All About Pocket Knives

I have a little used finger groove Buck 110 made in early 1980's. I bought this on ebay about 10 ? years ago and on arrival checked it over and all seemed to be fine. I then put it in my safe and it remained there until 2 days ago when i took it out with the thought of maybe using it. But it now has side to side blade play.
Can a knife develop blade play when not in use ?
Is there an easy fix for this ? Or should i send it in to the Buck factory in Idaho ?
If i do send it to Buck will they definitely send me the same knife back ? I don't want it to be replaced by a new 2022 Buck 110.
Thanks for any advice you can give me.
kj

Buck has what they call the SPA, sharpen polish & adjust. For 7 bucks they do a heck of a job. I just sent one back for a new blade(10 Bucks) and they give it a SPA traetment as well. Go to their site and download a form to be sent with the knife.
Aint it strange how things happen just setting? I had a shield fall off a brand new Case knife just sitting in the showcSE.

Make sure if you send it back to Buck that you let them know about the play in the blade, or they'll just sharpen it up and polish.

If you want a quick and simple fix I'll tell you what I do. These blades have a thick brass pin in the front bolster that is hard to see, but it goes right through the tang. A lot of times side to side play can develop from temperature and weather over time causing tolerances to shrink or expand. Brass is a pretty soft metal. Wrap the knife in a soft towel and with a rubber mallet lightly tap each side of that front bolster. Most times all it needs is a light tap and the pin tightens into the tang right away.

I would try oiling the blade joint 1st. Sometimes that will tighten it right up.

Tom

O.K., Thanks.
I will oil the joint and then try the mallet taps if needed.
Will let you know the results.
kj

Tom, your advice worked. A few drops of oil into the joint and within 3 minutes play was gone !
Are there fiber washers in the joint that dry out and shrink slightly ?
Thank you for this simple and effective fix.
kj

kootenay joe wrote: ↑Mon Mar 28, 2022 10:04 pm Tom, your advice worked. A few drops of oil into the joint and within 3 minutes play was gone !
Are there fiber washers in the joint that dry out and shrink slightly ?
Thank you for this simple and effective fix.
kj

Don’t believe there is any fiber washers , I think a knife just dries out if it is idle for a long period. I would surmise that the oil takes up a small space and cures the dryness issue. It won’t work if the blade is very loose of course. In that case the fine advice you were given would more than likely be necessary. Glad you got it taken care of Roland.

Tom