General Observation / Question Regarding Fit & Finish

AJR576

AJR576

Joined
Feb 15, 2014
Messages
773
I'm curious to know if I'm lucky or do all Spydercos exhibit an exceptionally high level of fit and finish?

My Manix 2, Gayle Bradley Gen1, and (newest addition) Stretch 2 G10 were all essentially perfectly finished with no perceptible factory flaws from the factory.

By comparison, I've owned Benchmades, ZTs, etc. that have had minor issues with blade symmetry, centering, small blemishes/sloppy machining on the handles, etc. I would say that ZT is a close second followed by Benchmade.

I know they're not museum pieces but when I'm spending @ $200 (or more) on a knife, a minimum expectation is for the blade to be symmetrically cut, centered, etc.

I really like a few of the new Benchmades but I'm hesitant to buy them sight unseen. Don't have the same concerns with Spyderco.
 
Sal Glesser does not like us to bash other companies, but for me there is only Spyderco. I do not buy other brands. I like others but have never been let down with Spyderco and I love how their COO, Sal previously mentioned, answers threads and is so accessable. Many of the sprints are the result of the forums asking him to make something, and he complies more often than people would believe. Fit and finish have never been subpar on any I have owned and having a brick and mortar as close as I do makes a big difference. I can handle duplicates and pick the one I want
 
Certainly not bashing, just commenting based on my personal experience.

I own a variety of knives from other manufacturers and my current favorite is actually a ZT 0550 Gen3.

Just seems to be that Spyderco is more consistent than the others.
 
I've heard of people with issues. None have come across my hands, including forum trades. I think all companies have some F ups from time to time, but I feel like Spyderco does a good job considering their volume.
 
Every company has weak points. I know exactly what to expect from spyderco, crk, kai, benchmade, cold steel. They all have some weak spot.
 
It may just be luck, or my easygoing disposition, but I own well over 500 and have had very few that I was not satisfied with. Less than 1% weren't up to my standards, and those were replaced under warranty without question. As AF said, they're not perfect, but they're right up there.
 
I have more Spyderco knives than any other brand but I do buy other brands. To me the Spyderco knives are nearly "solid state" products; there's nothing I need to do to them short of sharpening after use and that's all.

They take a licking and keep on snicking.
 
I have never got a defective or less than perfect Spyderco that I know of. I know any mass produced product is going to have some issues but I dont think I have been lucky or anything. I also don't really scrutinize a knife I paid $80 for. It opens, it closes, it's sharp, it's good to go.
 
In my experience? Not nearly. Mine have all been more than good enough for my uses, but there are plenty of nits I could pick. But it boils down to the fact that I bought my Spydercos to use and the nits are, for all intents and purposes, aesthetic. I've thumped on them all, several for years, and they shrug it off and ask for more. That's more what matters to me.
 
Even within Spyderco knives some have higher quality than others based on where they're made. My ranking is Taichung, Maniago, Golden and then Japan. I don't have any Chinese made ones.
 
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