I have 3 Kickstart knives. All of them have a little side-to-side play or slack in the blade. I have read this is a common complaint. Can the blade be tightened up? Or is this just the nature of the assisted opening construction?
Also, I have an older "new old stock" Mid-folding Hunter Kickstart coming in the mail. It looks like an older design- the pocket clip looks like it’s riveted on (see pic below) rather than having the torx head screws like my other Kickstarts. I occasionally need to remove and adjust these clips. Is it practical to remove the clip if it’s attached with rivets?
Case Kickstart Questions
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C-WADE7
- Bronze Tier

- Posts: 1869
- Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2021 12:39 am
Re: Case Kickstart Questions
The ones I have have all had a varying amount of play. One I felt was excessive, but the other two weren’t as bad. With a pinned together, automatic knife it’s hard not to have play, your bench made and other automatics that are modern are screws and bearings. I really like the kickstart. I think it’s a neat knife and have heard they will come back out with it so I might end up with another.
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P_D
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2023 4:31 pm
Re: Case Kickstart Questions
I didn’t even realize mine were a little wiggly until I read some of the comments and compared them to the Case slip-joints I have. They are still some of my favorites and I carry one them almost every day. If I could tighten them up I would, but I won’t let it bother me if I can’t.