Mechanical Question on Ocelot

diamdave

diamdave

Joined
Nov 29, 2001
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I just picked one up "NIB" on a trade. "NIB" is questionable, although the edge and blade seems new. Anyway, here are my three questions:

the release spring seems fairly weak or soft, is that normal for this knife?

Also knife is not quite centered when closed, is that normal?

Finally, there are scratch marks not on the knife, but on the small exposed portion of the backlock. I know this knife has steel liners, would that cause the back part to be all scratched up?
 
Dave, 1-I always thought my lock was a little on the soft/weak side, but works well.
2-my blade is centered when closed. (is the pivot loose?) I know this is probally a stupid question but could be the problem.
3-this is a washerless knife so it will scratch the blade but mine has no scratchs on the lock.

hope this helps.
 
diamdave said:
I just picked one up "NIB" on a trade. "NIB" is questionable, although the edge and blade seems new. Anyway, here are my three questions:

the release spring seems fairly weak or soft, is that normal for this knife?

Also knife is not quite centered when closed, is that normal?

Finally, there are scratch marks not on the knife, but on the small exposed portion of the backlock. I know this knife has steel liners, would that cause the back part to be all scratched up?
Click to expand...

I've got several Ocelots in the house one of which is in my EDC rotation and none of them are scratched on the lock. I just checked two of them and the release spring is about par for the course where Spydies are concerned. The one in my EDC rotation does seem to be just very slightly softer than the NIB knife, but I consider that normal wear. When you say it's not centered, I agree with the earlier post that you could try snugging up the pivot a bit. There's not much in the way of clearance between the liners to start with, so it sounds like we're talking about a very small adjustment.

This knife has really grown on me after adding one to the EDC rotation. Classic Wegner blade ergos and the long awaited paw prints in G10 .. This one was talked about for years before it finally made it into production.
 
Thanks all. I figure as long as it doesn't accidentally disengage when in use, it shouldn't matter. I was concerned that perhaps a previous owner to the trader might have took it apart and done something spring-wise.

Overall, I do like the knife. As an aside. I emailed Spyderco customer service a week ago. NO reply.:(
 
diamdave said:
Thanks all. I figure as long as it doesn't accidentally disengage when in use, it shouldn't matter. I was concerned that perhaps a previous owner to the trader might have took it apart and done something spring-wise.

Overall, I do like the knife. As an aside. I emailed Spyderco customer service a week ago. NO reply.:(
Click to expand...
Call them. :)
 
diamdave said:
Thanks all. I figure as long as it doesn't accidentally disengage when in use, it shouldn't matter. I was concerned that perhaps a previous owner to the trader might have took it apart and done something spring-wise.

Overall, I do like the knife. As an aside. I emailed Spyderco customer service a week ago. NO reply.:(
Click to expand...

Spyderco did a post that they had some turn over in their Customer Service / Warranty & Repair department. I'd imagine that they are a little behind because of it. Maybe you should try calling them if you want an immediate answer?
 
Is it me or is something going on over at the Spydie? I know - I know $50 knives are $50 knives - what do you expect- but soft locks, CalyIII wobblie blades...?

I have owned a Spyde for the last 15 years - but the newer ones seem more Hype, flash and plastic than the older basic solid knives.......
 
TurnerIII said:
Is it me or is something going on over at the Spydie? I know - I know $50 knives are $50 knives - what do you expect- but soft locks, CalyIII wobblie blades...?

I have owned a Spyde for the last 15 years - but the newer ones seem more Hype, flash and plastic than the older basic solid knives.......
Click to expand...

I have noticed that too.
The only new models I have gotten lately that I think are on par with the older models but still not quite is the Ocalot (mine also has light scratches on the lock bar),the mini manix (the blade tang hits the liner slightly when closing),and the CF Military (the back spacer stuck out of the scales slightly but Spyderco sent me a new back spacer and that fixed it).
With the prices of some of these models IMO the quality control needs to be better.
 
Aside from my issue defined above, I too have noticed this.

I"ve always considered both Spyderco and Benchmade to constitute the upper tier, if you will, of production knives. I think Benchmade is still there, but I think Kershaw is strongly chomping at Spyderco's heel.

I miss my old plastic clip GIN-1 Delicas and Delica 3's, etc.
 
I used to think of the 3 top production companies in this order
Spyderco
Benchmade
Kershaw
In all truth from what I have seen lately sadly I have to think of them like this
Benchmade
Kershaw
Spyderco
With BM and Kershaw being very close to even in fit and finish.
The Japan Spydies are still good but are not as good as they used to be or at least you see more of them with problems that what used to be.
 
Yet the masses still sing the praises of many Spyderco models and you focus on a few people who may have gotten a bum blade?

Spyderco doesn't "hype" their knives. The fans might, but that is because they like them.

You are free to see what you want to see but if you think their new releases are cheap plastic you need to check out their offerings a bit closer.
http://spyderco.com/catalog/list.php?genre=knife&offset=1&per_page=10
http://spyderco.com/catalog/2007SpydercoByrd.pdf

First generation knives are nice for nostalgia and are still quite workable, however Fourth generation models are superior in durability.
 
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