Para 3 LW 15V - 3 disappointments, or unrealistic expectations?

[pkennethv]

Hi all,

I recently took delivery of a new Para 3 LW in 15V. Taking a look at the blade for the first time, I noticed three things that I found disappointing:

1) The grind/edge near the finder choil in uneven…but it’s not merely a matter of the bevel being visually uneven (that actually looks fine to me), it's that the actual cutting edge has a slight recurve

2) The bevel at the tip, on one side of the blade, is uneven (looks “rounded off” at the tip, but the tip is still sharp)

3) the stonewash/tumble isn’t very thorough, so you can still see what I presume are belt lines on the blade (towards the top of the blade, more noticeable in the top photo, less obvious in the bottom photo but still visible)


If it was “just” a regular production Spyderco, I’d probably be bummed out for a few weeks, and will get over it, but this stings extra much because it’s a sprint run.

It’s not bad enough to where I don’t want the knife anymore/I don’t want a refund because I still want to actually experience 15V, so I guess the point of this post is I wanted to get a sense of “just how bad” my situation is - was I expecting too much / are these things “somewhat common” and within Spyderco tolerances?

The only other Spydercos I have are the Para 3 LW Spy 27, Dragonfly K390, and Dragonfly Hawkbill serrated H1, so I have no context for how the stonewash/tumble finish typically looks, as all the others are satin finish. As for the grinds, I have no complains with my other ones, but it’s still a relatively small sample size, so I’m open to the idea that I just got lucky with my previous ones?


—
On the bright side/credit where credit is due: out of the box, somehow the 15V Para 3 manages to be even more drop-shut than my Spy 27 Para 3 (that I meticulously “tuned” - from the factory it would not drop shut at all) while having even less (side to side) blade play!

The 15V actually does have lock stick, but it’s not severe, and I seem to be one of the few people who don’t really mind it - the lockup psychologically feels more secure to me with a bit of lock stick, and it’s not bad enough to where it hinders my ability/comfort in unlocking with a single finger (it is very new though, so it very well might go away with some use/time).

[Ex-Phys]

I would put it in my pocket, use it, and sharpen it. I bought mine to be a user. I assume there are some production variances and that 15v isn’t an easy material to work.

[Jesla]

Is it just me?…

Looks like a very nice para 3 LW to me…. I have a spy 27 LW, a CTS xhp lw and an s110v g10 that all look to be ground the same. Enjoy, but if it bothers you return it, sell it… I’m sure others would be glad to take it off your hands.

[WilliamMunny]

Looks great to me, consistent with my Para 3 LW.

Edge is solid, that slight recurve is normal and will come out on your first sharpen.

In my case my first Para 3 LW 15v had very bad lock stick. Took it apart, cleaned, oiled, cycled it, etc. but it never got better. If i finally exchanged it and my second one only had light lock stick. It has actually pretty much disappeared at this point with use.

I feel like Spyderco is not perfect always on fit and finish, very good but not always perfect. In their defense though they are pushing the bounders of steel, being the first to bring us MagnaCut, using 15v BBB, giving us multiple models of Maxamet and even bring REX-121 to a production folder. Not to mention Proto-X... Amazing in my book, with the diversity, complexity and difficulty of steels they are working with a few minor issues are expected and easily looked past.

If you are looking to improve your edge geometry, Shawn @Deadboxhero, can give some great suggestions as well as many other people on the forum. I have been using a CBN bonded stone he recommended with great results.

Good luck, enjoy the knife, its "cutting edge" of knife steel technology.

[Deadboxhero]

Hi all,

I recently took delivery of a new Para 3 LW in 15V. Taking a look at the blade for the first time, I noticed three things that I found disappointing:

1) The grind/edge near the finder choil in uneven…but it’s not merely a matter of the bevel being visually uneven (that actually looks fine to me), it's that the actual cutting edge has a slight recurve

2) The bevel at the tip, on one side of the blade, is uneven (looks “rounded off” at the tip, but the tip is still sharp)

3) the stonewash/tumble isn’t very thorough, so you can still see what I presume are belt lines on the blade (towards the top of the blade, more noticeable in the top photo, less obvious in the bottom photo but still visible)


If it was “just” a regular production Spyderco, I’d probably be bummed out for a few weeks, and will get over it, but this stings extra much because it’s a sprint run.

It’s not bad enough to where I don’t want the knife anymore/I don’t want a refund because I still want to actually experience 15V, so I guess the point of this post is I wanted to get a sense of “just how bad” my situation is - was I expecting too much / are these things “somewhat common” and within Spyderco tolerances?

The only other Spydercos I have are the Para 3 LW Spy 27, Dragonfly K390, and Dragonfly Hawkbill serrated H1, so I have no context for how the stonewash/tumble finish typically looks, as all the others are satin finish. As for the grinds, I have no complains with my other ones, but it’s still a relatively small sample size, so I’m open to the idea that I just got lucky with my previous ones?


—
On the bright side/credit where credit is due: out of the box, somehow the 15V Para 3 manages to be even more drop-shut than my Spy 27 Para 3 (that I meticulously “tuned” - from the factory it would not drop shut at all) while having even less (side to side) blade play!

The 15V actually does have lock stick, but it’s not severe, and I seem to be one of the few people who don’t really mind it - the lockup psychologically feels more secure to me with a bit of lock stick, and it’s not bad enough to where it hinders my ability/comfort in unlocking with a single finger (it is very new though, so it very well might go away with some use/time).

Well, I'm sorry to hear about the disappointments.

I'm happy to hear that the action and tightness is satisfactory.

I would be excited to hear about your experiences with the 15V if you decide to use and keep it.

Thanks for sharing with us.

[TkoK83Spy]

This seems like a lot of nit picking to me. Are you going to use the knife, or is it more of a collector, ninja flicking knife? If the latter, then I'd question why even needing a more expensive sprint run knife with a premium steel in the first place. There are FAR worse factory bevels out there, which is an easy fix with a little time and effort (Yes I know some people feel they should not have to do that with a brand new knife) Personally, I wouldn't even have noticed those "flaws" and would have it in my pocket ready to roll.

[wrdwrght]

When I first got here, I was led to believe that sprint-runs were a step down from production quality.

I inferred, perhaps wrongly, that a sprint-run had two features: it was opportunistically put into the production queue at its slightest pause, and the run was done to satisfy the likes of us who are eager to get the latest and greatest components, so long as we could overlook slight blemishes, and so long as the knife’s action, blade-centering, and edge were typical.

I, for one, would overlook what is bugging you.

[Vamais]

Looks good to me.

This is a user tool, that is also a wear element. Use it and sharpen it, that's what it was meant for. If you want pocket jewelry, look elsewhere.

I buy Spyderco knives for their superior metallurgy, design, and ergonomics. I would hate to see Spyderco start putting less effort into these categories because so many of their customers are complaining about a non-perfect factory edge. If you use the product as intended, those features you are disappointed with will soon be gone.

Edit: I didn't see the part about the stonewash, sorry. That part would bother me.

[KeepCalm&Carrion]

I may be in the minority, but if it were me I’d exchange it for a different one. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with you wanting an example that doesn’t have overt QC flaws.

[Flash]

He OP hasn’t done anything wrong by posting a few of his concerns here. To that I say thanks for sharing them if anything.
There’s nothing wrong expecting even bevels from a any knife manufacturer whether it be a sprint run model or not. Just sometimes you may have to temper those expectations a little bit.

TBH that doesn’t look too bad though for a Golden, I’ve certainly had worse from Spyderco, but if it annoys you that much send it back.

If it were my knife Id be inclined to use it, enjoy it and sharpen a new bevel on it when it dulls …that could be a while though.

[dsvirsky]

My 15V Para 3 LW doesn't have any lock stick, but it did have the stiffest action of any Spydie I've ever owned, out of the box. Although, to be fair, it was delivered in sub-freezing temperatures and improved substantially once it warmed up to room temperature.

The above notwithstanding, the edge grind on mine looks identical to that of the OP's and I see it as well within normal limits. Yes, the stonewash on the OP's knife could have been better, but let's try to remember this is a high wear resistance steel and thus more difficult to finish.

[Brock O Lee]

The partial stone-wash is a "minor" cosmetic defect, but it would still be a disappointment to me. That is not something an end-user would be able to fix easily.

The uneven edge would not bother me, because I'd fix that with the first sharpening anyway.

The LW models in my view are the ugly ducklings in the lineup, and I classify them as "work knives". It is hard for me to return a knife from Aus, so I'd probably just stick it in a pocket and use it hard.

However, if I had the partial stone-wash on a "high-end" carbon fiber S90V sprint run or a dressier knife, I'd likely try to exchange it.

[nerdlock]

No, you're not expecting too much. Don't listen to the negative naysayers.

First, it is a Sprint Run, not a regular production model that you can just easily exchange for another copy that doesn't have these flaws. It is a one and done batch. You get a lemon, you're basically tough out of your luck unless you manage to score again another from the dealers or get another one on the secondary market, and by then, chances are it is already used/sharpened, and probably at an inflated price due to scarcity.

Second, no matter what people say, it is still a lot of money for a FRN knife, despite the exotic steel and heat treatment. I do understand the business dynamics of producing such a wonderful knife and the overhead costs associated with it - and believe me, I am very grateful to Spyderco and to BBB for this wonderful collaboration (I own 3 BBB 15vs) - but $153.75 plus tax isn't exactly pocket change, especially in today's economy.

Now mind you, I personally wouldn't mind those defects that you have posted, but I firmly believe you are within your reasonable rights to be disappointed with this one.

[WilliamMunny]

Here is mine, very similar and normal.

[z1r]

Without a doubt, the G10 model is "nicer". That said, I like the FRN Para 3 better for two reasons: 1) Weight, it really is LW compared to G10. 2) The deep carry clip. Hence my walking out of the SFO Saturday with a LW 15V Para 3 in my pocket versus the G10 version. After a long weekend of use, I'm happy with the performance. Now I can give my LW Rex 45 variant a break from time to time.

[Red Leader]

Without a doubt, the G10 model is "nicer". That said, I like the FRN Para 3 better for two reasons: 1) Weight, it really is LW compared to G10. 2) The deep carry clip. Hence my walking out of the SFO Saturday with a LW 15V Para 3 in my pocket versus the G10 version. After a long weekend of use, I'm happy with the performance. Now I can give my LW Rex 45 variant a break from time to time.

Random question - did they let you look at several and pick one you wanted, or just got you a box and you got to examine it once purchased?

I might be heading there as early as tomorrow, and I'm curious about picking up something in either 15V or K390, and it might be nice to look it over.

[Wartstein]

No, you're not expecting too much. Don't listen to the negative naysayers.
...

No offense and with al due respect: But I did not come across "negative naysayers" in this thread so far... ?
Rather positive comments that encourage op and ensure him he did actually not get a lemon and should go on and enjoy the knife or those who say if he really wants to just should try and exchange it?

/ I personally would honestly not even have noticed that there could be anything not right with the edge.
Perfectly ok with me, that slight assymetries are really negligible and well inside the norm imo, not only, but especially in a knife that will get sharpened anyway

For the only "partial" stonewash finish: This CAN actually be seen right away, and while it would not bother me, I think if you @pkennethv care for such things (which is perfectly fine of course) I´d think about exchanging the knife if still an option in the first place

[mikey177]

I realize that I've become so desensitized to uneven Spyderco bevels --especially since Sal himself often responds to such posts with, "But how does it cut?"-- that I rarely visually inspect new knives anymore. When I get a new knife, I immediately proceed to a sharpness test.

Living halfway around the world and having no easy means of returning a knife for warranty work has made me more accepting of minor flaws in workmanship. It has also lessened my desire to buy very expensive knives as I seek to avoid being greatly disappointed by receiving a pricey lemon.

But yeah, I see how the OP would be disappointed by the imperfections he cited.

[sal]

Hi Pkennethv,

Welcome to our forum.

sal

[zhyla]

Visible grind lines on a $200 knife is ridiculous. I would exchange that. That should be sold as B stock.

Spyderco needs to be careful. When prices go up and quality goes down it erodes the enthusiast market pretty quick.