. Must say, most time I'm not big into fancy beads and accessories.  Reckon this is indicative of my obsession with me no. 1 favorite knife brand.

Of course paranoid me took the opportunity to order extra screw sets. Has to be the most expensive screws I ever paid, for whatever things that needed screws, but... how often do one get to hoard some of these spares. Especially if like me, you don't stay in Russia eh!

Really nice...

Not gonna go on and on.. let the pics speak for themselves

Of course when more than one knifenut is in the house.. everyone will whip out their latest acquisition(s)...

Last night was no fancy dandy full customs... no, we old men are a little past that now. Appreciation of things well designed and made even if its productions. A Spyderco and a Benchmade. Both designed by the late Bob Lum.

Certainly no photoshoot session.. just some quick phone cam snaps. Have to gather the blades for better shots soon but here's another that hopefully do some justice

Spyderco Lum Chinese Folder, Black Almite Coated handle, ZDP-189
Benchmade 746 Onslaught Limited Edition Shot Show, CF. D2.

My Spydie-Lum ZDP-189 is certainly a class one slicer. Thin blade, right edge shape, great ergo and all. But the BM Shot Show edition packs some serious sweetness within the entire knife. Both knives are smooth as smooth can be. Another instance where it makes me not think about flippers. With the kind of guide and slide opening action they are just in a category of their own.

Appreciation of fine things over and out came Koji-san's well worn and used EDC... Oh.. rust, tiny half rounded T6screws for bolster hiding the pivot pin... I tried on the spot but to no avail and the rust was really bad even if they were just peeking out of  the steel liners...

This morning, armed with my better Torx bits, rounded screws were no match for experienced wrench hands :)

 For a small little knife this sure has a lot of parts. 35 bits and pieces in total!

And this was the state of affair before cleaning up

 I'm not sure if chocolate is really good for lubing. I'll stick to true and tried.. Chocolate in my mouth and Shimano bearing grease for the job at hand...

All rust and stains gone from metal. I washed the micarta back to its's original light tan but it's so easily stained with the slightest grease or even by just holding.. I decided to "dark coat" it for practical purposes.. Hope Koji-san doesn't mind :)

Oh yes, he "100% pre-paid in advance" last night with a bottle of uber awesome homemade sambal chilli.

Good as new