Starmate generations

O

odin0311

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Oct 2, 2019
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As a recent nerd of the Terzuola collaborations I’m looking for some info on the generations on the Starmate. How many runs were there? Were any fakes ever identified? I have searched in the fakes thread. I have one of the 440 blades with g10 handle and back spacer. I have one VG10 with a non branded clip, slightly blurred grinds, and unfinished notch near the choil that looks like a notch was cut out. I have a second VG10 with crisp grinds, an amazing action, and finished choil area (curved/polished). Thanks for any info!
 
I had a couple of the C55 VG-10 Starmates when they were first released and there was a trend of repairing a few of the rough areas including the sharpening choil.
I did it on both of mine and a few other things.
Have passed them both on to other BF members since then.
So don't be surprised if you find the same variation with some minor differences.
Also could have some CQI changes from Spyderco as well...
 
Where is the notch, on the spine or cutting edge side? Of it's on the spine, it could indicate a factory second. It could be a knock off as well. Without at least clear pictures, it is impossible to say.
 
This strange notch.
As I stated, a bunch of mods were done to these to improve the visual aesthetic.


Screenshot_20240930_220534_Chrome.jpg
 
Yep, the notch is very similar to what is in the photo. Thanks for the info!

Does anyone know how many runs or variants there were?
 
Barman1 said:
This strange notch.
As I stated, a bunch of mods were done to these to improve the visual aesthetic.


View attachment 2674440
Click to expand...
With that "rezat.ru" all over, my money would be on "fake".

I don't know how many production runs were made, but I do know the originals were 440V/S60V, made in Golden, and had a single nested liner for the lock side. The second issue was VG-10, had full liners and was made in Seki, Japan. And yes, they were faked, nearly everything Spyderco has made has been faked somewhere.
 
yablanowitz said:
With that "rezat.ru" all over, my money would be on "fake".

I don't know how many production runs were made, but I do know the originals were 440V/S60V, made in Golden, and had a single nested liner for the lock side. The second issue was VG-10, had full liners and was made in Seki, Japan. And yes, they were faked, nearly everything Spyderco has made has been faked somewhere.
Click to expand...
Nah, just an old photo exactly representing the exact knives I owned.
How many did you handle?
 
The Japan versions? None. But I have seen a bunch of Russian fakes of various models over the years, which makes me automatically suspicious. The OP's mention of "somewhat blurred grinds" fits with those fakes.
 
There is frequently a little glitch in the bottom of the ricasso, what would be the flipper tab on a flipper knife. I wonder if the fakes recreated this.
 
I’ve found a number of reviews that show/document the unfinished notch. I’m inclined to believe that’s the way they came.
 
I've got a VG10 version of the Starmate (2012-2015) without a "notch" in/near the ricasso. 🤷‍♂️

I note from SpydieWiki the following comment re this version of the Starmate:

"A number of early users have reported rattling lanyard tubes and fit and finish issues."

See: Spydiewiki - Starmate

I assume that the "notch" that people are talking about here may have been one of those "issues."

Update 10/03/2024:

FYI, I just bought a NIB Gen 1 PE 440V US made version of the Starmate off of EB to add to my collection. It is not an early run "numbered" model, which is fine w/me because I don't like numbers on my knives. Will post pics of the knife in the appropriate threads after I receive it.
 
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