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If you’re a knife enthusiast, you know that Squid Industries makes some of the best knives on the market. These knives are known for their high quality construction, sharp blades, and ergonomic design. However, even the best knives need to be properly maintained in order to stay in top condition. One of the most important tasks is to tighten the knife periodically. This will ensure that the blade is secure and that the knife performs properly. Fortunately, tightening a Squid Industries knife is a simple process that can be completed in just a few minutes.
To tighten a Squid Industries knife, you will need a T6 Torx wrench. First, locate the pivot screw on the back of the knife. This screw is usually located near the middle of the knife, between the blade and the handle. Once you have found the screw, insert the T6 Torx wrench into the screw and turn it clockwise until snug. Do not overtighten the screw, as this can damage the knife.
Once the pivot screw is tightened, the knife should be ready to use. If you are still having trouble tightening the knife, or if the knife does not seem to be performing properly, you can contact Squid Industries customer service for assistance.
Selecting the Appropriate Tools
Tightening a Squid Industries knife requires a specific set of tools. Gather the following before proceeding:
- T6 Torx Wrench: This specialized wrench is essential for loosening and tightening the T6 screws that secure the knife’s handle.
- Precision Screwdriver: A small, precision screwdriver with a flathead or Phillips tip may be needed for adjusting internal screws or removing small parts.
- Loctite or Thread Locker: Optional but recommended, this adhesive provides additional security by preventing screws from loosening accidentally.
- Torx Screwdriver Bit: If using a power screwdriver, a T6 Torx screwdriver bit is required for compatibility with the knife’s screws.
- Soft Cloth or Rag: A soft cloth or rag can be used to clean the knife and protect it from scratches during the process.
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| T6 Torx Wrench | Wrench for loosening and tightening handle screws |
| Precision Screwdriver | Small screwdriver for adjusting internal screws or removing parts |
| Loctite or Thread Locker | Adhesive for securing screws and preventing loosening |
| Torx Screwdriver Bit | Bit for using a power screwdriver with T6 screws |
| Soft Cloth or Rag | For cleaning and protecting the knife during the process |
Disassembling the Knife
The first step in tightening a Squid Industries knife is to disassemble the knife. To do this, you will need a Torx T6 screwdriver. Locate the two screws on the back of the knife, near the pivot point. Use the screwdriver to remove these screws.
Once the screws have been removed, the knife will come apart into three pieces: the blade, the handle, and the liner.
Pivot Screw and Washer Removal
The pivot screw is located in the center of the liner. Use the Torx T6 screwdriver to remove the pivot screw.
Once the pivot screw has been removed, you will need to remove the washer that is located beneath the pivot screw. Use your fingernail or a small tool to pry the washer off of the liner.
| Tools you will need: |
|---|
| - Torx T6 screwdriver - Your fingernail or a small tool |
Now that the pivot screw and washer have been removed, you can proceed to the next step of tightening the knife.
Removing the Pivot Screw
To remove the pivot screw, you will need a T6 Torx screwdriver. Insert the screwdriver into the pivot screw and turn it counterclockwise to loosen it. Be careful not to overtighten the screw, as this can damage the knife.
3. Removing the Handle Scales
Once the pivot screw is removed, you can remove the handle scales. To do this, simply pull the scales apart. Be careful not to lose the washers that are located between the scales and the blade.
Here is a table summarizing the steps for removing the handle scales:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Remove the pivot screw. |
| 2 | Separate the handle scales. |
| 3 | Locate and remove the washers. |
Cleaning and Lubricating the Pivot
Regular cleaning and lubrication are crucial for maintaining the smooth operation of your Squid Industries knife. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do it:
Tools You’ll Need:
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher) | Cleaning the pivot |
| Q-tips or cotton swabs | Applying and removing lubricant |
| Oil-based knife lubricant | Lubricating the pivot |
Steps:
-
Disassemble the knife: Use a T6 Torx bit to remove the screws holding the knife together. Once the screws are removed, carefully separate the blade from the handles.
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Clean the pivot: Dip a Q-tip or cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol and gently clean the pivot area. Use a fresh swab to remove any remaining residue. This step removes dirt, debris, and excess lubrication.
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Apply lubricant: Apply a small drop of knife lubricant to the pivot area. Use a Q-tip or cotton swab to spread the lubricant evenly across the surface. Avoid over-lubricating, as this can attract dirt and debris.
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Reassemble the knife: Carefully align the blade with the handles and insert the screws. Tighten the screws snugly using a T6 Torx bit, but avoid overtightening. Once the knife is reassembled, test the pivot action to ensure smooth movement.
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Clean the excess lubricant: Use a clean Q-tip or cotton swab to wipe away any excess lubricant that may have seeped out during reassembly. This prevents dirt and debris from sticking to the pivot area.
Reassembling the Pivot Screw
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**Align the Pivot Screw:** Place the washer over the pivot pin and align the pivot screw with the thread in the knife handle.
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**Insert the Pivot Screw:** Carefully insert the pivot screw into the thread by hand until it becomes slightly snug.
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**Tighten with a Hex Key:** Use a 2.5mm hex key to tighten the pivot screw further. Apply sufficient torque to secure it in place.
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**Insert the Washer and Bearing:** Place the thrust washer onto the pivot screw, followed by the bearing.
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**Tighten the Pivot Screw to the Desired Tension:** This step requires finesse and feel. Gently tighten the pivot screw until the blade rotates smoothly with minimal play. Avoid overtightening, as this can damage the bearing and impede blade action.
Adjusting the Pivot Tension
The pivot tension is adjustable to provide a custom feel and action. To adjust the pivot tension, follow these steps:
- Loosen the pivot screw using the included hex key or a T6 Torx bit.
- Turn the pivot screw clockwise to increase the pivot tension or counterclockwise to decrease it.
- The table below shows the recommended pivot tension for different knife models:
| Knife Model | Recommended Pivot Tension |
|---|---|
| Squidtrainer V2 | Medium |
| Kraken Trainer | Medium-High |
| Mako Flipper | High |
| 5. Tighten the pivot screw and ensure it is snug but not overtightened. | |
| 6. Test the knife’s action and adjust the tension further if necessary. | |
| 7. Using a thin lubricant, such as KPL Heavy Machine Oil, on the pivot screw can help prevent corrosion and ensure smooth operation. |
Testing the Pivot Action
To test the pivot action of your Squid Industries knife, gently open and close the blade several times. The action should be smooth and fluid, without any resistance or sticking. If you feel any tightness or catching, it may indicate that the knife needs to be tightened.
If the pivot is too loose, the blade may wobble or even fall out when open. To tighten the pivot, you will need to use a small Torx wrench or a hex key. The size of the wrench or key will depend on the model of your Squid Industries knife.
To tighten the pivot, simply insert the wrench or key into the pivot screw and turn it clockwise. Be careful not to overtighten the pivot, as this can damage the screw or the knife itself. After tightening the pivot, test the action of the knife again to make sure it is smooth and fluid.
Here is a table summarizing the steps for testing the pivot action of your Squid Industries knife:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Gently open and close the blade several times. |
| 2 | If the action is smooth and fluid, the pivot is properly tightened. |
| 3 | If the action is tight or catching, the pivot needs to be tightened. |
| 4 | Use a small Torx wrench or hex key to tighten the pivot screw. |
| 5 | Test the action of the knife again to make sure it is smooth and fluid. |
Reassembling the Knife
Before reassembling the knife, check that all parts are clean and free of debris. Align the backspacer with the frame and insert the pivot screw. Tighten the pivot screw using the Torx wrench, stopping when you feel resistance. The knife should have minimal play when opened and closed.
Next, insert the stop pin into the frame and tighten it with the hex key. The stop pin ensures that the blade does not overextend when opened.
To install the scales, align them with the frame and slide them into place. Secure the scales with the Torx screws, tightening them until they are snug. Do not overtighten, as this can damage the scales or frame.
The following steps involve tightening the pivot screw, but each step has a different purpose:
- Initial Tightening: Tighten the pivot screw with the Torx wrench until you feel resistance. This removes any play in the knife and ensures a solid connection between the blade and frame.
- Fine-tuning: Use the included hex key to make micro-adjustments to the pivot tension. Turning the hex key clockwise tightens the pivot screw, while turning it counterclockwise loosens it.
- Positioning: Once the pivot tension is set, rotate the blade about 10 degrees towards the closed position. This will ensure that the blade drops smoothly when opened and prevents it from hitting the frame.
- Secondary Tightening: Tighten the pivot screw again with the Torx wrench. This will lock the blade in place and prevent the hex key adjustments from loosening.
- Final Check: Open and close the knife several times to check for smooth operation. If there is any resistance or play, repeat steps 3-4 until the knife performs as desired.
| Tool | Use |
|---|---|
| Torx wrench | Tighten pivot screw |
| Hex key | Fine-tune pivot tension, install stop pin |
Sharpening the Knife
Squid Industries knives are high-quality tools that require proper maintenance to keep them in optimal condition. One of the most important aspects of knife maintenance is sharpening. A sharp knife will perform better and last longer than a dull one.
There are a few different methods that can be used to sharpen Squid Industries knives. The most common method is to use a whetstone, which is a fine abrasive stone that is used to grind away metal from the blade. Whetstones come in a variety of grits, with finer grits being used for finishing and polishing the blade and coarser grits being used for removing large amounts of metal. To sharpen a knife using a whetstone, hold the blade at a 20-degree angle to the stone and move it back and forth in a circular motion. Be sure to apply even pressure to the entire blade, and avoid gouging or scratching the surface of the stone.
Another method of sharpening Squid Industries knives is to use a sharpening steel. A sharpening steel is a long, thin rod of steel that is used to align the edge of the blade. To sharpen a knife using a sharpening steel, hold the steel at a 15-degree angle to the blade and move it back and forth in a sawing motion. Be sure to apply even pressure to the entire blade, and avoid gouging or scratching the surface of the steel.
No matter which method you use to sharpen your Squid Industries knife, it is important to do so regularly. A sharp knife is a safe knife, and it will help you get the most out of your Squid Industries knife. Here are some additional tips for sharpening your Squid Industries knife:
- Use a light touch. You don’t need to apply a lot of pressure to sharpen a knife. In fact, too much pressure can damage the blade.
- Be patient. Sharpening a knife takes time and practice. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it perfect the first time.
- Use a honing rod or strop to finish the sharpening process. This will help to smooth out the edge of the blade and make it even sharper.
| Sharpening Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Whetstone | - Provides a precise and controlled sharpening experience.- Can be used to achieve a variety of edge shapes and angles. | - Requires skill and practice to use properly.- Can be time-consuming, especially for heavily damaged blades. |
| Sharpening Steel | - Quick and easy to use.- Can be used to maintain the edge of a knife between sharpenings. | - Does not remove as much metal as a whetstone, so it is not suitable for heavily damaged blades.- Can scratch the blade if not used properly. |
| Honing Rod | - Quickly realigns the edge of a knife.- Can be used to extend the life of a blade between sharpenings. | - Does not remove any metal from the blade, so it is not suitable for heavily damaged blades.- Can scratch the blade if not used properly. |
Maintaining the Knife
10. Tightening the Pivot Screw
The pivot screw is responsible for keeping the knife blade in place. Over time, this screw can loosen, causing the blade to wobble or even become loose. To tighten the pivot screw, you will need a Torx screwdriver that fits the size of the screw.
Here are the steps on how to tighten the pivot screw:
- Locate the pivot screw on the back of the knife.
- Insert the Torx screwdriver into the screw and turn it clockwise to tighten.
- Apply gentle pressure until the screw is snug. Do not overtighten the screw, as this can damage the knife.
- Test the blade to make sure it is secure and does not wobble.
Tip: It is recommended to check the tightness of the pivot screw regularly, especially after using the knife for extended periods.
How to Tighten a Squid Industries Knife
Tightening the pivot of a Squid Industries knife is a simple process that can be completed using the following steps:
- Using a T6 torx wrench, loosen the pivot screw a few turns.
- Apply a small amount of blue Loctite to the threads of the pivot screw.
- Tighten the pivot screw back into place, using the T6 torx wrench.
- Check the tightness of the pivot by flipping the knife open and closed. The pivot should be snug, but not so tight that it is difficult to open or close the knife.
People Also Ask
How often should I tighten the pivot of my Squid Industries knife?
The frequency with which you should tighten the pivot of your Squid Industries knife will depend on how often you use it and how hard you use it. If you use your knife frequently, you may need to tighten the pivot more often than someone who uses their knife less frequently.
What type of lubricant should I use on the pivot of my Squid Industries knife?
You should use a lubricant that is specifically designed for knife pivots. Some good options include Benchmade Knife Lube or KPL Knife Pivot Lube.
Can I use any type of wrench to tighten the pivot of my Squid Industries knife?
No, you should only use a T6 torx wrench to tighten the pivot of your Squid Industries knife. Using any other type of wrench may damage the pivot screw or the knife itself.