Spyderco Quality Control Declining?

[vwb563]

Declining? I’d have to say no, just the opposite. I just purchased a new PM-2 in Maxamet and it’s darn near perfect in every way. Almost custom level built. Pretty amazing for a production knife.

 

[comis]

Another vote of confidence here, I have collected/used 17 Spydies over the years, and never did notice any problem from them. Grind, lockup, functionality, cosmetic, everything is great.

 

[Billy The Blade]

I definetly noticed a huge decline in the quality of their Moki knives over the years. But I think that was to do with a new generation taking over things at the factory.

-Spyderco does not make Moki knives.

That’s fairly common in Spyderco Seki lock backs.

I disagree, as likely 90 % of my Seki pieces are
quite solid, lacking any side to side, & especially not up & down play, as well as some 'old school' spydies
unless they've been used real hard by a previous owner. The Goldens as well.
-Even my Byrds are quite solid

Yeah, it has the boyle dent, that's why I was accidentally pressing the lock disengage.

-It's a 'Boye' dent, and is designed to prevent exactly
what you're trying to describe.

Most folding knives will have a degree of play up and down. Some worse than others.

From what I have experienced, if a blade has slight,
or any blade play, the majority of such play is 'side to side', and a worse off blade will have 'up & down'
play, possibly both depending on uses & wear.
I would not say most...
B.T.B.

 

[MolokaiRider]

-Spyderco does not make Moki knives.


I disagree, as likely 90 % of my Seki pieces are
quite solid, lacking any side to side, & especially not up & down play, as well as some 'old school' spydies
unless they've been used real hard by a previous owner. The Goldens as well.
-Even my Byrds are quite solid



-It's a 'Boye' dent, and is designed to prevent exactly
what you're trying to describe.


From what I have experienced, if a blade has slight,
or any blade play, the majority of such play is 'side to side', and a worse off blade will have 'up & down'
play, possibly both depending on uses & wear.
I would not say most...
B.T.B.

That’s definitely possible. Pretty much all my folding knives have a bit of wiggle. The amount of force needed varies.

Lately, I focus on it’s intent of use, and apply that to my reasoning on how I perceive it’s intended purpose, and my acceptable tolerances.

A folding knife is broken in the middle; I appreciate a good design that eliminates slop for sure.

 

[insta9ves]

Yes

 

[Cowboyfromhell666]

I've had bad blade centering on dflys...
I've had a screws free spinning on my native salt...
I've had stiff and gritty action on my native salt as well...
I've had scratches on my brand new blade(sprint run)...
These are just off the top of my head. I agree I think spyderco QC is slipping as of late....sad

 

[Fonedork]

My bad; I just realized what's been happening. Apparently the lock disengage is a bit lighter and as I tend to grip knives pretty tightly I was accidentally pressing the lock release a little bit that's why it had a little bit of blade play because the lock was starting to disengage a little bit.

You should consider editing your original post/title

 

[scottyj]

I'm an Endura guy. An Endura that I bought maybe two years ago has a very soft back spring...the blade just kinda flops closed, and has a slightly off center blade. Didn't bother me as I just threw it in the pocket, and rocked on. Fast forward to a couple weeks ago, and I wanted a FFG Green Zome model. Local brick and mortar has one, and it is stunningly perfect in every way. Blade is dead nuts centered with zero play in any direction. Razor/sticky sharp VG-10. Now the good part......the back spring must be of a different steel material....when you close the blade it SLAMS shut now. It has a hard snap when closing. It's the same when opening the blade...it snaps open with authority. Absolute zero play in the lock. Perfect Endura in every way, and one of my favorite knives. I can't comment on other Spyderco models, but I'd say at least the QC of the Endura is moving up.

 

[matt009au]

-Spyderco does not make Moki knives.


I disagree, as likely 90 % of my Seki pieces are
quite solid, lacking any side to side, & especially not up & down play, as well as some 'old school' spydies
unless they've been used real hard by a previous owner. The Goldens as well.
-Even my Byrds are quite solid



-It's a 'Boye' dent, and is designed to prevent exactly
what you're trying to describe.


From what I have experienced, if a blade has slight,
or any blade play, the majority of such play is 'side to side', and a worse off blade will have 'up & down'
play, possibly both depending on uses & wear.
I would not say most...
B.T.B.

When did they stop using Moki as one of their Japanese makers?

The old Moki made stuff probably still rates as the best made spydys in my eyes .

 

[Billy The Blade]

When did they stop using Moki as one of their Japanese makers?
-IDK, but Moki did make several Spydie models.

The old Moki made stuff probably still rates as the best made spydys in my eyes .

-I agree, but I still like many other Spyders, as well.
(Added Info.)
-'Not only do they make knives under their own name, but have made knives for Al Mar, Spyderco, SOG, Fällkniven, and William Henry to name a few.'
- 'Moki has been producing quality knives of original design and phenomenal craftsmanship. Their traditional pocket cutlery is unmatched in precision fit and finish.'
B.T.B.

 

[V-1]

I've been buying Spydercos for many moons and have not noticed a decline in quality. In fact, I believe their quality has improved as the years go by.

 

[OrangeBlueOrangeBlue]

I have been highly impressed with Spyderco's quality -- equivalent to CRK's IMHO. My Spydies include a Mule (CV20), Military in S110V, Gayle Bradley 2, several Native 5s and a PM2.

I've got Spydercos from Seki, Golden, and Taichung, and none of them are anywhere close to being as well-made as a CRK.

 

[sharp_edge]

There might be a few Spydercos close to the quality and fit and finish of CRK, but to say Spyderco quality is equivalent to CRK is too much of a stretch. And I say so with me being more of a Spyderco fan than a CRK fan.

 

[skyhorse]

Every Spyderco knife I own has been excellent , never had any problems.

 

[Billy The Blade]

There might be a few Spydercos close to the quality and fit and finish of CRK, but to say Spyderco quality is equivalent to CRK is too much of a stretch. And I say so with me being more of a Spyderco fan than a CRK fan.

...Too much of a 'Stretch' , I get it, Lol
B.T.B.

 

[OrangeBlueOrangeBlue]

...Too much of a 'Stretch' , I get it, Lol
B.T.B.

 

[CarsonWayne]

Huge Spyderco fan here. I bought at least a dozen last year and already two this year. I'd have to say that in general I'm still seeing an upward trend in quality (especially when it comes to the heat treats!), but, alas, not everywhere. The issue that continues to occasionally pop up is the lock stick. I see it, at least to some degree, on about 20% of the Para 3s I own. I have also experienced this on a Lil' Native, and I'm not sure why some compression locks have it and others don't. It does not change the functionality of the knife, mind you. It still cuts and it still folds. It does, though, reduce one's desire to fidget with it. Some people are bothered by that. Some people couldn't care less. I'm somewhere in the middle. I prefer the compression locks that drop freely when pressed. Those are the ones that bring me the most joy and seem to get the most carry time. I won't shun a knife with lock stick, but usually by the end of the day I know I'm not carrying it tomorrow.

 

[OrangeBlueOrangeBlue]

Huge Spyderco fan here. I bought at least a dozen last year and already two this year. I'd have to say that in general I'm still seeing an upward trend in quality (especially when it comes to the heat treats!), but, alas, not everywhere. The issue that continues to occasionally pop up is the lock stick. I see it, at least to some degree, on about 20% of the Para 3s I own. I have also experienced this on a Lil' Native, and I'm not sure why some compression locks have it and others don't. It does not change the functionality of the knife, mind you. It still cuts and it still folds. It does, though, reduce one's desire to fidget with it. Some people are bothered by that. Some people couldn't care less. I'm somewhere in the middle. I prefer the compression locks that drop freely when pressed. Those are the ones that bring me the most joy and seem to get the most carry time. I won't shun a knife with lock stick, but usually by the end of the day I know I'm not carrying it tomorrow.

Lock stick (the lock face sticking to the tang of the blade) shouldn't have any effect on whether the blade drops free when the lock is released (which is almost entirely controlled by pivot tension).

 

[Danke42]

So I checked all my Seki FRN back lock folders. 2 Delica, 2 Ladybug, Stretch, Endura, & Dragonfly.

Only one of the Ladybugs had noticeable movement. But I'm a big guy and that's a tiny knife and I can't even be sure it is actual lock rock or just flex in the knife itself. Back to our normal programing I guess.

 

[BD_01]

There might be a few Spydercos close to the quality and fit and finish of CRK, but to say Spyderco quality is equivalent to CRK is too much of a stretch. And I say so with me being more of a Spyderco fan than a CRK fan.

Agreed.

FWIW, since 2016 I’ve had QC issues with a Taichung Spydie, a Seki Spydie, AND a Large 21. Still, my overall experience with the brands has been overwhelmingly positive.

My last Seki was a VToku-2 Delica and the quality very much exceeded expectations.

My most recent Taichung folder is a Swayback. The manufacturing quality of my sample is spot-on.