Uneven grind?

I

Icculus

Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Messages
96
Hi. I want to start by saying this is in no way meant to dog Spyderco or stir up any kind of trouble. I have several knives from them which I thoroughly enjoy and think they put out a super high quality product at a good price. If I had more funds to spend on knives I would have bunch more Spydies and will eventually in the future. This is simply just couple questions from a relative knife newbie looking to a) learn some things and b) figure out the best course of action. I just yesterday received a new Delica FFG with intentions of it being a daily edc beater getting added to the rotation. One of the things I noticed was that the blade didn't appear to be centered in the handle. Not a super big deal. However, when I opened it and took a closer look it appears that its not that the blade is attached crooked at the pivot point but instead actually ground in a curve or at an angle. The thing is I'm now sure if its really the case or just my eyes playing tricks on me. So here's the questions.

1) Is there a good way identify an uneven grind or a crooked blade and verify that is really the case other than the eyeball test? Obviously I didn't want to immediately disassemble the knife and remove the blade. It would make it easier check but also I'm sure void any warranty options immediately.

2) Does it even matter? If you bought a relatively inexpensive knife; not for any kind collector purposes but to carry and use and thrash on; would you worry about any kind of warranty or return or would you just drive on and use it.

3) If you did decide to use the warranty, or I guess at least send it to someone else to confirm your suspicions, would you contact the online retailer where you purchased it or would it be better to deal directly with the mfg?

Just wanted to get your thoughts? I'm not a professional photographer but I'll try and get a few pictures posted to capture what I'm seeing. Cheers
 
On a Delica, I don't care about aesthetics as long as it opens, locks, cuts, and closes. Same with a mini-Grip or a comparable Kershaw, Cold Steel, or Kabar. I have a couple of Delicas around the house that are like that. I have a BK14 with a blade that's ground a bit "off". They all work fine and don't bother me. But for me, they're toolbox and survival bag knives, not personal carry knives

The ones I carry... that's a different story. I get real anal about blade centering and lockup with my carry knives. I can live with uneven bevels to some degree because use and sharpening are going to fix that over time anyway. But don't expect to see me put an off-centered blade in my pocket. Uh-uh... no way.

On your new Delica... first, if it bothers you, I'd contact the seller for a replacement if you haven't done anything with it yet. Second, if it doesn't bother you that much, I'd just use it. It really isn't all that unusual to have some cosmetic issues at the Delica price point. I've seen and owned some perfect ones, but I've seen a lot more that had some cosmetic flaws that didn't affect the knife's function at all.
 
There was another thread on here, or maybe it was the Spyderco forum where this situation was addressed, specifically speaking on the Delicas. The consensus was that (like dalefuller says above) that unless you are real anal about the bevels/grinds and blade centering the knife will perform like it's intended to regardless of the "imperfections."

Do what you will, no one here is going to think less of you.
 
I just got a superblue stretch with an off center blade. It may even touch the liner, it's that far off. I'm sending it off as soon as I get around to it.
 
Slightly uneven grind is fine. Use it, and when it gets dull, sharpen it. When you sharpen it, you can even out the grind.

As for the centering, it may be off a little. Sometimes you can adjust it a bit by tinkering with the pivot and handle screws and trying to re-align it. If the blade itself is warped though, it could be a defective sample. Align the spine or edge with some other straight-edge and see if it bows any. If it does, I'd contact the dealer you bought it from and get it exchanged. If the dealer can't do anything, then contact Spyderco's warranty.
 
I thank you all for your replies and input. I'm still debating whether I'm going to send it to back or just drive on, keep it and take it apart and see what it looks like then. One time I look and think its just at the pivot and the next I think its the blade itself that's not straight and back and forth. These are crappy phone pictures and not sure if they help but the best I could come up with.

Of the centering when closed.


Against the wall open looking at the edge side:



And flipped around looking at the spine side:



So what do you think?
 
For me personally, I would put that in my pocket, carry it and enjoy it for years to come.
 
Look at the pictures and observe the light coming through the gap between the handle and the pivot area of the blade. There is a wedge shape of light that indicates that the pivot is probably slightly crooked relative to the scales. Loosen all of the handle screws just enough to get some rattle in the scales and then back the pivot screw off just a hair and see if you can wiggle the blade relative to the handle and get some side to side play. Then close the knife and move the blade until it centers, then re-tighten the pivot, then re-tighten the handle screws. It make take some fiddling, but you should be able to get the blade centered.
 
I just held my nicely centered Endura up to the light. Mine has gaps in the same places. The scale liners wont fit flush against the blade because of the washers in there. As for the wedge shape of the light, that's probably lighting and angles... Get something straight (metal ruler) and hold to the FFG part of the blade when open. If the blade is curved or asymmetrical it will show in the gap between your straight thing and the FFG.
 
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