Spyderco Forums

I just got a CF Delica and something seems odd:

Upon close inspection I noticed slight chipping in the carbon fiber around the holes in the handle for some screws, the lanyard and the screw holes for the second clip position.

This is most noticeable when held in a way so it reflects light.

Is this faulty fabrication or normal?

I was expecting a perfectly smooth surface.(am I too picky?)

I wrote to the <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> warranty department and they suggested sending it in for inspection.

But before I spend the money on overseas shipping, I wanted to have a few opinions by fellow forumites.

Please help, thanks!



Few people think more than two or three times a year; I have made an international reputation for myself by thinking once or twice a week. -George Bernard Shaw

SB,

Can you post pic's of the issue?

SR

Reports seem to indicate that, if you look closely enough, some minor cracking of the CF is evident around most holes in the CF scales. Both my CF Delica and CF Police have them. Apparently it is a result of the drilling/machining process.

David

"Not all who wander are lost"

Stevie Ray:
Sorry, no digital camera yet, but hopefully soon.<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
4 s ter:
Exactly as you describe! So this is normal?
It's impossible to drill CF without cracking/chipping?

Few people think more than two or three times a year; I have made an international reputation for myself by thinking once or twice a week. -George Bernard Shaw

The surface resins of carbon fiber and other similar composites are often subject to some minor breakout due to drilling or machining operations.

Unless it's just a real cosmetic detraction, it's probably not an issue.

"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule." --H. L. Mencken

Mine has also some tiny cracks. I guess it's normal, anyway it doesn't bother me at all since they are barely noticeable.

<a href="http://users.pcnet.ro/dialex"><font color=blue>(my page)</font></a>

I have some carbon fibre(er)knives, all of them have the cracking around the fixings. I was also concerned when I noticed this on my first Police but when every other knife had the same tiny faults I thought it must be expected when using CF.

Ken

Do not condemn the judgement of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong.

Mine has those cracks too.

Shiden


Lux et Libertas

My CF Police and all six of my CF Delicas have the chipping you describe too. I assumed it was normal for CF.

Mine has them. They are very noticable. The steel insert of the lanyard hole protrudes on one side an is very rough. The Phillips screws look cheap.
Oh...and I don't like the shiny CF.

There are plenty of thing I love about Spyderco, but the CF Delica has been a let-down for me.

So we can conclude it is 'normal'.

Shiden


Audentis Fortuna Iuvat

Thanks for the help!
As Shiden-Kaj says, it must be a normal.
It's a beautiful knife, but a little disappointing in that regard...<img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
So, I'll save myself the hassle of sending it in, thanks!<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Few people think more than two or three times a year; I have made an international reputation for myself by thinking once or twice a week. -George Bernard Shaw

Yup, mine too. Doesn't affect the strength at all. You would have to sand the holes after drilling. Guess you still could do that, but it would require disassembly of the knife, takes time and I don't know what it does to the warranty. Same thing goes for getting rid of the polished finishing. Personally I don't care much, for me the knife was meant to be used not to be looked at. Great knife all in all, got me started on the Spyder-bug. Even though I had bought for friends in Germany the Chinese Lum and was playing with a 'fly and a Spydercard before. IMO you have to hold a Spyderco in your hand to fall in love with it, because they are mostly not much to look at...but they really come "alive in your hand"...and when you get to use them ;-)!

My William Henry CF knives have no chiping. Perfectly round holes. However, they cost more than a Spydie also.

dunefan:
I talked to a friend and he said the same.
He has a few Kloetzli folders with Carbon Fiber which are perfect.
He also has two flawless <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> CF Walker folders, but those are Kloetzli-made, too.(check Ted's page for a good pic)
All these knives are way more expensive, of course.
Makes you think...
There seems to be a knack to handling CF which <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> lacks.<img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Few people think more than two or three times a year; I have made an international reputation for myself by thinking once or twice a week. -George Bernard Shaw

I agree My 4 CF Civies definatly aren't perfect, I was expecting a better finish on them. They are still way cool!

My CF Delica also displays this "chipping" around the lanyard insert holes, and I was a little disappointed when I first saw it as well.

Jeff/1911.

Welcome to the <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Forum, Dunefan and HoB!

Shiden


Audentis Fortuna Iuvat

Edited by - Shiden-Kaj on 3/24/2004 1:17:54 AM

I would have happily paid more and had a better finish.
There are some beautifully finished carbon fibre knives out there - it can be done.
A CF Delica with a William Henry, Kloetzi or Benchmade standard of finish on the CF would be just about as perfect as you can get.

Edited by - steve andrews on 3/24/2004 4:30:06 AM

Having worked with c/f now for almost everyday now for a year I can tell you w/o a doubt this is the biggest PIA material to work with on earth.
The final (finish) side matrix is very brittle around the edges.
Edited to show a cpl examples.
top pic-notice the stop pin is countersunk in the c/f.
Bottom pic is how to NOT! catch a <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> if it slips from your hand 4 stitches and 3 in tendon <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
On the <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>s where the problem occurs is when a pin is set under pressure or the thong sleeve is pressed through leaving a minor chipping on the surface.
The only real fix is to use screws which can be counter sunk and beveled to fit below the surface.
What you have is only cosmetic but I do understand your compliant. ron

http://www.geocities.com/joyce43_c/RONSKNIFESHOP

Edited by - sc_rebel1957 on 3/24/2004 8:56:47 AM