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BHQ Excl. Lum Tanto?
- Thread starter Petunia D. Feeble
- Start date
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- Jan 14, 2000
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- 6,016
Seki City Spydercos have disappointed me enough times that I avoid the higher-end ones. The FRN models seem more consistent or my expectations are lower.
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2015
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- 25
Well, mine came in and I had the same problem. Off center to the point where it’s almost touching. The action is extremely stiff, and when deploying, it has an audible sound. It could just be the washers? This is my first knife with Teflon washers, so I don’t know. I adjusted the screws as well, but had no luck. I tried a dab of oil. It might have helped a bit, but not a lot.
Mine also has lock stick, but I’m sure that would be easily resolved with some graphite.
Besides the flaws on mine, it’s a beautiful blade. I’ve wanted a Lum for a long time.
I’m just not sure though. It might be going back, but I hate the idea of it.
Mine also has lock stick, but I’m sure that would be easily resolved with some graphite.
Besides the flaws on mine, it’s a beautiful blade. I’ve wanted a Lum for a long time.
I’m just not sure though. It might be going back, but I hate the idea of it.
- Joined
- May 3, 2013
- Messages
- 2,033
I hear that.
This all coming on the heels of all the " taking knives apart" threads is interesting timing.
Before those threads, if mine arrived off center, I probably would have at the very least tightened the pivot. Now I'll just return them. Admittedly, I'm a little OCD on my centering. Spydercos "within spec" and my idea of good enough centering are probably much different.
My hopes are still high tho. Just a little bit concerned.
Well, I took it apart. Everything looked normal I guess. After spending way too much time messing with it, I've got it to an acceptable centering/action/ lockup.
I've found on mine I need the pivot very tight, the stop pin loose, and the three body screws medium tight. Cannot flick this one open!
Centering may look spot on but its not. Close though.
I've found on mine I need the pivot very tight, the stop pin loose, and the three body screws medium tight. Cannot flick this one open!
Centering may look spot on but its not. Close though.
abbazaba
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2015
- Messages
- 4,348
My two arrived today...
The first one the centering is fine, but it has very noticeable scratches on the G10 scales, the lock stick is scary bad, and the action pretty stiff.
The second one rubs the scale when closed, lock stick isn't quite as bad, but the action is even stiffer than the first one.
I REALLY hate saying it, but I think I'm going to send these back, especially considering the price. I have had success in the past remedying lock stick, action, and centering, but after the taking knives apart post I'm not going to gamble and will just do what they ask and send it back.
For the record, I've had dozens of Seki knives and never had an issue before this.
What a shame, its a great looking knife!!! Post office parking lot pic.
The first one the centering is fine, but it has very noticeable scratches on the G10 scales, the lock stick is scary bad, and the action pretty stiff.
The second one rubs the scale when closed, lock stick isn't quite as bad, but the action is even stiffer than the first one.
I REALLY hate saying it, but I think I'm going to send these back, especially considering the price. I have had success in the past remedying lock stick, action, and centering, but after the taking knives apart post I'm not going to gamble and will just do what they ask and send it back.
For the record, I've had dozens of Seki knives and never had an issue before this.
What a shame, its a great looking knife!!! Post office parking lot pic.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2015
- Messages
- 25
I think I’m going to do the same. If it was a bit cheaper, I think I could justify it to myself. I’m pretty bummed about it though. My luck with Seki knives has been bad lately.
abbazaba
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2015
- Messages
- 4,348
I'm bummed too... I've had dozens of Seki knives and never seen anything like this.
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2007
- Messages
- 1,929
I got two in today and one had slightly off centering, maybe a touch worse than I'd like. However, the other one was way off and nearly touching the liner.
I think I'll keep the one that is alright and return the other. Definitely sad to see.
The finishing of the blade is odd in spots too. Specifically the lock face area and the area between the lock face and the blade edge. It is roughly cut and smoothed over. Not the finish you'd see on a Paramilitary 2/3, for example. Though that I'm less concerned about.
I think I'll keep the one that is alright and return the other. Definitely sad to see.
The finishing of the blade is odd in spots too. Specifically the lock face area and the area between the lock face and the blade edge. It is roughly cut and smoothed over. Not the finish you'd see on a Paramilitary 2/3, for example. Though that I'm less concerned about.
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2007
- Messages
- 1,929
It's a mixed bag. The Lum Tanto is actually a cool knife. It is slimmer than a PM2/3 by a 1mm or so and is a beefy blade. Natural G10 is cool too! Just a bummer about the blade centering being so iffy.
The other thing I noticed was the washers are not phosphor bronze. Couldn't say for sure what they are made of, but it is a white plastic of some sort.
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2015
- Messages
- 25
OK, with the oil, it’s much smoother now. I thought it just took a little longer to work in, but I’ve since read on FB that it’s the detent ball that was causing the noise and bad action. I was focusing on the washers.
Now, I just have to decide on the centering.
trevitrace
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2013
- Messages
- 21,785
Mine is off but not touching and not enough to sully it for me. Clip swapped and into the pocket it goes.
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2016
- Messages
- 13,910
OK, received mine and I've had about a hour to tinker with it. I'm still sitting on the fence as to what I'll do next but I'm ever so slightly leaning toward keeping it but to say that I'm lukewarm would be understatement. In fact, I'm feeling underwhelmed!
Preface: I have never ever owned a Tanto shaped blade but toyed around with the idea of a Tanto Sebenza or Tanto Zaan. Having owned both the drop point and the spear point versions, as much as I loved everything about the F&F of a CRK, I was always a "meh" when it came to their blades. Not a big fan of their S35VN and their hollow grinds, their often obtuse edges and /or unevenness with their slight convex edges. I'm going to stop now as I don't wish for this to turn into a flame post and apologize if I ruffled feathers but the gist of my experience was that I knew from my experiences with Spyderco products I should be getting a demon slicer although I never expected the other parts of the equation to be as good as CRK's.
Issues with this Lum which i received in no particular order:
1- hair off center leaning toward the liners. It does not touch and the action is frictionless but it is there. playing with the pivot screw does not correct that but it does cause the action to become a bot smoother at the expense of causing lateral blade play which is a No-No.
2- The scale screws came a bit loose which was an easy fix with having a great set of Wiha tools.
3- the lanyard barrel does have that slightly annoying rattling sound similar to my Spydiechef but I can live with it if I do not decide to put a lanyard in it.
4- This is NOT a knife you can easily "Spydie flick" open whether but thumb or middle finger. I can thumb flick open it with some wrist action if I loosen the pivot screw but then there's that dreaded blade play. No!
5- Very small or better put VERY minute couple of rust specs already around the right side plunge line but tarnishing and patina is to be expected, so I knew what I was getting into.
6- The most disappointing part right out out of the box a piece of G10 laminate on the clip side right under the Spydie hole (see photos) is peeled off. Terrible!
However, despite all the nags, the blade is stout and it eviscerated an thin phone book paper I threw at it right out of the box! Spyderco knows how to grind evenly and present deadly slicey edges and for this reason plus the neatness factor and rarity I may ended up keeping this knife! Darn you Spyderco
In closing, I have a feeling that most of the Big Auction Site speculators plus some of our own homies who bought one to immediately flip for profits will have some burnt finger tips as these reviews and returns filter through.
Preface: I have never ever owned a Tanto shaped blade but toyed around with the idea of a Tanto Sebenza or Tanto Zaan. Having owned both the drop point and the spear point versions, as much as I loved everything about the F&F of a CRK, I was always a "meh" when it came to their blades. Not a big fan of their S35VN and their hollow grinds, their often obtuse edges and /or unevenness with their slight convex edges. I'm going to stop now as I don't wish for this to turn into a flame post and apologize if I ruffled feathers but the gist of my experience was that I knew from my experiences with Spyderco products I should be getting a demon slicer although I never expected the other parts of the equation to be as good as CRK's.
Issues with this Lum which i received in no particular order:
1- hair off center leaning toward the liners. It does not touch and the action is frictionless but it is there. playing with the pivot screw does not correct that but it does cause the action to become a bot smoother at the expense of causing lateral blade play which is a No-No.
2- The scale screws came a bit loose which was an easy fix with having a great set of Wiha tools.
3- the lanyard barrel does have that slightly annoying rattling sound similar to my Spydiechef but I can live with it if I do not decide to put a lanyard in it.
4- This is NOT a knife you can easily "Spydie flick" open whether but thumb or middle finger. I can thumb flick open it with some wrist action if I loosen the pivot screw but then there's that dreaded blade play. No!
5- Very small or better put VERY minute couple of rust specs already around the right side plunge line but tarnishing and patina is to be expected, so I knew what I was getting into.
6- The most disappointing part right out out of the box a piece of G10 laminate on the clip side right under the Spydie hole (see photos) is peeled off. Terrible!
However, despite all the nags, the blade is stout and it eviscerated an thin phone book paper I threw at it right out of the box! Spyderco knows how to grind evenly and present deadly slicey edges and for this reason plus the neatness factor and rarity I may ended up keeping this knife! Darn you Spyderco
In closing, I have a feeling that most of the Big Auction Site speculators plus some of our own homies who bought one to immediately flip for profits will have some burnt finger tips as these reviews and returns filter through.
trevitrace
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2013
- Messages
- 21,785
I think that portion of g10 is supposed to be missing. Mine has it as well and it looks intentionally put there. Not going to dig my gray one out at the moment but I feel like I remember it having that also.
Edit: baba beat me to it.
Edit: baba beat me to it.