"Is this Authentic" Theme?

[this_is_nascar]

What a bunch of great responses. I'm pleasently surprised by the participation and feedback by everyone. For the record, I purchase knives (and other products) from Amazon all the time, without issue. I love the return process and policy and love the fact I can have many of my orders same day delivered.

[Blerv]

I've purchased a couple from Amazon too with success.

Being content with your decision making is the most important aspect of shopping. Inherent risks vs inherent rewards. I'll typically compare my top few dealers and go with one of them but have been known to impulse buy :).

I believe Spyderco sells direct to Amazon do they not? I can't imagine Spyderco hoping to drive business away from one of their dealers. They most likely rely on it. I could be wrong.

Not sure on that. I'm guessing most are larger sporting good stores who buy direct and also sell online. The few I've purchased were processed by golfing stores and what-not with very high overall ratings.

[Knifenoob]

Ha I"m one of the topics about concern of a fake knife and can give a little insight to my post.

I have a POS knife and wanted a great EDC, so I looked up best EDC knife and was deciding between sabenza, benchmade 940-1 and then Para military 2.

I went to the store and yes I talked to a guy for about 10 mins but they wanted $168, I saw one on Amazon for $107 and bought that since they wouldnt price match. I did it in the store not thinking anything about fake knives because I didnt realize people did this.

When I saw it was from a company called sasy420 I was a little concerned and thats when I did the research, I think any reasonable person wouldnt spend 50% more on the same knife if given an option. Granted if I get a 'fake' whatever that even means then I have wasted time only.

[TheOutdoorNerd]

You have saved more money buying knives on Amazon than I have ever spent on knives. Right? :D

Please show me where I said that to you, specifically? I think I said in another thread that I probably spend more money on knives from Amazon than most people here spend on knives, and I still stand by that. It's actually probably a point of shame, though I am a blogger and roll whatever money I make back into the blog. But it does give me a unique perspective as far as the safety of certain retailers like Amazon.

So, it wasn't directed at you or the other die hard knife addicts here, and it wasn't meant as the contest of urination you personally took it to be, and my apologies for coming across that way.

I'm curious how many fakes you've personally got from Amazon?

Most of these were orders with more than one knife:

[TheOutdoorNerd]

The part that I can't understand is why anyone would go to that amount of hassle and risk to save 5 or 10 bucks. I guess everyone places different values on their time and energy.

My last 3 Spydies from Amazon:

Des Horn: $62
Manbug VG10: $24
Orange Dragonfly: $42

That seems like a savings to me worth the hassle of a few mouse clicks, and I'd say that I did a little better than $5-$10 savings. All of that with 2 day shipping and a liberal return policy.

But I'll humor you. As someone raised by a single mom, we were taught "waste not, want not." Even in 2016, $5 is a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk. So, even it were 5 cents, that would be good enough for me. Money is money, and I was taught not to waste it whether I live in a mansion or a trailer, and I've lived in both. A fake knife I would have to return would total about 10 minutes of my time, and I've never received a fake. So far it's just been click click and a Spydie is at my door. I've worked in the insurance and financial industries for 25 years, and from a risk management perspective, I can tell you it's a very favorable risk-versus-reward ratio for any buyer on Amazon, or even flea bay, as much as I feel dirty for shopping there.

So I'm pretty content with the time-spent-versus-amount-saved ratio. I've spent minutes of time and saved hundreds of dollars, allowing me to maximize my addiction lol.

[Surfingringo]

I've ordered numerous Spydercos from Amazon and never had an issue. Though I did not make it clear my post was related to Ebay. I bet 9 out of 10 times someone is posting about a fake here we end up finding out it came from Ebay. There's just too many outlaws there for me to feel comfortable using their marketplace. Several of you guys say you know how to distinguish the good from the bad, and I'm sure you do, but for me I shop around at what I consider trusted dealers. Obviously I still shop and try to find the best deal but there are a couple of sites that I just don't think are worth the risk. Amazon is not one of them.

[Knifenoob]

I've ordered numerous Spydercos from Amazon and never had an issue. Though I did not make it clear my post was related to Ebay. I bet 9 out of 10 times someone is posting about a fake here we end up finding out it came from Ebay. There's just too many outlaws there for me to feel comfortable using their marketplace. Several of you guys say you know how to distinguish the good from the bad, and I'm sure you do, but for me I shop around at what I consider trusted dealers. Obviously I still shop and try to find the best deal but there are a couple of sites that I just don't think are worth the risk. Amazon is not one of them.

I bought mine through amazon but they appear to be an Ebay store...what are your thoughts on that?

[Surfingringo]

I've ordered numerous Spydercos from Amazon and never had an issue. Though I did not make it clear my post was related to Ebay. I bet 9 out of 10 times someone is posting about a fake here we end up finding out it came from Ebay. There's just too many outlaws there for me to feel comfortable using their marketplace. Several of you guys say you know how to distinguish the good from the bad, and I'm sure you do, but for me I shop around at what I consider trusted dealers. Obviously I still shop and try to find the best deal but there are a couple of sites that I just don't think are worth the risk. Amazon is not one of them.

I bought mine through amazon but they appear to be an Ebay store...what are your thoughts on that?

Lol, I don't know man. I'm in way over my head here. I do know that when I order from Amazon, i only get stuff that is fulfilled by Amazon through amazon prime.

[TheOutdoorNerd]

Anyway it wasn't my intent to stand on a soap box. It just kind of bugs me seeing prominent members of a community that's supposed to have integrity intentionally fueling people's fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD) in order to "gently" steer them towards retailers favored by the community. It seems like a community with integrity would be purposefully vendor-agnostic. Is not Amazon an authorized dealer that sells Spdyerco with Sal's blessing? Isn't Spyderco a company that's known for treating its authorized dealers well? Except when it doesn't? If someone started threads every day bashing BHQ or KC or one those guys, the topics would probably be shut down pretty quick. I don't know what that double standard is called, but it's not called integrity. Sorry, but it's a deal breaker for me.

[bearfacedkiller]

No worries my man. Just messing with you. You are all about Amazon. :) I have advised people not to buy on Ebay and not to buy Amazon third party. The two resent posts, which I think we are discussing, are just that. I shop on Amazon a little bit but not usually for knives. In the past couple years I have bought around a hundred knives and only one came from Amazon and four or five came from Ebay. I have yet to buy a fake. Keep in mind that you know what you are doing and the fact that you wheel and deal all over the net doesn't change the fact that people who don't know any better come to the forum on a very regular basis with either a fake or a problem with a knife which turns out to be fake. Most of the time it was purchased from either Ebay or Amazon.

[Surfingringo]

Anyway it wasn't my intent to stand on a soap box. It just kind of bugs me seeing prominent members of a community that's supposed to have integrity intentionally fueling people's fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD) in order to "gently" steer them towards retailers favored by the community. It seems like a community with integrity would be purposefully vendor-agnostic. Is not Amazon an authorized dealer that sells Spdyerco with Sal's blessing? Isn't Spyderco a company that's known for treating its authorized dealers well? Except when it doesn't? If someone started threads every day bashing BHQ or KC or one those guys, the topics would probably be shut down pretty quick. I don't know what that double standard is called, but it's not called integrity. Sorry, but it's a deal breaker for me.

Was it your intent to stand on a soapbox that time? :p

I'm just jerking your chain man, I've got no dog in this fight. Y'all have a good evening.

[Knifenoob]

Again I havent been around longer than a week looking at knives but wouldnt you rather have this conversation as to what other 'third party' sellers are selling genuine knives at a lower price?

If my purchase from sasy420 (haha..sounds fake already) turns out to be legit why would you not want to know that and give them a chance. I'm saving over 50% from a retail store and everything else is out of stock online...this happened to be their last one since the store has their quantities already posted

[SG89]

My last 3 Spydies from Amazon:

Des Horn: $62
Manbug VG10: $24
Orange Dragonfly: $42

Was the manbug a lightning deal that I missed??

[this_is_nascar]

The intent of this thread is not to trash or support Amazon. I apologize for even mentioning that in my original post.

Its intent is to understand why all the recent topics questioning the authenticity of a new Spyderco knife. I know, for me, if I purchase outside the big 3 or 4 retailers, I know I'm taking a chance, possibly.

I accept that chance, take what I get and move on.

[tvenuto]

I was once new to this hobby. The first Spyderco I bought was from Amazon simply because I had a gift card, and needed a new pocket knife. It never occurred to me that I might get a fake Spyderco. This forum seems like a reasonable place to come for help. Let's be sure to welcome these people with respect, and help them along their Spydie journey.

This. My first spydie was also an Amazon purchase (Delica 4) and I would do so again if a screaming deal came up. I honestly think the risk is quite low, but it does exist and I think it's perfectly reasonable to mention to newcomers. I think that for the most part, people are genuinely trying to help newcomers, and that's a huge reason that people stick around here.

Anyway it wasn't my intent to stand on a soap box. It just kind of bugs me seeing prominent members of a community that's supposed to have integrity intentionally fueling people's fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD) in order to "gently" steer them towards retailers favored by the community. It seems like a community with integrity would be purposefully vendor-agnostic. Is not Amazon an authorized dealer that sells Spdyerco with Sal's blessing? Isn't Spyderco a company that's known for treating its authorized dealers well? Except when it doesn't? If someone started threads every day bashing BHQ or KC or one those guys, the topics would probably be shut down pretty quick. I don't know what that double standard is called, but it's not called integrity. Sorry, but it's a deal breaker for me.

As BFK mentioned, there have been regular reports/questions about fakes or knives that have had QC issues, and a not insignificant number have come from Amazon. This is something I have noted independently, and not the result of groupthink.

Honestly reporting your experiences, both good and bad, is a form of integrity, and in many of our experiences Amazon carries a higher risk of fakes or QC issues than does "BHQ or KC one of those guys." If it didn't, we'd get posts reporting problems with knives from "those guys," and I would think that information would be welcomed, and not considered "bashing." We all have unique opinions and experiences, and being able to share them candidly is what makes this forum an interesting place to come to. It's clearly your experience that Amazon is a convenient and inexpensive place to get your Spydies, and that the risk of fakes or QC issues is very low. We appreciate that data point, and hope it guides new member's buying decisions. However, claiming that people reporting their good experiences with specific online retailers constitutes some sort of nefarious bias is less appreciated.

[Larry_Mott]

Just a thought: Could it be that Knife Center, BHQ and the other large dealers take out the knives and give them a quick inspection before packing and sending,and your average Amazon seller don't? Thereby upping the risk of any lemon to pass unnoticed?
Some eBay dealers i buy knives from put styrofoam "cheez doodles" inside the box, i don't know if that's all or if they inspect the knife too but i haven't got a bad one this far from eBay..
EDIT: I only buy from eBay stores with 99%+ feedback.

[Shockwave]

Honestly reporting your experiences, both good and bad, is a form of integrity, and in many of our experiences Amazon carries a higher risk of fakes or QC issues than does "BHQ or KC one of those guys." If it didn't, we'd get posts reporting problems with knives from "those guys," and I would think that information would be welcomed, and not considered "bashing." We all have unique opinions and experiences, and being able to share them candidly is what makes this forum an interesting place to come to. It's clearly your experience that Amazon is a convenient and inexpensive place to get your Spydies, and that the risk of fakes or QC issues is very low. We appreciate that data point, and hope it guides new member's buying decisions. However, claiming that people reporting their good experiences with specific online retailers constitutes some sort of nefarious bias is less appreciated.

Thank you! QFT

[tvenuto]

Just a thought: Could it be that Knife Center, BHQ and the other large dealers take out the knives and give them a quick inspection before packing and sending,and your average Amazon seller don't? Thereby upping the risk of any lemon to pass unnoticed?
Some eBay dealers i buy knives from put styrofoam "cheez doodles" inside the box, i don't know if that's all or if they inspect the knife too but i haven't got a bad one this far from eBay..
EDIT: I only buy from eBay stores with 99%+ feedback.

I do know that many of the "mom 'n pop" online retailers that get highly recommended here will do a QC check upon request. However, I actually wonder if the opposite scenario is at play. Due to the incredibly low margins and liberal return policy of 3rd party sellers on Amazon, they might receive a return for QC issues, fold it right back into stock, and then send it out again with the hope that eventually it doesn't come back. It's also possible that simply far more people order from Amazon, so we're not seeing a higher % of QC issues, just a higher number of reports in line with the higher number of orders.

I only go to ebay for disco'd models, and have always bought from individuals to my knowledge, and had good luck. However, the models that I've been seeking haven't been faked (D'allara, Kris, etc).

[Fresh Eddie Fresh]

Just a thought: Could it be that Knife Center, BHQ and the other large dealers take out the knives and give them a quick inspection before packing and sending,and your average Amazon seller don't? Thereby upping the risk of any lemon to pass unnoticed?
Some eBay dealers i buy knives from put styrofoam "cheez doodles" inside the box, i don't know if that's all or if they inspect the knife too but i haven't got a bad one this far from eBay..
EDIT: I only buy from eBay stores with 99%+ feedback.

I think the difference between a knife dealer and any "box box" or massive online retailer is that they know the product. Walmart, Amazon and companies like them sell so many different items that they are not experts in any one particular thing.

There are sellers on Ebay that I trust, but I am gravitating towards dedicated online retailers. I feel as though it is better to spend a little bit more and support the stores who are passionate about my interests. Of course everyone has a different point of view, and there really is no right or wrong opinion.

[The Deacon]

I've grown a bit tired of reading them. I think "Send it to Spyderco for evaluation, along with $5 for return postage" should be the only response to them.

Honestly it seems like half the time this community fans the flames of that paranoia in order to grind an axe against retailers they don't like. That's what reduces my enthusiasm for the brand, not the chance of getting a fake.

Telling someone they probably got a fake if they ordered from Amazon isn't even in the ballpark of sound advice.

No, getting a fake from Amazon isn't a probability, but telling folks they definitely got a real one from Amazon is not sound advice either. There have been documented cases of people receiving fakes from Amazon. We can disagree as to the percentage of risk, but there most definitely is a higher risk of receiving a fake from Amazon than from one of the reputable online knife shops many of us use.