First let me say my knowledge of Spyderco knives is limited at best. I have a basic knowledge of knife construction and do not even pretend to be anything but a novice. Now that I have duly humbled myself, let me inquire. Why does Spyderco use pins in their knife construction. I have owned many different brand production knives ranging from entry level to rather expensive ; Benchmade, Kershaw, Microtech, and a few other production knives. I have also owned a Strider SNG and a CRK Sabenza. None have ever used pins to secure their frames. Actually I thought, until I was educated on here, that pins were only used on cheap flea market knives. I know to the knowledgeable this might be a really novice question. Let me apologize in advance if I have broken any kind of etiquette in asking here on this forum. I will now sit back and wait to be educated.
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Pins
- Thread starter murfdog67
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Hi Murf!
I don't have much going on this evening, lol. Here is a quote from Sal on the topic from a thread on the other forum:
"As to the pinning of knives, sometimes it's design requirements such as the Caly series, sometimes it's material as in Salts. In order to make the Caly with screws, I would have had to make some significant (to me) design adjustments to accomodate the larger size of the screws. I believe thoses changes would have diminished the design. The success or failure of a product is often in the design.*
First is the concept, then the design, then the materials, then the quality of manufacture, then the price. I rarely bend on the first 4. If your values (priorities) put materials (screws) or manufacturing method (pins) ahead of design, my apologies for our differences.
sal"
I'm not sure if it is ok to post cross forum links here, but if you search "why spyderco pinned" you should find it.
I don't have much going on this evening, lol. Here is a quote from Sal on the topic from a thread on the other forum:
"As to the pinning of knives, sometimes it's design requirements such as the Caly series, sometimes it's material as in Salts. In order to make the Caly with screws, I would have had to make some significant (to me) design adjustments to accomodate the larger size of the screws. I believe thoses changes would have diminished the design. The success or failure of a product is often in the design.*
First is the concept, then the design, then the materials, then the quality of manufacture, then the price. I rarely bend on the first 4. If your values (priorities) put materials (screws) or manufacturing method (pins) ahead of design, my apologies for our differences.
sal"
I'm not sure if it is ok to post cross forum links here, but if you search "why spyderco pinned" you should find it.
Rasco I was specifically referring to my next delivered knife the Caly 3.5 and other plus $100.00 knives from spyderco. I'm my experience they seem to o be one of the few, if not the only, "higher end" production companies using pins on their knives. I think I might have broken or bent a rule opening this thread........ 😱
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Nah, you didn't make any mistake. Apophis just wasn't sure if he was supposed to post a direct link to the spyderco forum here on BF. But I'm pretty sure it's completely koscher. Hope so because I do it all the time. 
Pretty solid answer by Sal on the subject too. Don't sweat the pinned construction on the caly. Spyderco has been making em like that for quite a while. There qc is very good and they wouldn't still be making em that way if there was any issue. I have one I carry regularly and have zero issues.
Pretty solid answer by Sal on the subject too. Don't sweat the pinned construction on the caly. Spyderco has been making em like that for quite a while. There qc is very good and they wouldn't still be making em that way if there was any issue. I have one I carry regularly and have zero issues.
Thank you for your direct answer and being hands down no bs. I appreciate it. Can't wait to play with it. I have a two day old Spyderco Persistence that I think I have open and close at least one year worth of wear. LolNah, you didn't make any mistake. Apophis just wasn't sure if he was supposed to post a direct link to the spyderco forum here on BF. But I'm pretty sure it's completely koscher. Hope so because I do it all the time.
Pretty solid answer by Sal on the subject too. Don't sweat the pinned construction on the caly. Spyderco has been making em like that for quite a while. There qc is very good and they wouldn't still be making em that way if there was any issue. I have one I carry regularly and have zero issues.
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The problem I have with pins is I can't clean the knife. I have an old Rescue. I would love to take it apart to clean and grease it. The pins and washers are rusty from lots of use. I wrote to Spyderco about it and they don't take knives apart. I would happily pay them for new pins and washers but I'm out of luck. I guess I could just buy a new one but I have grown attached to mine.
Sal Glesser
Moderator
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Hi Murfdohg,
No problems and no rules broken. This is a discussion forum and people join regularly. They always have questions and the group here is kind enough and knowledgable enough to share info.
sal
No problems and no rules broken. This is a discussion forum and people join regularly. They always have questions and the group here is kind enough and knowledgable enough to share info.
sal
Thank you Mr Glesser, being new here I don't want my excitement over my new Spydercos to bend or break any rules. I had read and replied to a post in a different thread where you spoke of design and quality, reference Japan. I am a retired police officer and on duty I trusted my life to a firearm made in Austria . Talk about a controversial subject because of American firearm manufacturing monopolies. As Americans, I know how proud we are of made in the USA, but we also forget many high quality items are made in other countries especially Japan. As I had previously mentioned, my father spent several years in Japan, after the war, to install the Marshall plan. Many if not all Japanese industries were directly effected. So, in a way, we taught them, they became very efficient, and in turn taught us. The teacher had to become the student. Finally we are a global economy. I am so excited to be receiving my second ever Spyderco knife. The first hooked me hard and I'm sure after the second my eyes will be glazed over and drool will be coming from my mouth. After all I discovered it is your choice for edc, Caly 3.5. Thank you for a quality product at a fair price sir.
Todd
Todd
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Hose it out with a light lube with lots of evaporating carrier, like spray RemOil. If it's really grubby, hit it with an air compressor (be careful not to blow knives out of control, whether open or closed) and then re-do the light lube blast. That is likely to take care of your old friend.
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Screws allow user serviceability. They also allow users to discover that having facial hair and being able to pee standing up does not always equate to having mechanical ability. They also unscrew on their own occasionally, sometimes causing minor annoyance, sometimes more serious consequences. Pins tend to stay put, are more idiot resistant, and allow for a more beautiful looking knife. Which looks better?
This:
or this:
The good news is that Spyderco offers a slew of screw construction models for those who prefer screws, and a slew of pinned models for those who don't.
This:
or this:
The good news is that Spyderco offers a slew of screw construction models for those who prefer screws, and a slew of pinned models for those who don't.
One thought about screws vs pins is the handle material. In a knife such as the Manix 2 LW, surely one could easily over torque any screws leading to cracks in the translucent scales? Surely, Carbon fibre (another strong but brittle material) would have similar problems? Pins make sure that I can't ruin my knife.
Good lord I don't even want to ask where you carry that. Lol. What model is that. I like the hawk's bill blade. Thanks for sharing. Actually it could be what my Caly 3.5 will eventually give birth to 😄💣🔪No problems yet with my pinned pin
