Delica 4 fake or old stock?

[freebird610]

I recently purchased this Delica 4 from someone second hand. Upon receiving it I began to question it authenticity. I have several other Delica 4's and this one is slightly different. The ones I have are recent production. I believe this one is older. I'm wondering if this is just a slightly older one and they had some slight differences or if it is a fake. The knife I purchased had the scales swapped so I can't use that to help me make a deduction. The one on the left in the photos I am certain is authentic and looks just like the others I own. The one on the right is the one I am concerned about. For starters the Spyder logo is slightly different. The logo on the right one(the one in question) has a slightly larger mouth. Also the lazer etching of Spyderco VG-10 is also different. The lockbar and lockbar cutout in the blade is also a little different. Finally on the backside the Seki-City Japan logo is also etched differently. Also the jimping on the one in question is slightly softer. You can kinda tell in the photo. I'm thinking these are just slight differences because it is a little older but wanted to rule out the possibility of a fake. Thanks for any help guys.

[SpyderNut]

I see what you mean regarding the differences between the two blades and the lock bars. Although I tend to agree with your speculations, the only definitive answer can come directly from Spyderco regarding authenticity. I'd send them in and see what answers they can provide.

[freebird610]

Yeah I was trying to avoid going through the hassle of sending it in. Maybe someone from Spyderco or a forum member who knows more can chime in. I think its legit due to little things like the finish on the blade and the liners and hardware appear to all be identical. The seller would accept it back for refund if I wanted. Just hate to send it back if its legit. I got a good deal on it if its real.

[The Deacon]

Have no desire to take any of mine apart, but can tell you that, with the knife closed, the lock notches in the blades of my CC#'d ZDP-189 and pink Sprint Run VG-10 Delica 4's both look like the one on the right. For that reason, I'd vote for it being authentic.

As a side note, I think returning a knife after you've voided the warranty would be very bad form.

[freebird610]

Have no desire to take any of mine apart, but can tell you that, with the knife closed, the lock notches in the blades of my CC#'d ZDP-189 and pink Sprint Run VG-10 Delica 4's both look like the one on the right. For that reason, I'd vote for it being authentic.

As a side note, I think returning a knife after you've voided the warranty would be very bad form.

Thanks for looking. Does the logo etching look like this one as well? The knife had already been disassembled and the scales swapped thus the warranty was already voided. In fact the person I bought it from botched the reassembly pretty good so that is why I took it apart in the first place to fix it. Actually made me realize why Spyderco discourages disassembly. He had swapped the liners onto the wrong side. Installed the backspacer incorrectly and got the lockbar d-bolt mixed up.

[spyduser0]

The engraving is the old style and authentic. Pretty sure both are real. How did he manage to mess up reassembly?

[freebird610]

The engraving is the old style and authentic. Pretty sure both are real. How did he manage to mess up reassembly?

He got the liner mixed up and switched sides. This probably wouldn't affect function but I switched them back. He managed to pin the little tabs on the backspacer between the scales instead of fitting them in their little slots. He got the lock-bar d-bolt mixed up with one of the backspacer d-bolts. The lock-bar d-bolt is a little shorter and meant specifically for the lockbar. Made me wonder what kind of messes the warranty crew gets. ha

[spyduser0]

The engraving is the old style and authentic. Pretty sure both are real. How did he manage to mess up reassembly?

He got the liner mixed up and switched sides. This probably wouldn't affect function but I switched them back. He managed to pin the little tabs on the backspacer between the scales instead of fitting them in their little slots. He got the lock-bar d-bolt mixed up with one of the backspacer d-bolts. The lock-bar d-bolt is a little shorter and meant specifically for the lockbar. Made me wonder what kind of messes the warranty crew gets. ha

Wow lol. I bought a used Endura once that had the backspace tabs not engaged with the scales.

[ejames13]

The fact that you can see the typical VG-10 "waves" in the steel on the knife is question indicates that it's probably authentic. It's unlikely that a counterfeiter would use VG-10, and I've never seen another steel exhibit that wavy quality.

[freebird610]

The fact that you can see the typical VG-10 "waves" in the steel on the knife is question indicates that it's probably authentic. It's unlikely that a counterfeiter would use VG-10, and I've never seen another steel exhibit that wavy quality.

Not sure what you mean by the waves but the blade finish is identical. That is what had me leaning towards its authenticity.

[OakTree]

Wow lol. I bought a used Endura once that had the backspace tabs not engaged with the scales.

I had great trouble reassembling my Delica. Aligning all the pins while trying to prevent the spring bar from jumping out of place is very hard.
I thought I managed but now I see that one of the spacer tabs is not seated properly:





Is this bad?

[Fred Sanford]

Wow lol. I bought a used Endura once that had the backspace tabs not engaged with the scales.

I had great trouble reassembling my Delica. Aligning all the pins while trying to prevent the spring bar from jumping out of place is very hard.
I thought I managed but now I see that one of the spacer tabs is not seated properly:





Is this bad?

Those pics are the reasons Spyderco doesn't want people taking them apart. You have to do it in a specific order, if you don't it ends up like yours.

Now, imagine the amount of people that have taken stuff apart and not properly reassembled it and then sold it to someone else.

[freebird610]

Wow lol. I bought a used Endura once that had the backspace tabs not engaged with the scales.

I had great trouble reassembling my Delica. Aligning all the pins while trying to prevent the spring bar from jumping out of place is very hard.
I thought I managed but now I see that one of the spacer tabs is not seated properly:





Is this bad?

You need to assemble the knife entirely other than the lock bar. You put the lockbar in last. You insert the lockbar and then press the d-bolt through. You can find some videos on youtube showing this method. Its actually fairly easy if you do it this way.

[The Deacon]

double tap

[The Deacon]

Thanks for looking. Does the logo etching look like this one as well?

Tang markings are stamped on both of mine. Pink VG-10 one in the same font and size as the one you're worried about. Green ZDP one in a slightly larger, more widely spaced font. When they use to stamp them dies would eventually wear out and their replacements were not always exactly the same.
As for the :spyder: logos, I'd describe both as very shallow etching in a series of dark horizontal lines separated by steel lines thinner than the width of a hair.

[freebird610]

Thanks for looking. Does the logo etching look like this one as well?

Tang markings are stamped on both of mine. Pink VG-10 one in the same font and size as the one you're worried about. Green ZDP one in a slightly larger, more widely spaced font. When they use to stamp them dies would eventually wear out and their replacements were not always exactly the same.
As for the :spyder: logos, I'd describe both as very shallow etching in a series of dark horizontal lines separated by steel lines thinner than the width of a hair.

Does the size of the Spydie mouth look like any of yours? Its a little larger than the other pictured and any others that I own.

[OakTree]

Those pics are the reasons Spyderco doesn't want people taking them apart. You have to do it in a specific order, if you don't it ends up like yours.

Now, imagine the amount of people that have taken stuff apart and not properly reassembled it and then sold it to someone else.

You say this like I connected a high voltage power line to a drinking fountain, or something. I'm aware of this issue and that I caused it. I plan to remedy this but I haven't gotten around to it. Freebird has suggested a method I should look up, and I will.

[OakTree]

You need to assemble the knife entirely other than the lock bar. You put the lockbar in last. You insert the lockbar and then press the d-bolt through. You can find some videos on youtube showing this method. Its actually fairly easy if you do it this way.

I watched a couple of videos (including Nick Shabazz's vid) but still managed to mess up the spacer alignment. Do you have a link to the recommended reassembly method?

[JT]

the lock notches in the blades of my CC#'d ZDP-189 and pink Sprint Run VG-10 Delica 4's both look like the one on the right. For that reason, I'd vote for it being authentic.

same here, both my ZDP ones, one old original sprint with the light blue scales, and the "modern" with the brg scales.

[JT]

Is this bad?

I'd remove some of the grease to prevent lint issues, if that white/gray goo is grease. A little goes a long way. And Imho, you don't need lubricant right on that spot.

Can't help with the assembly though, it's been a while since I took mine apart.