Problem with inlay Native clip! =(

Joined
Jul 19, 2000
Messages
14
I have only been carrying this knife for one week, and I found a problem with it today. I have never cut anything with it, beat it up, or opened it more than 5 times.

But alas, the clip is loose! The round thing that holds the clip in is loose. I can turn it either way with my fingers. I noticed this because the clip moves from side to side. I do not know how to tighten it (what fits that weird plus thing? It's not allen, and it's not a screwdriver), and I am afraid to. The clip also does not touch the knife handle. This causes the knife to be very loose in the pocket, and I am afraid that if I ever run, it will fall out.

I would like to say that it is a very beautiful knife. I was at work when I took it out with a big frown and yelled at all my coworkers to come see what was wrong -- a customer saw it and said, "Is that an Emerson or a Benchmade?" I told him it was a Spyderco. One of five hundred, I added with a big grin like a dumb kid showing off his new toy. He says, "How much was it, three, four, five hundred?" I asked him what he said (wasn't sure if I heard right), and he said, "How much was it, four, five hundred?" Heh... That anyone can think it is worth so much says a lot. ^_^

In my other pocket, however, I carry one of those S&W folders you guys make fun of so much. Before I bought this Spyderco, it was the most expensive knife I ever bought -- it was forty something bucks. But though it is beat up and ugly, the clip is not having any problems. And I note that not only does the clip touch the handle on knife, but it seems to have so much tension that if the knife was not there, the clip would bend inwards even more.

I admit that I have not had the Spyderco long enough to remember if the clip touched the handle -- but it seems really dumb if it doesn't. =(

At any rate, how do I tighten the clip screw? I am kind of upset that I spent so much money on a knife (I know it is not a lot to you guys, but I have never paid so much before) and it does not work right. Did I do something wrong by carrying it? The customer remarked that he thinks I am not supposed to carry that kind of knife, and it is for collector's use only. =(
 
I've been carrying my blue inlay Native for about two weeks now and there are no problems with it at all. The clip does touch the handle, and it holds fairly securely. It looks like you need a big phillips head screwdriver to tighten it. Loctite might help there too.

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Jason aka medusaoblongata
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"To give is a need, to receive is mercy." - Thus Spoke Zarathustra
 
Um, if it's like most production knives I've handled, the screws are Torx. Benchmade sells a pocket kit for about $10, or you can try a decent-sized hardware store for regular drivers.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
Benchmade uses torx, but my Spydercos use phillips screws. I'm sure that's what Senshi is referring to as 'plus things'.
 
Does the inlay Native have the same screw head as the regular one? I think it does. If so, then you just use a penny to tighten and loosen it. (How's that for an inexpensive tool?
smile.gif
) A similar small coin will also work, but it's specifically designed for a penny.

If the clip doesn't touch the handle, you can always remove it and slightly bend it yourself. It's a very easy procedure. Personally, when I buy a new Clipit, I usually bend the clips so they don't press as hard against the handle. That allows for easier drawing.

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Cerulean

"My good reason to carry a knife is that God gave me rather weak teeth and rudimentary claws in an evolutionary trade-off." - J.K.M.
 
That's the beauty about the Native. You don't need some specialized screwdriver to remove/adjust the clip, like most knives do. It is yet another simple yet elegant feature in such a well-designed knife.

Do not despair! This is NOT a manufacuring problem, and you have made an excellent purchase. Two people have said to get a penny. I use two quarters myself. Take one quarter (or penny) and hold the opposite side of the screw. Take the other quarter and turn the side that's facing you to tighten it. Voila! The screw is tightened and your problem is fixed!

-Flood
 
Flood nailed the procedure on the head. I use two nickels. Relax, it's nothing to worry about.

Paul
 
send it to me...ill take care of it for you. and when i send it back, don't worry if it seems to be just black zytel handle...lol.

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Sean
 
Thanks for all the help, guys... the penny did work -- I was afraid to take it off, but I took it off anyway. I showed it to my friend and he says he thinks that the clip is supposed to go inside an indention, but it doesn't fit quite right. The indention seems to be the wrong shape, and at any rate, the clip won't go all the way in anyway (only one side will). I bent the clip back into shape and penny'd the screw back on, and it touched. For the rest of the day, anyway. Today, I noticed that my knife was missing -- lo and behold, it had fallen out. Luckily, I was at home and I found it rather quickly.

And would you believe it, there was a big gap between the clip and the handle again -- I really have no idea what is going on. I am not using it or playing any sports. I don't take it out at all. The S&W on the other side that I do use is not having any problems -- maybe it is just the way the Spyderco's clip is designed, I guess. It has this U shaped thing whereas the S&W just goes straight down to the handle.

Well, I have no idea what is going on. Maybe little gremlins are maliciously bending it away from the handle while I am not paying attention, or maybe this clip-not-touching problem is related to the fact that the clip does not fit the indention -- I notice the side that doesn't fit (and has an extra wavy-shaped cut out) seems to be lined with superglue or something. The other side doesn't have it. Oh well...

I think I will stick with my cheapo knives from now on. They don't have problems and even if they did, I wouldn't feel bad about having spent so much...

Thanks for all your help, guys... ^^
 
If there is a problem with the knife, send it to the factory for warranty work. Spyderco"s service is top notch. They will take care of you. Don't let a minor glitch in one knife get you down. Spyderco is one of the best out there.

Paul
 
Well, I don't want it any more. It irritates me. I have this guy, number 298 -- opened no more than 5 times and never cut with. Shows no wear except for a little bit of black stuff missing from the screw for the clip -- but perfect on the other side. Go figure. oO;

I also have the brown one -- number 209. I've never even looked at it and it is still in the box and in the bag from the store I bought it from. =/

I guess I will take any reasonable offer for 'em 'cause I am just upset that I wasted my money on this stuff.. =[

If interested, please e-mail me so as not to waste forum space and bother other people. Thanks ....
 
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