Seki City knives quality and Endura ti damascus

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mael333ca

Joined
Jul 5, 2012
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Hello everyone,

I was just wondering if I am alone think the Seki city Spydercos could use some re tuning in regards to quality control.

Don't get me wrong, I love spydercos and am gonna keep on using and collecting them, but I just feel these Japanese imports have the less quality in fit and finish of their whole line up. My first endura came with a blade not centered and it's not an adjustment issue, the blade was ground unevenly, yet it is still one of my favorite knives lol. I got the super blue endura, that one was just fine, aside for the fact that when I first opened it, there was some much dirt in the pivot from factory, that the base of the blade got way scratched up. I do have a Delica in SB, that one was quite perfect!

but now I just received the Endura ti damascus. Same issue with the blade nearly touching one side of the scales from been ground a little uneven and the scales came with scratches, under their plastic protective stickers... that was a disappointment, I had not yet decided if I was gonna keep it as a collectible or a user, well it is gonna be a user after, a very fine one at that!

now I was wondering I a was gonna purchase a secondary one to keep aside, but I am unsure of this. they is a sale right now, perhaps I could just ask the salesmen to check out for these small issues prior to shipping it out next time?

What y'all think of all this?
 
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I have had zero problems with Spyderco quality, regardless of source. *knock on wood*

But, if I ever did, I would not hestate to return it.

I did returm a BM Ritter Mini Grip last Xmas with similar issues. And I asked that its replacement be checked before shipment and it was perfect.
 
I own more Seki-made Spydercos than those made in other areas. Maybe a year ago I thought I noticed some slipping in the overall quality of the knives but it was mainly due to the stiff opening of the current models with back locks. After a bit of use, the knives smoothed out considerably and now open easily. So...I guess I was a bit hasty in my criticisms. I've since come to the conclusion that Spydercos have really good to excellent fit and finish no matter where they're built.

I've had no off-center blades from Spyderco that I can recall, however, being a little off-center is not a defect in my opinion. It's more of a cosmetic issue unless the blade rubs the liner. Same for uneven grinds unless it's so badly off the blade looks like a chisel grind.
 
i own two stretch's with VG-10 and they seem vary good quality and the bevels on these knifes seem to be even at that! i have had a couple out of golden C. where the grinds are uneven sad to say! but no issues with the ones out of seki-city japan,love all my spyderco's though.:thumbup:
 
Lee48 said:
I own more Seki-made Spydercos than those made in other areas. Maybe a year ago I thought I noticed some slipping in the overall quality of the knives but it was mainly due to the stiff opening of the current models with back locks. After a bit of use, the knives smoothed out considerably and now open easily. So...I guess I was a bit hasty in my criticisms. I've since come to the conclusion that Spydercos have really good to excellent fit and finish no matter where they're built.

I've had no off-center blades from Spyderco that I can recall, however, being a little off-center is not a defect in my opinion. It's more of a cosmetic issue unless the blade rubs the liner. Same for uneven grinds unless it's so badly off the blade looks like a chisel grind.
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yeah I hear you, yet I am left a little disappointed, the Ti endura I got, would have been a factory second from Kai...T'is not a deal breaker, but It can't serve as a collection piece. It's not a real problem in that regards, as It just make it already ''broken in'' or in somewhat used condition form the factory. they are scratches on one side of the blade too....

The issues is that if my intent was to keep the knife prestine, to sell after it discontinues. Let's say you'r looking to buy it then from me, willing to pay the premium price of 300$...would you still knowing it got these issues?!?

but to be Honest, I just don't see how one would defend this unless your saying spydercos are not high end production knives...
 
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The Seki knives are my favorite for some reason. I can see the difference in fit and finish between country of origin, however, operation of the knives have been flawless for me. I have a Delica, Dragonfly, Tasman and my brother owns and loves his Endura. no complaints over here! I'm thinking about picking up a waved Endura for myself. I'm just a big fan of the FRN and mid lock.
 
yeah the endura and delica are great designs, Sal is a master blade smith and his son is alos spot on in regards to his designs.

If I were to rank their products by countries of manufacture in regards to fit and finish, Taiwan comes first, Colorado and then I might place China before japan...they might just be on par... with the added cost of the currencies exchange and imports, I'd like to see Spyderco drop Japan to produce these designs in Colorado with the west's particle metallurgy steels.
 
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mael333ca said:
yeah I hear you, yet I am left a little disappointed, the Ti endura I got, would have been a factory second from Kai...T'is not a deal breaker, but It can't serve as a collection piece. It's not a real problem in that regards, as It just make it already ''broken in'' or in somewhat used condition form the factory. they are scratches on one side of the blade too....

The issues is that if my intent was to keep the knife prestine, to sell after it discontinues. Let's say you'r looking to buy it then from me, willing to pay the premium price of 300$...would you still knowing it got these issues?!?

but to be Honest, I just don't see how one would defend this unless your saying spydercos are not high end production knives...
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So why not return it? Most wouldn't pay your price on resale since you can get them for $200CD in country.
 
Danke42 said:
So why not return it? Most wouldn't pay your price on resale since you can get them for $200CD in country.
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you missed on the '' to sell after it discontinues'' part, but here goes: because although my first endura has that same off blade grind(not the bevel, the whole blade) making it it off center, after a year and a half of daily use it grew on me and it's still one of my favorite among higher end blades to this day lol. So I figured the same will be true for the endura. I'd be well happy to have it has a user, which will then end up been scratched up here and there anyways.

To be fair, I can attest that my Caly 3.5 is flawless and has remained so after use, but that is from a different factory. I guess I'll end up ordering another one, but will ask the salesman to check out the blade to get a flawless one, most pieces are certainly just so.
 
I don't know if you can speculate on increasing value for a user knife. In any case definitely swap it out.
 
Yes Seki quality has been spotty in my experience. That's why most of my recent purchases are made in Taichung.
 
Danke42 said:
I don't know if you can speculate on increasing value for a user knife. In any case definitely swap it out.
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lol, you'r also missing out on the fact that now it ''couldn't'' be a collector like this, so basically that idea got dropped.

But yeah, I've contacted W&W and will have it swapped. They will inspect the next one to insure it is as it should have been...PERFECT! lol


@AF I hear ya, it's a damn shame that I'll have to think more then twice before purchasing further Seki produced spydies.
 
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mael333ca said:
@AF I hear ya, it's a damn shame that I'll have to think more then twice before purchasing further Seki produced spydies.
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I wouldn't worry about it. It isn't a common thing at all. Hope the replacement is up to par! In fact, I'm sure it'll be. :D
 
about two years ago my thinking was like the OP! i would never even think to have a knife that was made in taiwan,the one coming out of taichung factory are not only grate!there amazing quality in fit and form,i only own these three,but the two gayle bradley's where made 4 years apart looking at the box codes! but there dead on with there finish/fit/polish,and that says QUALITY to me,things change my friend,and this probably has something to do with spyderco's quality control overseeing the plant in taiwan,i'm one happy customer.:)http://[URL=http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/blanex1/media/BGBB7130.jpg.html][/URL]
 
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