Portland, OR dealers?

[pinepig2]

I live in southwest WA and would like to find a local-ish dealer that carries an extensive collection of Spydercos. I figure Portland is the more likely possibility.

I've checked the dealers listed on Spyderco's website for Vancouver, WA and Portland. One company listed under both cities no longer exists, and the other (Excalibur Cutlery) stocked none of the models I inquired about. I'm hoping the Spyderco website is not current/all-inclusive and that there might be a great dealer out there.

I've wearied of the hit-or-miss game of getting a decent Spyderco by mail order, so I'm inclined to only purchase future Spydercos if I can hand inspect first. My latest purchase (Para 2 20CP sprint run) had an agregious machining error, and it turns out the online dealer doesn't take returns. My fault for not checking the return policy prior to purchase, but it was the only one that had any 20CP's left.

[henhen14]

I lived by Portland and the only place I've seen Spydercos is Excalibur

[nightburn]

I lived by Portland and the only place I've seen Spydercos is Excalibur

I live near Portland and was at Excalibur less than a month ago. Their Spyderco collection was seriously lacking. Unfortunately, I think online businesses are making it very tough for brick and mortar stores to justify the extra effort required to maintain an up-to-date inventory. They didn't even have any PM2s ! . Blasssssphemy!

In your case, if you're worried about receiving a less-than-perfect specimen, I've heard there are a few online stores which will inspect your new knife before shipment.

[Drkknight614]

If your having issues with your para 2 send it in to spyderco to get fixed.

As far as dealers, they are hard to come by. Usually you stumble on luttle stores like gun shops that have a handle full of a collection. Unfortunatly usually they charge retail or only alittle less. I agree I would like to handle every knife I purchase, but sometimes you just gotta go by what others say and what you read online and take a shot. Order from reputable online retailers. Cutleryshoppe, knifecenter, knifeworks, bladehq to name a few.

[pinepig2]

Thanks for the responses. I did send my Para 2 to Spyderco yesterday. They advised me that there are no replacement 20CP blades available, so if they honor the warranty I will likely receive a credit to purchase another knife off their website (at full MSRP). The blade is not otherwise repairable (without taking it way out of spec).

In a sense it doesn't matter how reputable the online dealer is - they are all getting the same product. Like I mentioned, it was my fault for not confirming the return policy at this particular one (Bento Box Shop).

I've ordered other Spyderco's from a couple of the favorite dealers mentioned above, and on average I'm batting about 500-600. Given the lack of adequate local dealer presence, I'll probably pick a warranty replacement model and call it quits with Spyderco. I've already sent an inquiry to Hinderer Knives for a LEO purchase, to fill the role the Para 2 was going to have. Vastly different price category I know, but I'm a qaulity over quantity sort of guy.

[jabba359]

I've ordered other Spyderco's from a couple of the favorite dealers mentioned above, and on average I'm batting about 500-600. Given the lack of adequate local dealer presence, I'll probably pick a warranty replacement model and call it quits with Spyderco. I've already sent an inquiry to Hinderer Knives for a LEO purchase, to fill the role the Para 2 was going to have. Vastly different price category I know, but I'm a qaulity over quantity sort of guy.

So only 50-60% of your Spydies were good? How many have you purchased? I've bought about 70 and only one of those had to be sent in for warranty reasons. If 98.5% of my Spydies were fine and you're claiming as low of a percentage as you are, that tells me that you either have unreasonably high expectations, are insanely unlucky, or you've bought so few that the Para2 problem mentioned here skews your numbers by not offering a very representative sampling (one bad out of two or three Spydercos really throws off a percentage).

I'm sorry that you feel like calling it quits with Spyderco, as I think they've got a great company, excellent products, and a nice community here. But with the low satisfaction rate you've experienced, I can't blame you for going the semi-custom Hinderer route. I hope it works out well for you, as everyone who I've talked to who owns a Hinderer loves their knives.

[pinepig2]

Probably a bit of all three! High expectations, somewhat unlucky, and a smaller sample size. About 12 total. I haven't purchased any Taichung models, so perhaps I haven't seen the best quality Spyderco has to offer (according to many members).

I agree that Spyderco is a great company, and I appreciate how they've helped shape the knife industry for the better. I'm also quite sure that the management has calculated the quantities of knives with significant manufacturing variances (or outright defects) it will allow to ship in order to meet predetermined pricing targets. Any well managed manufacturing company makes those calculations. It just so happens that that rate exceeds my patience with having to make returns, exchanges etc. I for one would happily pay more for tighter quality control.

Spyderco has terrific designs and innovations, and I'll probably continue to check the forum to see the latest. Perhaps at some point I'll get over my frustration and take another wack at the mail order game. And it really is a lottery; otherwise there wouldn't be so many members here talking about having dealers inspect knives before shipment.

[yowzer]

There's a knife shop on Hawthorne (Or was when I was there this last spring) with a few older Spydercos in stock.

[Vengeful Reus]

Saddly the only place I know of that sells some decent knives (even though they're Benchmade) is Andy & Bax. I'll have to swing by that place on Hawthorne some time though...

[pinepig2]

Saddly the only place I know of that sells some decent knives (even though they're Benchmade) is Andy & Bax. I'll have to swing by that place on Hawthorne some time though...

Buying Benchmades in Portland has never been a problem - that's where the company is located!

Perhaps it's the Benchmade effect that's suppressing the availability of Spydercos in Portland...

[Vengeful Reus]

You're right Benchmade is never in short supply around here. I suppose my point was it's the only local place I know of that actually sells good knives and gear. Besides REI, Andy&Bax are there any other worthwhile shops? Sorry I got off topic a bit; we're not talking about them! It kinda occurred to me that Hawthorne is pretty long... Adventurous afternoon of searching for Spyderco's ahead! oh boy

[yowzer]

It kinda occurred to me that Hawthorne is pretty long... Adventurous afternoon of searching for Spyderco's ahead! oh boy

Sorry. 3208 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard, according to Google. Just down the street from a nifty old house that's been converted into a traveller's hostel where I usually stay when I visit. Yay travel on the cheap. More money for knives.

[SolidState]

I've searched P-town for Spyders and I haven't found much outside of Excalibur. Honestly, the "buy local" mantra is so strong here, and so many companies are located here that it is really difficult to get an out-of-state knife in local stores.

the best place to shop for spyders is the Oregon Knife Collectors Association show in April in Eugene. Sal, Eric and Gail are usually all there, and you can find all kinds of rare spyders.

[Vengeful Reus]

Alrighty! I found the store it was pretty far down there near the intersection of 32nd and Hawthorne. The owner is really knowledgeable with a really varied selection of knives and brands. He didn't carry as many Spyderco's as I would like but he said he could order anything in the catalog and have it in his store in a couple days. Definitely worth a visit and i'll be going there again myself.

[Spyderbro]

[CENTER]NORTHWEST KNIVES & COLLECTIBLES
270 Hansen Ave S., Salem, OR 97302 USA
1-800-611-8849[/CENTER]

Little bit out of town but just might be worth it. Take old Hwy. 99. Beautiful drive. Great drive in the fall. :)