Spyderco Shaman untapped clip screw holes

[ekastanis]

Just a question from a curious 'Merican. How does the CBSA know that it's a knife in a package? Do they open to inspect? Is there a customs declaration for cutlery? Could they ship under a different declaration, like "tool"? Do the customs agents know to look for packages from Spyderco and such?

There is both a harmonized tariff code for knives used on customs declarations (this is also in the US and other countries), and they also use X-rays and physically open packages to inspect contents.

 

[FullMetalJackass]

I share your pain, the CBSA really is a complete pain... I feel like telling you to just get a north arms folder and call it a day. No border issues, as they are in BC.

Honestly, it's time for big companies like Spyderco and ZT to setup a repair/warranty/distribution depot in Canada - I'm certain they would see much higher sales to Canadians

Considering the small population of the country and the average level of knife education in here, I'm pretty sure you can take “profit” out of the equation. There's a reason why there are so few good knives shops in here.

 

[Comeuppance]

Let me help you with your confusion.

Ah, I missed the Canada aspect. Well... the best advice I can give for the future for someone not keen on returns (and understandably if it involves international shipping) would be to either purchase the knife from a local retailer and/or include notes in the order to inspect the knife to be shipped.

For your present knife issue, you might find someone local who can re-tap clip screw holes for new screws and a clip.

Alternatively, use some very strong glue.

 

[David Mary]

If I go to my local Home Depot or Lowe's they're not going to have 2-56 taps on the shelf either, but it took about 3 minutes to find availability from this Canadian supplier.

Thanks! And yes, I meant 2-56. I don't know if it was a typo or memory glitch. But 2-56 is what I had before, and when I have searched, it seems like there are different kinds of 2-56 threads. I have felt for the last five years like I must have gotten lucky somehow to get the right one the first time around, and have had this kind of (psychological?) block ever since the last set of taps I ordered (which were 2-56) were clearly way the wrong size for knife clip screws. And no, I didn't return them.

Comeuppance did you say glue? I love glue! In fact, glue is like love, in that it solves everything! But like love, glue is also a commitment, so I have to think about it...

Thanks a lot guys. I don't know what I was hoping to accomplish by posting this thread, other than perhaps to vent a little frustration, but you guys have been a real help. While it is still a little frustrating in principle to think that a faulty part on a knife that cost me more than a whole shift of overtime is causing me to spend even more money to fix it, I have been meaning to sort out the 2-56 tap issue for some time now for other projects I have in mind. Everything happens for its own reason, so that we can draw good out of it. Thank you all for helping me do that.

I do have more questions, if anyone reading this thread can offer advice. How can I reliably determine the right screws to buy that will be the right fit for the tap? When I looked at USA Knifemaker, it seemed like they had many different 2-56 taps, and many different clip screws, even of different sizes. But I am pretty sure that if it is 2-56, then I just have to buy the one with the right thread length (I don't want to grind any more screws!).

And that's the other thing: how do I know it really is 2-56? For example the Resilience has clip screws that also use a T6 bit, but the threaded portion is much fatter. I guess I need a thread gauge? I searched AG's site, and I was kind of at a loss. When you don't know what you don't know, you're hopelessly lost, but at least I know what I don't know, and hopefully one of you can fill in the gaps for me? Thanks again for all your help and patience.

 

[David Mary]

I am dealing with it, and I am pretty sure after all the hemming and hawing, I'll have a knife that I love.

Getting there! Here are the results of some tinkering before getting ready for work (afternoon shift, 3-11).

I know it may be strange to some, but I really enjoy taking a great design and making it "just right" for me. The handle is a tad lighter, and the blade also, as I narrowed it some by grinding on the spine.

After playing with it for the day, I have decided to chamfer the lock bar and sand the lock bar cutout in the G10 so it is less sharp. I may also remove the "jimping" on the lock bar, and round the corners of it a bit more. I have some more sanding to do on the handle as well, where I removed the middle finger hump.

 

[Rusty_shackelford]

Fellow Canuck here.
I’d send it back to spyderco without the blade.
That way you’d get your liner issue fixed and there’s be no issue with the border.
Maybe email spyderco customer service first to see if they’re ok with it.
They could honestly label the package “spare parts” or “knife handle”, hopefully avoiding and border BS.
Plus I’d be a little cheaper to ship.

 

[David Mary]

Rusty_shackelford

Wow, that's a really interesting idea. Certainly one to consider, thank you.

 

[Lance Leon]

I'd second what Rusty_shackelford said. Disassembled knives are a good way to get knives across the Canadian boarder in my experience, as well as what I've heard from others (including retailers/custom makers).

 

[nwmetalbug]

I guess I dont understand this whole issue, why even go through the hassle just to make it tip down carry.

 

[GatorFlash1]

I would contact a good local gunsmith. She probably has all the right tools and could retap it for a few dollars. Gunsmiths face this problem all the time.

 

[Colorodo]

If you live close to the US border why not have a knife sent to a mailbox store in the US and pick it up there?

 

[mikey488]

Fellow Canuck here.
I’d send it back to spyderco without the blade.
That way you’d get your liner issue fixed and there’s be no issue with the border.
Maybe email spyderco customer service first to see if they’re ok with it.
They could honestly label the package “spare parts” or “knife handle”, hopefully avoiding and border BS.
Plus I’d be a little cheaper to ship.

Listen to Rusty. I've been reading through this thread and wondering why you were not just taking out the blade and sending the handle back to Spidie.
They know the probs with Canada customs and will take care of you. And there is no knife to confiscate, just a handle. Done.

 

[David Mary]

That's a wrap.

 

[David Mary]

Okay, now that's a wrap. And I put my Resilience on yet another diet (including the liners, which received substantial treatment with the grinder and files). It's down to 4.4 oz with a great balance point right at the center of the grip tape on the pocket clip (which is also to be soon swapped out for a deep carry clip).

You want to hear the irony? Along with the deep carry clip, MXGear sent me two screws that were too long! When I tightened them down the knife wouldn't even open two handed. I disassembled, and noted the two impression marks on my phosphor bronze washer, and the fact that the screw ends were sitting proud of the scale. So my fate was to grind screws once more! Hilarity is my life at times.

You can't make 100% of people 100% satisfied. This Shaman is an awesome knife with some personalizations that suit my own hands and preferences. @Sal Glesser, I did not mean to be insulting to you, and regret crying about this knife and liner as I did. I learned something though, and I am always grateful for that. Spyderco