Spyderco Folder Question

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Shortknock27

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Hey, I read these forums all the time but this is my first attempt at actually posting a thread. I do have a question about Spyderco's folders, in particular the FRN handled ones that are riveted in and not user-adjustable. Do they generally have any blade play or develop it after a while, or do they stay pretty tight? I was thinking about getting the Centofante III but I would like some feedback first. Thanks in advance.

Scott
 
Welcome aboard.

I have yet to see a production company that can produce every knife with no blade play (with the exception of Chris Reeve). I have had one from them all and some were rock solid some had varying degrees of blade play.

The liklihood that you will have some degree of play is probably on the order of 60-70%, but with a pinned construction knife you are probably talking about a lockback and a little play is fine.

Blade play in a liner lock is unacceptable because the function of the lock relies on a tight/rigid bond between the liner and the tang. A lockback functions on a different principle and lock integrity is not affected by a little bit of play.

If you are looking for perfection regardless your best bet is to pick one out by hand locally or buy from a dealer who's willing to let you exchange it if you are not happy. It's always nice to have the dealer inspect it for you prior to shipping (just tell them you're picky) but in hundreds (maybe thousands..) of knife transactions I have found that what's tight to someone else may not be tight to me.

I like a perfect lockup as much as anyone but some minor degree of play in a production lockback is acceptable in my book.

Good luck!
 
A month ago I bought a Centofante III.
I liked it so much that I then bought a second one.
A really nice knife at a good price.
It is now one of my EDC's.

Both my Centofante's are tight and solid, with no horizontal blade play.
On the other hand, my Native (FRN 440V) does have some minor horizontal blade play. It came like that when I bought it new in the store. Oh well.
I can live with a little blade play, though I'd rather not.

I agree with cpirtle's post.
Blade play sometimes happens. A brand new knife can come with play; a knife that has no play when new can develop play with use; and new knives can come with no play and stay that way.

And remember, the Centofante III is a great knife at a good price. Buy one.
 
I have an older model Native that has some slight blade play but, as far as I can tell, it has no impact whatsoever on it's ability to do whatever I want it to do.

If you are concerned about it simply because you want a knife with no play then you are going to have to hand pick one to be certain or go buy a Sebenza but if your concern is about whether or not it's function will be affected then I don't think you need to be too concerned.
 
I have been carrying Spydercos for approx. 18 years - Most of them with riveted FRN handles. Never noticed any appreciable blade play: If it was there, it wasn't noticable.

Most recently, I carry a plain blade CPMS30V Native, which is riveted, FRN handled, that I use daily - been my EDC for over 2 years - just checked it - no blade play at all.

It is the knife that I, as a dealer, do not not hesitate to recommend when asked what is the best pocket knife in my cases.

IMHO
 
Don't buy any knife that has play to begin with. However, any pinned knife can get blade play if subjected to enough hard use and torque. Spydercos have metal washers between the pins and zytel, so the zytel is protected from the pin. If a spyderco or any knife was bought w/o play and got some due to use or abuse, the pins can be tightedned. A small hammer and the anvil on the back of a vise is usually good enough. Hit gently and test between strikes.
 
brownshoe said:
Don't buy any knife that has play to begin with.
Click to expand...
Spyderco says that the Chinook (1) was designed to have blade play to prevent the lock from binding. I still maintain that some blade play is fine in a lock back as long as it does not hinder performance of the knife.
 
CPirtle, I think it's BS to "expect" some play in a lockback. I've not read anything specific about the chinhook, but I've read spydercos statements that it's to be expected spyderco lockbacks. I certainly wouldn't believe spyderco when they say its "needed." I think they had QC problems and instead of replacing them as in the past, they now say a little is "expected" and now are trying to twist into being a "design" feature. Pure hot air in my opinion. In my house there are a delica, harpy, and matriarch, only the harpy has play and it didn't have it new. I have CS, puma, buck, cheap pakistani lock backs and all have no play even after abuse. The puma did have some side to side play after 15 years of use and it was adjusted by peening the pin. Sorry, I just can't accept blade play in a new lockback.
 
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