something's not right with my new Blue Lum - help!

spyken

spyken

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Joined
Apr 29, 2002
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I just received my Blue Lum PE today. A really beautiful knife - I like the blade shape, size and design very much. In fact, the handle is grippier than I had feared (after reading the reviews).

So, I open the knife......The opening's rather smooth BUT....

(1) it becomes jerky at the end of the opening cycle before it locks open! THERE'S HORIZONTAL BLADEPLAY!!! I know I'm not imagining this thing as I used my fingers to see if the blade would shift about AND IT DID:( :grumpy:

(2) that's not all, when I depress the liner to close it, there's a horrible clackety clickety sound :( :grumpy:

(3) the flatground VG10 could definitely have been sharper :( :grumpy: - yes it shaves, but it takes quite a bit of effort. Now, the Lum is supposed to be one of the sharpest spydies (due to its latground blade, thin edge and VG10) so I know that it could have been sharper

(4) lastly, there's a bit of sharp uneven finish at the inside edge of the handle that really bugs me (no pun intended). :( :grumpy:

Is this how the Lum is supposed to be? Have I been expecting too much? Is the bladeplay normal as the Lum has the eccentric pivot? After all the reviews, and bearing in mind the price tag of the Lum, I must say that I'm quite disappointed. This is really a sad day for me, as I have been waiting for a month to get this knife...

On another note, the SPOT which I received was also not as sharp as I have come to expect from Spyderco (and the edge finish looks a bit rough).....
:(

Now, I'm one of the staunchest supporters of Spyderco and am aware of its great customer service and Sal's commitment to make things right for the customer (heck, I just told someone not to worry about his spydie, and that Sal would make things right, no questions about it)...but

What should I do? I just paid a huge international shipping bill for the knives.

Help!
 
Having had a Blue Lum chinese I feel I can comment on at least a few of your issues.

- Sharp interior handle edges, mine had it, might be normal.

- Blade Play + liner clacking sounds like the pivot is loose, you may want to carefully try and tighten the pivot.
 
Originally posted by DaveH
Having had a Blue Lum chinese I feel I can comment on at least a few of your issues.

- Sharp interior handle edges, mine had it, might be normal.

- Blade Play + liner clacking sounds like the pivot is loose, you may want to carefully try and tighten the pivot.
Click to expand...

I tried to tighten - very gently but the liner wouldn't engage then. the blade moves as though it was in a socket...

as for the sharp interior handle edges - there's this little bit that's rough n sharp...should I just take a ceramic and polish it off? I'm now too afraid to make things worse....

wonder if Sal can help? I would like to send it back to be looked at but wow, it cost quite a bit, really....and a new knife too...
 
I handeled one just like that at a gun show last year.It was NIB.I handed it to the dealer and asked him to try it.He said he was going to send it back.I have had a couple and handled many and it is the only one I have ever seen like that.Not normal.
 
Originally posted by u812
I handeled one just like that at a gun show last year.It was NIB.I handed it to the dealer and asked him to try it.He said he was going to send it back.I have had a couple and handled many and it is the only one I have ever seen like that.Not normal.
Click to expand...

that's what I thought...also forgot to mention that my Lum has a very weak ball detent - it opens way too easily when it's closed.

I'm really quite disappointed - cos this is my most expensive knife I've bought and my most expensive folder. And the Lum is supposed to be a critically acclaimed knife. I really like the design and ergonomics and flat wide blade. But I think I've got a lemon.

Sal, I've sent you an email - really hope you can help me. My email address was kenjiryukashi@hotmail.com as my normal email is down.

Thanks.
 
Hi Spyken. Sounds like a real pain in the a$$. Apologies. I'll look into it on Monday.

sal
 
Originally posted by Sal Glesser
Hi Spyken. Sounds like a real pain in the a$$. Apologies. I'll look into it on Monday.

sal
Click to expand...

thank you Sal.:)
 
I remember that when I got my first chinese folder there was some problems with it too, I ended up sending it back to the store I bought it from to get it replaced. The second one had no problems
 
Originally posted by Sal Glesser
Hi Spyken. Sounds like a real pain in the a$$. Apologies. I'll look into it on Monday.

sal
Click to expand...

Sal, did you get my email - waiting to hear from you, anxiously. Haha, doubly so cos the Lum is so gorgeous and mine's not right...
 
I have the serrated Chinese with green handles. I have also had a problem with the lock-up. The linerlock slides all the way to the other side. I've taken to tightening it up once a week because I can't figure out how to get any Lock-Tite in there to seize it up. It will likely end up as a dress knife.
 
I have a Lum Chinese and it is absolutely perfect...None of the problems you experienced. Hope Spyderco fixes that one up for you.

Hawkbill,
The green actually looks better in person than it does online. It's more of a Forest green than the bright green it appears online. (At first I thought I just had my moniter set wrong, but checked my friends and work and the pictures all look bright green... IN PERSON IT IS DARK GREEN)
-Kevin
 
I also like the green Lum more than the blue, having handled both. The color is a lot bolder, and just more my style. They're both pretty, just the green is a bit nicer. spyken, let us know how it turns out. I think you'll be real happy with it once it's all fixed up.
 
Sal, pls can I hear from you on the status of the knives that were sent in? Thanks - sorry to seem impatient cos I've been w/o them for a couple of weeks.

thanks,
spyken
 
Thank you Sal, Olive, spyderco for taking care of my knives....and thanks for that little gift you put in the box. :D I can now give my sister something to get her started on spydercos.

I would like to share that my blue lum has come back perfect. I'm think maybe spyderco replaced the original one, but nonetheless, my blue lum, which I think is the most gorgeous spydie now has a perfectly smooth lock-up, no bladeplay and is VERY SHARP. Spyderco also gave me a new SPOT to replace the one I sent in. Spyderco even paid for the shipping to me - I really appreciate their gesture (especially since I'm pretty tight on cash).

I'm happy to say that Sal and company have not let me down. ok, maybe I was hoping to get a hand-signed letter from Sal himself (it would have been nice to get a hand-signed letter - I'm a bit of an old-fashioned guy who likes seeing seals, signatures and monograms) but the emails from Olive, and Sal's posts on this forum gave me assurance that Spyderco does indeed look after their customers, even if we reside 12 time zones away.

I am very happy.

spyken

:D
 
I did get a hand-signed letter after all...it came separately by way of mail!:D


Thanks Sal n spyderco!


spyken
 
Spyken,

You sure did receive wonderful treatment from "the company". My blue Lum was absolutely perfect when I received it, glad your's is now too. It is a beautiful instrument indeed.

Best wishes, Jeff/1911.
 
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