How To Tighten Balisong Pivot Pins
Just like any other knife, the balisong (or butterfly) knife has its share of mechanical challenges. Because of how frequently it’s used, the pivot pins on a balisong knife tend to get loose quickly. To tighten them, you need to remove them from both sides of the blade. Once you’ve done so, there are two different ways to tighten with ease. The first way is using thread lock and blue loctite on each pin — this is the best option for anyone who plans on keeping their balisong for a while.
Tightening your pivot pins with thread lock and loctite will ensure that they continue to stay tight over time without needing further adjustment.
The second way is by using an alternate substance such as beeswax or a small dab of superglue that remains solid at room temperature; these options work well if you don’t plan on using your balisong regularly or if you don’t want to drill holes into it which would be required when using blue loc-tite or thread locker.
How to Tighten a Balisong’s Pivot Pins
With Thread Lock and Loctite
When you tighten a pivot pin with thread lock and loctite, you’re applying pressure and squeezing the threads together. The loctite acts as a barrier between the threads, keeping the pin from loosening further when the force from the blade grows. Loctite is a type of super glue, but it’s designed to remain dry and solid at room temperature. It comes in two different formulas: red, which dries quickly and purple, which dries slowly and is good for larger jobs. When tightening your pivot pin with thread lock and loctite, make sure you apply the loctite to the threads of the pin. Once you’re done, you’ll want to let the loctite dry for at least 24 hours before putting your knife in regular rotation.
With Beeswax or Superglue
If you’re not able to find thread lock, but still want to tighten your pivot pins with ease, beeswax or superglue can do the job just as well. Bee swax is a solid at room temperature and dries slowly. Superglue, on the other hand, is a liquid at room temperature and will dry quickly. When applying either to the threads of your pivot pins, make sure you apply them liberally. Once they’re dry, you should be able to feel a slight amount of tension as you try to turn the pin; this is normal. If you notice any significant amount of force, you may have applied too much of either substance. It’s always better to err on the side of too much than too little when it comes to tightening pivot pins.
With Blue Loctite Only
If you’re not able to find any beeswax or superglue, but still want to tighten your pivot pins, you can use only blue loctite. The only difference between using blue loctite and those other substances is that you will have to drill a hole in each of the pivot pins. Drilling a hole for each pin will create a larger surface area for the loctite to adhere to on each side of the blade. Let the loctite dry for at least 24 hours before using your knife.
