A Spyderco Warranty Question

[wiredbeans]

I'd like for spyderco to at least sell hardware parts for the users. It's not that were cheap and want to hang on to a knife for ages, but when we like a knife, we do want to hang on to it for ages

I'm sure they could make the extra hardware availability profitable

They do have the hardware package for the Endura and Delica (their most profitable line) and they do sell pocket clips for $9.95 ouch! But I understand their stand because clips are wear and tear item much like brake pads and windshield wipers. I know BM and ZT all give out free parts, my question is the reason behind this... Is it a wow factor to consumers that they can switch up pocket clips? Why didn't they just include a spare or a different color one in the package? And when was the last time you really NEED to replace it because it broke? Washers on the other hand is different, it's also a wear item but only improper use will cause it to become faulty, and 99% of the time it is caused by improper installation, which Spyderco tries to eliminate, they are designed and built in a way that does not require maintenance so I can understand why they don't want to fix stuff that we messed up for free and I have no problem with that. That's fair in my opinion.

 

[Surfingringo]

So has anyone had an experience where they've sent in a knife in and gotten a response something like: "this isn't covered under our warranty because X, but we can repair it for $_______"? I guess I'm still confused.

Yes, I sent them a Dodo that my girlfriend dropped off a second floor balcony onto concrete. The lock was damaged and sticking. I sent it in and told them that it was damaged through user error. They managed to repair the lock for a minimal fee. $20-$25 I think.

 

[mael333ca]

They do have the hardware package for the Endura and Delica (their most profitable line) and they do sell pocket clips for $9.95 ouch! But I understand their stand because clips are wear and tear item much like brake pads and windshield wipers. I know BM and ZT all give out free parts, my question is the reason behind this... Is it a wow factor to consumers that they can switch up pocket clips? Why didn't they just include a spare or a different color one in the package? And when was the last time you really NEED to replace it because it broke? Washers on the other hand is different, it's also a wear item but only improper use will cause it to become faulty, and 99% of the time it is caused by improper installation, which Spyderco tries to eliminate, they are designed and built in a way that does not require maintenance so I can understand why they don't want to fix stuff that we messed up for free and I have no problem with that. That's fair in my opinion.

I respect that, but you didn't answer my question: how will you go about cleaning that black, metal particle gunk mixed with Pocket lint? I can put my hand in fire that simply washing it down won't remove that. And then when there's sand and dust in there? I had my Para 2 with me a whole day out cutting firewood during fall. It had ruined that super smooth action. it was full of crap and real gritty. It's a no brainer, it as to be deligently taken appart. There no ways flushing the thing with water and chemicals is gonna get you the same result. Using a knife deligently, means been able to take proper care of it, it as to be able to be taken down. you feel spyderco should not have this quality?

I think they should and that they have!

And yes, it feels great the way benchmade and ZT are sending the parts no questions asked! of course it does...

 

[VermontEdge]

Yes, I sent them a Dodo that my girlfriend dropped off a second floor balcony onto concrete. The lock was damaged and sticking. I sent it in and told them that it was damaged through user error. They managed to repair the lock for a minimal fee. $20-$25 I think.

AWESOME! Thanks so much, this is what I was really curious about. I think the word "warranty" has always thrown me off. I don't need a knife that will be repaired for free, I just want to know that my knives can be repaired, period. I wouldn't expect them to fix a "s*** happens" kind of problem but I really like knowing that I can pay a small price for a fixed knife. For some reason I always thought that user error or disassembly meant Spyderco just won't accept or work on a knife.

 

[blanex1]

i think that people who own spyderco's knife's and no what there doing! should be able to work on them,clean replace washers,or bearings things like that!just out of necessity,and other people who don't no what the h..l there doing!should stay clear of taking apart/working on there knifes,and strictly use the warranty method,that only my thought's!

 

[Danke42]

Yep; everyone's not a hack.

I'm a machine whisperer but I still have my bad days and my days when I learn something new.

 

[brownshoe]

I clean all knives first by flushing with hot water. If that doesn't work, I go up to hot soapy water. If not that, hot soapy water and a toothbrush. In rare cases I've gone to a flush with WD40. This works for slipjoints (which no matter how hard they try the tinkerers and home cutlers can't unscrew ) to custom lockbacks. You can lube w/o disassembly as well. I use Triflow, mineral oil or miltec.

 

[toxophilus]

I respect that, but you didn't answer my question: how will you go about cleaning that black, metal particle gunk mixed with Pocket lint? I can put my hand in fire that simply washing it down won't remove that. And then when there's sand and dust in there? I had my Para 2 with me a whole day out cutting firewood during fall. It had ruined that super smooth action. it was full of crap and real gritty. It's a no brainer, it as to be deligently taken appart. There no ways flushing the thing with water and chemicals is gonna get you the same result. Using a knife deligently, means been able to take proper care of it, it as to be able to be taken down. you feel spyderco should not have this quality?

I think they should and that they have!

And yes, it feels great the way benchmade and ZT are sending the parts no questions asked! of course it does...

I clean the gunk out by loosening the pivot screw a little bit, open the knife part way and use a fine dental floss; this usually gets out any lint and/or grime out

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi Mael,

I appreciate your thoughts and concerns, but we found, for a variety of reasons, that the Warranty we have works well. Many of our parts are dedicated to particular models, we're constantly improving our models so often parts are different, and a big problem we have in CS is that people take their knives apart and do not properly put them back together, even though they think they did. often they will re-sell them as "New in the box" when in fact they are not. Our shop time is about a dollar+ a minute and we would prefer to handle legitimate issues rather than reassemble knives we've already assembled. We're not saying that you can't take your knife apart. Many do. But we don't feel that we should provide a free service for problems created by customers. We have a good reputation for taking care of our customers. Hope you understand.

sal

 

[mael333ca]

Hi Mael,

I appreciate your thoughts and concerns, but we found, for a variety of reasons, that the Warranty we have works well. Many of our parts are dedicated to particular models, we're constantly improving our models so often parts are different, and a big problem we have in CS is that people take their knives apart and do not properly put them back together, even though they think they did. often they will re-sell them as "New in the box" when in fact they are not. Our shop time is about a dollar+ a minute and we would prefer to handle legitimate issues rather than reassemble knives we've already assembled. We're not saying that you can't take your knife apart. Many do. But we don't feel that we should provide a free service for problems created by customers. We have a good reputation for taking care of our customers. Hope you understand.

sal

Hello M. Glesser,

I do understand, as I Customer I would have liked more, but what you offer and have produced over the years is indeed saluted all over the world!

Let me say that I can readily attest what you said about people messing perfectly fine knives, then selling them back as «new»... I've had such an issue twice to date. I'm am no mechanic, but thankfully I can manage.

Also, It is such a wonderful sight every time you are part the discussion. Thank you for your kind presence Sir!

 

[mael333ca]

I clean the gunk out by loosening the pivot screw a little bit, open the knife part way and use a fine dental floss; this usually gets out any lint and/or grime out

I hadn't thought of that, I does sound like a good trick and I will try it out! tks

 

[VermontEdge]

Hi Mael,

I appreciate your thoughts and concerns, but we found, for a variety of reasons, that the Warranty we have works well. Many of our parts are dedicated to particular models, we're constantly improving our models so often parts are different, and a big problem we have in CS is that people take their knives apart and do not properly put them back together, even though they think they did. often they will re-sell them as "New in the box" when in fact they are not. Our shop time is about a dollar+ a minute and we would prefer to handle legitimate issues rather than reassemble knives we've already assembled. We're not saying that you can't take your knife apart. Many do. But we don't feel that we should provide a free service for problems created by customers. We have a good reputation for taking care of our customers. Hope you understand.

sal

Hey Mr. Glesser,
Thanks so much for chiming in! Your comment really helped me understand your warranty in a clearer way. I really appreciate this forum for a lot of reasons, and one reason is the exchange. It allows me to trade and buy knives that I otherwise wouldn't be able to afford. I got my Slysz Bowie on the forum and it holds a valued place in my collection.
I think after hearing so many comments about the warranty in different threads, and comments about warranties being voided, I started to misunderstand. "Warranty" refers to things being fixed free of charge. But what I'm understanding now (and please correct me if I'm wrong) is that if a knife were taken apart or purchases from the forum and not in great shape, it could still be sent to you for maintenance, for a fee, correct? Sometimes after purchasing something from the exchange or taking something apart to clean it I think "oh, well...I guess I can't ever send this back to Spyderco". But I could, right? I would just need to pay? I'm completely, totally fine with this, of course! I just want to get a better understanding of the policy.

Thanks again for chiming in!

 

[Sal Glesser]

You can always send a knife in to us. Unless there is a safety issue, which we will tell you about, we try our darndest to please our customer's needs.

sal

 

[VermontEdge]

That's what I'm talkin about! Thanks so much for adding some clarity to this for me. And thanks for everything else you do [emoji1417] should have my Southard in my hands in a few days. Not my first spydie and won't be my last by a long shot.

 

[wiredbeans]

I respect that, but you didn't answer my question: how will you go about cleaning that black, metal particle gunk mixed with Pocket lint? I can put my hand in fire that simply washing it down won't remove that. And then when there's sand and dust in there? I had my Para 2 with me a whole day out cutting firewood during fall. It had ruined that super smooth action. it was full of crap and real gritty. It's a no brainer, it as to be deligently taken appart. There no ways flushing the thing with water and chemicals is gonna get you the same result.

I use canned compress air with light oil like WD40 or one of them penetrant to flush them out, works like charm both are cheap enough to obtain and use.

 

[Surfingringo]

Like I said earlier, I sometimes have to loosen the pivot on my salt knives to get sand, scales and fish guts out of there and it works like a charm. I've never had to take one apart to get it clean. I have, however, taken a few apart just for grins.

 

[Creel]

Unless I get a faulty knife straight from the factory I don't really bother with warranties. If there's a problem with my knife I will fix it and if I have to take it apart to do so, then so be it. If I fail to fix it, or cause a second problem when I put it together again, then I have no one else to blame but myself and I'd never expect any company to clean up my mess without charging me for it. Unless the knife breaks from normal use, due to some issue with the construction, I'd just buy a new one if I broke it.