Help! My Manix Steel Is Turning Red!!!

T

Trihonda

Joined
Aug 21, 2006
Messages
113
I only noticed this after showing the knife off to a co-worker. he asked if the knife was used when purchased (after he noticed the red stuff). I was very embarrased. The Manix is only ONE month old (brand new) and carried only 6-7 times, and not used but to cut a piece of tape (once)...

Here, its splotchy... Like surface rust, but not... I can't explain it. I've seen surface rust, and this doesn't seem like it up close. I could be wrong as I've never dealth with this particular blade steel that much. I was able to scrape a little off with a q-tip and oil, but not much.

manixred1qd3.jpg


Here, its more uniform. Like it's a reddish finish that was meant to be.. But it aint to the best of my knowlege. It covers the inside back of the lockbar, and it seems the spring is also uniformly covered. Here, the red stuff seems baked on (no getting it to come off). No other part is affected.

manixred2sn3.jpg


I am kinda upset at this. My Manix is immaculate otherwise. I felt I had lucked out in the Manix lottery. No defects, and a completely straight/centered blade. Very nice condition. Well, until now.

I haven't used anything on this Manix that I don't use on my countless other knives and even handguns. These products include: Hoppes gun lube, and expensive AmsOil MP metal protecant (anti-rust lube). I apply lube lightly, and always wipe away excess. I've NEVER experienced such corrossion, period! Also, I never exposed this knife to any conditions where'd I'd expect this. It's only a month old, and I don't live near salt water. I live in Wisconsin, and have been at home mostly. When I do go out, I wear the Manix in my front pocket (clipped), with the top (now red) part exposed to the air. Now that I think of it, I can't swear I've even used the MP lube... Just the Hoppes. I just mentioned the MP because I've been using it on everything for years.

Would this be covered under the fair, honest, warranty? Any help would be appreciated.
 
looks like the discoloration that you get after a piece of steel has been heat treated? kind of a rusty /gold color depending on the heat treat enviroment.
 
I just checked my chinook II, and my Manix. It looks like there is discoloration of the same type on the non polished parts. The spring itself is blueish in colour.
I don't think it is a manufacturing defect, just part of the machining proces.
I understand your concern, but please realise that spyderco is not a custom maker. All parts have some "defect" if you look long and hard enough.
Tiny burrs and discoloration are possible. If this really bothers you you can dismantle the knife and polish all parts that have been left unpolished. This would raise the price up to sebenza prices.
Spyderco has fallen victim to it's own quality control. By giving us a high standard of quality they have opened up the opportunity to find tiny imperfections on their knives.
I don't think there is anything wrong with your knife. If it really bothers you you can send it to a custom knife maker who can polish all parts smooth.
 
I think it is just part of the machining process. I have the same issue as in the first photo. It is nothing that I feel I will find a resolution about. In fact, the Manix I have will be one of my workhorse knives. Last night I sliced through quite a few cardboard boxes so that the boxes could be thrown into the trash bin easier. The size of the knife really gave me a lot of leaverage so that I could do the job fast and easy. In any case, isn't the knife made of stainless steel S30V which shouldn't/can't rust? If you feel that the knife's issues are unacceptable, I definitely would return it for exchange or sevice.
 
S30V can and will rust, as do most all stainless steels.

On my Manix I had a similar looking appearance on the inside of the opening hole. Unless you notice it spreading, I doubt it's anything to worry about.
 
I just checked all my S30V blades and none exhibit any discoloration. I would contact Spyderco for a better explanation. Does not look like rust to me.
 
Doubt that it is corrosion. To me it looks like the reddish discoloration that is quite common on Spyderco laser cut S30V blades and lockbars.
 
Is it actually "turning red" or did it come like that from the factory? It appears to be the same color that turns up pretty frequently on some metal parts (usually blade holes and tangs) of different Spydies. There have been a few threads about it before.
 
ive got the exact same problem but with a mini-manix so i took my knife and had a good long look it doesnt seem to be spread and im thinking it had somethink to do with the production process like many people have said on this thread so dont even worry about it lol i got pissed the first time i seen it to buh its fine
 
SIRGALANT said:
that doesn`t really help him out though does it?
Click to expand...

There is no way to help him out. He's whining about minor visual details on a $100 dollar factory knife as if it were a Sebenza. I'm becoming annoyed by threads like this. Blade play? Yeah, that sucks. Off center blade? Yeah, that bothers me too. Minor discoloration from factory machining and laser cutting that can only be seen upon close inspection and has no effect on literally anything at all besides your outrageous expectations for a flawless knife from a mass production factory? Sorry, absurd.
 
My Manix has the same thing. The discoloration appears to be parts of the machining process. It doesn't appear to be corrosion... at least on mine.

Though I'm not making no judgement about you when I say this: It doesn't bother me at all. It seems like an "internal" part as opposed to an aesthetic one. Sort of like my automobile's undercarraige coating being undamaged but "blotchy looking."
 
J85909266 said:
There is no way to help him out. He's whining about minor visual details on a $100 dollar factory knife as if it were a Sebenza. I'm becoming annoyed by threads like this. Blade play? Yeah, that sucks. Off center blade? Yeah, that bothers me too. Minor discoloration from factory machining and laser cutting that can only be seen upon close inspection and has no effect on literally anything at all besides your outrageous expectations for a flawless knife from a mass production factory? Sorry, absurd.
Click to expand...

Dude, I feel your comments are uncalled for. I don't think it's absurd to make an inquiry about why my new knife is suddenly turning red... Sheesh! This is what this forum is all about (so I thought).

I'm not a rich person, so even a $100 knife should look and perform nicely (when new). I wouldn't expect any defects from a Ferrarri, but would hold the same standard for a new Honda Civic (when new), even though it costs 10 times less. Granted, this isn't a Ferrarri, but even if my Civic suddenly started turning red, I think I'd at least ask someone about it.... Wouldn't you?

I don't have unrealistic expectations, and am willing to accept things like minor mill-marks and other unique machining process marks. That's just the character of the knife. However, when there's an inconsistantly appearing red discoloration on some of these knives, it's a concern (at least worthy of a post). Especially when I don't know what it is yet.

Really, you flamed me when I didn't know what this red stuff was. If it's normal machining by-product, ok (still not happy), but at least my knife isn't rusting away... Like I thought initially. And rust would be a more-than-valid reason for concern, and making a post!

Flame over.
 
I agree with you Trihonda.

As to the discoloration, I'd wonder too (and I've been around them a fair time).

I still find this interesting. Personally, don't buy the machining cause.

I'd oil it up, and watch and see what happens. See if it spreads or desists.
 
The Deacon said:
Doubt that it is corrosion. To me it looks like the reddish discoloration that is quite common on Spyderco laser cut S30V blades and lockbars.
Click to expand...

Thats what I was thinking. I've had one Spyderco that had a similiar color as the above pictures except it was on the jimping. My Mini Manix has a slight discoloration on the back of the lock where it snaps closed but its very small and I didn't really even notice it until I saw this thread because that area tends to get a little dirty from pocket carry. I'm sure some type of polish would bring it right out but I never really look at that part of my knife anyways except to occasionally check and make sure nothing is hindering the lock so I figure why even bother.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top