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Does scratching the handle void the warranty?

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 6:11 pm
by Wanimator
This and what other stuff similar to that would avoid the warranty? It happens from being dropped, scrubbing against something when your walking... or whatever else. I've wanted to know this for awhile, I just never got around to asking.

What exactly voids the warranty?

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 7:30 pm
by Wanimator
Does scratching G-10 (Which I've accidently done recently), scratching screws or anything of that nature void the warranty? I've been wanting a list of things that void a warranty that you could easily and unintentionally do for awhile.

Re: What exactly voids the warranty?

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 7:39 pm
by Wanimator
Sorry for double threading/posting. :(

Re: What exactly voids the warranty?

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 7:59 pm
by jabba359
Scratches in and of themselves are not cause for a voided warranty (all our blades, handles, and clips get a bit scratched up from normal use). The cause of the scratches, however, may void the warranty (such as if you were pounding on the knife with a rock, scratching it up in the process. The warranty in this case wouldn't be voided because it was scratched, but because you pounded it with a rock).

The warranty can be voided if you disassemble the knife (subject to Spyderco's discretion), abuse a knife, or accidents ("I dropped it off a cliff and it broke" or "I ran over it with a forklift and it cracked."). See their warranty page for details: http://www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/index.php?item=10" target="_blank

Spyderco is well known for taking care of their customers and they handle warranty claims on a knife to knife basis, so there isn't a blanket list that will apply 100% of the time.

Re: What exactly voids the warranty?

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:16 pm
by Holland
jabba359 wrote:Scratches in and of themselves are not cause for a voided warranty (all our blades, handles, and clips get a bit scratched up from normal use). The cause of the scratches, however, may void the warranty (such as if you were pounding on the knife with a rock, scratching it up in the process. The warranty in this case wouldn't be voided because it was scratched, but because you pounded it with a rock).

The warranty can be voided if you disassemble the knife (subject to Spyderco's discretion), abuse a knife, or accidents ("I dropped it off a cliff and it broke" or "I ran over it with a forklift and it cracked."). See their warranty page for details: http://www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/index.php?item=10" target="_blank

Spyderco is well known for taking care of their customers and they handle warranty claims on a knife to knife basis, so there isn't a blanket list that will apply 100% of the time.
Well said sir, sums it up nicely

Re: What exactly voids the warranty?

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:19 pm
by Wanimator
Okay, my exact reason was I was tightening screws because they appeared be be a bit loose and the bit slipped. I already needed to send it in for some play with the caged ball bearing lock. NOTE: Other people had the same problems with it recently...

Re: What exactly voids the warranty?

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:26 pm
by Surfingringo
Are you trying to make it clear that the scratches on the scales have nothing to do with the reason the cbbl is loose? Are you worried that spyderco will assume that when you send it in?

Re: What exactly voids the warranty?

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:31 pm
by Wanimator
No, I would've contacted Spyderco directly if it was personal in that manner. If you can offer any more information on my lock problem it would be appreciated though.

Re: What exactly voids the warranty?

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:33 pm
by Surfingringo
Wanimator wrote:No, I would've contacted Spyderco directly if it was personal in that manner. If you can offer any more information on my lock problem it would be appreciated though.
Why don't you make a quick video and post it here. Somebody might be able to tell you what you've got going on with the lock.

Re: What exactly voids the warranty?

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:52 pm
by Wanimator
I'll try to pump it out tomorrow?

Re: What exactly voids the warranty?

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 4:38 am
by The Deacon
Wanimator wrote:Does scratching G-10 (Which I've accidently done recently), scratching screws or anything of that nature void the warranty? I've been wanting a list of things that void a warranty that you could easily and unintentionally do for awhile.
Short simple answer would be no, those things do not void the warranty.

OTOH, if someone claims a knife was delivered to them with a scratched G-10 handle, and asks for replacement, Spyderco might have a hard time believing that it's a warranty issue if the knife shows other obvious signs of use. Similar with screws. Kristi has noted that Spyderco can tell the difference between a knife where the owner simply tightened some screws in a less than perfect manner, and one that's been taken apart. So, while the folks in W&R may cringe a bit at ham fisted attempts at "fine tuning", those attempts would not void the warranty on the rest of the knife. OTOH, disassembly would void the warranty, although even then Spyderco would probably replace the knife if the problem could not possibly have been caused by the owner's actions.

Re: What exactly voids the warranty?

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 7:54 am
by Wanimator
I didn't take it apart, if that's what you're getting at. I've given all the screws a tightening after I've gone on walks to be safe, and adjusted the pivot when play developed (without any negative or positive pressure put on the blade that happened).

Re: What exactly voids the warranty?

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 8:16 am
by The Deacon
Wanimator wrote:I didn't take it apart, if that's what you're getting at. I've given all the screws a tightening after I've gone on walks to be safe, and adjusted the pivot when play developed (without any negative or positive pressure put on the blade that happened).
I wasn't "getting at" anything. I was merely explaining that, while disassembly voids the warranty simply scratching a screw would not, unless the knife showed obvious signs of use and the claimed defect was "the screw was damaged when I bought it".

Re: What exactly voids the warranty?

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 9:05 am
by Wanimator
Ah, alright.

Re: What exactly voids the warranty?

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 10:49 am
by Blerv
Warranties are fairly straight forward whether you are buying a TV, car or a pocket knife. Extended warranties and the nuances of repair vary a bit. In general:

What is covered - "Normal" use by a rational person. A pocket knife is designed to cut things.
What is not covered - Abuse, neglect, customer disassembly (arguably "abuse" since you aren't an employee of the manufacturer), wear items.

*If a knife rusts that is considered neglect as it's a slow and preventable peril.
*If you snap the tip off that's considered abuse simply as you have exceeded the threshold of the tool's intent whether by intention or not.
*Wear items would include abrasion of scales or blade steel (windshield wiper blades and tires aren't covered by a vehicle warranty either). If your handle scales aren't finished properly the W&R department should be able to determine if it's been in your pocket for weeks or simply wasn't finished as well as some. Typically (unless fitting within the spectrum of QC) I would think your knife could be exchanged for a better specimen assuming expectations are in-check for a production folder.

This said, Spyderco can (and does) step beyond the lettering of the warranty and take care of customers frequently. Even customers who (IMHO) don't deserve it. That's what makes them a good company.

If someone sees a warranty as a potential bucket of phobias and a way to get screwed by the maker they should find a company they trust and go that route instead. It's easier to sleep at night knowing you have advocates in the world. I'm not referring to the original poster, just a general statement.

PS: Obviously I'm not an a Spyderco employee nor are many on this forum. I have worked a number of customer service jobs and this is my observation of how faulty products are handled almost universally. Just because Costco and Nordstroms will smile and take back anything doesn't mean that's the norm...they often just have a specific understanding with their suppliers. Ie: the "our way or the highway" clause. :)

Re: What exactly voids the warranty?

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 11:54 am
by Wanimator
Camera is broken :/ Finding a solution...