Spyderco J.D. Smith...

T

termiteslayer

Joined
Dec 18, 2009
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So I've been looking into this a bit and have found some complaints about the machining is the locking area.
Does anyone know if the issues were resolved?
I'd kinda like to get one, but things seem to be quiet about this one.
Clarifications anyone?
Thanks.

me - Spyderco fan
 
Since it was a sprint run I don't know if there would be a resolution. It appears the machining wasn't present on all the pieces but I don't know for sure. It doesn't seem to affect performance at all so I wouldn't be concerned about it if you can find one for a decent price.

I think the combination of the Foliage handle and the full flat grind turned people off. It was pretty popular before it was released but once people found out it was riveted and had a FFG blade the stock dropped pretty quick.

Overall I think it was a decent design that was a little too fat and a little too heavy with the implementation of G10 and liners. I much preferred the original Micarta version.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
pretty sure the jd is a regular production model.
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The original, long-discontinued one was. The FG G-10 model was a sprint from a couple years ago. Considering they're still readily available from dealers, not a very popular one compared to the more recent models to come out as sprint runs.
 
Hmmm, I liked the FG FFG on mine so much I purchased a second.

Both are users in my fishing kit and will clean fish and handle food prep while camping no sweat.

I heard that all the machining issues were cosmetic, not impacting functionality, my two have no problems.

Get one, I'm sure you'll appreciate it.
 
randomlooker said:
FG G-10 model was a sprint from a couple years ago. Considering they're still readily available from dealers, not a very popular one compared to the more recent models to come out as sprint runs.
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That´s a shame cos it is a excellent knife and just about the best fishing knife on the market (IMO)...
 
It's a neat knife. I don't think mine had machining issues, I sold it though because I was into more hefty knives at the time. Quality was top notch. If there were machining marks they were purely cosmetic.
 
Love mine... it's the only Spyder to spend more than a couple of weeks in my house. Carries great, cuts great, feels great in the hand and looks darn cool :thumbup::thumbup:
 
I don't think the rivets by themselves were a huge negative for most users. I think the reaction was due to the fact that the prototype pictures that were posted were so different than the production version.

Rivets were a deciding choice for me though, it's just a personal preference. Once the price reaches $60-$70+ I want to be able to disassemble the knife.
 
Well, if you read that thread, you already know my answer, but just in case...

Manufacturers have to draw a line between what constitutes a "defect in workmanship" and minor, insignificant imperfections. A bit of roughness in an area like the kick which is not normally touched, or even seen while using the knife, while annoying to those looking for perfection, is still insignificant. My JD Smith does not have those marks, so they're not universal within the Sprint Run. I do own other Spydercos which have similar imperfections in the kick and have never considered them a problem. The imperfections in the hidden portion of the tang would be a defect, if they made the opening and closing of the knife rough. But you don't mention that and, while mine has them, I don't see any ill effects from them either.

Neither of the imperfections affect the functioning of the knife, nor do they make it less comfortable to use, and they are not glaring blemishes one will see or feel every time one looks at or handles the knife. To me, they fall within what a reasonable person would consider acceptable on a production knife. If they are unacceptable to you, then perhaps you should consider purchasing your knives from a brick and mortar store where you can examine the merchandise carefully prior to purchase.

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
I ordered one, just wanted to see if any complaints about performance came up.... fishin' for info...
She sounds like a great blade.
 
spoonrobot said:
I don't think the rivets by themselves were a huge negative for most users. I think the reaction was due to the fact that the prototype pictures that were posted were so different than the production version.

Rivets were a deciding choice for me though, it's just a personal preference. Once the price reaches $60-$70+ I want to be able to disassemble the knife.
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My riveted Spydies are the ones I have had the least issue with overall.

-Tye
 
I also use mine for fishing - as well as other things!

I really like the fact that the JD Smith as a narrow blade - Spyderco knives seem to be wide due perhaps to the size of the thumb hole.

The rivets are not a problem for me. The only thing I dislike about this knife is the very long non-sharpened section of the blade next to the handle (the name for that is escaping me at the moment - senility, I guess!). I just don't see the point of wasting that part of the blade!
 
Grampa said:
I also use mine for fishing - as well as other things!

I really like the fact that the JD Smith as a narrow blade - Spyderco knives seem to be wide due perhaps to the size of the thumb hole.

The rivets are not a problem for me. The only thing I dislike about this knife is the very long non-sharpened section of the blade next to the handle (the name for that is escaping me at the moment - senility, I guess!). I just don't see the point of wasting that part of the blade!
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Isn't that the 'kick'?

-Tye
 
TyMathews said:
Isn't that the 'kick'?

-Tye
Click to expand...
No, it's just the exposed portion of the tang. The "kick" is the spot on it, generally directly behind the sharpened edge, which serves as a "landing pad" when the blade is closed. Not all folders have, or need it. but midlocks, backlocks, and slipjoints do.

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
I think it's a combination kick/ricasso. Most modern folder designs seem to use the term "choil" to refer to what was known as a ricasso on fixed blades.

A kick is generally considered a functional part of design since it functions to allow the knife to close without the blade contacting the lock spring. You can see how it functions here:
DSCF1388.jpg

DSCF1747.jpg


The ricasso/choil allows one to choke-up on the blade/handle for more delicate cutting. Here's an example using the much maligned choil on the JD Smith Sprint:
 
The Deacon said:
No, it's just the exposed portion of the tang. The "kick" is the spot on it, generally directly behind the sharpened edge, which serves as a "landing pad" when the blade is closed. Not all folders have, or need it. but midlocks, backlocks, and slipjoints do.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Deacon. Now I know.

-Tye
 
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