Delica 4 issue

D

Dano1987

Joined
Jan 28, 2014
Messages
263
I have a dlc Delica 4 that I got for christmas. It was bought new and has seen very light use but i've just discovered that the lock can be defeated quite easily with a light spine tap or even by pressing the back of the blade with my thumb. I hate sending knives in. Early this year I sent knives in to be sharpened and it took over a month to get back. And they were returned via UPS despite a written request to be returned USPS. It was a hassle. I live in Denver. Can I physically take it to SFO to be assessed while I wait?

 
Bummer. Have you already checked to be sure it's clean? Pocket lint or similar sometimes gets into the area between the lockbar and tang on lockbacks. A toothpick can be used to clean it.
Not sure if they'll fix it while you wait.
 
Yes it's very clean. No obstruction. I've never adjusted the pivot screw or anything. Most use it sees is light duty like paper and cardboard. It's my day-off knife. I have a caly 3.5 that I use for work and beat the heck out of and no issues with it. I collect Spydercos though and have several sitting unused. Might have to carry a new one for awhile.
 
I got my Delica back already. They included a note stating that they were not able to reproduce the lock failure. I however, am able to produce the failure without a great amount of effort. I will be retiring this one from use. I was also looking forward to having it nicely sharpened which it was not. If they did sharpen it, it was on a stone or sharpmaker. But it was pretty sharp when I sent it in so whatever. I still love Spyderco and will continue to use the knives but I think I should open up my options a bit. Maybe a Benchmade?
 
If you live nearby I'd pop over and have it assessed. Easier to show what the issue is in person as well. All the crew I've talked to have been great people so it should be worth a visit anyway.
 
NoFair said:
If you live nearby I'd pop over and have it assessed. Easier to show what the issue is in person as well. All the crew I've talked to have been great people so it should be worth a visit anyway.
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This is what I would recommend also. Plus the factory makes for a really interesting visit. :)
 
how about making a video with you holding the knife and defeating the lock? Then post it here so we can be of more help.
 
Dano1987 said:
I have a dlc Delica 4 that I got for christmas. It was bought new and has seen very light use but i've just discovered that the lock can be defeated quite easily with a light spine tap or even by pressing the back of the blade with my thumb. I hate sending knives in. Early this year I sent knives in to be sharpened and it took over a month to get back. And they were returned via UPS despite a written request to be returned USPS. It was a hassle. I live in Denver. Can I physically take it to SFO to be assessed while I wait?

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Hi Dano1987,
I did a little digging and I'm a bit confused. We've only had one black bladed Delica come in within the past month or so, but there are some details that are different than your post. I'm reasonably certain that it's one and the same but please let me know if I'm mistaken. Our copy of the information included stated that the knife was dropped and it was after that, that the lock failure occurred (once). While here, our W&R crew tested the lock extensively and the lock did not fail. We did sharpen the knife, but minimally as it was already sharp and we don't like to take off any more steel than necessary. Finally, the information we had requested only that it be returned without a signature required, but USPS wasn't specified. We returned it via UPS - no signature required.

We apologize if you are disappointed. If you'd like to bring it back up please address it to my attention - I'm not part of W&R, but I'd be happy to take a look at it for you.

Kristi
 
Thanks for taking the time to respond and address my issue. You are correct about it having fallen and the lock failed. I also stated that it would close with a firm spine whack. I'm not upset about anything really. If it passed your tests then okay. I agree it was already sharp I use a sharpmaker. Ups is fine because I have things delivered to somewhere else. It's just a pain when I try to get stuff delivered to my apartment. The following copied off of the letter I included.

This knife was a christmas gift in 2014. It fell onto the floor one time and closed by itself. I realized it has a defective lock and will close with a firm spine tap. It doesn't always do it but it does do it and I am not comfortable carrying in this condition.

I really am not upset. Just surprised they were unable to reproduce the failure. I have seen knives that take much more and much less effort to defeat the lock.
 
Seems to be on and off sometimes it will close from that sometimes not. Either way it is unsafe and not fit for use or carry. And it seems I'm stuck with it. If I ship it again that costs money and I'm broke. Even if I take it there in person it will cost gas money or bus fare.
 
Hi Dano1987,
Please e-mail Charlynn in W&R at customerservice@spyderco.com at your earliest convenience. Please give her your address. She will e-mail you a call tag and we'll cover the cost of getting it back to us via UPS. She's aware of the situation and I've asked her to keep an eye out for your e-mail. I've received your e-mails and seen your messages sent through facebook... instead of replying to each of those I'll simply post here where this discussion originated. You'll be in good hands with Charlynn and we look forward to resolving this issue.

Thanks.

Kristi
 
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Dano1987 said:
I have a dlc Delica 4 that I got for christmas. It was bought new and has seen very light use but i've just discovered that the lock can be defeated quite easily with a light spine tap or even by pressing the back of the blade with my thumb. I hate sending knives in. Early this year I sent knives in to be sharpened and it took over a month to get back. And they were returned via UPS despite a written request to be returned USPS. It was a hassle. I live in Denver. Can I physically take it to SFO to be assessed while I wait?

I second that, clean it well, the lock should be fine unless you opened and closed it repetitively without pressing well enough on the lock to clear it. Users can mess the faces of the lock by grinding metal on metal this way if not pressed enough to clear them.

PS: don't send knives in for sharpening, get a sharpmaker Buddy! :)
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It shouldn't close from that, and obviously they're prepared to fix it. It's great that they respond directly like this. People can yammer about how you shouldn't spine whack as much as they like, but a lock is there to keep the knife open and safe in the event of an accident. If it wasn't for accidental instances like slipping and hitting the spine there would be no need for a lock and companies would only make slipjoints (slipits). I have had a good number of spyderco lockbacks and used them hard, and they haven't closed like in the video.
 
Spyderco sent me a return shipping label and it's on its way back. I may not have handled the situation as best as I could. Still love Spyderco. I just picked up a new sharpmaker. My old one from the 90s had chips in the stones from being dropped over the years. Here's a pic of them side by side.

 
I just tried it with mine and nada. Guess you need to just get another one and retire this one as a junk drawer or tackle box knife. :)
 
Hi Dano1987,
Just a quick follow up to this issue. Sal and I spoke and he tested your Delica himself. He could not get it to defeat. We're not sure if there's something with your technique or what is causing it to fail for you, but we still can't get it to fail. Regardless though Charlynn is processing a replacement for you so you should be good to go.

Kristi
 
That is quite odd. I know you are about ready to choke me. It wouldn't always do it but then other times it does it with a light tap. No debris in the lock. I don't know the mechanics of it and can't pinpoint when and why it does it. The other one came yesterday. I'm sorry for the difficulty and I greatly appreciate the effort. Close it and try again.
 
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