Spyderco Lum Tanto

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wut85

Joined
Jul 10, 2011
Messages
13
Received mine in the mail today. I've wanted this knife ever since I saw it and when it came back recently (another run?) I ordered it as soon as I saw it. Now that I have it I have some buyer's remorse. The knife isn't as refined as I expected for the price, one area of the G10 was rough on the edges and the blade wasn't centered. What drew me to this knife was the fact that the handles were G10, it could be carried tip up (huge plus), liner lock (neutral), and unique blade shape. Now that I have it, I hate to say that my Emerson has better fit and finish (and I thought that was bad). So now I'm debating if I want to keep it or ship it back for an exchange. Being deployed to Afghanistan, shipping would be a pain. The only other Spyderco I had my eyes on right now was the para military 2, but I wanted the limited run with the coyote g10.

Should I keep the knife or go through the hassle of a exchange (don't want to pay that 15% restocking fee for a refund).
 
If you aren't happy with the knife, don't keep it. Sounds like you got one that could have been preowned. Most of the Spyderco knives from Japan (Native4, G10 Delica, Endura, Stretch, Caly3, Caly 3.5) have excellent fit on the G10 scales, so that sounds strange. The off center blade is something that can be remedied with a torx driver.
 
I bought the knife brand new from blade hq, but there's some dirty marks on the g10 handle and a rough corner. The steel for the lanyard hole sticks out a little on one side. It just wasn't what I was expecting for what I paid. I expect my Emerson to be a little rough, but its robust and made for hard use. This knife was supposed to be more refined. I'm going to fondle it a bit longer, and if I'm still not sold after a few days of holding it I'm going to send it back.

For anyone who has handled the lum tanto and the paramilitary2, how do they compare? The lum tanto seems like a good slicer but I don't know how it will hold up to hard use.
 
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There are also plenty of good vendors who won't make you pay to return a knife. Maybe give those guys a shot. :thumbup:
 
Mine also had marks on the scales, maybe from whoever sharpened the knife, and also had an off center blade. I cleaned the scales and the off center blade doesn't really bother me since it doesn't rub the liner. I think it's a great looking knife, the Tanto blade shape is what got me, I love the look of it. Mine came very sharp like most Spydercos do. Mine is in my EDC rotation along with the M4 Millie, and CTS-XHP Millie.
 
With regard to the F&F issues, I think it's just a matter of answering the question yourself. Can you overlook the F&F issues, or remedy them yourself? If the knife is going to be a user, do those issues matter?

As far as handling both, I have experience with both blades and I tend to lean towards the Para 2 more often than the Lum Tanto. What it boils down to is the Para 2 having a thinner tip and a finger choil. Personally, it allows for more control and finer detail work when needed. That may just be personal preference though.
 
Thanks for all the feedback, I just sent mine back today for a refund. It was a impulse buy and I didn't really need it, my folding EDC is all set for now. Will probably get an ESEE4 though.
 
To be honest I owned both the para 2 and the lum tanto and I ended up selling the tanto. I took one look at it and decided it wasn't for me after I bought it.
 
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