Spyderco edges

db said:
... it sounds like you are getting all the rejects, or ones that slip by qc.
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Considering that a significant amount of them were evaluation pieces that seems unlikely. I have noticed no difference in fit/finish in the ones that I have bought and the ones I have sent so I would assume they are all random selection. The odds on them all being defects considering the amount I have seen is less than 10^-21 assuming even a high defect rate, in reality is it likely lower. This is similar to buying one 649 ticket three weeks in a row and winning the jackpot each time. I have also seen similar issues with the other knives I have seen on knives in that price range, Spyderco doesn't stand out in edge aesthetics in either way based on the few hundred knives I have inspected closely.

I have seen worst problems on inexpensive knives, generally the edge thickness will vary more, enough to notice it by eye on a casual inspection on some. But even on customs I have not seen any better on the hand ground edges. I saw the same thing on a Military which Clark reground and his skill is pretty far above average. Likely he could probably make it more even if he had the inclination or practice as you basically have to match the exact sweep of the edge curvature and maintain a constant speed along the belt. Most makers will admit when hand sharpening they will bais the grind due to hand dominance, I asked about this on the forums years ago when I noticed that most knives were asymmetric in the same way.

The worst example of uneven grinds I have seen were on Striders where you could tell readily by eye that the primary sabre-hollow grind was significantly higher on one side than the other, no need to measure it. When you then sharpen the edge on the same angle it will be highly asymmetric because the primary is deeper on one side than the other. Strider's are kind of an exception in regards to finish/fit issues anyway as most of their user base has the opposite reaction to them, they tend to almost see them as positive effects as they reflect a focus as working tools rather than art pieces, but as DaveH and others have noted that is an issue of contention and not everyone shares that opinion. They don't seem to have any problems selling them though.

-Cliff
 
WOW! I cann’t keep up with you Cliff. Are you now referring to edges being ugly or looking good by their measurable differences and not by visual differences? It don’t need ta be measurably perfect to be good looking. I guess I've been winning the Loto because the Spydercos I've seen all have had a good looking edge and not an ugly one on them.
 
I have had a spyderco with a terrible edge, a VG10 calypso, the grind were uneven and the burr was insane. Once I'd sharpened one side to remove the burr it seemed fairly even though and it does seem to be the only case of a spyderco needing a lot of work to sort the edge out.

someone asked how william henry sharpened the knives. On the DVD it showed the designer of the knives using a belt grinder and him doing a couple of passes per side free hand.
 
db said:
Are you now referring to edges being ugly or looking good by their measurable differences and not by visual differences?
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I don't put any worth on the visual aesthetics of the edges it would never come to me to label them, it would be like asking which of my snow shovels is prettier. As I noted in the above I would see a used knife as inherently more attractive but what I am seeing isn't the wear itself but rather what it represents in terms of consistent performance.

-Cliff
 
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Cliff said..
I don't put any worth on the visual aesthetics of the edges
Then why in the heck are you harassing me in 2 different threads about the visual aesthetics of an edge? No need to reply.
Andy I'm sure a stinker gets out every now and then from Spyderco but from what I've seen it is very rare. From most of the posts it does look like Spyderco's edges on the newer knives are at the same high quality they have been in the past. Thanks to all who tried to keep this thread on topic.
 
db said:
"
From most of the posts it does look like Spyderco's edges on the newer knives are at the same high quality they have been in the past. Thanks to all who tried to keep this thread on topic.
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maybe people are just less impressed by them now that benchamde have sorted it so that their edges are better now.
 
Does anyone have any information on the edge profile and cutting ability of the new Benchmades compared to the relevant Spyderco's. Does Joe'e origional Axis reprofile still make that much of a difference?

-Cliff
 
I noticed that the second Skirmish I bought had a better edge.

Usually, I have to reprofile and this time I didn't.

I've done the sharpening routine of Joe's on a 710HS and it was still superior. Thinner blade, different profile, etc. But, the difference was not by such a margin as the previous Skirmish I bought.

Could be flukes, though. No one commented when previously noted.
 
I have been using Spydercos for about 6 years and just got my first questionable product. I don't know if they have slipped across the board, but I have a Salt that just came in that would make you scratch your head. It was new in box, but the serrations are rounded at the tips, not pointed. They are also not consistent in their height - the rounded are shorter. Also the blade was way loose and the lock and blade did not line up. A few hits on my anvil and the play was gone, but the lock is still pushed to one side. It was still wicked sharp and cuts great, but I compared it too my three year old Delica and the fit and finish on the Delica certainly appears much better.

Maybe I just got a lemon!
 
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