First Spyderco (disappointed)

E

EDCBlader

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Apr 23, 2014
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I just purchased my first Spyder based on all of tje glowing reviews... Its a Spyderco Tenacious. I'm kind and of disappointed. The knife is very stiff and hard to deploy. The only way it can be flicked open is if I open it up first with my thumb and then finish it off with a hard flick of the risk. This is an unfluent two step process. There seems to be a lot of tension/friction on the blade as if its rubbing against something. I could try loosing up the screw, but other reviewers on Amazon claimed that either threw the centering off or still didn't fix the problem...

Next, the blade isn't sharp out the box, or at least, it isn't as sharp as the Rat1 that in comparison. I tried slicing paper with both knives, and the Rat 1 sliced right through whereas the Tenacious seemed to do more tearing. I then tried shaving a patch of hair on my arm, and again, the Rat1 was razor sharp, but the didn't cut a thing...

Everything else seems fine. I know that some counterfeit Spydercos do not fully skeletonize the frame, but there are 5 circular cutouts on each side of the frame. The blade is centered as well. The box it came in was taped closed with what looks like a peice of scotch tape... Nothing else really jumps out at me...

Any thoughts or suggestions?
 
Use it and sharpen it. Mine came deadly sharp a few years back. I put custom scales on it and loved it.
Let it break in. I dont remember the action on mine.
As far as the edge comparison. Its hit or miss with these china made lines. Plus most of us dont really mind a poor edge if your good at sharpening.
 
My Persistence (small Tenacious) was my first Spyderco knife and it was a little stiff when it was brand new. I loosened the pivot screw just a tiny bit and opened and closed it a bunch of times and flicks open as well as any of my liner or frame lock Spydies. I think the knives in Spydercos Value line are great knives for the money. I've since purchased several more expensive knives and that Persistence still sees a lot of pocket time. Give your Tenacious some time and I'm sure it'll break in nicely for you.

BTW, loosening the pivot screw on mine didn't change the centering at all. It's still dead nuts in the center.
 
Did you get it on amazon? Find the thread on spydercos forums about fakes. Yes, there is fakes tenacious. I actually received a fake one my first order from Amazon.

My tenacious is so smooth and amazing.
 
Very few Spydercos are "flippers" or designed to be flicked open. It's also not unusual for a new knife to be tight and to get looser as it is used. As for the sharpness, that varies in new knives from every brand no matter what they cost. Just sharpen it...it's not hard and I tend to sharpen every knife I buy immediately when I get it home. I can almost always improve on factory edges.

Also, not to be snide about it, but the Tenacious is in the Spyderco budget line. While it's a very good knife, it's still a budget model and you really should not expect a $40 knife to perform as well as a more deluxe $140 knife.

If the blade is binding or sticking, either return it to the seller or send it to Spyderco for warranty examination. It should loosen up with use but there's always the possibility the knife is defective.
 
Long ago, I carried a Kershaw Leek. This was an assisted opener, that used the index finger to deploy. When I switched to a Spyderco Endura, it felt strange and awkward, and I could barely deploy it. After many years of carrying the Endura, it feels natural.

Along with this, I agree with previous posts that you should give it time to loosen up. And also reset your expectation - as it is not designed to be flipped open. Spyderco makes those too. Try out a Domino if you want a flipper. I would bet you will love it.

As for your box being taped shut - I don't believe I've ever gotten a Spyderco that had the box taped. I've bought from a lot of sources, and probably have been lucky in that i don't believe I have any fakes. But I'm not sure tape on the box is an indication it is real.
 
The Cara Cara 2 is way better, on FRN or G10.

Mine are smoother than any of my Seki City knives and came plenty sharp.
 
Also Spyderco knives often prefer a longer thumb throw than many other brands, that could help.
 
1) Could be fake.
2) Could be a lesser-quality example of a Chinese-made knife. Go handle some of their knives from other facilities, especially the Seki City, Japan and Taichung, Taiwan plants.
3) Could be tight now and loosen up later. Also get a Sharpmaker and get it sharp with that.
 
Put a drop of oil on the pivot, play with the pivot tightness and sharpen your knife. Either that or return it. I think that your disappointment may stem from unrealistic expectations. Spyderco makes great knives and it would be unfair to buy one of their "value" folders and judge them based on it. I would return it and pony up the money for a Para2 or a Manix2 and never look back. I hope you work things out. :)
 
I would also avoid Amazon for your future knife purchases. This is a hot topic and some love Amazon and some do not. Either way, there have been reports of fakes coming from there.
 
EDCBlader said:
I just purchased my first Spyder based on all of tje glowing reviews... Its a Spyderco Tenacious. I'm kind and of disappointed. The knife is very stiff and hard to deploy. The only way it can be flicked open is if I open it up first with my thumb and then finish it off with a hard flick of the risk. This is an unfluent two step process. There seems to be a lot of tension/friction on the blade as if its rubbing against something. I could try loosing up the screw, but other reviewers on Amazon claimed that either threw the centering off or still didn't fix the problem...

Next, the blade isn't sharp out the box, or at least, it isn't as sharp as the Rat1 that in comparison. I tried slicing paper with both knives, and the Rat 1 sliced right through whereas the Tenacious seemed to do more tearing. I then tried shaving a patch of hair on my arm, and again, the Rat1 was razor sharp, but the didn't cut a thing...

Everything else seems fine. I know that some counterfeit Spydercos do not fully skeletonize the frame, but there are 5 circular cutouts on each side of the frame. The blade is centered as well. The box it came in was taped closed with what looks like a peice of scotch tape... Nothing else really jumps out at me...

Any thoughts or suggestions?
Click to expand...

Hi EDCBlader,
Sorry to hear of your disappointment. If the box was sealed with tape then I would seriously question if it is a) legitimate and or 2) not a return from someone who may have disassembled the knife. We do seal our boxes, but not with tape. We use a clear circle sticker on each end. If the Spyderco box you received was closed with anything other than that I would return it.

Kristi
 
Sadly, I think too many people take advantage of Amazon's liberal return policies just to try out knives (and probably other products). Almost all the knives I've bought over the last 2-3 years came through Amazon Prime--either directly from Amazon or from the Amazon Marketplace. Several of these knives appeared to have been returns from previous purchasers but they were perfectly fine knives and still in new condition. I don't doubt defective knives that have been returned sometimes get resold given the volume of merchandise involved. I've never gotten a counterfeit model through Amazon. I do recall receiving one defective knife from Amazon as well as one knife that was different from the model ordered. Amazon accepted the returns, paid return shipping, had UPS come to my door and pick up the items and refunded my money immediately. Can't get better service than that.

The possibility that the OPs knife was a return wouldn't bother me. The possibility exists that it was returned due to a defect and then resold in error. But Amazon's return policies would cover that possibility. With return privileges for 30 days (as long as it's still in new condition with all original shipped materials), check the knife thoroughly and if you're still disappointed send it back.
 
I have a brand new (five years old - but never out of the box from a forum member) black Tenacious. It has the partially serrated blade. Black handle, black blade, black clip. I know full well it is not a $150+ knife - however I know that this knife is going to get used not stop, and almost in a care free manner.

The opening is snug, and I oiled the pivot, it feels like a new knife should feel when opening.
The edge was sharp - then I touched it up on the UF rods of my SharpMaker - now crazy shaving sharp.
So although I have other (all more expensive) models in EDC rotation - I love my Tenacious.
Excellent folder at a wonderful price point.
I recommend you try another if you can return yours.
Cheers!
 
I bought my dad a brown Tenacious for Christmas, and it's very, very smooth. I will be the first to admit that I too, was a little disappointed with it. I gifted a Persistence to my brother-in-law the Christmas before, and I love that little thing. I just don't like the blade shape, handle or lock on it. Aside from that, it's very sharp, very easy to keep sharp, and very, very smooth. Personal preference thing for me.

What I have found with all the Spyderco knives I own, the more I use them, the more I like them. Some food for thought at least. Best of luck.
 
Mine required a break-in period but was very sharp out of the box and no other issues with fit and finish. Great blade for the money.
 
My tenacious is smooth as butter.

It flies open faster than most PM2s.when I Spydie flick it.

But it cannot be wrist flicked open.

Everyone has been shaving sharp.
 
The taped box thing means nothing. Amazon almost always tapes their Spyderco boxes unfortunately, many have reported this. Not sure why....some kind of packaging thing. I think Sal actually said this himself IIRC
 
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