Warranty Question - Military

[shane]

Joshua - I agree. I am not saying that because MY Military broke under normal use that there will be millions of failures out there. Even the best products have issues over time and this is one of them. I posted the question just to check the warranty and not to discuss the quality. I have and have had many Spyderco's over the years and this is the first issue. I will continue to buy and use them I am just hoping I am not given a hard timeabout replacement.

shane

It's possible the blade had a micro fracture that just took time to break apart. It happens every once in a while, even with the best of steel.
I remember reading about Swamp Rat knives and how they check for micro fractures on each and every blade. Something that's not quite feasible on the scale of manufacturing that Spyderco does.

 

[fellyjr]

I am just hoping I am not given a hard time about replacement.

shane

Shane, I wouldn't worry about that at all. I'm positive Sal and company will take care of you in fine fashion. I believe it broke the way you said it did, under normal use. It's a fact that man made stuff breaks when it shouldn't. We're all imperfect and the machines we make are not perfect, so naturally the product of ANY company is prone to some failure along the way.

I'd go so far as to say if Spyderco Doesn't take care of you, like they do all their other customers, I'll eat my shirt!

 

[shane]

Thanks. They responded very quickly to my email so that is a gos sign.

shane

Shane, I wouldn't worry about that at all. I'm positive Sal and company will take care of you in fine fashion. I believe it broke the way you said it did, under normal use. It's a fact that man made stuff breaks when it shouldn't. We're all imperfect and the machines we make are not perfect, so naturally the product of ANY company is prone to some failure along the way.

I'd go so far as to say if Spyderco Doesn't take care of you, like they do all their other customers, I'll eat my shirt!

 

[dragonram7]

Let us know how it turns out. Best wishes

 

[The Deacon]

I have a plain edge Military that I have EDC'd for the las 5 years. I was cutting a box open the other day and the blade broke in half at the thumb hole. I have emailed Spyderco and they said to send it in for evaluation. Do you thing they will honor the warranty? The liner lock is completely work down too, to the point that the blade is wobbling.

shane

Shane, I'm not questioning how or why the blade broke or whether, on a knife in A-1 condition a break of that nature would merit replacement under warranty. My only question is, do you really think it fair to play the warranty card on a knife that, by your description, you already wore out?

Paul

My Personal Website - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting - - - - - Kiwimania
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
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

 

[ashtxsniper]

He said the lock was wore out not the whole knife.

 

[shane]

The lock wore out two years ago and I didn't try to get it fixed or replaced under warranty but the blade is different. Is there a lifetime warranty? If so, what does that mean and if there isn't I'll drop the subject right now.

shane

Shane, I'm not questioning how or why the blade broke or whether, on a knife in A-1 condition a break of that nature would merit replacement under warranty. My only question is, do you really think it fair to play the warranty card on a knife that, by your description, you already wore out?

Paul

My Personal Website - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting - - - - - Kiwimania
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
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

 

[fellyjr]

The lock wore out two years ago and I didn't try to get it fixed or replaced under warranty but the blade is different. Is there a lifetime warranty? If so, what does that mean and if there isn't I'll drop the subject right now.

shane

Yes, I believe it is a lifetime warranty.

BTW, the lock didn't cause the blade to break, so don't sweat it!

 

[wire edge]

I wouldn't consider it worn out till the blade was sharpened down to a toothpick, but hey, maybe that's just me

I'll be interested to see how this turns out.

 

[The Mastiff]

I'm curious. When fitting a new blade on they would have to refit the liner lock to that blade, in effect remaking the knife. Normally when a lock comes in that is worn out they declare the knife unsafe and send it back as there is no real way to fix it if it is worn out. I think installing a new blade is a way to get around that. It'll take some time and hand work though.

I'm very interested in this process myself. Personally I'm with Deacon on this. If I wore out the knife I wouldn't expect them to put a new blade on it. That's just me though. When the lock is wore out that is typically the lifespan of the knife right there. Joe

 

[huugh]

One shouldn't be able to break hardened steel in half by hand when cutting cardboard. That doesn't sound "normal".

Deacon, Mastiff - would it be better if the blade broke day after he bought the knife? What exactly would it change?

 

[The Deacon]

He said the lock was wore out not the whole knife.

So the knife was merely sloppy loose and unsafe, rather than impossible to use. That's a fairly fine point of difference in my book. IMHO, a locking knife IS worn out when the lock is worn out.

Is there a lifetime warranty? If so, what does that mean

Please do keep in mind that I am not a Spyderco rep, my opinions are just that - my opinions. That said - yes, there is a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. I think we can all agree that defects in workmanship show up immediately. While material defects often do as well, they sometimes do not, so the blade may very well be a defect in material, but on a liner lock of that age, the lock would be is normal wear and tear. So I guess the question becomes, would you feel satisfied if they merely replaced the blade without addressing the lock issue?
As Joe pointed out, they might be hesitant to do that out of concern that the knife would still be unsafe to use.

Deacon,- would it be better if the blade broke day after he bought the knife? What exactly would it change?

Not better, not worse, just different. What would change is that the knife on which the blade broke would not have already been essentially worthless.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi Shane,

If a 10 years old blade of CPM-440V broke while slicing, it must have had a crack in the blade. What might have caused the crack is another question.

We' ve built many thousands of Miltary's over the past 10 years. We've had very few break. Hard to say it's a design flaw given the history.

We did harden some of the earlier 440V Military's too hard , which could have an influence. But we really need to see the knife to make a determination.

Did you buy the knife new?

sal

 

[shane]

Sal,

Thanks for the response and yes, I bought it new around 2000. I will send it in tomorrow for evaluation.

shane

Hi Shane,

If a 10 years old blade of CPM-440V broke while slicing, it must have had a crack in the blade. What might have caused the crack is another question.

We' ve built many thousands of Miltary's over the past 10 years. We've had very few break. Hard to say it's a design flaw given the history.

We did harden some of the earlier 440V Military's too hard , which could have an influence. But we really need to see the knife to make a determination.

Did you buy the knife new?

sal

 

[shane]

The lock is not completely worn out to the point it is unsafe as I obviously still use it.

shane

So the knife was merely sloppy loose and unsafe, rather than impossible to use. That's a fairly fine point of difference in my book. IMHO, a locking knife IS worn out when the lock is worn out.

Please do keep in mind that I am not a Spyderco rep, my opinions are just that - my opinions. That said - yes, there is a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. I think we can all agree that defects in workmanship show up immediately. While material defects often do as well, they sometimes do not, so the blade may very well be a defect in material, but on a liner lock of that age, the lock would be is normal wear and tear. So I guess the question becomes, would you feel satisfied if they merely replaced the blade without addressing the lock issue?
As Joe pointed out, they might be hesitant to do that out of concern that the knife would still be unsafe to use.

Not better, not worse, just different. What would change is that the knife on which the blade broke would not have already been essentially worthless.

 

[The Mastiff]

Deacon, Mastiff - would it be better if the blade broke day after he bought the knife? What exactly would it change?

That would signify to me that yes, it is very likely a defect. If it wears out years or decades later it could be many other things, including damage from misuse, wear and tear from repetitively using the knife in a manner that it's not designed for, like prying, or someone that knows the system and the probability that the lock can't be fixed. When that happens they handle it differently. The person, if so inclined can intentionally break the blade knowing it will be rebuilt. The liner lock would probably be fixed when fitting the new blade.

That's a cynical way of thinking but I've met my share of people that wouldn't hesitate a second trying a scam like that. Steels like 440V, and more so BG42 don't just break for no reason.

Take a knife and cut down. Do you feel much pressure laterally, to one side or another? Do you think a blade, even not heat treated perfectly will snap sideways on that down cut?

Now take a guy that supposedly only prys open a cardboard box? Granted it says that the knife is not meant to pry in the paperwork that comes with the knife. In a normal cardboard box with BG42 ( a stainless ball bearing high speed steel known for it's extreme pureness and strength designed for stresses and heats much higher than from opening boxes the wrong way). I see that as even more improbable due to the extreme quality of the knife and steels used there.

I'm having difficulties with both these broken blades. Something is not right. Joe

 

[swknight]

even to the point of overlooking minor abuse.

My MILITARY has more blade material in CPM S30Vthan any other folder I own.

It is my every day carry knife.

 

[shane]

Something is not right with your attitude. I have been a member here for a long time (7 years longer than you) and had many knives and they are not disposable after 7 years of use. It should give many more years of service. Your probably cynical because of all the scams you have done over the years and are speaking from experience.

shane

That would signify to me that yes, it is very likely a defect. If it wears out years or decades later it could be many other things, including damage from misuse, wear and tear from repetitively using the knife in a manner that it's not designed for, like prying, or someone that knows the system and the probability that the lock can't be fixed. When that happens they handle it differently. The person, if so inclined can intentionally break the blade knowing it will be rebuilt. The liner lock would probably be fixed when fitting the new blade.

That's a cynical way of thinking but I've met my share of people that wouldn't hesitate a second trying a scam like that. Steels like 440V, and more so BG42 don't just break for no reason.

Take a knife and cut down. Do you feel much pressure laterally, to one side or another? Do you think a blade, even not heat treated perfectly will snap sideways on that down cut?

Now take a guy that supposedly only prys open a cardboard box? Granted it says that the knife is not meant to pry in the paperwork that comes with the knife. In a normal cardboard box with BG42 ( a stainless ball bearing high speed steel known for it's extreme pureness and strength designed for stresses and heats much higher than from opening boxes the wrong way). I see that as even more improbable due to the extreme quality of the knife and steels used there.

I'm having difficulties with both these broken blades. Something is not right. Joe

 

[dragonram7]

I'm still impressed with Spyderco CS. The CEO of Spyderco says send it in. Thanks for a great company and product.

 

[shane]

I am very pleased with Spyderco customer service. I just got home and found a new Military arrived from Syderco. My broken one was sent to the test department for evaluation.

shane