Pivot accessiblity

[Alteran]

I live in Canada. As such, there are certain risks when buying knives from the US. Any knife that can be flicked open will be confiscated. This can be fixed by tightening the pivot before shipping. However, many Spyderco models can not be tightened. Many of the knives I am interested in, such as the kopa, kiwi, and navigator 2 are such knives. Kopas and kiwis are mostly unavailable in Canada, and when they are available, they are always terribly overpriced, as are most other knives here. It would be very helpful if all Spyderco knives could be tightened. I also would like to know why so many knives have unaccessible pivots. Does it serve some purpose?

[The Deacon]

Both the Kiwi and the Kopa have short, relatively light blades, fairly stiff springs, and fairly tight pivots, I have a hard time believing anyone could legitimately kinetic open either of them - opening them fully by holding the handle and flicking the blade open without depressing the lockbar at the same time. Same goes for the Lava, Dragonfly and Navigator II. In my opinion, all of those models would look terrible with a screw pivot. There are also some, myself included, who feel that a screw pivot is just one more thing that can go wrong. They also add to the cost. So yes, pinned/riveted pivots serve a variety of purposes.

From what I understand, dealers in Canada have no problem importing any Spyderco models (with the obvious exception of the balisongs). It is only "private imports" that seem to attract negative attention from Canadian Customs officers. No offense, but perhaps the better question would be why that is tolerated by the "powers that be" in your country.

[Alteran]

I'm not sure, but "spyder-dropping" the knife might be grounds for confiscation. More knives can do that. I'll agree that some knives may look worse with pivot screws, but as for users (like the nav 2), what happened to "designed in the dark"?

And as for Canadian dealers being able to order any knife, some dealers charge more that $100 over US prices for some models. I've seen $350 kopas for sale.

[The Deacon]

I'm not sure, but "spyder-dropping" the knife might be grounds for confiscation. More knives can do that. I'll agree that some knives may look worse with pivot screws, but as for users (like the nav 2), what happened to "designed in the dark"?

Heck **** near any folder, except possibly a Buck 110 can be opened that way. So even tightening a screw pivot won't help unless you do so to the point where you risk stripping the screw. As for "designing in the dark" perhaps Sal figured out that the majority of his customers are not blind, so a few concessions to aesthetics are occasionally necessary. And, there are still the very valid considerations of simplicity, reliability, and cost.

[Jeffo]

Quick fix when I have have any Spyderco knife shipped to me here in Canada. I have the person put a Zip tie through the spyder hole around the handle. The Customs officers aren't allowed to tamper with things and therefore cannot cut the Zip tie off. Never had one taken off yet. This is also true because I asked them once when I had a Benchmade knife seized by them because the pivot being too loose and them being able to flick it opened one handed. I asked them why they couldn't tighten the pivot up because it wasn't supposed to be that loose and they said they couldn't as they weren't allowed to tamper with the goods at all.

[The Deacon]

Quick fix when I have have any Spyderco knife shipped to me here in Canada. I have the person put a Zip tie through the spyder hole around the handle. The Customs officers aren't allowed to tamper with things and therefore cannot cut the Zip tie off. Never had one taken off yet. This is also true because I asked them once when I had a Benchmade knife seized by them because the pivot being too loose and them being able to flick it opened one handed. I asked them why they couldn't tighten the pivot up because it wasn't supposed to be that loose and they said they couldn't as they weren't allowed to tamper with the goods at all.

So maybe the real answer is...




































...CLAM PACKS FOR CANADA. :D

[Alteran]

Quick fix when I have have any Spyderco knife shipped to me here in Canada. I have the person put a Zip tie through the spyder hole around the handle. The Customs officers aren't allowed to tamper with things and therefore cannot cut the Zip tie off.

They can't? I had no idea! I thought about this, but I thought they would just cut it off. Sounds like a problem solved, because I know NGK will do this. Thanks a lot! :)

The Deacon: I know, almost any knife can do that. The point is you can usually get it tight enough that it can't open, then you loosen it when you get it. NGK does that when there is a pivot to tighten.

[Jeffo]

Calm Packs would be an excellent idea! But for now Zip ties do the trick and they are cheap.

[Jeffo]

Forgot to add that I have asked NGK to put Zip ties on knives I have ordered and they do. None have been tampered with.

[zenheretic]

I'll agree that some knives may look worse with pivot screws, but as for users (like the nav 2), what happened to "designed in the dark"?

Thusfar you haven't proposed any reason to have an adjustable pivot other than to circumvent your border authority while the Deacon laid out a few reasons to not have them. Breaking the law usually isn't a criteria for function over form, or "design in the dark".

[Joshua J.]

When I talked to NGK earlier this year they said that Canada customs has been cutting zip ties. I’m not sure what would happen if they cut one and you took them to court, but I doubt things would go in your favor.

For now the answer I’ve found is to buy the few non-adjustable models you must have in Canada, the rest come from NGK (I know they are good about tightening pivots).

I should add that if you live in eastern Ontario LeBaron carries a good selection of Spyderco’s at very reasonable prices.

As for the issue of the “Spyder drop” I’ve read on blade forums that someone once saw a Buck 110 being confiscated that way (though that was in Toronto, where knives are looked down on like they’re radioactive material).
And for the record, my Calypso Jr. was confiscated for being "flickable". Apparently they try pretty hard.

[The Deacon]

The situation with Canadian Customs must be frustrating for those who live there. But, at the same time, Spyderco's official policy has always been to encourage people to patronize dealers in their own countries, rather than rely on private imports. Their lineup also includes a considerable number of knives with adjustable pivots. Asking them to convert the balance of it to screw pivots, on the assumption that your Customs agents will not find a way to declare even the stiffest action a flick knife is, in my opinion, asking a bit much. By that logic, they should also all be converted to UKPK style notch-joints with DKPK style Spdyerholes and sub 2" blades to make them suitable for sale and carry almost uninversally.

Assuming it did happen, what would your reaction be when a knife with an adjustable pivot was confiscated? Would you blame Spyderco for not making the action stiffer? Blame the dealer for not tightening the pivot down enough? Blame your Customs agents for a questionable interpretation of your laws? Blame Ottawa for allowing those interpretations to continue? Blame your fellow Canadian knife enthusiasts for not protesting the situation vigorously enough? Blame yourself for not spending a couple bucks more and buying local?

I have to say that I find it puzzling that in a country with Canada's poplulation, not one person has seen fit to open a discount online knife business offering a decent selection.

[Alteran]

(though that was in Toronto, where knives are looked down on like they’re radioactive material).

And where I live >.<

All in all, I guess you guys are right. Some knives just wouldn't look right with a screw pivot. On the other hand, I do hope spyderco puts screw pivots on some of the models that are intended to solely be hard use or "worker" knives. It's like screw construction. You don't always need it, but it's nice to be able to adjust things yourself.