Taking apart knives

[Rwstubbz]

Not being able to disassemble a knife is generally a turn-off for me. There are lots of reasons to take your knife apart. Knives get dirty and need to be cleaned. Knives get soaked (sometimes by things other than water) and need to be dried. Occasionally, something does need to be adjusted or a customer really wants to modify something.

I can understand the latter voiding a warranty. I also think the topic issue of falsely returning a messed up knife as new is itself messed up. Maybe the 95% number just reflects mechanical incompetence in addition to the moral issues for a hopefully small group of consumers?

I generally take apart new knives when I first get them. It helps me to get to know both the individual knife and the standards of the company that made it. Having carried lots of budget knives over the years, I've noticed that a lot of them leave the factory in less than ideal condition. I've seen gunk, grime, dirt, metal shavings, etc. I also have to wonder what kinds of oil, grease, preservative, or whatever else is all over something that I'm going to carry around all day in my pocket, use for daily tasks, etc. I like being able to thoroughly clean that stuff out and start fresh with high-quality, non-toxic, known substances.

Agreed, I like to do my own maintenance and have never messed up a knife doing so. I've admittedly abused several and have suffer the loss of some of them. Also agreed on getting to know a knife and a manufacturer. It's amazing how much you can tell about a manufacturing facility when you open a knife. Which is partially why I love Spyderco knives. They seem to take a fair degree of pride in their quality in most cases.

[araneae]

I completely but respectfully disagree. Spyderco themselves will tell you to keep your knife sharp. This post was a question to the OP about why they made a particular statement in the original post. It just so happens that the OP was Sal. Anyway, the main question in my other board was whether the blades are interchangeable and thanks to the help of some great people, I hopefully have my answer.
I have however decided per my conversations in the other forum board to return it to the warranty department and give them another chance to make right on their warranty claim as to their workmanship. They say that they warranty their products to be free from defects in workmanship and material for life. This would be one of the two. Sharpening a blade should never be considered to be modifying a knife in my opinion. I'm trying to be very polite in saying that it would be maintenance. Necessary maintenance for any cutting tool.
Maybe you didn't read the warranty before you answered so I will just quote them in part. The knife wasn't misused, abused, sharpened improperly, (there are pictures to reference in the other board), there was no accident, no alterations, I just got it, so no time to neglect(not maintain?!?) and since I contacted them the same day I got it, it's not normal wear and tear. I sent it back to them to do the warranty service, not anyone else.
How would you consider carrying, using a knife to cut cardboard, or sharpening a knife to be any of these things?
I appreciate your time,
RWS

You are currently dealing with 2 scenarios, dealer and retailer. I guess I was not clear, but IMO, SMKW as the retailer may decide that if you have a knife that you bought from them, but have used/sharpened or modified from new in any way, it is their option to tell you they will not refund your money. Maybe they generally try to deflect returns by telling the buyer to go straight to the manufacturer, probably saves them time and money. Again, they are pretty big and probably don't really care all that much about a customer or 100. Therefore the responsibility is yours to determine if the knife arrived in acceptable condition and then begin using/sharpening/whatever. I generally buy from smaller shops because they tend to care more about customer relationships. Knowing the return policy is important if you think you may have to use it.

As the manufacturer, Spyderco has the responsibility to try to stay in business, which means that sometimes they must make a judgement call. They must sometimes tell a customer that they believe there is no way a knife would pass their QC in the condition it has been sent to them. I have no doubt that many people do stupid things with their knives and then expect Spyderco to fix it or replace it for free. To prevent the company from going bankrupt you must sometimes tell people no. This means that sometimes you may find yourself in the position you currently appear to be in. They are looking at the evidence before them, a used, sharpened knife, that appears out of spec to the point that they would not repair it and return it; after looking at the evidence, they make a decision. They are also human beings and it is possible that despite their experience and training, they come to the wrong conclusion sometimes.

Did you get a knife already tinkered with and returned to SMKW sold to you as new? Maybe.

Does SMKW have the right to refuse your return? Maybe, if that is the return policy you agreed to when you purchased from them. Maybe they should have dealt with it, looking quickly at their policy, it looks like you should have pressed them to do so if you had not yet sharpened the knife.

"You can return or exchange SMKW Mechandise in its original unused, unsharpened condition and packaging within 30 days from date of purchase - for any reason - no questions asked. Original shipping and return costs are not refunded. After 30 days, returns are subject to a 20% restocking fee."



I do not know why Spyderco said your knife would never pass QC, but I have found their CS to be fair and honest. They are doing their best and you are in a tough spot, not inspecting thoroughly when you got the knife would appear to have prevented it. If you got the knife and called SMKW and then Spyderco the same day you received it, when did you use the knife enough to comment on it's edge retention, and sharpen it?