How much factory bevel asymmetry is considered a defect?

J

jalapeno

Joined
Jan 16, 2017
Messages
91
When you purchase a new knife and it arrives with asymmetric bevels on the edge, is there a point where it's considered a defect and you can return/swap for a new one free of charge, no return shipping or anything?

I don't know what qualifies as too much, but this one was clearly asymmetric to the naked eye. As a rough guess, the bevel on one side is twice as wide as the other side. I guess they don't have quality control screening for this at the (Spyderco) factory.

Does it depend where you bought it from (BladeHQ in my case)?
 
Totally depends on the make and model, as many economy knives and/or ones made using a large number of hand-operated processes in their manufacture can be expected to have a certain amount of slop in their precision. However, it becomes a defect when it's not "normal" for the particular model. Knowing Spyderco that's not typical, and I'm sure that their customer service department would be happy to take a look at the problem. :)
 
Definitely relevant to cost in general. ;) Both Spyderco and Blade HQ are top notch and I am confident will be happy to assist you. :thumbsup:
 
They'll sharpen it for you. Can't call it a lemon until u send it back to fix it. It's a real bummer to have to send them back.

Spyderco has been the most consistent for me for great edges in recent years. Did you buy a model made in China? Other wise it's fairly common for all knife factories to have some that are not perfect coming out. Some brands are worse than others tho.

What's annoying is if they do a really bad asymmetrical edge on a super steel. It's a pita to fix for some folks.
 
Is this a knife that you're just going to look at, maybe use as a fidget toy, so the uneven grind is going to annoy you? Or are you going to stick the thing in your pocket, carry it around, and cut things with it? If the latter, it will require sharpening periodically; and, with a little attention, you can even out the bevels over time.
 
Thanks for the replies. Good to know this is not common for Spyderco. This is a knife I bought earlier this year, and it "disappeared" shortly thereafter. I spent hours looking for it and eventually gave up, until very recently when I found it out in a cabinet in the garage. I looked up BladeHQ's return window and I'm well beyond it unfortunately.

Anyway, it's a Delica Wharncliffe VG-10, and while it probably qualifies as an economy knife for many on this forum, it's the most expensive non-kitchen knife I've ever bought. Here are a couple photos of the factory edge bevels. I don't have much of a frame of reference for whether this is excessive asymmetry, but it seemed excessive to my eye. Any opinions? I guess I'll have to even it out over time, as hhmoore suggested.


imJo6Boy_o.jpg


1HiarYxZ_o.jpg
 
Last edited:
Does it actually effect the cutting performance?
Given that it’s a wharncliffe with such a straight edge it shouldn’t be terribly difficult to deal with that on your sharpening system, since the lack of curve means you won’t have to move the knife around too much.
 
I'm not sure I've ever received a perfectly symmetrical final edge bevel. I have just learned to pick my battles. Can only remember one knife that I ever sent back because of the edge grind angle. Normally I would just use up the edge, or reprofile myself. But personally they bug the crap out of me. So if it's easy to see quickly without close up examination, then it's going straight onto the KME. In many cases, an asymmetrical edge does not change the cutting properties to a monster degree (assuming combined angle is close to original spec). But it sure makes sharpening and touch-ups a heck of a lot easier.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top