I just got my CF Police from Bayou LaFource Knifeworks. At first glance it's an absolute beauty to behold. The action locks up tight and there is ZERO blade play. Upon closer inspection though, I've noticed that the blade is slightly off center and rubs against the clip-side liner. I've also noticed that the carbon fiber scales are slightly chipped around the screws holding the scales on. Are these common problems? Am I being too picky or should I send it in to Spyderco warranty? I bought this knife because of it's high end, "limited run" status. I just find it odd that my SS Endura cost a thrird as much, has better fit and finish and seems to have been put togethor with a better eye for detail.
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CF Police Owners
- Thread starter Persuader
- Start date
Persuader,
I have two CF Police, and neither one has a blade which rubs against the liner. That problem certainly isn't normal, but I'm not sure how "harmful" it actually is. I have had a Benchmade 710 as my main EDC for the last two years. It has the off-center blade problem, and it has been opened and closed several times. It has neither gotten worse, nor affected the blade or action.
The blade thickness of the Police models are 1/8". The space in between the liners can't be more than 1/7". The tolerances are tight to begin with. Unless you are having some difficulty opening your blade, then I would think the "off-center" problem is only cosmetic. Are there any marks on your blade?
As far as chipped carbon fiber around the screws, this sounds like it could be poor fit and finish if noticeable.
I have two CF Police, and neither one has a blade which rubs against the liner. That problem certainly isn't normal, but I'm not sure how "harmful" it actually is. I have had a Benchmade 710 as my main EDC for the last two years. It has the off-center blade problem, and it has been opened and closed several times. It has neither gotten worse, nor affected the blade or action.
The blade thickness of the Police models are 1/8". The space in between the liners can't be more than 1/7". The tolerances are tight to begin with. Unless you are having some difficulty opening your blade, then I would think the "off-center" problem is only cosmetic. Are there any marks on your blade?
As far as chipped carbon fiber around the screws, this sounds like it could be poor fit and finish if noticeable.
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2001
- Messages
- 423
The tollerences are very tight.
Put it this way, if I open and close it two handed the blade doesn't touch the liner, but if I open or close it one handed I notice some "slight" rubbing as the shoulder of the hollow grind passes the liner. This is likely because on one hand open/close the hand is pushing the blade towards the liner, and despite CF being very tough, over this legnth of open span there is bound to be some flex.
This doesn't bother me.
As for chipping of the CF, mine is prestine, no chips at all.
As for the price over the Endura, depending on what version of Endura you have you are either paying for a BIG slab of premier steel, a BIG slab of premier handle material, or a BIG slab of both that the Endura doesn't have.
In some respects it is easier to build a knife with cheeper materials like injection molded plastic or solid SS slabs.
As always there will be some variation in fit and finish, even between knives of the same batch, so I would say that if you are un-happy with yours send it back for another, you shouldn't have much problem.
Put it this way, if I open and close it two handed the blade doesn't touch the liner, but if I open or close it one handed I notice some "slight" rubbing as the shoulder of the hollow grind passes the liner. This is likely because on one hand open/close the hand is pushing the blade towards the liner, and despite CF being very tough, over this legnth of open span there is bound to be some flex.
This doesn't bother me.
As for chipping of the CF, mine is prestine, no chips at all.
As for the price over the Endura, depending on what version of Endura you have you are either paying for a BIG slab of premier steel, a BIG slab of premier handle material, or a BIG slab of both that the Endura doesn't have.
In some respects it is easier to build a knife with cheeper materials like injection molded plastic or solid SS slabs.
As always there will be some variation in fit and finish, even between knives of the same batch, so I would say that if you are un-happy with yours send it back for another, you shouldn't have much problem.
- Joined
- Nov 22, 1998
- Messages
- 982
I have a left-hand CF Police, and the blade orientation is perfect. I do, however, have the slightly-distressed CF at screw-holes you mentioned. Looks like either they were torqued-down too tightly or not enough material was relieved before the screws were put in.
- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Messages
- 111
got my CF police from Linda last week, its such a beautiful knife, did not realize how big it was going to be 
, its my first spyderco
and I think i'm hooked hehehe.. gonna have to order up a storm!
the only thing i didnt realize is I thought it was going to have some texture to it from the pics I saw, didnt think it would be smooth.
, its my first spydercoand I think i'm hooked hehehe.. gonna have to order up a storm!
the only thing i didnt realize is I thought it was going to have some texture to it from the pics I saw, didnt think it would be smooth.
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2002
- Messages
- 59
I think my police was *exactly* how u describe... The distressed holes, etc... but really, it's too beatiful to care... and despite them being limited and all, she's a user for me...
about the rubbing liner... if u want to fix it u can bend the knife slightly...
1) open knife, hold edge up.
2) right thumb on the pivot, left thumb right down by the butt of the knife, fingers on the other side.
3) push w/ thumbs, pull w/ fingers, just a bit. Don't worry, she's a tough girl, she can take it.
try thumbing it open now.
Cheers,
-G
about the rubbing liner... if u want to fix it u can bend the knife slightly...
1) open knife, hold edge up.
2) right thumb on the pivot, left thumb right down by the butt of the knife, fingers on the other side.
3) push w/ thumbs, pull w/ fingers, just a bit. Don't worry, she's a tough girl, she can take it.
try thumbing it open now.
Cheers,
-G
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2002
- Messages
- 63
Got the Carbon Fiber lefty as well.
Same flawed finish noticed on the screw holes, I would say it was a dull or misaligned punch/bit that was used or else they torked them in to tight.
My blade rubs a bit to when I open it left handed. Nothing when I use my right or use two hands. It is just a character of the left hand pushing the blade sideways as it goes up.
Like other comments mine is a user and carried, so I have no concerns. If I was keeping NIB for display etc... I would be a little upset because there is no way the flawed screw holes should have passed a visible inspection from the factory.
I have a CF Delica coming as well, hopefully the fit and finish will be better than what we saw with the police.
Curious if any of the other CF models had these screw hole problems????????????/
Same flawed finish noticed on the screw holes, I would say it was a dull or misaligned punch/bit that was used or else they torked them in to tight.
My blade rubs a bit to when I open it left handed. Nothing when I use my right or use two hands. It is just a character of the left hand pushing the blade sideways as it goes up.
Like other comments mine is a user and carried, so I have no concerns. If I was keeping NIB for display etc... I would be a little upset because there is no way the flawed screw holes should have passed a visible inspection from the factory.
I have a CF Delica coming as well, hopefully the fit and finish will be better than what we saw with the police.
Curious if any of the other CF models had these screw hole problems????????????/
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2003
- Messages
- 102
I just received mine (#249) and I don't see any of what everyone is describing. The screws are a little inset, but I see no cracks, chips, or anything distressed about the scales. Mine is simply gorgeous
Sharkman, Wanna trade?
Seriously, this knife is not going to be a user, so I'll probably send it in to Spyderco warranty. I'm not sure, but it looks as if the knives were probobly rushed to retail and weren't inspected closely......
Thanks for all the responses fellas....
Seriously, this knife is not going to be a user, so I'll probably send it in to Spyderco warranty. I'm not sure, but it looks as if the knives were probobly rushed to retail and weren't inspected closely......
Thanks for all the responses fellas....
- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Messages
- 111
on closer inspection there is an extremely tiny flaw beside one of the screw heads, not even worth talking about, less than 1mm.
Re: Chips around holes drilled into the carbon fiber.
When the Benchmade forum knife (model 705) came out, some people posted about similar chips around holes in the carbon fiber. If I recall correctly, someone noticed that the owners of the lower numbered knives (of the 100 that were made) did not seem to complain about chipping, while the owners of the higher numbered knives seemed to report more incidents of the chipping (around the holes). I don't think anyone knew for sure if there was a definite correlation. It was mentioned that perhaps as the drill bit got duller (while working on the later, higher numbered knives) there were more incidents of chipping.
A similar situation may have occurred in the manufacture of the CF Police; however, the correlation of low-numbered vs high-numbered blades and chipping may or may not be reversed. Since the blades and the handles are manufactured independently from the other, it all depends on the manufacturers' assembly procedures. For example, first-in blades could be paired with first-in handles, or conversely, with last-out handles, and vice-versa. Or, random pairings.
Obviously, the CF can be a difficult material to work with without experiencing some manufacturing imperfections. Some manufacturers (e.g., Microtech with their production LCCs) achieved very good results with carbon fiber scales--"I can't believe it's not a custom," was a recurring thought in my mind. Nonetheless, I think Spyderco has had good success with the CF Civilian and now the CF Police. We asked for it (the CF versions)...and Sal & Co. delivered!
When the Benchmade forum knife (model 705) came out, some people posted about similar chips around holes in the carbon fiber. If I recall correctly, someone noticed that the owners of the lower numbered knives (of the 100 that were made) did not seem to complain about chipping, while the owners of the higher numbered knives seemed to report more incidents of the chipping (around the holes). I don't think anyone knew for sure if there was a definite correlation. It was mentioned that perhaps as the drill bit got duller (while working on the later, higher numbered knives) there were more incidents of chipping.
A similar situation may have occurred in the manufacture of the CF Police; however, the correlation of low-numbered vs high-numbered blades and chipping may or may not be reversed. Since the blades and the handles are manufactured independently from the other, it all depends on the manufacturers' assembly procedures. For example, first-in blades could be paired with first-in handles, or conversely, with last-out handles, and vice-versa. Or, random pairings.
Obviously, the CF can be a difficult material to work with without experiencing some manufacturing imperfections. Some manufacturers (e.g., Microtech with their production LCCs) achieved very good results with carbon fiber scales--"I can't believe it's not a custom," was a recurring thought in my mind. Nonetheless, I think Spyderco has had good success with the CF Civilian and now the CF Police. We asked for it (the CF versions)...and Sal & Co. delivered!