Would you call this a pinched washer?

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uofaengr

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I noticed this upon the 2nd time taking apart my Inkosi so I'm not sure if it came like this but I'm sure I did it somehow. I've been putting this knife together via the sandwich method from the start and seems like the best way to avoid pinched washers and don't even see how it could've happened.

It's like this on both sides of the washer as shown but I don't know that I really feel a raised spot like I imagine a pinched washer would be. My blade is still centered upon tightening to the point of no blade play, and I have a smooth action throughout the motion, no jumping or gritty feeling. The only issue I'm having is getting the loctite to stay put when I have it set for no play and max smoothness. I'll let it set overnight where I want it and the first time I open it, I can feel play. I feel like the window is extremely small for having a very free (not tight) and smooth action akin to a 21 yet have no play. I'm not as familiar with these type CRK pivots as I am the bushing so maybe it'll just never be as smooth as a 21.

Anyway, would you call this pinched and what are the typical symptoms of a pinched washer on a 25/Zaan/Inkosi?



 
Always loc tite things a little on the stiff side, then after a day it will be where you want it. That is how I do every knife that needs it. A tad on the tight side and then it settles perfect.
 
JustinFournier said:
Yes. Send her in.
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I'm afraid in the end I'll have to or want to do this, but not sure if I feel it's warranted for a send in just yet.
BellaBlades said:
Always loc tite things a little on the stiff side, then after a day it will be where you want it. That is how I do every knife that needs it. A tad on the tight side and then it settles perfect.
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Ah thank you! I've never loctited any of my traditional pivot folders other than my Inkosi and did not know this. Someone else suggested this to me in the Inkosi thread and I'm currently giving it a try.
 
In my experience with a 21 and a pinched washer, the differential of the washer surface caused a differential in the wear on the blade where the washer rubs and no matter how much I tried to wear it in or fiddle with it, it was never just right. Then I sent it in. Since then I've been particular about making sure the surfaces mate correctly so the action is right similar in my mind at least to bedding piston rings in an internal combustion engine.

Of course this all might be nonsense and you might be 100% right. I'm picky after all.
 
Yep, that's pinched alright! Send it in. That washer will wear your blade unevenly.
 
91bravo said:
Yep, that's pinched alright! Send it in. That washer will wear your blade unevenly.
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Hmm I never even thought about the uneven wearing of the blade. Think I might be tracking down that form to send in sometime today. It'd be my first time.
 
How is it possible to pinch a washer with the 25/Inkosi design? My guess is this pichmark was done during CRK assembly. They noticed the faulty action and got the washer in place but forgot to check the washer for damage.
 
353 said:
How is it possible to pinch a washer with the 25/Inkosi design? My guess is this pichmark was done during CRK assembly. They noticed the faulty action and got the washer in place but forgot to check the washer for damage.
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This is what I'm not sure of. Certainly not going to accuse them of doing it, but would definitely admit if I'd consciously done it. The sandwich method is pretty straight forward. I'll pay the $3 for new washers, not a big deal. The shipping cost is what it is. I'll just feel better with it being right.
 
I could never understand how can a "pinched" washer happen when assembling a Sebenza 21, 25 and Inkosi (the correct way).

However, this is not the case for the Umnumzaan. There really is a big chance for a washer to get pinched when assembling them back. I agree with the guys here, sending her in is the best solution. :D
 
She will be on the way to Boise tomorrow! I'll end up spending a little more but at least it'll be right and that's what matters to me.
 
Now I'm a tad scared to take my Inkosi down for cleaning. I'm not all that handy anyway! And I've been worrying about using Loctite as I've never used the stuff. Right not the Inkosi is smooth and working well but it will probably need a good cleaning in a month or two . . .
 
Well if it needs a good cleaning you have two choices.

Do it yourself, risk wrecking the washers and then having to send it in.

Or send it in. Get it sharpened when it's there.

Might as well give it a shot.
 
Have thought about it and still can't figure out how you can get a pinched washer with this knife. It's just lock scale, pivot, washer, blade, washer, then top scale. You could argue much easier than assembling a 21 and getting everything lined up while all your grease rubs off on your scales. I've assembled 21s a few dozen times and never had a hiccup. But who knows. I don't mind sending it in.
 
uofaengr said:
Have thought about it and still can't figure out how you can get a pinched washer with this knife. It's just lock scale, pivot, washer, blade, washer, then top scale. You could argue much easier than assembling a 21 and getting everything lined up while all your grease rubs off on your scales. I've assembled 21s a few dozen times and never had a hiccup. But who knows. I don't mind sending it in.
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CRK touts how easy the Inkosi is to maintain. And it looks like it should be. I too have taken down and then reassembled my 21s many times. But they all use the bushing. IDK. I'll try this myself and if I have troubles I'll send it it. CRK is good but I just hate to have the knife gone for 6 weeks for something I should be able to do!!
 
It's really not that hard. If you can assemble a 21 you can definitely assemble the Inkosi.
 
Looked at the suspect washer under a 20x loupe and on the side of the washer that was facing the blade at the points indicated by the arrows, there are two very slight indentions into the washer that go maybe 1/3 deep into the thickness of the washer. Not sure how that's affecting too much but is what it is I guess. Hopefully it won't take long to get two new ones.

 
91bravo said:
Yep, that's pinched alright! Send it in. That washer will wear your blade unevenly.
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I am not clear on how a soft washer is going to cause a hardened steel blade to wear unevenly. Care to explain?
 
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