PM2 with a QC error (?)

[Sterling454]

I recently ordered a "bumblebee" PM2 Salt in MagnaCut and it showed up without the usual laser engraving on the left side of the blade - the company name, Spydiebug, and steel type (CPM MagnaCut). As a steel collector, I most prefer to have the steel type indicated on the blade.

Should I try to have this exchanged with the seller or is it rare enough to make it worth holding onto even though it lacks the necessary markings?

I'm not going to identify the seller for sending a potentially "defective" product because they have responded more than appropriately. The production quality is very much in line with all other Spyderco products I've received so I'm highly skeptical of it being a counterfeit. I'm just not sure what path to take! I really prefer to have my steel properly indicated but the potentially rarified production knife is also desirable.

What does the community say?

[Mushroom]

I've seen this exact same blemish on that same model before.

You could definitely contact Spyderco for a replacement.

[w3tnz]

If you purchased from an authorised dealer and it’s known as a genuine factory error, absolutely worth keeping in my opinion - as a collectible.
If you plan on using it, maybe not so much but I like the look of the clean blade personally.

[Sterling454]

The clean blade is definitely interesting, but only for those who find it interesting. I haven't gotten to the point in my knife connection where I'm trying to hoard "collectibles", I'm more keen on acquiring high quality users and showing them off. The blade lacking the factory markings makes it feel more like a "trust me bro" blade and that just doesn't float my boat

[Evil D]

This isn't on the seller anyway, they're not opening every knife and inspecting them before shipping them out, they trust that the manufacturer is doing that before shipping it to them.

I tend to like unusual things like this, so assuming it was bought from a vendor I trust I would keep it. I don't see it adding value to it unless some collector wanted to pay more for this sort of thing.

[vanka]

If it was me I would definitely keep it and get another one. From my point of view it is collectible.

[Mrj]

All depends on if it was an authorized dealer. If not there’s high possibility it’s fake. But I’d keep it for collection if it is just an QC Miss.

[Manixguy@1994]

All depends on if it was an authorized dealer. If not there’s high possibility it’s fake. But I’d keep it for collection if it is just an QC Miss.

Yes I am also curious where the PM2 was bought . MG2

[Synov]

It doesn't make sense for a faker to etch one side perfectly but not the other, it's just a genuine manufacturing error. If you want it as a user then the etch doesn't matter anyway, so I don't see what the problem is. If it bothers you, send it back to Spyderco or sell it to some crazy collector.

[Mushroom]

I'm 100% certain this is an authentic Spyderco product.

While I was at BLADE Show in June, I was chatting with Eric at the prototype case when a PM2 Salt with this blemish was presented to him. He inspected it and was shocked it left the factory like that.

It could be collectible to some people but it's a factory second blemish to others.

[Jeb]

Yes, to me I want to know what steel it's made from. So, it would be a return for me, and I don't return much. 99 percent of my stuff I fix myself. That little hicky, I wouldn't be able to do much with it though... I would let them tag the blade.

[Sterling454]

All depends on if it was an authorized dealer. If not there’s high possibility it’s fake. But I’d keep it for collection if it is just an QC Miss.

Yes I am also curious where the PM2 was bought . MG2

Waiting until my interaction with the seller is complete.

[Evil D]

It doesn't make sense for a faker to etch one side perfectly but not the other, it's just a genuine manufacturing error. If you want it as a user then the etch doesn't matter anyway, so I don't see what the problem is. If it bothers you, send it back to Spyderco or sell it to some crazy collector.

This was my take as well, and if anything I would expect the fakes to have really good quality control on details like this since the whole point is to try to pass them off as the real thing.

[Jeb]

You don't have to ID your dealer, just return it back to Spyderco directly yourself and let them take care of it from there.

It's really not the dealers fault in anyway what so ever. They just sell the product...

[Mrj]

It doesn't make sense for a faker to etch one side perfectly but not the other, it's just a genuine manufacturing error. If you want it as a user then the etch doesn't matter anyway, so I don't see what the problem is. If it bothers you, send it back to Spyderco or sell it to some crazy collector.

This was my take as well, and if anything I would expect the fakes to have really good quality control on details like this since the whole point is to try to pass them off as the real thing.

I actually think the opposite. More likely for a fake to have inconsistencies. I would like to think a reputable company like Spyderco has a very good QC department. At least better than the knockoff guys. But either way it’s a seconds now.

[Sterling454]

Okay so, I'm happy to report several things.

1) After fidgeting with this thing over the holiday weekend, I'm confident just from the feel, fit, and finish that it's legitimate.

2) I went ahead and bought a second bumble PM2 Salt for a user and will keep this one in my collection as a novelty.

3) Apparently, the specific knife and person Mushroom referenced was the exact same issue as me is who sold mine to me. Small world eh? I've gotten to see pictures of the knife Eric Glesser looked at and understand the seller retained it for his personal user so that's something fun to have in common.

4) The way the seller handled the situation was absolutely S-tier service all around, much better than some of the other "big name" knife retailers I've interacted with. Now that we've wrapped the transaction up and I have no concerns of this knife being a counterfeit, I will happily identify him as Zen from RedlineBlades.com. I want to give him both a shout-out and my thanks. As an aside, the hot sauce he threw in with my order was fantastic. Looking forward to doing more business with him.

[Mrj]

So you’re telling me that the same guy sold two Spyderco knives that were missing the Spyder and that doesn’t seem fishy.

[Manixguy@1994]

I also found a stock photo from a dealer who I have done business with in the past and is trustworthy. It’s same as pictured n this thread so I can only assume it slipped through QC at Golden to more than one dealer . MG2

[Mrj]

Well I guess they shipped the seconds early this year

[Mushroom]

So you’re telling me that the same guy sold two Spyderco knives that were missing the Spyder and that doesn’t seem fishy.

I think there is a misunderstanding happening here. Nothing fishy going on, just a couple knives that slipped through quality control that shouldn't have. There might even be a small batch that all have this same error.

OP only bought one PM2 that has this blemish. They then ordered a second one that they have not received yet but it will most likely have the proper laser engravings.

After correspondence, the OP has learned that the authorized dealer they originally purchased from also has their own personal PM2 Salt with the same blemish.

Well I guess they shipped the seconds early this year

LOL! I'll be looking for some of these in November.