Novice here in need of experts opinion on Lil' Native

[agiulius]

Hi! I recently purchased my very first folding knife, a Spyderco Lil' Native (lockback). Even though it's small it feels like a solid, good knife. As soon as I looked at the (closed) blade, my OCD kicked in and I noticed that the grind is asymetrical, the left side of the edge is wider than the right one - it is also slightly off center, but this bothers me less. I read many topics on asymetrical grinds but couldn't find one where I could see exactly how much difference is between the 2 sides. I have attached a pic for you to get an idea of how it looks.
It cuts pretty good, only done some cardboard opening and few paper tests (it cuts the paper, but not cleanly). I'm concerned that the edge will not hold as well as it would if it were symetrical and sharpening it might be problematic, especially if I'd want to correct it. Returning it is still an option, but would rather not go through a replacement process if chances are I'd get one the same or worse.

[vivi]

I wouldn't worry about it. If the opening and closing is smooth, a little off centering won't hurt anything. The uneven grind can be cleaned up on your first sharpening.

[Evil D]

Is it the edge bevel that's uneven or the blade grind?

[ABX2011]

Asymmetric edge bevels are common and are easily resolved when sharpening. Slight off centering is common too and can often be remedied.

[agiulius]

I wouldn't worry about it. If the opening and closing is smooth, a little off centering won't hurt anything. The uneven grind can be cleaned up on your first sharpening.

Thanks Vivi, I can open it with one hand; cannot flick it yet and I don't think I will ever be able, I have large hands and I don't have a good grip on the small handle. It's not buttery smooth, but I think it will get smoother with time especially since I find myself reaching for it while I read something and play with it.

[agiulius]

Is it the edge bevel that's uneven or the blade grind?

Evil D, I'm still getting familiarized with the terms so I hope I get this right... the bevel looks even on both sides, the grind is uneven, left side has a sharper angle (and the edge is wider) than the right.

[Pickmansmodel82]

Off center grinds disappear with sharpening. S30v is fairly easy to work with. If the blade isn’t rubbing on any part of the handle scale or liner, and opens/closes without binding I wouldn’t be too worried about it.

[agiulius]

Asymmetric edge bevels are common and are easily resolved when sharpening. Slight off centering is common too and can often be remedied.

Thanks ABX, I'd hate to return/replace it, being, it seems, the one that got me hooked on (cool) knives :)

[agiulius]

Off center grinds disappear with sharpening. S30v is fairly easy to work with. If the blade isn’t rubbing on any part of the handle scale or liner, and opens/closes without binding I wouldn’t be too worried about it.

I'm glad I posted my issue in here, great (and comforting) comments from all of you guys, thanks!
There is little room between the blade and handle all across - I checked with blade closed and opened.

[curlyhairedboy]

Looks like the edge grind is a little uneven. That's easily fixed and will disappear as you use the knife :)

fun fact though - the PM2 primary distal taper is flat on one side and slightly convex on the other.

[koenigsegg]

Looks like the edge grind is a little uneven. That's easily fixed and will disappear as you use the knife :)

fun fact though - the PM2 primary distal taper is flat on one side and slightly convex on the other.

Is it this way on other blades? I swear the ikuchi blade looks curved

[curlyhairedboy]

I'd have to check, I haven't noticed it on any other model. The edge is well centered in the grind regardless :)

[VooDooChild]

Im not saying that there arent some lemons out there. Even by spyderco. But nothings perfect. I also feel some people can find a flaw in anything.
Does it work as a tool, as it is supposed to?
Also, your first folding knife is a USA made spyderco! Alot of us werent nearly that lucky. Maybe go buy a cheap sub $30 folding knife and then reevaluate yours.
Im joking of course, but unless you got a bad example, the last several knives Ive gotten out of Golden have been really good. You could always consider sending it in.

[Ez556]

Mine looks identical to that, so you may get another that looks the same if you do return it. I wouldn’t worry about it, mines great in every other way and as Vivi said, that’s easy enough to fix when you sharpen it

[araneae]

Welcome aboard. You've jumped into the knife world with a great first knife. As others said, seems like you have nothing to worry about. The OCD in you will need to let go if you're going to use this knife as intended. Scratches will accumulate as proof of ownership and that's as it should be. Try to ignore the YouTube inspired search for perfection in what is a tool and enjoy the great design, materials and craftsmanship of your spydie.

[jpm2]

Forget about a perfect ground blade, unless you did it yourself.
Even when they look perfect, they're not... flat stones don't lie.

[Cambertree]

Forget about a perfect ground blade, unless you did it yourself.
Even when they look perfect, they're not... flat stones don't lie.

Yeah I second this. Nearly all knives which have edges which are ground or finished by hand have a degree of asymmetry due to strong hand/weak hand bias.

A custom knifemaker once told me that achieving the appearance of symmetry is one of the hardest things to do with handle and blade grinds.

Japanese kitchen knives often have a slightly asymmetrical edge grind (70/30 or 60/40) to account for the fact that no one cuts with their hand held exactly vertical like it’s held in a jig, anyway.

I’d go further and say that in an imaginary perfect world, if you had a knife exactly customised for you, it would be slightly asymmetrical in handle contours and blade grind to favour your dominant hand and cutting bias.

[Doc Dan]

Unless the grind is really egregious, love it and sharpen it, and soon it will be as you desire it to be.

[Bloke]

Forget about a perfect ground blade, unless you did it yourself.
Even when they look perfect, they're not... flat stones don't lie.

Ain't that the truth!

[sal]

Hi Agiulius,

Welcome to our forum.

sal