What's up with the terrible quality control on the Delica 4s?

[FCM415]

Only time I have used Amazon for Spydies is when they had knives labeled as Like New and were at a significant discount. Got a Tenacious and Delica this way and yes they were both returns obviously.

Discounted knives on Ebay(from reputable sellers) are always faulty in one way or another IME also. Off center bkade, blade play, something.

[ejames13]

I don't buy the "Amazon's fault" argument. I agree there's a higher risk of getting something that's been returned, but I've experienced similar issues to the OP on multiple knives I bought elsewhere. I think the OP probably just has very high expectations. Nothing wrong with that. Expectations have to be adjusted sometimes.

[Blerv]

I was unaware there was an official problem with them. :)

To answer though, all of mine have been satisfactory. I do have different standards for a $50 knife than some.

Is it comfortable?
Does it lock up firmly?
Is it sharp and will it be easy to maintain?

A dinner for two with a couple cocktails around my area is at least $45 after tip. The same cost as about 1.5 weeks of gas for the work commute. For a knife that will last decades I can't fault Spyderco if they execute the knife per their typical standards.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I understand the mental strife when something like this happens, as all of us on the forum do. Also, all the Enduras and Delicas I have purchased have had excellent fit, finish, and everything. No odd bits sticking out or uneven edges or grinds or anything. All perfect. The only time I ever had a problem that I can recall, and I posted it on the forum here, was when I ordered a Spyderco Endura from an online knife shop and there was a slight nick in the blade. It was almost imperceptible, and I sharpened it out, and used the knife and continue to use the knife with no problems whatsoever.

I prefer to stick with the knife specialist stores such as Knife Works, Knife Center, Cutlery Shoppe, etc. Here is also something you can do: If they give you space to type in a message or if you order it via the mail, send a note saying "Please check the blade and handle and make sure there are no nicks, dents, or major blemishes on the knife. Thank you." I don't know if you can add a note like that on an Amazon.Com order for the knife or on Walmart or not?

They can inspect the knife before they send it to you and make sure there are no such problems.

I wish you the best on your knife purchases. Spyderco knives are always very satisfying and have some of the best finishing work that I have ever seen.

[freebird610]

I have seen much greater quality control from the Golden Colorado models. The quality control from here in the US is excellent. I have seen several unevenly ground blades on the foreign produced frn knives. Granted these knives are considerable cheaper but other than uneven grinds mine have been fine especially for the price. Everything here has been perfect.

[jstrange]

Any brand can have a few bad ones slip through. That's why I like to deal with dealers that will look over their inventory and pick one out to my specs. Not all are willing to do so on products that aren't netting them huge profits, but the good ones will.

[etsailor]

I feel the same way. I just got a delica from Amazon and the front third of the blade was almost as dull as a butter knife. It would not cut paper or catch an edge on my thumb nail. Oddly enough, the back 2/3rd was just fine. Not what I expect from Spyderco. :confused:

[SG89]

You got a used return sounds like...

[ABX2011]

Personally I think the OP is being a little picky on a work knife like the Delica. That said, I turned away from the Japan-made Spydercos a couple of years ago because they seem to have the worst F&F of all the manufacturing centers. The fact that that higher-end models (not the Delica) made in Japan are also expensive makes it really easy to look elsewhere.

[The Mastiff]

any chance of a picture of the edge?

[mb1]

Just to reinforce the points already made, when I ordered my first Spyderco, it was from Amazon. I tried at least 2 orders to get a new, unhandled knife and never could, so I gave up. They all had been opened, fondled or used. I think I found this site shortly after that and was quickly educated. There have been accounts of using returns to swap counterfeit for real knives too.

I would also be careful about the buying with intent to return strategy in general. Someone had their Prime membership revoked for having too high of a return rate...whatever that was.

[J32A2]

I feel the same way. I just got a delica from Amazon and the front third of the blade was almost as dull as a butter knife. It would not cut paper or catch an edge on my thumb nail. Oddly enough, the back 2/3rd was just fine. Not what I expect from Spyderco. :confused:

What I would expect from Amazon.

[ABX2011]

I agree that it's safest to avoid Amazon or eBay in favor of one of the many high-quality internet (or local) dealers. That said, there are occasionally great deals on Amazon and eBay that I have found and been pleased with. It's a generalization to say that there's always a problem with a discounted knife from these sources.

[Bodog]

I won't ever buy a Japanese made spyderco. Every one I've handled from that country has been less than satisfactory. All other spyderco knives I've handled from other places have been fine relative to their price point. Just my opinion. Not including my mild distaste for two handed locking devices like the backlock which most Japanese spyderco knives tend to be.

[Blerv]

I won't ever buy a Japanese made spyderco. Every one I've handled from that country has been less than satisfactory. All other spyderco knives I've handled from other places have been fine relative to their price point. Just my opinion. Not including my mild distaste for two handed locking devices like the backlock which most Japanese spyderco knives tend to be.

Can't argue the quality opinion. Mine have been great but again experiences will vary.

As for the two-handed-only operation, how so? I close mine with one hand only a fraction of a second slower than a frame/liner lock.

[Bodog]

I won't ever buy a Japanese made spyderco. Every one I've handled from that country has been less than satisfactory. All other spyderco knives I've handled from other places have been fine relative to their price point. Just my opinion. Not including my mild distaste for two handed locking devices like the backlock which most Japanese spyderco knives tend to be.

Can't argue the quality opinion. Mine have been great but again experiences will vary.

As for the two-handed-only operation, how so? I close mine with one hand only a fraction of a second slower than a frame/liner lock.

Most delicas and enduras I've handled, both new and used, were incredibly tight. It wasn't so much the backlock alone, it was the pivot tightness combined with the backlock. And given that they're pinned, you can't really loosen them at all. Just not my cup o tea.

[ABX2011]

The pivots are adjustable unless you're talking about the stainless handled versions.

[Blerv]

Most delicas and enduras I've handled, both new and used, were incredibly tight. It wasn't so much the backlock alone, it was the pivot tightness combined with the backlock. And given that they're pinned, you can't really loosen them at all. Just not my cup o tea.

That makes sense and no judgement here :). These days as many are adjustable the vertical blade rock/play many have is more difficult to tweak than the opening/closing action. Still, I seem to have a number of them, lol.