First experience with Spyderco was a nightmare, worth another shot?

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mattking

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Dec 9, 2013
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Okay so I am somewhat new to knives and inherited a Spyderco Meerkat from my older brother and the thing just completely sucked. The lockup or should I say the attempted lockup was a joke they would've been better off sending a tube of crazy glue with it. I don't own any other Spyderco's but really like the Sage 2, Paramilitary models, and have heard only good news about the Tenacious. So I guess what I'm asking is did I just get a fluke of a knife andnshould I throw another shot at them and if so what would be a good model to start with.
 
Getting a used knife from someone doesn't always tell the quality of the mfg. How was it used or abused? Spyderco make very good quality knives and stands behind their product. Go for what ever is in your budget and the style you prefer. Figure how you will use it and where it will be used. A office might not be the best place for a large EDC. Can't go wrong with a Spyderco knife if used how it is intended to be.
God luck with your purchase.
 
Spyderco may be able to fix the Meerkat if it wasn't abused. Contrary to what I was told (which I knew was BS from the start) manufacturing defects do occur. If it was just not good from the start they will either be able to fix it or replace it (because of the warranty). If it was abused, though, however unlikely it is that the Meerkat can be abused (a little small to use hard) then they will either charge to fix it, or tell you nothing can be done.

Regardless, Spyderco is usually a pretty stand up company, so you really have little to lose aside from some time and a little for shipping by calling them and sending it in. Make sure if you do send it in to include a note on what needs to be done. Otherwise you will get a call or a letter a good time after you send the knife saying they don't know what to do to it (they don't just work on a knife without any guidance, you can simply say to check over the internals and lock if you want).
 
As already said used knives are a bad way to judge the quality of a knife or any product.

Even with me getting a knife from me is no way to tell how good a knife is from a company despite the fact I don't abuse knives. First it's already used and will have some wear and tear from normal use. But I also have a habit of taking apart knives, cleaning them, and putting them back together and trying to get the overall fit and finish far better than factory.

But if you get a knife from average joe you can be looking at a knife that was never taken care of, sharpened, used a pry bar, had spine whack tests done, and other wised just abused. And cosmetically it may not show the full extent of the damage but lockup may be broken and who knows what else kind of damage but otherwise will look fine at a glance. I have definitely seen a few knives that fall into this category, it's why I am weary of buying or judging products when you get a used one.
 
I would not judge Spydercos based on the Meerkat. It was not typical of their catalog.

The "phantom lock" isn't a bad lock but it never really caught on. That's why you haven't seen many more done (I believe they did one sprint run with a phantom). It's basically nothing but a mid-lock. Still, I handled one at a gun show and decided to pass. I'm not a fan.

If you have a chance to handle one of their liner locks or compression locks I'd encourage you to do so. They are much more typical.
 
Good product, great company! I'm sure if you sent them the meerkat they would fix it, if you just want a different knife but think spyderco is so so based on the used knife you have - then I say you owe it to yourself to purchase a new spydie. Some of my favorites are the manix2, sage 3, endura and delica. I am not a fan of liner/frame locks. So there are a good number of their offerings I have never tried. Of the spyderco knives I own they are all of good quality and excellent fit and finish. These qualities coupled with excellent CS (from what I hear - I have never had cause to use them) ..... Go for it.
 
Definitely give it another shot. Spyderco knives are just great edc and user knives. Buy a nice Delica or Endura and you should be happy. The para military is another great choice just slightly goes up in price, but definitely worth it.
 
Get a (new) Endura or PM2. You won't be disappointed.
 
The Meerkat is one of those funky models made for collectors. It has a 1 of a kind locking mechanism that never caught on with the mass market. It would not surprise me if such a novel design had problems.

Try the Endura or Delica they are both inexpensive classics that have been thoroughly tested over the years. My favorite Spyderco is the Caly 3.
 
I own roughly a dozen spyderco knives, I have never had an issue. Some models are more geared for collectors. I edc a native 5 and a manix 2 at work. They have both seen hard use (especially the manix). I would recommend these to anyone that is looking for a solid knife.

I would give them another shot, but with a different model. Check out some of the reviews and feedback from the forum, they will steer you in the right direction. Not all knives are created equal...
 
It wouldn't be fair if you didn't give them another shot. Like everyone said, get a brand new Spyderco and go from there. The PM2 and Sage 2 that your are interested are awesome knives. I would guarantee that they wouldn't be your last Spydercos.
 
First experience with Spyderco was a nightmare, worth another shot?
Click to expand...

No Soup for you!

Don't buy any Spydercos. They are contaminated with PCB's, DDT, and other toxic compounds, irradiated enough to sterilize your you know whats with front pocket carry, and come with a curse that attaches a very rude and ancient Babylonian demon to you that will move into your closet and stink it up. In addition the small print agrees to donate your organs to a Russian charity at their convenience. All in all I'd say no, not unless you really like Super steels and will do anything to get what you want.

Joe
 
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It wasn't abused at all he had gotten it as a gift and isn't into that kind of stuff so passed it on to me, I EDC'd it and the lockup failed within two weeks.
 
I'm into Spydercos but never had a Meerkat and was never interested. They have a lot of models through the years and to me it ranks near the bottom in terms of appeal. I do know that ALL knife brands have these type of oddities in their catalog, ones that you have zero interest in... Maybe try one that has a better reputation? Part of Spyderco's appeal is innovation though and I can't fault them for coming out with a new/unique lock out to market. You should probably send it back to Spyderco to be repaired though, then maybe sell it to help fund a PM2 or Sage1.

.......Or you can also just say I hate Spydercos because of a Meerkat from now on and parrot that on the forums for the rest of your life :D
 
Spyderco has an almost cult following but I'll never carry one, even if given to me, or a Kershaw Leek either. I don't like needle point knives with no serration or belly.
 
Try giving it a good cleaning. With back lock designs a bit of pocket lint or whatever can get in the notch the locking bar drops into and cause lock up problems. I have an original Meerkat (440C, made in Golden) and it's never had any problems.
For the "Pics or it didn't happen" crowd:
Meerkat001.jpg
 
I wouldn't necessarily judge an entire line base on tech that's been phased out... If you do dive back into Spyderco, pony up the dough....buy a new one from a reputable source.
 
I second the PM2 recommendation. I'd also throw in the Manix 2, especially since it's now gonna be FFG. If your willing to spend a little more then the Sage 2 you mentioned is definitely a good choice, one of my favorite spydies. Good luck either way though, I think if you give them another chance there's no way they'll disappoint.
 
I'm a bit spoiled but I do love spyderco as a bargain brand. Very good for what they charge.
 
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