Spine whacked!

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Jun 6, 2002
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My Endura trainer closed right up on the spine whack test; this I did while waiting for stuff to download on the forums. This gave me cause for concern.

Naturally, I went and got the "live" Endura (Zytel handle) and then wacked the cr*p out of it, but it DID NOT GIVE. This made me feel OK.

Are the trainers a little less well-made, or are Spyderco knives spotty when it comes to an effective lock mechanism?

I was eyeing other Spyderco knives, in addition to discontinued models at a local store, but I need a little reassurance before I go forth and spend more money.
 
Send it in. Out of all the Spydercos I've ever owned, not one has failed the spine-whack test.
In fact, if you look at the dealer video, Spyderco QC workers spine-whack every folder (lightly) before boxing it and sending it out. Maybe yours got past them, maybe you've done something to it, maybe you whacked it too damn hard... I have no way of knowing. I do know that you should send it in, however. And I also know that you shouldn't be afraid to trust a Spyderco product. Hope you get this worked out.
 
Thanks for the quick reply.

On historical usage, this is essentially a new trainer that, so far, just been used just doing basic opening and inertial opening techniques with. No further abuse of any kind.

At first though, "it's just a trainer", but then again, once I get to working with a partner, it might close up on me - OK, I won't get cut, but it could be a hassle occasionally having it close during drills.

I guess the main question, which you've answered, is to expect all Spyderco's to be well-locked once opened. I will test new knives when they come in.

I didn't think of sending the trainer in -- do I send it in directly to Spyderco, or go through the local knife shop that sold it?
 
Originally posted by ThinkOfTheChildren
And I also know that you shouldn't be afraid to trust a Spyderco product. Hope you get this worked out.
Click to expand...

I checked out your collection. Very nice.

As it happens, I just scored a NIB Bob Lum Tanto combo edge in titanium handle!! Looking forward to it. Also got another Endura, but with the SpyderEdge, for when I want to carry double-Endura's.
 
If the local shop will exchange it for you, then go for it. Otherwise you can send it in to Spyderco with a letter explaining the problem:

Spyderco Inc.
Attention: Warranty and Repair
820 Spyderco Way, Golden, Colorado 80403-8053
 
I would use great restraint in spine whacking a FRN lockback folding knife. The materials and construction are not strong enough for extreme abuse, and you could damage the knife even if it passes. The Endura is a great knife, just have realistic expectations of the lock strength, and use it accordingly.
 
The Delica, Endura, and the like are specified as medium lock strength if I remember correctly. Like Steve said, they really aren't designed to withstand an extreme spine whack. If you really like to whack your knives (that doesn't quite sound right:eek: ) check out one of the compression folders with G10 scales or an MBC rated knife.
Good luck with your training,
Matt
 
If you REALLY feel a NEED to "spine-wack" your knives, do it with a fixed-blade...It's much safer for your fingers!.:).
 
Please excuse my complete and utter ignorance here, but just how do you "spine whack" a knife? Are you talking about holding the knife in one hand with an open and locked blade and tapping the blade on the spine to check the strength of the locking mechanism?
 
That's the basic idea, but you better keep your hands out of the way. If it does fail, it could close on your fingers.....
 
Originally posted by Jazzman
The Delica, Endura, and the like are specified as medium lock strength if I remember correctly. check out one of the compression folders with G10 scales or an MBC rated knife.
Matt
Click to expand...

Now I just went and purchaed a second Endura, because I like the shape of the handle and how it feels, figuring I'd be carrying double Enduras once in a while. I hope this purchase was not a mistake.

A chief reason for getting the Endura in the first place was it's ambi-friendliness. I am mostly lefty, butn can use righty a lot. Another was the large blade purchase, enabling all sorts of opening tecnniques. Now I'm being troubled by what might not be a strong lock.

Are there any B10 scales or MBC rated compression lock Sypdercos that I should be looking at that might have the ability to switch the clip for lefty?
 
Originally posted by longbow50
Please excuse my complete and utter ignorance here, but just how do you "spine whack" a knife? Are you talking about holding the knife in one hand with an open and locked blade and tapping the blade on the spine to check the strength of the locking mechanism?
Click to expand...

That's exactly right. Some manufacturers (like REKAT) discourage this and regard it as abuse. Some folks are of the opinion that if you are ever in a situation where you need to draw your folder in self defence, you want a folder that will not fold down on your fingers in the event your opponent whacks at the blade. A folder that stands up to the spine whack test will "supposedly" offer a secure lockup.

Personally, I use my folding knives for utilitarian tasks (it's reasonably safe where I live) so self-defence is not something I preocupy myself with too much. Nevertheless, one never knows what to expect. In most cases the mere sight of a quickly deployed folder will make a dumb punk think twice, but if you really have to get "down and dirty" I'd choose a fixed blade. No folder, no matter how stong the locking mechanism will take the abuse that a full tang 4 inch fixed blade can.
 
Thanks for the info. Yeah, I'd want a good solid 3-4" fixed blade knife if confronted with that situation, but any ol tool will do if it's all you got.

We thought we were in a real safe area where we are and a couple of weeks ago two hispanic males tried to lure a child from the elementary school and into their vehicle. Bunch of sick creeps in this old world of ours.
 
Are there any B10 scales or MBC rated compression lock Sypdercos that I should be looking at that might have the ability to switch the clip for lefty?
 
I think spine whacking folders to check their defensiveness strength can answer some questions but really not others. A gentleman a year or two ago successfully killed an attacking black bear in Alaska, I believe, armed only with a Buck 110 and his own will to survive( though he nearly died trying to reach help). I'm sure lots of people can get a Buck 110 to fail a spine-whack test, but in fact it held up after stabbing a bear several times in extreme high stress. It also has a needle-fine tip but from the photos shown in the magazine, it seemed to have held up.

I think using a folding knife at all in SD is a bit of a risk. One thing, when you need to truly defend yourself, you must use whatever you have. But all folders fold, so regardless of the lock mechanism, anything MIGHT fail. Another problem is if you pull it on someone, you had better have a damned good reason, and better be ready to use it, not threaten with it. If you pull on the wrong person and aren't ready to follow through, a hardened criminal will see right through you.

I personally carry my folders for utility or potential utility purposes first of all. I have occasionally spine-whacked some folders, but relatively lightly, hitting against my thigh. Even so, I feel by continually spine-whacking you are gradually, ever so slightly damaging the knife if you do it hard.
Jim
 
There's this guy named Bob Kasper. He seems to be pretty good with knives. Maybe some on the forum has heard of him. When he gets a new knife, he spine-wacks the hell out of it. Hard. He said, "if it fails this test, it does not go into my pocket." This sentiment seems to make a lot of sense to me.

Yes, I carry fixed blade as first choice.

But I'd still like ask knowledgeable Spyderco owners for an answer to a simple question - and not have the question get lost among secondary discussions, the subjects of which have been pretty much beat to death elsewhere in this forum.

Are there any G-0 scales or MBC rated compression lock Sypdercos that I should be looking at that might have the ability to switch the clip for lefty?
 
Longbow, what does it matter that they were hispanic? If it's sick creeps who attack children you're worried about, I would start with white males. The kindly neighborhood ones who you would never think of as a sick creep. They do the majority of these crimes.

Johnny
 
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