QC standards for blade-grind symmetry

[Uncle Bill]

Sal:

How do you determine your go/no-go, or pass/fail standards for grind symmetry?

I've mentioned already that the symmetry was off on the swedge of my calypso jr. lightweight. Not bad you understand, but there nonetheless.

So what are the criteria? What does the QC person at the end of the line go on to make his pass/fail decision regarding a knife Spyderco will put its name on?

Follow up: What should a customer go on? In other words, what (from Spyderco) should we regard as worth complaining about, and what should we regard as within the QC standards you hold yourself to?

If I buy a knife from Ontario, for example, I can almost count on a large degree of symmetry problems. I can go through a whole box and see it in every example.

What should I expect from Spyderco, and what would you regard as unreasonable?

 

[Sal Glesser]

Bill - the swedge on the spine is there for several reasons; It lightens the blade, it softens the edge of the spine, it adds a visually pleasing line to the blade shape.

The standards are going to be different then they would be for edge, lock strength or even primary grinds.

We have also found that as we continue to make a model, the experience provides for constant improvement. I have 2 C52s, one with teeth. One has a balanced swedge, the other is off by 15 to 20 thousands. They all passed QC so we didn't feel that amount was enough to scrap the knife or make it a 2nd.

I would answer your quesion with questions.

1. If you are seeking a more "perfect" piece. You will have to reserve judgement until after we've made several batches and have some experience under our belts with this model. VG10 is a tough steel to grind.

2. Is there another knife company that is consistantly doing better at spine swedges especially given the steel.

3. Considering a knife is probably more difficult to make than a watch, and much of the blade work is done by hand, what would you expect given the quality and price range?

Naturally, if it really bothers you, you can send it to us for a "Perfect" replacement, but Customer service will probably think of you as "a bit picky". Remember, these knives are made for using, not collecting.

You could probably return the knife and get a refund from the vendor you purchased the knife from.

Is it more than 25% off? (about .030)

You could also keep it to remind you that even in a knife that is far superior to anything else in it's class, we are not yet perfect.

Just teasing. It's your call. We aim to please.

sal

 

[Uncle Bill]

Sal:

Thanks for the quick reply. You misunderstand me if you think I'm anything but happy with this superb knife.

I was asking mainly as a matter of curiosity. I worked briefly in QC in another industry (military contract aerospace) and was just interested.

My overall opinion of my first Spyderco is nothing but wildly enthusiastic. You make a rip-snortin' amazing knife.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Bill - Just kidding. And thanx for the kind words. The QC on a swedge is an "eye" thing rather than a "measurement" thing. The individual that is grinding the swedge will improve in skill each run. By the time we've made a few thousand, we can tighten up on the balance of the swedge.

sal