I think I might have a problem with my Sage 3?

mastiffhound · Feb 21, 2015

I've been oiling and working my new Stretch since I got home. It was gritty and was really inconsistent to open. I got it to the point that it works fairly well so I switched over to the Sage 3. When I got my new Sage 3 out I thought it felt a little week on the blade retention. It is. Without touching the blade or lock I can open it with just moving my wrist. I can do this right side up, upside down, side to side it doesn't matter. It just opens. I can also unlock the blade with either my thumb or pointer finger, I do mean either or not both at the same time. I can't do this with any other Spyderco I have including the Delica, PM2, two Manix 2s, Tenacious, and of course the Stretch.

Did I get a defective Sage? Is this normal? I find it hard to understand the spring being this weak? I really love this knife, fit, finish, and size are just perfect. I'd really hate to send it back. In the open position it's rock solid. I watched a few youtube vids and blade retention was perfect with the ones I watched when they tried to shake it out. I just want to be sure that something isn't wrong.

mastiffhound · Feb 21, 2015

I looked around on the interwebs and came up with tightening the pivot screws, so I did that. It still opens up with some shake but not as easy as before. Is there something else I can do? I did use a little blue loctite and I even got the blade centering back to perfect, amazing even myself. I hope this works, I'd rather not have to send "My Precious" back!

bearfacedkiller · Feb 22, 2015

sounds like your spring is kinda weak. If so that is probably a warranty issue.

My Sage3 does have the weakest detent of all my Spydies but certainly not dangerously weak. I love my Sage3.

SpeedHoles · Feb 22, 2015

D'oh. There goes that honeymoon phase real quick! I see you've been posting Sage 3 praises all over today too!

Sounds like it just might be a weak detent, resulting from the bolt action not engaging stiff enough in closed position.

Hopefully if it is dangerously weak (can open in pocket?), you didn't disassemble too much when applying loc-tite to be noticeable enough to void the warranty if it sent in.

Barman1 · Feb 22, 2015

If there's an issue that you're not happy with just send it back for a replacement.
Don't even give it a second thought.
No need to suffer through a lifetime of disappointment with a product when there are so many perfect examples just sitting on the shelves.

remnar · Feb 22, 2015

Mastifff, I checked my Sage 3 and found that I can get the blade to open with some very sharp movements when the blade is facing down. It is even easier to do this with my Impala, but I don't think either one present a danger. You'll need to be the judge of yours. If it is super loose, then I would probably send it in for inspection/repair.

Screwloose · Feb 22, 2015

Mine opens with a good flick of the wrist as-well. But not enough that it would happen on accident.

mastiffhound · Feb 22, 2015

SpeedHoles said:
D'oh. There goes that honeymoon phase real quick! I see you've been posting Sage 3 praises all over today too!

Sounds like it just might be a weak detent, resulting from the bolt action not engaging stiff enough in closed position.

Hopefully if it is dangerously weak (can open in pocket?), you didn't disassemble too much when applying loc-tite to be noticeable enough to void the warranty if it sent in.

The only thing I did was add some blue loctite. Is that going to void my warranty? I didn't take any other screws out or remove the scales or anything? I didn't even take the clip off. The only other thing I did was oil it. If that's too much then I'll pay them to fix it, that would suck but I'll do it.

I still love it, you don't stop loving your dog cause he had an accident do you? The size, weight, ergonomics, edge sharpness, edge grind, fit and finish are still awesome. It's not the first time I had something come a little off, it's made by humans and humans aren't perfect. The honeymoon phase hasn't worn off, I'm still calling it "My Precious"

.

It was better this morning when I woke up, though the blade retention is still crappy. Comparing the blade retention to any of my other Spydies makes it look bad, that's the best way I can put it. I've got the PM2, Tenacious, 2 Manix 2s, Delica, and Stretch and they don't budge no matter how hard I shake them. I'll give it a week and see if I have any problems. It's better now but fixing the problem with friction is a bad idea, adding friction only lasts so long after all. I guess we'll see. Thanks for the help guys!

SpeedHoles · Feb 23, 2015

mastiffhound said:
The only thing I did was add some blue loctite. Is that going to void my warranty? I didn't take any other screws out or remove the scales or anything? I didn't even take the clip off. The only other thing I did was oil it. If that's too much then I'll pay them to fix it, that would suck but I'll do it.

I still love it, you don't stop loving your dog cause he had an accident do you? The size, weight, ergonomics, edge sharpness, edge grind, fit and finish are still awesome. It's not the first time I had something come a little off, it's made by humans and humans aren't perfect. The honeymoon phase hasn't worn off, I'm still calling it "My Precious".

It was better this morning when I woke up, though the blade retention is still crappy. Comparing the blade retention to any of my other Spydies makes it look bad, that's the best way I can put it. I've got the PM2, Tenacious, 2 Manix 2s, Delica, and Stretch and they don't budge no matter how hard I shake them. I'll give it a week and see if I have any problems. It's better now but fixing the problem with friction is a bad idea, adding friction only lasts so long after all. I guess we'll see. Thanks for the help guys!

Ha, I like the dog reference. No need to defend it to me! I know Sages are awesome.
Not to say I found a direct laugh in your possible misfortune here, but I saw how the same day you got the blade you were making sure EVERY active thread here knew you loved your Sage! ...then, ironically this thread popped up and I was like oh damnnnnn, thats rough end to starry eyed wonder!

We've all been there though, getting George Costanza'ed in life...

Yeah but honestly it's all up to Spydercos discretion. I couldnt tell ya, but I'm going to guess it probably won't be a big deal then. I wasn't sure if you disassembled the whole thing to start from scratch when loc-titing.
They actually recommend removing the clips and loc-titing yourself once you find your ideal carry position.