Seki quality

[Scottpomeroy]

Hello all
I have decided I really want a knife in k390. Literally everyone seems to love this steel. Here is my dilemma. I have read ALOT of complaints about the quality coming out of Seki City. Some folks are happy as can be, others are sorely disappointed. The two issues are bad grinds and lock rock. I currently carry an m4 tenacious and could not be happier with it. The knife is literally perfect. Like many of us though I'm always looking for the next best thing. It comes down to the k390 endela or the k390 stretch 2. I am leaning toward the endela. I would like to hear some of your recent experiences regarding these two models in k390. I can deal with a bad grind as I am no stranger to reprofiling. The lock rock is what I find unacceptable. Am I over hyping k390 and setting my expectations too high? Is k390 really that much better than m4? The m4 tenacious has been superb. Should I just stick with what I have instead of gambling with 150 dollars?
Ninety percent of my knives I have bought from brick and mortar retailers. This gives me the opportunity to check them out in person before I buy. But the k390 in stores is few and far between.i know that most of you know what I mean when I say this. If I don't try k390, I will always be wondering. Would love to hear your thoughts.

[abbazaba]

I would buy it without fear. I've had dozens of Seki knives and more than a couple in K390 and none of them have had any issues. You can ask most dealers to check out the knife for you before they ship it.

K390 isn't leaps and bounds better than M4, but it is the only steel I've ever enjoyed more than M4. K390 is not over hyped, the lock rock problem is.

[Wandering_About]

I suggest the Stretch 2, it's one of my favorite Spyderco knives, though I think you could pick any of the Seki K390 series and do just fine. The Seki knives have their "quirks" but if you can get past that they are fine knives.

They all seem to have a little lock rock, but I've never found it to be an issue in use. I'd love it if they didn't have any, but after many years of using Seki back locks, I've never had any kind of failure.

If you're a competent sharpener, a poor edge grind isn't an issue. Just sharpen it up to your preferred edge and carry on. I think folks get too carried away with wanting absolutely perfectly symmetrical pristine edges anyway. Take that from a freehand sharpener whose edges are sharp but far from picture perfect. In any case, so far I haven't gotten a Seki knife that was bad enough to really note, and all have been plenty sharp.

One thing I do highly recommend on Seki knives is to check all the body and pivot screws, and I personally always put a medium thread locking compound on them.

And here's my Stretch next to a Manix. Some nice tool steels here (K390 and 15V). If you're well versed with M4, I'm not sure K390 is going to rock your world, but I really enjoy the stuff and it is one of my favorite tool steels.

[JoviAl]

I’ve found K390 to be pretty delightful apart from its propensity to implode with corrosion at the slightest bit of sweat. It is particularly good in SE. My favourite Seki K390 knife has got to be the Police 4 LW SE - that’s a whole lotta awesome for very little money (in the sales at least). Mine had zero rock lock until I butchered a 12ft ficus lyrata with it (I was impatient and didn’t want to go grab a chainsaw). Now it has a tiny bit of rock lock but an awesome patina

[vivi]

If you can't deal with lock rock I wouldn't buy Spyderco lockbacks. period.

I haven't handled a Spyderco lockback without lock rock except for the chap line with its internal stop pin.

It isn't just a seki thing. It's a Spyderco thing. Golden, China, Taiwan, Seki, Moki.....it's just how they're made in my experience.

That said, for me it isn't a deal breaker. I've had otherwise flawless performance from their lockbacks. I wouldn't let it keep me from enjoying their wonderful lockback designs.

I do own lockbacks from other companies with no rock, but those knives have other issues (sharpening notch, thumbstud instead of hole, etc.)

[WilliamMunny]

I have owned both the Endela and the Stretch in K390. Not sure why but I was not crazy about the ergonomics of the Stretch, not bad but there just was something about it that always made me grab my Manix LW instead. I think it might have been in part to a slight downward angle of the blade compared to the handle.

I sold it and got the Endela and have been extremely happy. It somehow just feels better in hand, but it is an extremely personal preference.

I had no lock rock on either but the grind on the Endela was fairly lopsided, very sharp but lopsided.

I am not sure if you will tell a big difference between M4 and K390 but K390 is a small step up. That says a lot as I love M4 too. Tons of humidity this summer and I have had corrosion issues on K390. I use KPL knife shield a that seems to help with patina and rust.

Finally wait until a MAP holiday and you can probably get an Endela right around $100.

Good luck.

[RazorSharp86]

If you’re bothered by little things like slightly off-centered blades, slight wiggle of blade when open, etc. then the Seki built Soydercos may disappoint.
However, if you actually use your knives, appreciate ergonomics, performance and value m, then you’ll be just as happy with a Seki made Spyderco as with any of the other ones.

I love K390, and edc my Police LW model very frequently.

[ZrowsN1s]

Police4 K390 don't look back. Wharncliffe Endura also pretty darn good.

Those two are my go to work horses in a 100+ knife collection.

[spydergoat]

I can only speak from personal experience, but the bevels I have had on Seki knives are no worse than those made in USA. The most uneven blade I've gotten was a PM2. The lock rock thing- I believe if you're looking for it then you can notice it, but it has no effect in practical use, and the Seki knives are certainly safe strong lockups. There is no quality issue in Seki, every knife isn't perfect but that's the reality of factory knives. It's just that these knives used to be an amazing value, but prices have gone up over time and the Chinese knives undercut the prices, making people look at it differently.

I have a wharncliffe Endela in K390 which is my go to for projects and cardboard slaying lol. It's noticeably better edge retention than my other knives but it is a little too corrosion prone for me to rate it as a favorite. I wouldn't EDC it because I think I would rust it even more.

[Albertaboyscott]

I only have two seki that dont have lock rock out of 8. Some just a bit and my zdp dragonfly has a lot. I have two k390 versions and they have very little after i tightened all screws. Hardley noticeable. I'd recommend getting one. I hate lock rock but didn't want to pass up k390. I don't regret it. Cheers

[benben]

If you’re bothered by little things like slightly off-centered blades, slight wiggle of blade when open, etc. then the Seki built Soydercos may disappoint.
However, if you actually use your knives, appreciate ergonomics, performance and value m, then you’ll be just as happy with a Seki made Spyderco as with any of the other ones.

Best answer yet!

I own three K390 Spyderco's, a Lil' Temperance, an Endela, and a serrated Leafjumper, the Lil' Temperance is sitting on my desk in front of me here at work right now. All three are super solid work knives that I'm very impressed with! If I had to pick just one of these three....it would be the serrated Leafjumper although I'm getting very fond of my Lil' Temperance! To me, my Endela is definitely bringing up the rear of these three, and it's a fantastic knife!

Get you one, buy with confidence, it's just a knife!

I will say as far as steels go, K390 is pretty incredible, but it I could only have just one forever steel, it'd be Cru-wear, it's still my favorite!

A Lil' Temperance in ODG, Forest Green, or Foliage Green G-10 with Cru-wear would be pretty special, (actually 204P Forest Green for the win)!

[toml4185]

I can’t recommend K390 more strongly, especially serrated edge. I have a SE Delica which punches way above its weight - it sharpens up nicely when needed using the ceramic rods on the sharpmaker. I don’t have any M4 to compare to though.

[Synov]

K390 is very similar to 10V. It has about 30% more edge retention and about 40% less toughness than M4. These are pretty noticeable differences.

[Nestor]

It's ok IMHO. Certainly not outstanding in my experience. All depends on one's expectations. It's a mass production quality level.

[Flash]

For me at least Seki is a bit of a double-edged sword.

On one side their K390 is a truly wonderful blade steel. They clearly perform a great heat treat on it which allows it to live up to the hype, so people naturally want a piece of the Seki-supplied K390 pie.
On the other Seki let some real stinkers in terms of QC out of their factory. Lock rock, sideways blade play, uneven grinds aplenty. These can be seen as minor faults that likely won’t bother some people but they do bother me.

My only solution is visit a brick and mortar shop or order from somewhere which has a good reputation for being able to return the knife if it doesn’t meet your standards.

Possibly a future endeavour for Spyderco would be to add K390 (along with Seki’s excellent heat treat protocols) to the Golden and Taichung line up. This will enable us to bypass Seki’s hit and miss QC altogether and allow us to get the good stuff on our favourite models.

K390 Chaparral anyone?

[abbazaba]

For me at least Seki is a bit of a double-edged sword.

On one side their K390 is a truly wonderful blade steel. They clearly perform a great heat treat on it which allows it to live up to the hype, so people naturally want a piece of the Seki-supplied K390 pie.
On the other Seki let some real stinkers in terms of QC out of their factory. Lock rock, sideways blade play, uneven grinds aplenty. These can be seen as minor faults that likely won’t bother some people but they do bother me.

My only solution is visit a brick and mortar shop or order from somewhere which has a good reputation for being able to return the knife if it doesn’t meet your standards.

Possibly a future endeavour for Spyderco would be to add K390 (along with Seki’s excellent heat treat protocols) to the Golden and Taichung line up. This will enable us to bypass Seki’s hit and miss QC altogether and allow us to get the good stuff on our favourite models.

K390 Chaparral anyone?

I keep hoping they do a gray G10 chaparral like the Sage1, but 10v/K390

[Brock O Lee]

I see the Seki FRN lockbacks as work knives. No-nonsense, durable tools, built to a price point. Not pocket jewelry. I keep a few K390 wharnies around the house, and they do a lot of work. Yes, there may be a tiny bit of blade movement if you really look for it, but they are build solidly, they work really well, and trust me K390 is exceptional. I'll take it over M4 any day.





Edit: fixed typo

[SaltyCaribbeanDfly]

I see the Seki FRN lockbacks as work knives. No-nonsense, durable tools, built to a price point. Not pocket jewelry. I keep as few K390 wharnies around the house, and they do a lot of work. Yes, there may be a tiny bit of blade movement if you really look for it, but they are build solidly, they work really well, and trust me K390 is exceptional. I'll take it over M4 any day.

Ditto

[Paul Ardbeg]

I see the Seki FRN lockbacks as work knives. No-nonsense, durable tools, built to a price point. Not pocket jewelry. I keep as few K390 wharnies around the house, and they do a lot of work. Yes, there may be a tiny bit of blade movement if you really look for it, but they are build solidly, they work really well, and trust me K390 is exceptional. I'll take it over M4 any day.

Could not agree more. Recently got my first Seki back lock in K390 (Endura) and its a great workhorse of a knife. This will not be my last Seki back lock in K390

[Jesla]

I only have a few Seki-City made, the two newest are about 2 yrs old, a DF H1 and a Stretch 2 XL H2. I have noticed no issues with either. Of the Golden’s I have one, a Para 3 LW, has a stubbornly off-center blade.