Brands that don't mind disassembly???

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Maximumbob54

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It just occurred to me that Chris Reeve Knives can't be the only brand that doesn't have a conniption fit about taking the knife apart. What other brands support you maintaining your knife on your own if you feel the desire?

I know Kizer seems to always include additional springs with their crossbar locking models so I assume they don't mind. I would continue to assume any of the brands that feature the "adjustable" spring crossbar means they won't void the warranty if the thread lock is broken.

Knafs Landers were designed from the start to have scales be easy to swap out and they sell all their parts.

OKC sells full repair parts kits for the RAT 1 and 2 knives.

What else would you add to this list???

Rick Hinderer Knives
Emerson Knives
Les George
TRM
Kershaw/Zero Tolerance
Hawk Knives
Shirogorov (proprietary tool)
Demko
Hogue
"Custom Knife Factory MILK" ???
Maxace
 
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Spyderco has gotten significantly better over the years regarding disassembly and its relation to the warranty. Basically as long as you dont screw up your own knife via not assembling/disassembling correctly you are free to do as you please. Also they are not responsible for aftermarket parts which generally void the warranty. IMO it seems like a very fair policy, especially since they have seemingly started using more t8-t9 torx for body screws on newer models rather than the old t6's. My PM2 Salt is all t8-t9 which is awesome. So many guides and videos exist for their knives online so people really have no one to blame but themselves if they do it incorrectly.

Unless a further update has been pushed out this was their exact statement at the time:

Via Mike Janich: Currently, our policy states “Spyderco’s warranty does not cover damage caused by abuse, misuse, loss, improper handling, alterations, accident, neglect, disassembly, or improper sharpening.” Please note that it specifies “…damage caused by…disassembly.” This aspect of our warranty has been widely misinterpreted to infer that disassembly of a Spyderco knife automatically voids its warranty. This is not the case.

Spyderco stands behind the original materials and workmanship of our products. If a customer disassembles one of our knives and reassembles properly so its adjustment and operation are consistent with original factory specifications, the knife’s warranty remains in effect. If, however, a knife is disassembled and reassembled improperly, the proper operation of the knife and its component parts could easily be compromised. That would void the knife’s warranty.

Similarly, any alterations to a Spyderco knife or replacement of parts with non-Spyderco components could adversely affect the proper functioning of the knife and void the warranty. As always, we will try to give every Spyderco customer the benefit of the doubt when considering warranty claims; however, the determination as to whether a knife was “properly” reassembled is at our sole discretion and will be made on a case-by-case basis. If a knife has been customized through the addition of non-mechanical parts (such as aftermarket scales), Spyderco may still choose to warrant the materials and workmanship of the original Spyderco components of the knife, provided the alteration and reassembly did not compromise their proper function.
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Dagoth_Blur said:
My PM2 Salt is all t8-t9 which is awesome.
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That is awesome!!! I bought my S110V Para3 years ago used and it came with broken aftermarket scales added and the originals loose in the box. I remember being super careful putting the blurple back to stock.

On a seperate note, I look down at the mini grip in my hand and all the itty bitty T6's it's covered in and think back to swapping out the black plastic to the brown burlap micarta scales and what a booger this thing was. 14 screws 13 of them are T6. Ick. And BM will NOT sell you a fresh set of springs. Learned that the hard way with my 940.
 
Emerson, Les George even my grimsmo came with the tool and lube for disassembly. Pretty much every knife I own is easy to disassemble. The list of companies you aren’t supposed to disassemble is probably shorter.

For this reason I hate proprietary hardware with special tools required. I usually take apart and clean/lube every knife new or used at some point. But usually after the first time if it needs a cleaning I just spray the pivot area with wd40 and then blowout with compressed air. Works so well that I rarely disassemble again unless really needed.
 
Maximumbob54 said:
That's been part of the problem though. The springs in my 940 broke back then and I was not please at having to mail it back or go aftermarket. Thus my curiosity at who doesn't mind....?
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I did take my Sebbie 21 apart when I first got it, as there was some black gunk inside, but I haven't had to tinker with it since. It is nice to have the option. Over the years I've accumulated enough T-bits and Allen wrenches and weird manufacturer-only bits to be able to take things apart, and occasionally even get them back together :rolleyes: the way they were. I appreciate Emersons for their simple pivot screw, which you can adjust with a coin, though I've rarely had to do that. Most of my knives though haven't needed to be disassembled for cleaning, and I've never had springs break on my Axis locks.
 
TRM - swappable scales as a feature, OEM hardware (washers, standoffs, screws) available for sale on their website.

Kershaw/ZT - not sure what their exact policy is these days re disassembly, but the ease with which you can obtain hardware (for free) directly from their website suggests they're cool with it..
 
ricklikesknives said:
TRM - swappable scales as a feature, OEM hardware (washers, standoffs, screws) available for sale on their website.

Kershaw/ZT - not sure what their exact policy is these days re disassembly, but the ease with which you can obtain hardware (for free) directly from their website suggests they're cool with it..
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I have a Neutron 2 and forgot about that feature. Added.

And about a year ago the torsion spring in my Leek broke and they sold me a new one direct and I fixed it myself. So I should have remembered that. It was just such a non issue I already forgot. Also added. I may carry a ZT tomorrow...
 
Hawk Talons come with disassembly tools included, and Shirogorov sells a proprietary tool for their creations. Demko also sells extra springs for their shark lock variants because they expect people to take them apart at some point.

Edited to add that I just remembered my Custom Knife Factory MILK also came with its own proprietary disassembly tool.
 
Hogue sent me out a spring for an auto when I told them I took it apart and verified it broke, so I'd throw them on the list
 
Shirogorov has a maintenance guide on their website that enthusiastically tells you exactly how to disassemble, clean, and reassemble their folders. I will admit that I was shocked to learn this.
 
BP Green said:
Hawk Talons come with disassembly tools included, and Shirogorov sells a proprietary tool for their creations. Demko also sells extra springs for their shark lock variants because they expect people to take them apart at some point.

Edited to add that I just remembered my Custom Knife Factory MILK also came with its own proprietary disassembly tool.
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No experience with either one but both added. And Demko I again should have remembered since I too let that little coil spring rocket off once into the nothingness. Now I take them apart in a large freezer bag or similar.
kreole said:
Hogue sent me out a spring for an auto when I told them I took it apart and verified it broke, so I'd throw them on the list
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Neat, added.
marrenmiller said:
Shirogorov has a maintenance guide on their website that enthusiastically tells you exactly how to disassemble, clean, and reassemble their folders. I will admit that I was shocked to learn this.
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No experience with Shiro but very good to hear. I like any company that is hoping you will OWN your product.
beeinak said:
Demko
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Again, should have remembered this... Not braining well lately...
 
Maxace has included full sets of replacement parts for about 10 years now, and they include the bits required for disassembly when they use proprietary hardware.

Even when I've requested additional parts because of damage caused by my own stupidity, they've always sent them completely free.
 
Giygas said:
Maxace has included full sets of replacement parts for about 10 years now, and they include the bits required for disassembly when they use proprietary hardware.

Even when I've requested additional parts because of damage caused by my own stupidity, they've always sent them completely free.
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Yet another brand to look up since I've never even heard of them. Exciting...!
 
Exceed Design can be added to the list as well. They sell parts and upgrades on their site.
 
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