I'm currently looking to trade a knife, and one of the offers I received was for a UKPK with orange G10. It's in perfect condition, except it was apparently a factory second due to black marks near the pivot on the orange G10. Is this common, and can it be fixed?
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UKPK with black rub marks on G10?
- Thread starter Brutus013
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Did the seller say the knife is a factory second? It is normal for seconds to have some defect. That's what makes them seconds and causes them to be sold by Spyderco at very low prices. The defects are generally cosmetic, but obviously differ from knife to knife. Some are more serious than others, in that the knife may not operate quite as smoothly as it should. That is why they are not covered by warranty. With minor exceptions, seconds are sold only to those physically present at the annual factory sale, so the buyer has an opportunity to inspect the knife and decide whether he/she can live with whatever "issues" it has, or not.
Paul
My Personal Website - - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting - - - - - - Kiwimania
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Bruceter
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Is it represented as a second? All of the factory seconds have a notch on the spine of the blade, usually near the Spydie hole.
G10 is some tough stuff, you could try a stiff brush and hot soapy water to clean the mark off of the scale. If that doesn't clean it, you could move to WD-40, lighter fluid, goof-off or rubbing alcohol.
Bruceter
Could you describe the mark on the blade a bit more in depth? Here is a picture the person sent me after i requested pictures:
Am I missing the mark that shows it is a factory second? And yes, he explicitly said it was a factory second. I haven't gone through with the grade, fyi.
Am I missing the mark that shows it is a factory second? And yes, he explicitly said it was a factory second. I haven't gone through with the grade, fyi.
Bruceter
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The notch generally looks like someone touched the spine of the knife with the corner of a grinding wheel. I have also seen some that look like they were notched using the corner of a Spyderco diamond sharpmaker rod.
I can't tell from the pic that you posted if it is a second or not.
Although, I doubt that someone would say it is a second if it isn't.
Bruceter
I can't tell from the pic that you posted if it is a second or not.
Although, I doubt that someone would say it is a second if it isn't.
Bruceter
Fred Sanford
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My guess is that it is a factory second and I have circled both the "2nd" mark on the blade and why I think it's a second....other than the fact that the handle looks a bit dirty.
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I'd agree with David regarding the notch that indicates the knife is a second. The shape of them varies, but they're generally on that side of the blade, on the spine, and on the thumb ramp if there is one. This page shows some examples. Less sure if the minor chip? in the G-10 near that one screw would be enough to make it one.
There are a few things to consider here. While seconds are perfectly safe to use, and some have only cosmetic issues, their operation MAY be less smooth. They do not carry a warranty, so aside from the seller you would have no recourse if you find the knife's action unacceptable. Finally, there's the question of fair value. Spyderco sells seconds well below cost. Not sure what UKPK's went for, but there have been posts about S90V CF Military seconds being sold for $40. Some, I'm sure, were nothing short of a steal for that price, but for others it may very well have been fair.
Paul
My Personal Website - - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting - - - - - - Kiwimania
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
Spyderco Collector # 043 - - WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twsited up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
There are a few things to consider here. While seconds are perfectly safe to use, and some have only cosmetic issues, their operation MAY be less smooth. They do not carry a warranty, so aside from the seller you would have no recourse if you find the knife's action unacceptable. Finally, there's the question of fair value. Spyderco sells seconds well below cost. Not sure what UKPK's went for, but there have been posts about S90V CF Military seconds being sold for $40. Some, I'm sure, were nothing short of a steal for that price, but for others it may very well have been fair.
Paul
My Personal Website - - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting - - - - - - Kiwimania
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
Spyderco Collector # 043 - - WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twsited up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam