Spyderco Military Fluted Titanium//Quality Control Question

[KELAMA]

I have a question, that hopefully one of the more knowledgeable member's here will be able to help me out with, & answer.

On Monday, I was in the process of selling my Spyderco Fluted Ti Millie. I sent the prospective buyer a few pictures, & he replied back that he wanted it, & requested my PP information. Five minutes later, he sent me a follow up question:

"Quick question....is that some sort of strange groove on the presentation side scale running length-wise (starts near the pivot) or just some sort of optical illusion from the pic itself/light reflection/etc.?

I replied back, basically stating that I had no idea, but assumed that it was just part of the machining process with this unique fluted scale design?

Move ahead about a half an hour. A new thread just posted on the sales exchange, for the exact model knife. Read the seller's reason for selling this! Needless to say, the prospective buyer of my Millie, & I, both got a good laugh over this bizarre coincidence:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...erco-Military-Fluted-Titanium-*REDUCED-PRICE*

The sellers quoted words: "I have for sale a brand new Spyderco Military w/ fluted titanium handle. I just received it new this past Friday 5/13/16 and just opened the package today. I'm selling it because there is a slight "groove" on the non-locking titanium scale. It's very faint and I'm not sure if it's supposed to be there or not. But either way it bugs me so I'm selling it. I do not return knives to the place where I bought them unless there is a major issue. I'd rather sell them and take a small loss. This "groove" is just something that bothers me. My friends think I'm crazy for selling it but it's my knife , my choice. It's new in box with paperwork."

Later, I called Spyderco customer service, & spoke with Charlene. I inquired whether this was a quality control issue (defect), or if this is the way these are machined. She honestly had no idea, & most of the Spyderco team was out of the Country on business. She asked me to send it in, & if it turned out that this is a QC issue, they would replace it.

Does anyone here know with complete certainty, if this is indeed a defect, or just the way this particular fluted model is machined? I'm adding a couple of pictures of my exact fluted Millie.

 

[Officer's Match]

Just a guess, but I'm thinking you're getting a new replacement fluted Mili.

 

[KELAMA]

Just a guess, but I'm thinking you're getting a new replacement fluted Mili.

^ Thank you! :thumbup:

If this is the case, I can only assume, that Spyderco most likely had a bad run, & possibly their machine needed to be re-calibrated? This groove looks similar to when I'm using one of my router's & I have the depth set 1/64" deeper than the surrounding surface...but in those instances, a little 150 grit sandpaper makes that disappear almost instantly.

 

[Danke42]

Mine has what looks like 3 machine passes there. I'll see if I can take a photo where they show.

 

[PeteyTwoPointOne]

I think I'm seeing what you're talking about....

I've noticed some kind of indentions around the pivot radiating outward that stand out more to me than what you're describing...

 

[wire edge]

Mine is dated 10/2014 and it doesn't have a "groove" like that.

 

[KELAMA]

Mine has what looks like 3 machine passes there. I'll see if I can take a photo where they show.

Thanks! I'd really appreciate it, if you would post a picture of yours. :thumbup:

Mine is dated 10/2014 and it doesn't have a "groove" like that.

^ That's why I'm thinking that this must be some type of QC issue...but then again, I honestly have no idea. I'll probably just end up sending it in & wait for Charlene to make a determination.

I think I'm seeing what you're talking about....

I've noticed some kind of indentions around the pivot radiating outward that stand out more to me than what you're describing...

^ It's actually a little more pronounced in certain light/angles, Petey2.1. I had mine sitting on the table in front of the window, with the sun setting. As I walked into the room, you can really notice it from that distance & angle.

This is interesting.

Thanks again, for everyone's input- I really appreciate it! :thumbup:

 

[benchwarmer380]

Is it visual only, or can you actually feel the groove?

 

[KELAMA]

Is it visual only, or can you actually feel the groove?

^ You can actually feel it, ever so slightly. As you can see in the picture, it's much more pronounced closer to the pivot. As I'm looking at it right now (with the light on it), a can clearly see this groove running nearly the entire length of the knife, stopping about a 1/2" from the lanyard hole. It's purely esthetics, however, once you've notice it, you can't help but focus on it. It's one of those neurotic defects that some of us knife aficionado's are affected with.

It was enough to make member, Wolverine666, sell his immediately! Now I've got it!

 

[Danke42]

You can't feel the grooves and yes it is very light dependent. It's hard to see in the photos since they're digital.

Around the pivot the scale appears to be smooth but the flutes radiate out in all directions from the pivot like the sun. There are also curving lines that follow the contour of the scale along it's length and the last what looks like three short straight passes at the pivot across the width of the scale and about half as wide as the pivot.

 

[Wolverine666]

I'm the OP of the quoted post from the exchange last week. My Military looked very much like the OP's pics in this thread. I ended up selling mine to another member with full disclosure.

I also contacted Spyderco and they told me to send in the knife and if they found to be defective they would replace it. But I already sold it.

I'm going to hold off on buying another fluted Military for a bit. But I'll be buying a new titanium Military (non-fluted) or Myrtle very soon.

 

[Wolverine666]

Mine is dated 10/2014 and it doesn't have a "groove" like that.

Where did you find the date ?

 

[KELAMA]

You can't feel the grooves and yes it is very light dependent. It's hard to see in the photos since they're digital.

Around the pivot the scale appears to be smooth but the flutes radiate out in all directions from the pivot like the sun. There are also curving lines that follow the contour of the scale along it's length and the last what looks like three short straight passes at the pivot across the width of the scale and about half as wide as the pivot.

I'm the OP of the quoted post from the exchange last week. My Military looked very much like the OP's pics in this thread. I ended up selling mine to another member with full disclosure.

I also contacted Spyderco and they told me to send in the knife and if they found to be defective they would replace it. But I already sold it.

I'm going to hold off on buying another fluted Military for a bit. But I'll be buying a new titanium Military (non-fluted) or Myrtle very soon.

^^ Thank you, D42 & W666. :thumbup: I'm just going to go ahead and ship mine back to Spyderco & let them make a determination. I'll post an update, once I have an answer.

 

[KELAMA]

Just a guess, but I'm thinking you're getting a new replacement fluted Mili.

Update: I mailed this Millie in & just over a week later I received back, a brand new replacement fluted Military. This one without the milled groove running down the middle.

Thank you, Charlynn! Thanks, Spyderco! :thumbup: :thumbup: