Defecting Calypso Lightweight?

il Coltello · Oct 6, 1999

I recieved a Calypso Jr Lightweight 2 days ago. I like everything about it, except for this gap between the zytel scales and the locking bar.
The gap is about half a millimeter wide, or lets say half a 1/32". Ok, this is not much, but I can move the locking bar side to side a little between the scales, if i grab it by the "push button". Compared to my absolutely tight 4 year old Zytel Dragonfly this difference is quite remarkable.

Is this a warranty case?

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Tea drinker and hellraiser from Northern Sweden, above the arctic circle.

[This message has been edited by Cousin Cinnamon (edited 06 October 1999).]

Paul Davidson · Oct 6, 1999

Yesterday I received a Calypso Jr Lightweight as a belated birthday gift. Everything about it is great except there are major gaps between the tang of the blade and the zytel. I can slide heavy card stock between the blade and handle. I own a dozen or so Spydercos at the moment and have owned several more (most of which I gave away). None of my other zytel models have ever shown this. To be honest I wanted to call Spyderco Customer Service before I aired this here but now that I see other people (at least one) have had a similar problem I thought I would chime in. Out of the six Spydercos I've bought this year I've had problems with two, with this being one of them. I hope I haven't stepped on any toes out there with this. I'll call Customer Service tomorrow.

Paul Davidson

[This message has been edited by Paul Davidson (edited 06 October 1999).]

maddog2020 · Oct 7, 1999

Hey guys, I just my LTWT Calypso about an hour ago

. First thing I did was move the clip for LEFTY carry. After that I grabbed the handle (so that if the blades closes it would chop my fingers) and whacked the blade on a piece of oak: the lock held of course

. I noticed a similar gap between the blade and zytel handles more or less like the two of you had described. When I grab the blade and try to rock it around, there is no play. I guess what I am saying is, if the knife locks up tight - so what if there is a 'big' gap?

I know with many of my other zytel handles Spyderco knives there are gaps, too. Due to injection molding process, plastics warp a bit, and shrink so there has to be extra room designed into the mold or else when the knife is assembled, the blade will bind up. Mass production with tight tolerances is a nasty business

. I would much rather see a 'bigger' gap, than have to contend with a binding blade!

The weight of the knife is 54 grams - just under 2 ounces - WICKED light

. Blade is hair shaving sharp

It will be interesting to see how the edge retension on the VG-10 compares to the AUS-8. I still love my old micarta Calpyso, it has the sweetest action of all the Spyderco's I own.

Keep up the AMBIDEXTEROUS knives and higher grade blades, SAL

Thanks for ANOTHER wonderful Spyderco product!

Ray 'md2020'

il Coltello · Oct 8, 1999

Oh, another thing, when i press the blade firmly to the edge of a table and wiggle the handle up and down, it has a slight play. If it had been an adjustable pivot it wouldn't have been any problem for me, but like most zytel Spydies this one is riveted.

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Tea drinker and hellraiser from Northern Sweden, above the arctic circle.

Paul Davidson · Oct 7, 1999

MD,
I saw the prototypes in Atlanta and none of the problems brought up here are present. No other zytel Spyderco that I've bought (seven including this one) in the last 6 years or so has displayed these gaps so Spyderco is quite capable of producing knives with tight tolerances. As far as injection molded plastics go, zytel is a pretty stable material. My blade is only slightly wobbly now, but if it is slightly wobbly now how will it be two years from now? Everything else about this knife is wonderful...the blade is beautiful, steel is great, handle pattern is nice, reversable clip, and extremely light. I'm not worried about this because I know that Spyderco will make it right. It's just disappointing after waiting all these months.
Paul

lbwheat · Oct 7, 1999

I've had mine for a week or so and didn't notice the gaps. I compared it to some of my others including a old black blade Delica and it seems to have a little more gap than the others, but not so much that it is a problem. The only thing that I noticed on mine was the blade isn't centered well when it is closed. However,it doesn't seem to rub on the handle anywhere. Overall I'm very pleased with mine and intend to purchase another. The one I have has the Chai symbol on it and maybe I should keep it for good.

Stompy · Oct 7, 1999

I don't give it a second look, but come to think of it, my Spydy Endura's lock release bar/backspring has appx. 1/64" play, side to side.

It's no big deal, but I did notice it.

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Yes! Drop the burrito...

maddog2020 · Oct 8, 1999

Sorry guys - I didn't mean to offend any one , I understand that we expect the Spyderco knives to be perfect, but things happen. Do you guys have a weird dimple on both sides of the locking bar that butts up to the end of the blade when you look at the knife from the back? It is uniform so I assume it was made that way (?)....LOL.

I still think it is a nice little knife. It snaps open with a wrist flick, but you have to move further down the handle just past the end of the clip

. The two direction fish scales is great: gives a good grip pulling the knife up, and the back part helps with the knife slipping forward. Using the hole drop method works, but it takes more force to pop the blade open due to the light handle. The micarta Jr. does the hole drop great

. It is a shame that the masses can't appreciate the micarta handled Calpyso's

.

The littel notch out of the locking bar it a nice little added feature

, I may grind my micarta one

Ray 'md2020'

Paul Davidson · Oct 8, 1999

Ray (md2020),
I was not offended. Sorry if it sounded that way. I'm usually in hurry when I post on here, so sometimes it can sound a little "short". I've been on the forums long enough to know who is probably going to start something and who is not. You always come across as a nice guy and a true knife knut.
Paul

maddog2020 · Oct 8, 1999

Thanks Paul D., I am a NUT

.....LOL. I LOVE the Calypso Jr. LTWT ! It would make a great gift, too.

Ray 'md2020'

Marcus · Oct 11, 1999

Has anyone talked to customer service yet? I`m curious if the gaps are a design feature or a QC problem. On a $30 knife I can tolerate big gaps and such but on a $60 knife I`m a little more picky. If they`re supposed to be that way and the blades stay tight laterally I`ll still buy one,if not I`ll wait until they`re straightened out. It still seems like one heck of a little knife. Marcus

Paul Davidson · Oct 11, 1999

I talked to Angela (I believe that was her name) last Friday finally. She was supposed to give me a call today (Monday) to let me know what the design people said. I have not heard from her yet. In Spyderco's defense, it has been a busy day (are all landlords scum?) and the phone has been tied up more than usual. I'll post when I hear something.

Sal Glesser · Oct 12, 1999

I would be curious as to what other models you are comparing the Calypso jr with?

Tip down - left/right lite-weights are quite difficult to produce.

In the VG-10 class, flat ground? pretty rare.

Directional texturing, a patented bonus.

you guys are pretty tough.

Besides the Delica & Native, what are it's rivals?

sal

Paul Davidson · Oct 12, 1999

I never said that the design wasn't great Sal. I saw the prototypes in June and I've been waiting impatiently ever since then. As I said above, the blade is great, the design is a proven winner, the clip is great, the handle pattern is super. Customer service has so far been up to the Spyderco standard.

I own a full size Calypso, Calypso Jr's (plain and serrated), BF Native and a bunch more. In all I own or have previously owned seven different zytel handled models. I've probably given away almost that many (5 if my memory is correct). I just expect this knife that I've waited almost 4 months for to have the same fit quality as all the others. None of the others have had sizable gaps as described in previous posts.

I am not trying to start problems here. I just want to know if these gaps are intentional. If they are I would like to know why? I called customer service to ask that question. If this is something that slipped through quality control I would think you would want to know.

I have sung the praises of Spyderco loud in long in these forums and in my everyday life. I have several custom folders but I usally end up with a Spyderco somewhere on my person.

Tough to please? Yes, that's why I have always bought Spydercos.

Paul

il Coltello · Oct 12, 1999

Paul, well said, I totally agree with you.

I will eventually grab a peen hammer and an anvil and fix a tighter riveting myself.

[This message has been edited by Cousin Cinnamon (edited 12 October 1999).]

Sal Glesser · Oct 12, 1999

If the blade is not loose, tightening the rivet won't remove the gap. The gap is probably the result of the built in washer, which needed to be a tiny bit larger (thicker) because of the metal inserts for the clip screws. Should be about as thick as a piece of paper.

Paul - If you feel the gap is too large, or the blade is loose, please send it in and we will extend our best effort to provide "perfection". Thanx also for the kind words. I've just been just givin' you sh*t.

sal

maddog2020 · Oct 13, 1999

Sal,

It is good to see you have a sense of humor and can dish it out, too

.....LOL. BTW, the fish scales on near the lanyard hole, help a lot when you snap the blade open ( I can do it with the micarta Jr, but it is slippery). IMHO, the LTWT is AWESOME!

I was using it last nite to score a several pieces of plastic (about 6-8 times per side), and I expected the tip to need to be touched up.....NOT!

Hey, Paul, just send that knife to me, its junk....

.

Ray 'md2020'

il Coltello · Oct 14, 1999

Ehem...Don't mean to be a troublemaker,

This knife is the absolutely sharpest one I have ever had and it seems to be made for well-controlled precise cutting. I like it a lot.

But. Mr Glesser, the blade IS loose, so I guess I will send it to Customer Service.
I will probably ruin the finish if I try to fix it myself.

Thanks for all replies.

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Tea drinker and hellraiser from Northern Sweden, above the arctic circle.

[This message has been edited by Cousin Cinnamon (edited 13 October 1999).]

Paul Davidson · Oct 13, 1999

Sal,
Thanks for the reply. Built in washers explain quite a bit. I think I will just use it and send it in if problems develop. As I said, the design is fantastic, I'd just never seen gaps like that before. I wasn't sure if there was a purpose or what.
Thanks,
Paul