What caused this?

[lespaulpal]

New Latama, only days old ... blade play side to side, some what loose. seems like its hitting hard because its letting marks on the inner side of the blade and on the top corners of the blade at the locking tab. Share your thoughts?

[jw517]

I think the corners were that way when you got it. I don’t see what could do that to the blade steel.

[lespaulpal]

hhhhmmm....I may have not noticed it, but it felt tighter before the wobble/play for sure.

[jw517]

It can easily be tightened up but I just don’t think the blade corners got worn. You could peen the pivot pin a bit,BUT if you tap on it too much it will stop opening for you.

[lespaulpal]

It does look like the head of the pin is protruding some. I'll wait some to act on that one though.

[jw517]

Sometimes they just have to be a little loose. They are touchy.

[lespaulpal]

Talked with Walt today, made me feel better about this. Had me peen the pin to tighten it up & if it didn't work, he'd work with me on a fix with his guy or an exchange. It tightened up & worked out good! Even sounds right!

I think the marks on each side of the blade are from the locking tab rubbing it some while unlocking the blade. All good! whew!

[Madmarco]

All's well that ends well, especially when a nice Latama is involved.
Glad you were able to overcome the problem, LPP, congratulations.

[lespaulpal]

Thanks MM!

[Clack]

I think its pretty hard to prevent such wearing if you mean the stripes on sides of the blade. Because the blade sits between two other metal parts (liners). I can tell out experience the tighter the blade is between the liners, the more wear you get. Knives with slightly loose blades i almost never notice wear. It also fires harder. Also, if the blade is not death center, the will be more rubbing on left or right side of the blade.

[lespaulpal]

I think its pretty hard to prevent such wearing if you mean the stripes on sides of the blade. Because the blade sits between two other metal parts (liners). I can tell out experience the tighter the blade is between the liners, the more wear you get. Knives with slightly loose blades i almost never notice wear. It also fires harder. Also, if the blade is not death center, the will be more rubbing on left or right side of the blade.

Clack,
The stripes on the side of the blade you mentioned was just a small amount of lube that happen to be present at the time of the photo. Nothing permanent. This was simply the pivot pin wasn't peened tight enough. There was quite a bit of play side to side at the tip of the opened blade & you could literally feel & hear the slop in it during firing. After peening, it tightened up great but still loose enough that I can unlock it and it'll fall to the handle on its own. It feels & sounds awesome now. Glad I did it.