Superknife "issues"

[madhaha]

This refers to the original "Super"knife (the newer models are not availible in the UK afaik).

My main issue is the sheer paucity of the locking mech. Its the first (and quite possibly the last) linear locking knife I've tried. The lock occasionally doesn't engage, which is bad but not exactly damning. What IS damning is that I can make the lock fail with merely thumb pressure. At first I thought it was my finger brushing against the lock release when I gripped it after some quick testing I was shocked to find it was DEFINATELY the knife playing up. None of my previous knives (all lockbacks) have ever suffered lock failure. Not even the cheapest of the cheap imitation ones. Forget spine whack testing, this knife folds after a quick tap. This is even less safe than a slipjoint because slipjoints have continual resistance instead of a sudden release of pressure. Anyone else experienced this or name a possible solution?

I can't take the knife apart because the allen key provided only fits the blade release. As I type this, I've discovered that one of the screws holding the clip (which is extremely tight and rides high in the pocket) has become loose and there is no way for me to tighten it.

At this stage I've decided that enough was enough. I'm purchasing one of the "cheap imitations" with a lockback mech and the quick release blade change mech for about 1/4 of the price. It should arrive in a few days and I'll give you a direct comparison then.

Its a real shame. I had been looking forward to this knife and the concept is great. The brushed aluminium scales look really sharp (although they're slightly slippery). Hopefully the replacement will be better.

 

[Neko2]

I picked up one of the Sears craftsman versions and have found it to have none of the issues you mentioned. Not sure if Sears will ship overseas but it might be worth it for the lifetime warantee.

Neko2

 

[madhaha]

I'm not paying double the price so I can have the "luxury" of paying another $20 every time I need to send the knife back and forth accross the Alantic for repairs.

Can anyone confirm/compare their original versions of the superknife with my one? I'll post pictures on Friday when the lockback version arrives.

 

[UnknownVT]

Can anyone confirm/compare their original versions of the superknife with my one?

I had similar issues with one of the SuperKnives I received and eventually returned for a refund - please check out this thread:

SuperKnife and pricing.....
in particular post #18

no lock-up Fault

Post #19 compares the SuperKnife to the Craftsman Lockback version (which is similar to the Husky brand from Home Depot) - I found my sample of the Craftsman extremely hard to open one-handed - also there was blade play in the quick change blade holder - I was dissatisfied enough to return for refund despite the knife being on sale for only $6.99 - see post #21.

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/

 

[madhaha]

My black superknife is sort of half way between your two samples. It sticks out enough to lock most the time but not enough to lock securely (anyone attempting to close the knife two handed would succeed). I actually bought the superknife based on your thread on the assumption your dud knife was a one off. The superknife here is EXPENSIVE (£20 or $35.66 USD + shipping) for what it is. The only reason I wanted one is because even the most sheeple friendly of my folders (yes, even the Spyderco Jester) are viewed with wide eyed fear and I was told that while my knife was legal, I had to use a "stanley type knife". The superknife was deemed "acceptable" but the lock, in my opinion, most definately is NOT.

My current plan is to get as many sheeple interested and desensitised to the idiocies of the "all blades are weapons" school of thought through conspicuous and sensible knife handling, followed by gifts of Spyderco Penknives/Prides to show them how genuinely helpful it is to have a knife on you all the times. Hopefully I'll find an EDC that I can actually use.

 

[Haze]

I got 2 superknives, they are both dung quality but the locks worked fine.

 

[STR]

I had to adjust mine too. I originally bought five of the super knives when they first came out. Of the five two were sort of like yours. I doubt if you would have the problem if you returned it and got another one. They may not take it back but for the money I wouldn't judge all liner locks.

Taking that knife apart is not a big deal. Simply break it down and polish off the lock some until it closes like you expect. Just take your time and don't take off too much. Be careful to take it a step at a time. It may require putting it back together more than once to work it out.

I have bought the Sheffield copy sold at Lowes and to be honest I don't like the way the blade is held in and the holder cannot handle the contracter blades like the super knife can. Oh sure you can force one into it but then the thinner blades it is made to handle don't fit right and they move when used.

If you can find one Schrade made these same knives right before going out of business. I have some of theirs and they are the best ones of the bunch.

 

[Grover_Cephas]

At this stage I've decided that enough was enough. I'm purchasing one of the "cheap imitations" with a lockback mech and the quick release blade change mech for about 1/4 of the price. It should arrive in a few days and I'll give you a direct comparison then.

Unfortunately, while the lockback versions are more reliable, they're also amazingly tight in the opening (and it ain't friction, it's the backspring--hold down the lockbar and they swing freely). I'm convinced that the thumb studs on those are included only as a sadistic joke.

 

[Julian Elliot]

I got my "Superknife" from Knifecenter. Looking at the photo above, I can see enough differences (clip on other side, dual thumbstuds, different finish on blade holder, my liner lock is "nested") to think that these are probably made by different people. The only thing all of them seem to have in common is shoddy parts and manufacturing. My lock works fine, and I guess it's an interesting idea, but I wouldn't buy another one. I'd just as soon use a Stanley with a retractable blade.

 

[UnknownVT]

Looking at the photo above, I can see enough differences (clip on other side, dual thumbstuds, different finish on blade holder, my liner lock is "nested") to think that these are probably made by different people.

The photo close-up of the blue SuperKnife with the faulty lock-up doesn't show the other thumbstud due to the lighting - as it is deep in the shadows. That photo also shows the knife from the lock or opening side - so perhaps the clip is on the same side as yours?

If you please look at the referenced thread:

SuperKnife and pricing.....

The photos in posts #14 & #18 should show the difference between the two SuperKnives I received.

It sounds from your description that you may have a version similar to my red one?

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/

 

[ZENGHOST]

The only reason I wanted one is because even the most sheeple friendly of my folders (yes, even the Spyderco Jester) are viewed with wide eyed fear and I was told that while my knife was legal, I had to use a "stanley type knife". The superknife was deemed "acceptable" but the lock, in my opinion, most definately is NOT.

It's funny this should come up--I was watching CSI Miami last night and one of the victims had been killed with a SuperKnife (or at least what looked to me like a SuperKnife).

 

[Julian Elliot]

UnknownVT:

My clip is on the reverse side, and the clip doesn't have a cutout. Otherwise, it is similar to your red one, although there are slight differences in the handle shape.

 

[UnknownVT]

My clip is on the reverse side, and the clip doesn't have a cutout. Otherwise, it is similar to your red one, although there are slight differences in the handle shape.

WoW! thank you - sounds very interesting -
when you say the clip is on the reverse side -
do you literally mean on the other scale/handle slab - so the clip is really like a left-hander knife?
or
perhaps at butt-end of the knife, so it would be a tip-up clipped carry?

Any chance of posting a pic, please?

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net

 

[stevekt]

I have the Sheffield version. I think it is pretty well made. I paid $9 for it and haven't had any problems.

 

[Julian Elliot]

I'll try to remember to bring it home tomorrow (it's my desk box cutter) to take a pic, but I'm still surprised that there's much interest in these things.

 

[NGK-Webmaster]

It's funny this should come up--I was watching CSI Miami last night and one of the victims had been killed with a SuperKnife (or at least what looked to me like a SuperKnife).

Looked like it Zen I watched that also.

We refused to carry the Super Knife over a year ago because they would not lock out correctly and when they did you could put just a hair of pressure on them and the lock would close, So we packed them up and shipped them back without ever putting them out for sale.

Granted the things are low cost so you can't expect much but I would expect them to work and they don't.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

For a super KNIFE, get a DoDo. It should look like a "super"knife to the rest of the world.

 

[madhaha]

I'd love a Dodo but Spydercos scare sheeple. I think its a psychological thing to do with the spyder hole looking like a predatory eye and people make a big deal about serrations, blade width and hooks (and Sal sure loves his serrations ). "Its got hacking teeth! It'll rip/tear!" is a common complaint even though I'm quite obviously cutting cleanly. The s curve on the Dodo probably isn't suitable for most of the cutting I do anyway and I'd have to ship one in from America.

I have no idea what make the incomming lockback is but if the backspring is a problem, I can always stretch it over a couple of days leaving it half open and wear it out. I can't open up my superknife because I don't have any suitable allen keys and I'm NOT buying some just to get the stupid thing working. I've tried jewellers screwdrivers but you need 1 on either side and I only have 1 that fits.

 

[Grover_Cephas]

I'd love a Dodo but Spydercos scare sheeple. I think its a psychological thing to do with the spyder hole looking like a predatory eye and people make a big deal about serrations, blade width and hooks (and Sal sure loves his serrations ). "Its got hacking teeth! It'll rip/tear!" is a common complaint even though I'm quite obviously cutting cleanly.

A litle off-topic for this thread, but I gotta point out that that's not always the case. _Especially_ with the reverse-S blades like the Dodo and the Cricket, people (even the real alarmists) often see "cute" before they even see "knife". It's amazing to see the hoplophobes "make friends" with the Cricket and completely forget that it's one of those evil, deadly knives that's gonna cut up their babies.

Though serrations _are_ a big no-no from a "public-relations" point of view.