Southard Lockup

M

martinlutherbling

Joined
Oct 10, 2014
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Hey ya'll,
Got my Southard in the mail today, from the big river store. I really like the knife, but a couple of things were weird. First, the tape on the outside of the box was broken, and the bubble wrap around the knife was taped closed with strong tape.
Also, the lockup seems a bit late for a new knife. The action is pretty smooth and it locks up nice and tight. No blade play or anything, but I'd say lockup is at like 60% or so. I kind of suspect I got a returned knife?
Here's a pic of the lockup.
 

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I've never recieved a box taped shut from Spyderco?

Also by memory, all my southards were sealed in plastic not bubble wrap like yours. The lockup looks about the same :)
 
I suspect the bubble wrap was added and boxed taped closed to prevent the knife from freeing itself during transit potentially causing real damage. The lockup is normal. The more engagement surface the stronger the lock will hold so its not a bad thing. My spydercos have ranged from 40%-70% engagement when new. Its just manufacturing tolerances causing the variation. You will never wear the lockbar beyond 100%, but if you do Spyderco will take care of it.
Enjoy your new knife.
 
Amazon requested that Spyderco tape the boxes shut but I believe they use an adhesive circle on each end. Not 100% though as I've never ordered a Spyderco through Amazon. Also unless they've changed something the Taiwan made knives ship in a sealed bag.

As for the lock up it looks fine to me. Can you post some other pictures?
 
rycen said:
Amazon requested that Spyderco tape the boxes shut but I believe they use an adhesive circle on each end. Not 100% though as I've never ordered a Spyderco through Amazon. Also unless they've changed something the Taiwan made knives ship in a sealed bag.

As for the lock up it looks fine to me. Can you post some other pictures?
Click to expand...


You sir are correct.
My first Spydie, the Vallotton, was ordered thru Amazon, and it was just as you described. Now, some Taichung Spydies like the Vallotton will come in a sealed heavy plastic bag, and some don't.
 
The lockup looks a little on the late side of normal, but my Southward has exhibited zero change in lockup, and it gets exercised a lot and was one of the first lot of knives shipped - I think you're ok. You could give Spyderco a call and see what they think the normal range is, too.
 
Actually your lock up looks better than mine on the Southard. Centering is perfect and there is no movement of the blade when deployed - seems solid and very secure. I didn't think I had a problem :roll eyes:

What is normal?
 
Thanks for all the replies. The lockup looked a bit late to me compared to other Spyderco's and frame locks I've owned.
As far as the packaging, the circular stickers were cut on one side of the Spyderco box, and the bubble wrap sleeve was taped shut with what looked like USPS a packing tape (with torn perforations on one end). All the Taichung Spyderco's I've had came in a plastic sleeve rather than bubble wrap. My guess is that someone got it, swathe late lockup and returned it. It's not a huge concern but they have an awesome exchange policy so I'm getting a new one for peace of mind.
 
Got the replacement Southard yesterday. The box was in much better shape, and still sealed. The knife did come in a bubble wrap pouch but it wasn't taped shut with packing tape. However, the lockup on this one is even later. Oh well, I'll live with it.
Threw on a black Gnoleb deep carry clip, smoothed/thinned/broke edges on the scale, and dyed it and the lock stop black. Looks and feels great!
AND I've got a spketch scale in the works. Stoked!
 
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rycen said:
Amazon requested that Spyderco tape the boxes shut but I believe they use an adhesive circle on each end. Not 100% though as I've never ordered a Spyderco through Amazon. Also unless they've changed something the Taiwan made knives ship in a sealed bag.

As for the lock up it looks fine to me. Can you post some other pictures?
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's a little plastic circle.
 
martinlutherbling said:
Hey ya'll,
Got my Southard in the mail today, from the big river store. I really like the knife, but a couple of things were weird. First, the tape on the outside of the box was broken, and the bubble wrap around the knife was taped closed with strong tape.
Also, the lockup seems a bit late for a new knife. The action is pretty smooth and it locks up nice and tight. No blade play or anything, but I'd say lockup is at like 60% or so. I kind of suspect I got a returned knife?
Here's a pic of the lockup.
Click to expand...

I have the same exact lockup on my southard I just got a week ago. Was also wondering if this is normal or I got a lemon
 
when i got my soutard, it stared right at about 30% then over the next two weeks moved to 50% engagement,i think this is normal brake it!i have gotten the bubble rap with some but not all taichung made spyderco's! to the OP,piece of mine is worth every penny these days.
 
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