Dumb Harpy Question

V

Vess

Joined
Oct 2, 2001
Messages
583
Hello All...
I just (3 months ago) got a stainless steel Harpy, and I absolutely love it, but opening it is a little hard. In fact, it is so hard that Harpy is the only one of my spydies I cannot open with one hand...
I am reasonably sure that the spring inside the handle is so strong that it won't allow the knife to open smoothly (when I release the lock the blade closes VERY easily and smoothly). So my question is, can I do anything about it? Normally I'd just pull the knife apart and fix it, but I don't seem to be able to find any skrews...:D
Thanks!
 
Hi Vess, I feel your pain, man. I have a Calypso, Jr. (stainless steel handle)) and dropped it recently. Now the blade is slightly loose when open but there is no obvious way to make any adjustments--something unique to stainless steel and frn handled Spydies? (I considered pounding the pivot area with a hammer but came to my senses in the nick of time).

Now back to your problem. I sure sounds weird but as you suspect it may have something to do with the locking spring rather than the pivot area. Have you tried oiling the lever pivots and working the lock repetitively--as long as it takes--to loosen the mechanism? (Do it while watching TV). Check if something is jammed in the crack between the lever and the handle--oh, and some oil along the length of the spring may also work. I have never returned a knife for repairs/adjustments and prefer to make adjustments/corrections on my own. But you might consider returning the knife to Spyderco for warranty work or first check if the dealer you purchased it from will replace it over the counter. I hope this helps.

P.S. If you like the Harpy, then check out the plain edge Merlin.
 
When you say you can't open it with one hand, do you literally mean that you can't stick your thumb in the opening hole, or just that you can't Spydie-Drop it?

I have a G-10 Harpy so I know that the backspring is especially strong on this little guy. I can rarely Spydie-Drop it, even after a good lubing, but I can certainly open it with one hand in the traditional manner. If you need the strength of two limbs to open your knife, then something is absolutely wrong.
 
I have a Spydie with what I consider to be a "too-strong" spring. It's my large, plain edged Calypso. I can still open it one handed, and after break in quite easily drop it open but the blade will not fall from it's weight once the lock is depressed like many others, although the pivot is certainly quite free moving.

Besides, this knife really snaps closed when you are folding the blade in. It's such that I have to be careful of it's VG-10, 30 degree, razor sharp "guillotine" effect on my fingertips.

This knife is not of S/S construction, but with Micarta there is no disassembly possibility either, I don't think.

Jeff/1911.
 
If it's not workin' right. I'd send it back. Spyderco has great customer service. It hurts to let you knife go for 3 weeks or so, but it's worth it. I have had this problem on other knives, but my Harpy is smooth as butter. An important thing to remember is to rotate the blade out and not to push the blade down with pressure so that it rubs the handle. I have gotten some nasty scratches on the blade this way...
Matt
 
Vess - First clean the knife. Rinse it out with soap and hot water, see if you can get any dirt out with a Q-tip or toothpick.

Then lube it and work the action.

If it's still too tough to open then there's something wrong and you should probably send it in.

Try calling Spyderco and see what they have to say on the phone.

The Harpy is a great knife!!
 
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