Spyderco Forums

I disagree with your comments about Golden products . I have had several Native knives and everyone has been fine . I just bought a Native 5 Crucarta a week ago and my sample had no issues . I would check off any dealer suggesting you should take up the problem with Spyderco . I always ask my dealer to check for flaws before sending and always get my requests checked off with the knife . I do feel your frustration and have had a few problems with other brands and dealer took the knife back for replacement. MG2

I posted a disappointing experience I had just a couple days ago when receiving my Lil Native LW. I wouldn't go as far as trashing Spyderco over it, but I do know what to expect from Spyderco and particularly my favorite, being Golden. I don't believe this one should have passed a quality check before being boxed up.

viewtopic.php?t=60127&start=56320

TkoK83Spy wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 16, 2025 6:43 am

I posted a disappointing experience I had just a couple days ago when receiving my Lil Native LW. I wouldn't go as far as trashing Spyderco over it, but I do know what to expect from Spyderco and particularly my favorite, being Golden. I don't believe this one should have passed a quality check before being boxed up.

viewtopic.php?t=60127&start=56320

I agree Rick , and know your dealer quite well and surprise the knife had passed through to dealer . Dan

Not to dog pile the OP, but this is a problem a bit of mineral oil (or water) and pivot working can likely fix.

I’d plug in a TV show or movie and fondle the new toy for a bit. If the action is stiff, tweak the pivot a bit and keep going.

Did the OP seek a solution? or just "hit & run".

I guess he'll return and share his experience and solutions? Right?

sal

Sure, of course, always.

TkoK83Spy wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 16, 2025 6:43 am

I posted a disappointing experience I had just a couple days ago when receiving my Lil Native LW. I wouldn't go as far as trashing Spyderco over it, but I do know what to expect from Spyderco and particularly my favorite, being Golden. I don't believe this one should have passed a quality check before being boxed up.

viewtopic.php?t=60127&start=56320

Shoot, sorry you got one looking like that. I'm usually not a cosmetic perfectionist, and even little lock stick is just fine, but any other lock issues, would be a no-go for me. I know you were super hyped for that one. I've only played w/ the satin on in store, and haven't yet held the blacked out version. Wonder if that is how a lot of them in black are coming.

Red Leader wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 16, 2025 7:20 pm

TkoK83Spy wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 16, 2025 6:43 am

I posted a disappointing experience I had just a couple days ago when receiving my Lil Native LW. I wouldn't go as far as trashing Spyderco over it, but I do know what to expect from Spyderco and particularly my favorite, being Golden. I don't believe this one should have passed a quality check before being boxed up.

viewtopic.php?t=60127&start=56320

Shoot, sorry you got one looking like that. I'm usually not a cosmetic perfectionist, and even little lock stick is just fine, but any other lock issues, would be a no-go for me. I know you were super hyped for that one. I've only played w/ the satin on in store, and haven't yet held the blacked out version. Wonder if that is how a lot of them in black are coming.

I see you're one of the fortunate ones that's able to visit Golden at your leisure, check a few out for us haha!

But really, I know many of us around here and likely other platforms, hold Golden as the standard for Spyderco. As long as it's safe for me to use on a daily basis, giving my battle worn Manbug a break, then I'm ok with it. It won't pretty soon enough anyways!

I only worry for Spyderco, had I been a new customer buying my first Spyderco knife on a $100 budget. Seeing these blemishes, could cause me to to look in other directions. Where we know, there is an unbelievable amount of competition these days.

To everyone, my Manix 2 LW in Mangacut from Golden is great. Most of the negatives I have heard about Golden are from online. I took these with a grain of salt before I received this one. I realize every manufacturing facility in the world has a quality issue on occasion. I was annoyed and it fed into confirmation bias I had read. I primarily own and use Taichung Spydercos so I compared this product immediately to my Chaparral collection’s back lock fit and finish.

I emailed the vendor a few more times and they agreed to take the knife back.

I plan to just buy one from Amazon now. In addition, looking at other non-mom and pop retailers I realized I paid substantially more than the common street price. I expect a small business tax but not that large of a difference.

I like to try and buy in state or small business but I must admit I feel a bit burned. I think the Native 5 is a great design it just shocked me that my $90 chaparral made in Taiwan had a significantly better action.

I apologize for crashing out. At the time, I thought I was going to be out $190.

To everyone asking about cleaning the knife my understanding is that Spyderco does not allow knives to be disassembled and if I tried this but continued to have issues I’d lose the warranty? Is this incorrect?

I’ve taken apart my manix 2, Chaparrals, Sage 5, Delica, etc. but I knew those had no defect. I was cleaning or modifying a product I knew was free of defect. I didn’t want to chance losing a warranty on a knife I thought had an issue.

Hi, VelaniBriar:
From our warranty as published, "Spyderco’s knives are assembled to exacting tolerances by trained technicians, so we discourage end users from disassembling or adjusting our knives. If a knife has been disassembled and reassembled correctly—so as to maintain its proper mechanical function—this warranty remains in full effect. However, if a knife has been disassembled and reassembled in such a way that, in Spyderco’s sole determination, the proper mechanical function of the knife has been compromised, it is no longer covered by warranty."

You can find the full warranty here.

I hope this clears things up for you.

Kristi

VelaniBriar wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 03, 2025 8:20 am

...

I apologize for crashing out. At the time, I thought I was going to be out $190.

...

I'll be honest. It's not often people come back to the forums and apologize in a civil way. Normally folks just rant and when the forum reacts in defense of the company, the original poster just disappears. I applaud you for returning and posting again.

It does sound like you may have received a one off bad unit from somewhere. I too have Spyders from the various factories and know of the differences in the way the lockups feel. The Native is known for having one of the best back locks in the Spyder lineup. My advice is to give the model another chance.

Good to know about the warranty. It sounds like it’s really aimed at customizations which makes sense.

Thanks for posting an update on this OP. And I'm sorry for the bad experience - I totally understand that paying almost $200 for something that doesn't meet expectations is a huge downer. I'm glad things got resolved with the original vendor and I hope the new one you ordered serves you well.

JayHenMac wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 03, 2025 9:41 am

VelaniBriar wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 03, 2025 8:20 am

...
I apologize for crashing out. At the time, I thought I was going to be out $190.

I'll be honest. It's not often people come back to the forums and apologize in a civil way. Normally folks just rant and when the forum reacts in defense of the company, the original poster just disappears. I applaud you for returning and posting again....

+1 !

/ ... And my little honest experience with Golden made models:
Only owned/own nine or ten so far, but all have been very good when it comes to quality / fit and finish.
Only Manix 2 LWs seem to have a bit variety when it comes to smoothness of the action, but all three I tried so far where still within absolutely ok to perfect in that regard.

Out of the 20 or so Golden models I’ve owned over the 15 years of collecting Spydercos, only an early BD1N PM3 LW had an issue: blade not being centered.
There were a couple of unpleasing grinds here and there but generally I do think the QC at golden is excellent. Maniago and Seki QC have slipped up big in the past. All my Taichungs have been flawless.

All said and done if I receive a knife with defects that I cannot get past, then I send it back to the shop and get a refund or a swap. Then it’s out of your life for good - Job done.

Flash wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 07, 2025 3:25 am

had an issue: blade not being entered.

Oh mate, if I get the knife with the blade not even entered, I’m sending it back! How am I supposed to know if it’s got a lock stick if there’s no blade at all?

Stas wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 07, 2025 4:03 am

Flash wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 07, 2025 3:25 am

had an issue: blade not being entered.

Oh mate, if I get the knife with the blade not even entered, I’m sending it back! How am I supposed to know if it’s got a lock stick if there’s no blade at all?

A typo. Well spotted.

Hi VelaniBriar,

I appreciate your coming back and posting. I would have preferred that you sent it back to us so we can figure out what was not working. At any rate, I'm sorry for your disappointment and I hope things work out better for you in the future.

sal