Para 2 defects?

Dang Guys, Op had a question and this is how new members are getting treated around here? Maybe the question has been asked everyday for the past 6 years(I've never seen it asked nor have I noticed it in any of my Para 2s FWIW),still the OP is new and he probably wanted to ask his question rather than search the forums, IF he even knew to search them at all, cut him a break.....Welcome to the Forums BTW.
 
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LozTek said:
@hayes its absolutely not part of the finish process.
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I was providing an example based on my manufacturing experience, not an explanation for this specific product - I wouldn't dare speak for Sal and the rest of the Spyderco crew.

LozTek said:
It's a blemish
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A blemish is an error in the production process. Since this is something with each and every Para 2, it is not a blemish.

LozTek said:
As a collector, condition is everything. Collectors know this. If I was going to use it as a carrier, workmans knife, you would never have seen this post.
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And as a collector, you should know that you're not going to find a Para 2 without these notches, so its condition is just fine.

I actually just received my 6th Para 2, and each one has had these notches. It hasn't bothered me at all since they're just part of the knife. It's a great design from a great company, I wouldn't let a very slight feature turn you off from it. If it's solely for collection value, you can rest easy knowing that its condition is just fine since it's just part of the knife.

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Welcome to the forum. The paramilitary is an excellent knife but just beware it is very addicting. Before you know it you will be buying all the sprints.
 
Doing some digging for the Op I've found out the notches in the liners are on every knife, and apparently it is the starting or stopping point from where they cut the liners out during manufacturing.
 
Hayes said:
A blemish is an error in the production process. Since this is something with each and every Para 2, it is not a blemish.
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I think you guys need to look up the word "blemish" Definition of the word blemish

Just because something is an artifact of the manufacturing process does not mean it isn't a blemish. Those marks destroy or diminish the perfection of the product. They are marks that detract from the appearance - hence the term blemish.

Why so defensive over a flaw on a Spyderco knife? It is perfectly acceptable to admit that this isn't a positive design feature and still declare your love for the PM2, I don't think they would revoke your membership to the fan club. OP had a legitimate question. The other positives of the knife will not make up for the fit and finish for everyone. That's a personal choice for you and the OP to make. It's not the same as if the notches were perfect semi-circles that were symmetrical either. It's not accurate to say that it's flawless because of that. Just say "it's a small inconsequential mark that is made during the manufacturing process. It doesn't affect function, and the cost of refinishing outweighs the benefit". You don't have to bust OP's balls over him having a different philosophy on what a 150$ knife intended for use should be.

I use my knives and something that doesn't influence the function, degrade the ergonomics or cause a problem later on doesn't bother me for these knives - other people demand a better finish. Some others have 30$ users, and see a 150$ knife as a safe queen - and would scrutinize the finish the same way that you would a $2,000 folder made from Unicorn horn and unobtainium.
 
Allen R. said:
Doing some digging for the Op I've found out the notches in the liners are on every knife, and apparently it is the starting or stopping point from where they cut the liners out during manufacturing.
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That makes perfect sense. I figured it had something to do with installing the compression lock or some other feature, a spot where the liners were contacting a jig, or where they were struck by a punch.
 
I think it's funny how i am very nitpicky about knives, and since the first day i got a para two and the subsequent paras I've had go through my hands; i never gave those notches a second thought, i had noticed them sure, but never for a minute thought they weren't normal, seemed completely ordinary to me as part of the knife.
 
A Justice said:
I think you guys need to look up the word "blemish" Definition of the word blemish
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In a manufacturing setting, a blemish refers to a piece that doesn't conform to QA specs. I've used this term in several production environments. A quick example in the knife world is the ZT "blems" that you can buy from KershawGuy. Perhaps Spyderco doesn't use this terminology, every production environment is different, but the fact still remains that this isn't an accident, it's there for a reason. As Allen R. was kind enough to dig up for OP, in this case it's used as a starting or stopping point in the liner cut out.

The reason OP is getting static is because in the face of evidence, they continued to insist that not only is this a blemish in the traditional sense of the word, but also in the manufacturing sense of the word. You can take my - and the others that have offered knowledge to OP - word for it, or you can insist that OP is right, there's something wrong with this particular knife. But you'd be wrong.

In any case, I'm just going to bow out of the thread... there's really not much else to discuss, and as Sal says - "shiny footprints".
 
Franz_N said:
I think it's funny how i am very nitpicky about knives, and since the first day i got a para two and the subsequent paras I've had go through my hands; i never gave those notches a second thought, i had noticed them sure, but never for a minute thought they weren't normal, seemed completely ordinary to me as part of the knife.
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I'm often impressed by the things that people notice on their knives here. I don't even think I would notice those marks since they aren't on the scales and don't contact your hand. I need to take some of you guys car shopping with me - I bought my last car and didn't even notice hail damage on the roof for weeks after I drove it home (who looks at the roof anyway?)
 
A Justice said:
I think you guys need to look up the word "blemish" Definition of the word blemish

Just because something is an artifact of the manufacturing process does not mean it isn't a blemish. Those marks destroy or diminish the perfection of the product. They are marks that detract from the appearance - hence the term blemish.

Why so defensive over a flaw on a Spyderco knife? It is perfectly acceptable to admit that this isn't a positive design feature and still declare your love for the PM2, I don't think they would revoke your membership to the fan club. OP had a legitimate question. The other positives of the knife will not make up for the fit and finish for everyone. That's a personal choice for you and the OP to make. It's not the same as if the notches were perfect semi-circles that were symmetrical either. It's not accurate to say that it's flawless because of that. Just say "it's a small inconsequential mark that is made during the manufacturing process. It doesn't affect function, and the cost of refinishing outweighs the benefit". You don't have to bust OP's balls over him having a different philosophy on what a 150$ knife intended for use should be.

I use my knives and something that doesn't influence the function, degrade the ergonomics or cause a problem later on doesn't bother me for these knives - other people demand a better finish. Some others have 30$ users, and see a 150$ knife as a safe queen - and would scrutinize the finish the same way that you would a $2,000 folder made from Unicorn horn and unobtainium.
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One could always take their knife apart, void their warranty, sand liners down to perfection and reassemble if it's that big of a deal, I agree with both sides on this one a little bit consider this, 1. its a production folder (non sprint run) that isn't going anywhere anytime soon(when's the last time you saw one in stock anywhere?),sure people have the right to expect quality out of a knife but really this is becoming a mountain out of a mole hill, It doesn't effect performance at all, and by doing some digging I've not found one para 2 that doesn't have it. I'm sure the OP is a little bummed out about this , but he could sell it right now(with proper membership) and probably get a 100% return if he's that unhappy about it.

People also need to understand what their knives are, you want as close to perfection as possible go custom, mass production=less attention to detail, not saying Spyderco cuts corners because well I know better than that, but certain things need to be done to make mass production more productive. Spyderco is not that big of a company, therefore certain things may need to be done to be able to crank out more knives, (again not saying they are slacking on QC) Also consider, materials used, man hours etc. on the knife and you really are getting a great knife at a great price. Sure people expect a certain level of quality when spending X amount of dollars on a knife, but one also has to factor in mass production, and the way mass production works. Every knife is inspected by spyderco before it leaves the factory, so they obviously know the "notches" are there, and if they were causing a problem Sal & Co. would be have corrected it a long time ago...Also one can compare a $150.00 knife to a $2,000.00 and which one do you think would have less flaws? Same as comparing a $30.00 knife to a $150.00 knife. In the knife world you get what you pay for.

Also the OP is a new member, with a legit question, I for one have owned a lot of para 2s , and have one on the way now and never noticed what he did. I do not agree with the way he was treated over a question, IMO he wasn't trying to troll or anything like that, maybe we should take a little more time to help out the new guy rather than say"use the search function" or "wrong thread" or some of the other responses I see that people give the new guys here. That's a great first impression of BladeForums and that isn't what this forum is about.Ok...Ok...I'll shut up now.
 
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Thanks for the input and welcome guys... I was just inquiring to see if it is a common thing and it looks like it is. No doubt Spyderco's are a great knife, thus my reasons for collecting them. This is my first Para 2 and I noticed it so I had to ask questions and I got many detailed answers!
I used to collect Spyderco's back in 04 and have started back up again. I love these knives, they are the only ones in my collection, just a great knife.
Thanks again!
 
I too had the same question when I bought the PM2. I assumed it was because I'm OCD and must find something wrong with every nice thing I buy. After I found out that almost every PM2 has it, I didn't care. I think sometimes we forget that 98% that buy this knife would never eve notice it. If your on this forum , you are probably the 2% and pay more attention to detail then everyone else. It's a great knife though, you'll enjoy it.
 
A Justice said:
I think you guys need to look up the word "blemish" Definition of the word blemish

Just because something is an artifact of the manufacturing process does not mean it isn't a blemish. Those marks destroy or diminish the perfection of the product. They are marks that detract from the appearance - hence the term blemish.

Why so defensive over a flaw on a Spyderco knife? It is perfectly acceptable to admit that this isn't a positive design feature and still declare your love for the PM2, I don't think they would revoke your membership to the fan club. OP had a legitimate question. The other positives of the knife will not make up for the fit and finish for everyone. That's a personal choice for you and the OP to make. It's not the same as if the notches were perfect semi-circles that were symmetrical either. It's not accurate to say that it's flawless because of that. Just say "it's a small inconsequential mark that is made during the manufacturing process. It doesn't affect function, and the cost of refinishing outweighs the benefit". You don't have to bust OP's balls over him having a different philosophy on what a 150$ knife intended for use should be.

I use my knives and something that doesn't influence the function, degrade the ergonomics or cause a problem later on doesn't bother me for these knives - other people demand a better finish. Some others have 30$ users, and see a 150$ knife as a safe queen - and would scrutinize the finish the same way that you would a $2,000 folder made from Unicorn horn and unobtainium.
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I'm pretty sure this is the most accurate and complete answer to your question. I definitely fall into the 98% who would never notice this if I hadn't read about in on here, but everyone's different.

And btw, I was around when Jalcon was going through his OCD paramilitary episode. :D. He got over it and I'm pretty sure he's become a pretty big fan of the knife. I imagine you will have the same experience. Congrats and enjoy...it's a great knife.
 
If I may add my comment.... I too just recently received a para II digi cam but with satin finish a few days ago,(my very 1st spidy) and mine also has those 2 small marks. I didnt notice until reading this post. It doesnt bother me at all... its a very cool knife! I will enjoy using it......Chris
 
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