Salsa Problems

Jack142

Jack142

Joined
Aug 26, 2002
Messages
433
Hi gang,

Well, I bought a Salsa about 3 weeks ago. I dont use the clip and carry it in my right pants pocket. Well the knife has opened up several times in my pocket. Not a lot, but just enough to expose the first 1/4 inch of the blade.
On Sunday, I dropped the knife off my coffee table on to the rug in my living room. I admit I wasnt paying attention, As I picked up the knife from the floor I cut myself.
Apparently, the blade partially opened when I dropped the knife.
I tried an experiment and dropped the knife 10 more times. It opened 7 out of ten times. The more it bounced the more it opened.

I also have to tell you that I own a Meercat that has cut me twice while I was holding the knife in a reverse grip. The lock twists in your hand if you hold it just right.
So, I might be a little sensitive about this issue.
But guys, contrary to what my family thinks, I dont like cutting myself.

My question, is to all the Salsa owners out there... does you knife open as easily ?

If so then I think I will go back to carrying the pride or whatever.

If not then I am going to return it to be repaired.

But I need your feedback first. I am just trying to find out if this is the typical lockup for this knife. So I dont waste my time and money mailing it back. I might even drive to Golden with it one day.

Thanks Jack
 
I never had any problems with the Al Salsa. I had a lot of instances of opening with the Ti Salsa (a first run model). I sent it back for adjustment, and advise you do the same.
 
Carlos, what kind of adjustment did they do ? Did they just tighten the t-6 torex ? Or did they do something to the ball dedent lock ?
I been looking at this knife with a magnifer glass. there is a groove in the blade to correspond to a ball bearing in the handle of the knife. What if the groove is too deep or cut wrong ?
I cant tell without taking it apart and I wont do that cause its under warranty.
Jack
 
Honestly, I don't know. They adjusted the compression lock, sharpened it, and I assume they did some work on the detent.
 
I own a meerkat and I must admit that it's the spydie I use the less because the blade really doesn't lock or block in closed position. Quite dangerous... :(
 
I'm going to send back both the salsa and teh meerkat. See what they can do to fix the problem.
I wonder if I can drive it to the Golden plant and drop it off.
Does anyone know ?
Jack
 
Hi Jack,

Definitely get the Salsa and MeerKat back to us and let us see what's up. You can drop them off at the retail store- Spyderco Factory Outlet. They are on I-70 and Youngfield St. and their doors are open 10-6 Mon-Sat. Say 'hi' to Patti while you're there.

Also feel free to buzz Mike Hayes in warranty and repair anytime Mon-Fri 8-5 MST if you have any questions. If you're in-state try 303-279-8383 X255 out of state 800-525-7770 X255.

Sorry to hear about the problems but we'll get it right.

Joyce @ Spyderco
 
I did a couple of drop test, at about a foot over table height. The only time mine opened is whne it struck something hard. Falling on carpet is fine for it. I never had it open in the pocket, but I clip it to my pocket though.
 
Hi Calyth,

My Salsa is really loose. You can feel it close but it opens without any resistance. If you just hold the handle blade down and flick your wrist downwards it will open.
I really think the groove for the ball dedent is cut too deep.
Although, I bet you can tighten the t-6 torex screw and give the blade some resistance to opening, I am afraid that it will only keep loosening again and again. Besides, I dont think its good idea to squeeze the blade tight to stop it from opening. Wear on the working parts etc.
I bought this new so I am going to drive to Lakewood and drop off my knives on Friday. Let Spyderco fix it. Anyway it will give me something to do over lunch hour. Who knows maybe they will have a sale or something nice I can buy !
Jack
 
There's definitely something wrong with your detent. The detent on my Salsa is very solid and requires a good push from my thumb to open the blade. It's pretty difficult to flick my Salsa open even with a loose pivot pin.
 
I can spydie-drop my alum salsa open, or give it a deliberate push with my thumb to open. good strong detent. Though I have a small amount of vertical play after a few months of hard use(to be expected).
 
I been playing around with this knife. If you put a little pressure on the blade to open the knife, it kinda "springs" open for the first
3/8 inch or so.
You can feel the blade "pop" out of the dedent.
I'm got a funny feeling the little ball in there doesnt sit exactly inside the "groove/hole that it was designed to sit in.

But I guess my question is is this how your Salsa's act too ?

Also, I got another question .. if I look at the tip of the blade when the knife is closed. The tip is right at the edge of the handle. Perfectly flush with the edge of the handle.
My fingernial can pry the blade out at the tip.

How bout it gang, Is your tip of the blade of your salsa flush with the handle ?

Jack
 
hmmm...By the sound of it then, it look slike your detent is working fine, but the blade sits a little too high in the closed position becasue the tip on mine is not flush with the handle when closed and I cannot pry it open with my fingernail.

But this may be one problem:

When I first got my Salsa, I would close the knife and think that it was fully closed. But in actuality, the ball bearing is quite large and provides some resistance when closing - you may sometimes think it is closed when it stops at the ball bearing. It requires another extra little push to fully close the knife. Try it out. When you close the knife with very little pressure it will stop at the bearing with the tip sticking out. At this point it requires a little extra pressure to close it fully. Hope this helps.
 
Kublai,
Thanks for the response. I do understand what you are explaining. BUT that is not what the problem is.
I dont think the dedent is right. I think the "Ball" sits just a ahir off center of the hole. And thats why is pops open.
The knife is closed all the way. The tip is flush with the edge of the handle, and a small amout of pressure opens the knife.
What bothers me most is that it opened in my pocket 2 times. I dont use the clip. Cant have this knife opening n my pocket. I am taking it back to Spyderco Sat. am.
I am just trying to see if other Salsa's do the same thing. If thier Blade tip sits flush. IF anyone has had one open in their pocket.
Those are my questions.
Jack
 
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